Archive for January 2012
GUEST OPINION: We are all self-employed
In what is being called the Great Recession, the contract between individuals and organizations no longer exists, and loyalty from both sides has disappeared. People are losing their jobs, questioning their work-life choices and redefining …
TRANSITIONS: Stealth is the key to inventing a new fee
Verizon Wireless announced that it planned to charge a $2 fee for making payments one at a time online. Its customers protested, and Verizon not only backed off but now is looking for a way …
2012 in Preview: Ag & Environment
2012 a time for caution in agriculture, farm leader says
One week after he was elected president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Craig Hill settled for the first time into a large leather chair …
Read More2012 in Preview: CRE & Development
Turn on the lights: office leasing a bright spot in Greater Des Moines
Expect to see more vacant office space fill up this year, especially in second-generation buildings, Greater Des Moines brokers said.
That was …
Read More2012 in Preview: Economic Development
Plans to remake Water Works Park will start to take shape
2012 marks the beginning of Water Works Park’s transformation and development.
After the Des Moines Water Works Parkitecture competition winner is announced, the victorious …
Read More2012 in Preview: Finance & Insurance
Asia, rural Iowa both growth opportunities for insurers
Recent trade missions to China could provide an entree into retirement investment markets there for Iowa-based insurance companies, said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development …
Read More2012 in Preview: Law & Government
Attorney will change course to help struggling businesses
After July 1, there will be one less attorney fighting banks that go to court to recover property securing failed loans.
Jerrold Wanek, 53, who has been …
Read More2012 in Preview: Technology
Evolution of coupon sites
Coupon websites such as Groupon Inc., LivingSocial Inc. and local variations had a lot of buzz last year.
Maybe too much buzz.
“It’s inevitable during these booms — you’ll get a …
Read More2012 in Preview
Why bother, right?
Why have our reporters write beat-by-beat breakdowns of what the key stories and issues for the Des Moines business community will be in 2012?
It’s all going to come to an end …
Read MoreDiamonds are not an investor’s best friend
Dear Mr. Berko:
I’m a 35-year-old physician, and I’m finally getting married. A jeweler in Chicago has shown me a nearly flawless, $58,000, 5-carat diamond for my fiancee. It’s a wonder to look at and …
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