Archive for February 2012
BERKO: For a solid banking investment, look north
Dear Mr. Berko:
I have $16,000 to invest in my IRA, and my broker has recommended that I buy Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and Bank of New York. He believes these five …
Read MoreGITOMER: You vs. the airlines
On the airplane this morning, I’m watching the forced media as the plane prepares to take off. The CEO of the airline comes on a video telling me how much he appreciates my business, how …
MCLELLAN: Activate your customer army
There are some human truths that, if you allow them to, can dramatically affect your marketing efforts and focus.
• Human Truth #1: We want to be helpful.
• Human Truth #2: We like being …
Read MoreGUEST OPINION: It’s your reputation; you need to protect it
It’s no longer a 24-hour news cycle. Fueled by the public’s insatiable appetite for scandal and by new media more than capable of satisfying the hunger, today’s news is minute-to-minute.
This creates a false sense …
Read MoreTRANSITIONS: Thick (or thin) as a brick
On a summer evening 30 years from now, an old desk clerk and his young apprentice pass the time in the lobby of a hotel on the Des Moines riverfront.
“Tell me the story, old …
Read MorePrincipal Financial’s chief prognosticator predicts slow growth ahead
The global economy threw a lot of surprises our way in 2011, enough to make Americans downright cranky. Though no one can predict with any certainty whether there will be more severe shocks to the …
Read MoreA Closer Look: Wade Den Hartog
Den Hartog started as the director of affiliates and charitable partners at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines six weeks ago. Before joining the Community Foundation, Den Hartog worked at the Iowa Association of …
In 2012, the Iowa economy will…?
We wanted to take the economic temperature of the business leaders here in Iowa. To do so, we had our reporters poll one leader from each of their beats, and we set up an unscientific …
Capital Crossroads: Social Capital
What is Capital Crossroads:
Capital Crossroads is a regional planning effort headed up by leaders in Greater Des Moines and surrounding communities.
What is Social Capital:
The Social Capital section of the Capital Crossroads long-term …
Read MoreDART unveils proposed tax levy increase
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) Commission last night authorized a public hearing on increasing property tax levy rates by 15 cents per $1,000 of valuation.
The increase would be part of the …
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