Archive for March 2012
TRANSITIONS: Recycling for dollars
As the week began, the Iowa Legislature hadn’t quite given up on extending the “bottle bill” regulations to cover more types of beverage containers. It’s a difficult situation, though. Opponents don’t want to create even …
GITOMER: Are you a true believer?
What do you believe in? I’m asking you so you can have a clearer picture of why sales are made or lost.
“Jeffrey, you don’t understand,” you whine. “Our customers are price buyers!” No, Jackson, …
Read MoreMCLELLAN: Plan ahead for big changes
I hate to beat on the airlines all the time, but sadly, they sure make it easy.
This past weekend, United and Continental, in a push toward their final merger date, merged their computer systems. …
Read MoreBERKO: Buy the food, not the stock
Dear Mr. Berko:
Please give me your opinion on Wendy’s Hamburgers. Our Old Folks Investment Club has been advised to buy 1,900 shares of Wendy’s. Our broker believes the stock is underpriced and that it …
Read MoreA CLOSER LOOK: Tej Dhawan
StartupCity Des Moines Principal Christian Renaud says that he wishes he had met Tej Dhawan years ago. As it is, the two met in 2010 and decided to pursue what they felt was an important …
WORKS IN PROGRESS: Central Iowa Shelter & Services
Tony Timm can smile on the winter of 2012.
Mild temperatures have allowed construction workers to raise the prefabricated walls and work toward completion in September of the Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) housing …
Read MoreINNOVATIVE COMPANIES: Creative Werks
The problem:
Operating special vehicles, such as farm machinery or military vehicles, can be cumbersome and unsafe.
The innovation:
Creative Werks designs and manufactures radio-controlled wireless systems for special-operations vehicles. That can allow for safer …
Read MoreINNOVATIVE COMPANIES: Hobbs Building Systems
The problem:
The Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) block system has been around for more than 40 years without any significant design improvements. The concrete formwork provides insulation for commercial buildings and homes but can be …
Read MorePrincipal International ‘punched way above its weight’ in early days
Twelve years ago, Norman Sorensen and his colleagues at Principal International Inc. felt strongly that Latin America and Asia would be the “tigers” of global growth into the next century.
Their insight gave Principal an …
Read MoreBERKO: Key to capitalism: The rich get richer
Dear Mr. Berko:
I’m amazed at the trillions of dollars that seem to pass among the Treasury, the banks and the Federal Reserve. I’ve been working like a dog in my accounting business for the …
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