2012 Readers Survey
I know what I think. You know what you think.
But, what does our business community as a collective think?
We surveyed the Business Record audience on 13 business issues affecting Iowa’s business community in an effort to quantitatively and qualitatively capture the pulse of our readers.
Check out the next four pages to see the results and selected comments from our readers.
And, a big thanks to the hundreds of readers who participated this year.
– Chris Conetzkey
Rate the overall health of the Iowa business community.
FILL IN THE BLANK: The biggest issue facing Iowa businesses right now is _______:
• David Stroh, Principal, Wolin Mechanical Electrical
Brain drain
• Joel Duncan, CEO, Merit Resources, Inc.
Federal legislative uncertainty. Healthcare and Taxes
• Kevin Ridout, Vice President, Freedom Financial Bank
Too much government, too many taxes, and too much socialism that we are all paying for
• Michael Helak, Regional President, US Bank
Slower economic growth and a slow recovery exacerbated by an uncertain political/ legislative environment
• Rich Wireman, VP – Tax, Principal Financial Group
The future highly-skilled labor force to allow business expansion as the economy recovers
Growing jobs and attracting young people to stay in Iowa!
• Kevin Crowley, COO/Commercial Sales Manager, Iowa Realty Commercial
Quality work force, and population growth balanced with sustainable economic development
• Ryan Wolff, Vice President and G.M., Signs Plus, Inc.
Maintaining consumer confidence heading into this November’s presidential election
• Steve Sikkink, President, Alliance Technologies
Economic stability – Greece/Europe and elections are big unknowns
• Christian Renaud, CEO, Present.io
Lack of available skilled workers
• Mike Schreurs, CEO, Strategic America
The national economy.
• Kent Sovern, State Director, AARP Iowa
Adequately skilled/trained workforce
What industry would you identify yourself with?
FINANCE & INSURANCE: Rate your perception of the ability for businesses and individuals to obtain a business loan in Iowa.
8: Always possible with a proper business plan and opportunity. Higher risk ventures will continue to struggle.
• Michael Helak, Regional President, US Bank
8: Money is readily available for credit worthy deals. Marginal deals without equity support or good business plan are not getting done.Loan demand is down given uncertain business environment and climate.
• Veryl Kroon, CEO, Iowa Digestive Disease Center
6: Banks are so restricted and they’ve become EXTREMELY careful about their loan practices despite all the cash they are sitting on. The federal government needs to behave more responsibly before this will change.
• Merle Pederson, V.P. & Counsel, Principal Financial Group
TRUE: Ever the optimist … in 2013, legislators will NOT be facing re election campaigns which might give them the courage to compromise to get something meaningful done. Time will tell.
• Eric Wessels, Project Navigator, SJM Construction
FALSE: It isn’t necessary. Iowa has a competitive business climate. We need to make sure we don’t shortchange our communities and schools or shift the burden.
• Gretchen Tegeler, Executive Director, Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa
TRUE: Much hinges on outcome of the election and whether the Senate goes Republican. If it does, property tax reform can be paired with pension and collective bargaining reforms for a package that works for everyone.
TRANSPORTATION: What is the most pressing transportation need in Central Iowa?
• Steve Sink, Owner, Phoenix Affiliates
A rail to where?Have you ever seen a full bus? Do we have traffic jams?
• Don Frazer, SVP – Business Development/Finance, SynGest
Airfare is crucial, but I also hope we can develop passenger rail as an additional tool.
• Jill Creveling, Residential Specialist, Iowa Realty
Being able to get in and out of Des Moines easily and at a reasonable cost is important to growing business and bring in talent.
• Gunnar Olson, Public Information Officer, DART
(Light) rail is unrealistic at this stage in Greater Des Moines’ growth. In the meantime, bus-rapid transit should be fully developed.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION: How important do you think the growing tech start-up scene is for the overall health of the Des Moines business community?
• Martin Jorgensen, Director/Producer, Applied Art & Technology
7: Most of the tech start-ups I’m aware of are about as valuable as a business idea on a bar napkin…
• Rich Wireman, VP – Tax, Principal Financial Group
5: I do not believe the growing tech start-up scene provides a lot to an economy unless by chance one is successful and flourishes, which is rare. These venture require speculative capital investors willing to lose money desiring a potential high return.
• Gary Arneson, Business Development Manager, NCMIC Insurance Group
1: Brings more jobs, keeps younger folks in town.
• David J. Huseru, Executive Vice President, First National Bank
3: They bring vitality to the downtown. They also bring activity and people, as well as recognition.
SALES & MARKETING: How effective do you think social media tools are for marketing purposes?
5: I haven’t figured out a good way to use it for our business yet. We’re a small consulting company and just don’t see its usefulness yet.
• Connor Flynn, Chairman, Lessing-Flynn
8: It’s definitely important, but there are many in this world who have a bad habit of over-stating it to the exclusion all other media platforms.
• Deb Bengtson, Membership Coordinator, WDM Chamber
8: Social Media can’t be the only marketing tool used. It must compliment the other marketing. Too many people are relying on social only.
• John Irving, Director of Business Development, Baker Electric, Inc.
7: It all depends on the type of business.
CULTURE: When it came to giving my personal time and financial support to nonprofit organizations, over the past year, I …
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Des Moines downtown district is most in need of…
• Jennifer Espeland, Market Team Leader, Regus
More businesses to fill vacant office space. The skywalk continues to have numerous areas is in need of a facelift. It would be great to have more access to the street level from the skywalk to give workers and shoppers access to street level and skywalk level retail/businesses.
• Sherwood Adams, Architect – Senior Associate, Brooks Borg Skiles
More businesses to fill vacant office space. Activity and population fuel all other services, so the business activity must increase before the rest will follow.
• Paul Schulte, Director, Bearence Management Group
More entertainment options, for families during evening other than bar and restaurants.
• Lorin Ditzler, Planner, RDG Planning & Design
More retail options, Grocery/Market; Shopping that is NOT in the skywalk and is open evenings and weekends.
• Josh Garrett, Owner, Jett and Monkey’s Dog Shoppe
More businesses to fill vacant office space, Movie theater downtown. All of “Hollywood” movie theaters are on the fringes of the metro.
• Mike Kinter, owner/partner, The Market Building
Some farmers market vendors would operate year round if there was a location. Goods would vary with season, but staples eggs, cheese, baked goods, meat etc this could be the become the downtown market that would also attract business from outside of downtown.
LAW & GOVERNMENT: In regard to business issues, how would you rate the Iowa Legislature’s performance in 2012?
• Kevin Crowley, COO/Commercial Sales Manager, Iowa Realty Commercial
1: Both parties get an” F” for partisan politics and silly issues that grab headlines. Hard decisions, hard cuts need to be made across the board to cut the fat.
• Ryan Wolff, Vice President and G.M., Signs Plus, Inc.
3: Both parties need to come to the table on the first day ready to work. They need to be willing to take a hard look at their so called golden eggs and be willing to compromise. If the government was a business, they would be bankrupt and out of business!
• David Stroh, Principal, Wolin Mechanical Electrical
3: Rural legislators have as much power as those representing the cities. They stifle creativity wanting things to remain the same.
HEALTH & WELLNESS: How stressed are you feeling at work?
• Larry Carl, Executive Director, Iowa Dental Association
3: If one feels stressed, change your environment or simply MAN/WOMAN UP!
• Ryan Wolff, Vice President and G.M., Signs Plus, Inc.
7: We are extremely busy and it is a constant struggle to stay on top of our current work load. If you are stressed then you are blessed.
• Anonymous
I am stressed because of the nature of my work and how items that should be available to help me do my job better are not. I ask and nothing happens yet I am still expected to keep doing more year after year.
• Anonymous
Our employer laid people off last week. Has done so throughout the last couple of years. People still don’t have great confidence that jobs are here to stay.
HR & EDUCATION: On average, how many hours per week are you working?
Average reader response: 49.41 hours/week
ENERGY & UTILITIES: How big a priority are “going green” initiatives at the company you work at or own?
• Dr. Bob Stouffer, Superintendent, Des Moines Christian School
10: Big priority, since we are a Christian organization which is charged with being a good steward of all creation — BUT NOT to extremes — as we are asked to be by the government.
• Eric Wessels, Project Navigator, SJM Construction
4: Fuel efficiency is big, but less green and more economy. I was a LEED AP until recently. As a company, we respond to the needs of clients, and it is 40/60 split with 40 being the green.
• Ronald Hanser, President and Principal, Hanser & Associates
10: Our company went paperless last year. All files (our’s and clients’) are digital. We print out documents only when requested. It saves paper, money, and space — and helps the environment.
Trending News
