h digitalfootprint web 728x90

The Insider Notebook

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Planning your summer vacation? Prepare to spend more as travels costs soar

Travelers itching to hit the road or the skies for the long-awaited vacation after being cooped up for the past year are experiencing sticker shock as they make those much anticipated plans to get away. …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Eagles – and other birds of prey – eat more than fish. They also like your pets.

Last summer, as I was sitting on my patio working, I watched a hawk swoop down from far above, grab a young bunny that had emerged from under a neighbor’s shed, and fly away with …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK: And the survey says: Consumers want more from brands

Consumers want more from a brand than just a quality product or service. They want to be inspired. They want brands to advocate for them. They want brands to provide value-added information.

West Des Moines-based …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Five Power Breakfast takeaways on moving the community forward

Now officially one year past the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we asked nine leaders to share thoughts on what it will take to reset our economy and work toward community progress together at our …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Electric vehicle industry struggling to find skilled workforce

The electric and autonomous vehicle market is booming, but the industry is facing a major challenge in finding the skilled workforce to keep pace with demand. According to this article from Business Insider, the upskilling that …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Five years of managed care in Iowa: State says Medicaid has stabilized, but patients disagree

Years after privatization, there’s still a deep divide in Iowa when it comes to the state’s Medicaid program, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reports. Five years ago, Iowa turned the state-run program private. The leaders of the program …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Why everywhere looks the same

With all of the new development happening around Greater Des Moines, particularly in my temporary COVID bureau here in suburban Ankeny, it’s interesting to see the various designs going into the many warehouses, retail centers, …

33392

As seen online

Quality photography of a restaurant’s menu items, an artist’s crafted items or a storefront’s product range can boost the visibility of small businesses online. Yet Lisa Shimkat, state director of America’s Small Business Development Center …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK – ONE GOOD READ: Why attending kindergarten — in person — matters

Jane Hudson and Pat Brown were the two most important teachers in my three kids’ lives. Mrs. Hudson taught kindergarten; Mrs. Brown, first grade. It was in those two classes that kids who went to …

DSC 6869

NOTEBOOK: Experts say largest Iowa health systems not in compliance with price transparency rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently began sending noncompliance letters to health systems and hospitals across the country that are not meeting the requirements of a new federal rule that went into effect …