Business Monthly

Apr 8, 2024

A Tax Planning Checklist: How to Avoid Surprises and Stay Compliant

Mar 11, 2024

What Do Business Owners Need to Do Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Provisions Sunset

Feb 19, 2024

Understanding Healthcare Costs – Three Must Know Factors

Jan 15, 2024

The Search Generative Experience and What it Means for Your SEO Strategy

Dec 4, 2023

Improving Employee Retention to Meet Demands of Today’s Workforce

Nov 7, 2023

Cultivating Safety: OSHA Guidelines for Agricultural Operations

Oct 9, 2023

Making health care better takes a collaborative approach

Sep 11, 2023

Impacted by supply chain disruptions? IRS Clarifies ERC Eligibility

Jul 24, 2023

Is Your Company Safe?

Jun 12, 2023

I Think I Need a Business Valuation

May 8, 2023

Workers’ Comp Costs: 3 Ways a Designated Medical Provider Can Help

Apr 10, 2023

Manufacturers: Get Ready for Section 174 Capitalization

Apr 10, 2023

Strong M&A Opportunities Should Continue in 2023

Mar 13, 2023

Top Five Reasons to Attend the ABI Conference in Cedar Rapids

Feb 13, 2023

Continuing the Legacy: Transferring Stock

Nov 11, 2022

Navigating Inventory Management Through Volatility

Oct 14, 2022

Solving Workforce Shortages via Acquisition

Sep 9, 2022

Manufacturing Planning in an Unpredictable World

Aug 12, 2022

High Performance Networks Offer Savings for Your Organization

Jul 15, 2022

Four Risks Eating Away at Food Manufacturing

Jun 13, 2022

How Your Team Could Benefit from an EAP

A team of happy employees and a strong company culture can have a huge impact on the success and productivity of your business.

Apr 8, 2022

Write It Down: A Note about Employee Handbooks

Mar 10, 2022

Don’t Underestimate the Impact a Recall Can Have

Dec 10, 2021

Four Recruiting Tips for Employers

Nov 12, 2021

New Lease Accounting — It’s Here, Are You Ready?

Oct 8, 2021

How Secure is my Business?

Sep 10, 2021

Solving the Workforce Gap Will Take New Perspectives

Jun 9, 2021

HR Compliance Checklist: A Guide for Business Owners

May 14, 2021

Guarding Against Supply Chain Disruption

Apr 9, 2021

Working Remotely-Is This the New Normal?

Mar 11, 2021

You Don’t Have to Live With Back Pain

Tensed up shoulders due to stress or slouching at less-than-ideal remote workstations, 2020 was a bad year for our postures—and our backs! 

Nov 13, 2020

COVID-19 Accounting Considerations

All of these matters could have accounting and financial reporting implications for businesses.

Oct 9, 2020

When Impossible, Becomes Possible

How can you leverage technology to strengthen your organization during this time?

Sep 11, 2020

What’s My Company Worth Now? Post-COVID Business Appraisals

As COVID-19 has permeated every aspect of our lives, it is no surprise that the economic impacts of the pandemic will also affect the value of your company and subsequent business appraisals.

Aug 14, 2020

FFCRA Provides Paid Leave Benefits for Back-To-School

Here are a few things to keep in mind about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

Jun 5, 2020

Health Savings Account – Should You Have One?

If you are considering if you would benefit from an HSA, keep your budget and health in mind. 

May 8, 2020

Telehealth to Play Significant Role in Future of Rural Medicine

Telehealth may also become a significant part of rural medicine in the future, and a part of what keeps these facilities open and continuing to provide the vital service to the rural populations of Iowa.

Dec 13, 2019

The Future Looks Bright for Business

With historic low interest rates, abundant amounts of capital available, and aging baby boomers the M&A market should remain robust in 2020 and beyond.

Nov 8, 2019

Showing Gratitude Pays Big Dividends

With the Thanksgiving season in full swing, business leaders can use this time to reflect on what they find themselves grateful for, and as a means of cultivating gratitude amongst those they work alongside.

Oct 11, 2019

The Internet of “Insecure” Things

With proper identification and management, IoT devices provide many opportunities to increase revenue, increase efficiencies and reduce costs.

Aug 9, 2019

A Healthy Workplace Includes Your Employees’ Financial Well-being

Research what financial well-being programs are available for your employees and how they can be incorporated into your current wellness offerings.

Jul 12, 2019

Giving Back the Way Only You Can

As businesses in Iowa, we can give back to our communities in creative ways.

May 10, 2019

In Litigation, Control What You Can

In Iowa, we are fortunate to have the relatively new Iowa Business Specialty Court (the IBSC).

Apr 12, 2019

Rural Iowa Today and Tomorrow

I asked a 29-year-old who returned to his hometown what he thought was going right in rural Iowa and what still needs improvement.

Mar 8, 2019

Leaders: How to Deal with Dissonance

Leadership situations can also cause a gap between what is and what appears to be.

Feb 8, 2019

Signs of a Heart Attack are Different Between Men and Women

This difference can make it harder for the opposite sex to recognize a heart attack, putting women at risk of overlooking a serious health issue.

Jan 11, 2019

Goal Setting and Planning Strategies for Executives

Goal setting and planning strategies are important to consider for any business or organization’s success.

Dec 14, 2018

Health Care Disruptors To Watch

There is a realignment afoot in health care. Competition within the industry, along with new competitors from outside the industry, are all disrupting the status quo. 

Nov 9, 2018

Giving Thanks for Our Great State

There is so much in Iowa I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving. 

Oct 12, 2018

Small Employer Wellness: Little Budget, Big Impact

Show employees you care about their health and well-being by investing in a worksite wellness program. 

Sep 14, 2018

Streamline Order Processing with Custom Software

If you have your manual processes nailed down but are hindered because they don’t scale, or if you see benefit in automating them, look into technology as a possible solution.

Aug 10, 2018

Are You Protecting What’s Most Important?

Have you ever stopped to think about which asset you rely on most? You might think it’s your home or car, but it’s your income that makes this and much more possible. 

Jul 13, 2018

Hobbies: How Business Leaders Spend Time Away from Work

How do we balance work and life in a way that everything receives its due and we feel successful in all our roles? How do we find the time for hobbies? Maybe we’re not asking the right question.

Jun 1, 2018

The Distressing Side Effects of Stress — and How to Manage It All

Understanding how stress affects your life helps you make positive changes.

May 11, 2018

How Innovative Are We?

Recently Iowa was listed as the No. 43 Most Innovative State.

Apr 13, 2018

Navigating the World of Business Software

Here's how to make sure you’re getting the most value out of your software investment in terms of time and money.

Apr 13, 2018

With Legal Services, Better to Lead than React

These are just some of the areas that often benefit from proactive behavior — seeking expert advice upfront — and are at least worth a phone call or email. 

Mar 9, 2018

Groundhog Sees ... A Bumpy Road?

While groundhogs may provide an annual forecast on how many weeks of winter remain, we humans need to follow a sound investment strategy with a much longer-term perspective.

Feb 9, 2018

There is Always More to the Story

Seek out the whole story and make a more informed decision.

Jan 12, 2018

The Myth of Multitasking

Research does not support the myth multitasking saves time.

Dec 8, 2017

Keeping Recruitment Real in the Technology Age

Offer real advantages to joining your organization, and the right candidates will follow.

Nov 10, 2017

Gains in Productivity

There are many things leaders can do to create an environment that allows people to work at their inventive and productive best. Perhaps the most important thing is also one of the simplest. 

Oct 13, 2017

The Law of the Pack

Are millennials narcissistic and lazy, believing they are entitled to rank and privilege they haven’t earned? Or does their ambition make them eager to leave behind what they perceive to be an outmoded framework for career growth and success?

Sep 8, 2017

Big Data Companies Transform Industries, Becoming Prime Acquisition Targets

Aug 11, 2017

5 ways small businesses can stay relevant through online innovation

These days, staying relevant involves staying connected. Businesses are being challenged to deliver more and more conveniences and services online. So how can a small, main street business stay innovative and relevant when it comes to the needs of their customers?

Jul 14, 2017

M&D Companies: Enter global markets on your terms with advance planning

Manufacturers and distributors that conscientiously and assertively develop global markets typically have twice the growth rate of those that merely chase opportunities as they arise.

May 12, 2017

NONCOMPETES: Does Selective Enforcement Really Matter?

Many companies use restrictive covenant agreements (including noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisclosure agreements) to protect their businesses from unfair competition and customer poaching.

Apr 14, 2017

ESOPs offer way to retain businesses in Iowa communities

Rural communities are seeking solutions for retaining and growing local business and employment. Demographic trends imply future difficulties as many businesses are sold when owners retire.

Mar 10, 2017

Offering a Wellness Program Makes Sense

Wellness programs make sense for large and small companies alike.

Dec 9, 2016

The Obamacare Waiting Game

The Affordable Care Act is dead. Long live the Affordable Care Act. The people have spoken and elections have consequences, which means that President-elect Donald Trump will act on his promise to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as Obamacare.

Aug 11, 2016

Simple Preventative Maintenance for Your Most Important Asset

In business it is important to maximize productivity, whether it be with equipment or human assets. We all know how important preventive maintenance is for machines and equipment, but often this same philosophy is not taken with a company’s most important asset, its people. I think we would all agree that a company’s most important assets are qualified, healthy employees, who are maximizing their potential every day.

Jul 8, 2016

Reduce the risk of social engineering fraud

Jun 9, 2016

Motivating a multigenerational workforce: What it takes to attract and retain

As we welcome Generation Z into the job market, our workforce becomes four-generational. Each generation represents its own distinct characteristics and values. To successfully integrate, companies need to embrace new tactics in recruitment, benefits and creating a corporate culture that actively demonstrates respect and inclusion. It’s time to get creative and personal in attracting and retaining top talent.

May 13, 2016

Putting digital to work for manufacturers

Digital technology, including websites, email, texting, social and mobile devices, has changed marketing for today’s manufacturer. 

Apr 8, 2016

Business owners: It's time to prepare for the unexpected

Like most business owners, you spend
 a lot of time integrated in your business, learning about and dealing with unexpected hurdles to keep it growing and thriving. But are you prepared if an illness or injury kept you from working?

Feb 12, 2016

Understanding and Reacting to the Health Care Reform in an Unsure Future

After payroll, the next biggest expense to businesses is either inventory or health insurance premiums.

Jan 8, 2016

Data risk: Are you insuring what you should? Are you sure?

Companies have insurance for all kinds of liability, from fires to workers’ compensation, but what about a data breach?