Blog

2021

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  Jun 17, 2021

  Reimagining the Workplace: Strategies for a Positive Way Forward in the “New Normal”

  The past year-plus presented employers with countless challenges with the changes that COVID-19 has presented, most recently the vaccine and the CDC’s revised guidance regarding face coverings and fully-vaccinated individuals. While it feels like we’ve reached the light at the end of the tunnel, in some ways the workplace and employment relationship will be changed forever.

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  Jun 3, 2021

  118th Business Conference Next Week

  Next week, ABI will hold its 118th annual convention, the 2021 Taking Care of Business Conference. After having to cancel last year’s event, we are excited to host a reduced crowd of around 500 ABI members in Coralville/Iowa City next Tuesday-Thursday.

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  May 28, 2021

  Weekly Business Report Features Storey Kenworthy and BuyABI Partnership

  Lincoln Dix, VP of Storey Kenworthy, joins ABI Executive VP Nicole Crain to discuss the company's partnership with BuyABI.

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  May 27, 2021

  Supporting Your Employees’ Mental Health

  As employees are returning to their job sites in greater numbers and our days are starting to resemble more of what they were pre-pandemic, there are a whole new set of emotional challenges that many employees face.

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  May 20, 2021

  Property Tax Relief Planning During Times of COVID

  Taking the right approach to a solution can substantially improve your company’s ability to negotiate and reduce its tax hit for years to come.

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  May 13, 2021

  Why Choose an ESOP?

  An ESOP is a trust set up by a corporation to allot some or all of its stock to its employees over time. It’s similar in many ways to a profit-sharing plan.

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  May 7, 2021

  Weekly Business Report Shows Members How to Maximize Their ABI Membership

  This week, ABI President Mike Ralston gives an outlook on what's happening at ABI, and ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain shares how members can maximize their membership

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  May 6, 2021

  Annual Convention Is Just One Month Away

  As you read this column, the 2021 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI’s 118^th annual convention, is a month away.

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  Apr 30, 2021

  Weekly Business Report Highlights Make It OK Campaign

  The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative has resources to help employers raise awareness of the importance of mental health. 

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  Apr 29, 2021

  Five Ways to Create More Engaging Social Media Content

  To be taken seriously as a modern-day business, you must have a social media presence. But to leverage your social media following into a sales generating engine, it is vital to create consistently engaging content on your platforms of choice. 

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  Apr 22, 2021

  Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Tying the Financial Knot

  By starting an honest and open conversation about this often touchy issue now, you’re less likely to run into major money-related road bumps later.

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  Apr 16, 2021

  Weekly Business Report Features Magna International and ABI Partnership With Women in Manufacturing

  Misti Rice of Magna International was recently selected to serve as chair of the Women in Manufacturing board.

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  Apr 15, 2021

  Do You Want to Provide a Safer Vending Experience for Your Employees?

  Federal Machine's groundbreaking UV light sanitization technology makes high-touch surfaces on vending equipment safer.

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  Apr 9, 2021

  Weekly Business Report Highlights Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council

  Dr. Jeff Weld, Executive Director of the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council, joins ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain to discuss the importance of business-education partnerships.

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  Apr 8, 2021

  STEM Teacher Externships: Connecting Classroom to Career

  Externship hosts that bring a teacher on as part of a team to make progress on projects and problems get a great return on their investment.

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  Apr 1, 2021

  ABI Remains Strong During Pandemic

  The pandemic is not over, but thanks to terrific leadership by ABI members, the association remains strong and will emerge better than ever.

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  Mar 30, 2021

  ABI President Mike Ralston Visits Jackson Mfg. in Maquoketa

  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have not had as many opportunities as usual to make visits to member offices or manufacturing plants, but that changed last week.

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  Mar 25, 2021

  ABI Board of Directors Chair Joins Weekly Business Report

  ABI Board of Directors Chair Steven Bradford joins ABI President Mike Ralston for the Weekly Business Report to discuss the Taking Care of Business Conference.

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  Mar 24, 2021

  Family Compensation: You Can't Always be Equal and Fair

  In regards to family compensation, the questions and topics to consider are seemingly endless.

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  Mar 18, 2021

  ABI Launches Weekly Business Report Video Series

  ABI started its Weekly Business Report video series this week.

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  Mar 11, 2021

  Workers’ Compensation Medical Bill Review: Neglected Truths

  Every risk manager and CFO should be aware of these neglected truths.

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  Mar 4, 2021

  ABI Conference: The Best Business Networking in Iowa

  If you want to add value for your business, there is simply no better place for you to be than at this meeting.

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  Feb 25, 2021

  Patent Ownership – Assignments

  It is important to parse out ownership in intellectual property, as the owner(s) will control the rights of the IP.

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  Feb 18, 2021

  The Hidden Opportunities Inside Every Layoff (And How Outplacement Can Turn a Tough Decision Into a Win-Win-Win)

  Learn how outplacement can turn a tough decision into a win-win-win.

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  Feb 11, 2021

  CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Share Your Expertise with Thousands of Iowa Executives in the ABI Blog

  When you submit a blog post for consideration, it has the potential to reach thousands of business leaders across the state and beyond.

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  Feb 4, 2021

  An Important Interview about Childcare and Workforce in Iowa

  Access to affordable child care is a key element in developing and growing workforce in Iowa

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  Jan 28, 2021

  Values Pave a Path Through Chaos

  Employees who feel intrinsically connected to something larger than themselves are highly motivated and perform really well in the face of adversity. 

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  Jan 21, 2021

  Make Introductions and “Sell” to Your Newly Elected Officials

  This is a great opportunity to be the first in a long line of entities that will be asking for their attention as the new sessions begin. 

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  Jan 14, 2021

  Your Involvement is Key to ABI’s Public Policy Success

  You can help us pursue our public policy goals by being engaged in the policymaking process in these three ways.

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  Jan 7, 2021

  ABI: At the Forefront of COVID-19 Vaccine Deployment Discussions

  Our goal is to ensure that officials in charge of deployment understand the critical nature of Iowa’s workforce in ensuring life operates smoothly in our state.