Blog

Nov 18, 2021

Learn About the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning

For employers, the Iowa Clearinghouse for Work-Based Learning is a tool to help you build an early talent pipeline of future-ready workers while collaborating with schools across the state. By posting real-world projects in the Clearinghouse, businesses also provide students extraordinary opportunities to learn high-demand skills and explore career pathways.

Nov 11, 2021

From the Desk of Mike Ralston

As we turn our eyes to the end of the calendar year in a few weeks, we really are thinking about the year ahead. One thing I have learned from ABI members is that the focus is always on the future, not the past. We never forget the past, because we celebrate our history and learn from it, but we are always thinking about how we can serve members and add value. 

Oct 28, 2021

Make Your Voice Heard by Voting November 2

Do not ignore the power and responsibility that lies in your hands. Learn about the candidates on the ballot on November 2 and exercise your civic duty by voting for the ones that best resemble your values.

Oct 22, 2021

Weekly Business Report Shares Ways Employers Can Educate Employees About Local Elections

ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain and Dalexi Carrillo, Director of Programming and Communications with BIPAC share how ABI members can take advantage of resources to engage and educate their employees on local elections. 

Oct 21, 2021

Fostering Relationships Is Key to Retaining Employees in the Current Workplace

With changes driven by the recent pandemic, recruiting, hiring and retaining workers will be heavily driven by an organizations ability to help foster relationships with workers who may be working in offices, remotely or a combination.

Oct 13, 2021

5 Signs Your Business Is Ready To Grow

Growing your business and taking it to the next level is an exciting time. There are so many ways to grow your business, including hiring more people, obtaining new technology, expanding your space and creating a more robust digital presence. The question is, how do you know your business is ready? Here are the top five signs your business is ready to grow.

Oct 7, 2021

From the Desk of Nicole Crain

Oct 1, 2021

In Case You Missed It: Made in Iowa

October is Manufacturing Month and the Des Moines Business Record's Made in Iowa edition highlights Iowa manufacturing.

Sep 30, 2021

From the Desk of Mike Ralston

One thing we have learned from members is that continuous improvement is the goal. We keep working on advancing the agenda set by the board and we focus on adding value for your business. That's not just rhetoric, but what we think about and act upon every day.

Sep 2, 2021

From the Desk of Mike Ralston

ABI President Mike Ralston highlights the team effort behind the scenes at ABI.

Aug 27, 2021

Weekly Business Report Highlights How Workplaces Can Participate in Healthiest State Month

Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Executive Director Jami Haberl joins ABI Executive Vice President Nicole Crain to share how ABI members can get involved in Healthiest State Month and the 11th Annual Healthiest State Walk.

Aug 26, 2021

ABI Concludes Issue Committee Process For Developing 2022 Public Policy Positions

In a process overseen by ABI Vice-Chair Kim Augspurger, specific issue-area committees have met at the ABI offices in Des Moines over the last three weeks to make specific public policy recommendations.  Dozens of ABI members have provided their subject matter expertise to the Tax, Workplace and Product Safety, Environment, Workforce and Employment and Economic Growth Committees.  Key figures from state government have addressed the committees to give policy previews from their agency and legislative perspectives.

Aug 18, 2021

10 Effective Local Advertising Ideas for Small Businesses

As a small business owner, your goal for advertising and marketing is probably to get more customers – or at least to get in front of them so when it comes time to buy or make an appointment, your business is on their radar. But, where to start?

Aug 12, 2021

Why Security Matters to Your Employee Benefit Plans

Employee benefit plans are a common perk for many organizations. They are often seen as a necessary employee benefit, but they also come with a strong need for compliance. Specifically, ERISA-covered group health plans and retirement plans can be subject to HIPAA privacy and security laws, assurance and audit requirements and more.

Aug 5, 2021

Taking Advantage of ABI Opportunities

Membership in ABI is all about you and adding value to your business.  The best way to do that is to ensure your participation in the way that best serves your needs.  

Jul 15, 2021

The Present and Future of Drug and Alcohol Testing—What Employers Should Know About the Iowa Supreme Court’s Recent Decisions

Iowa’s statute governing drug and alcohol testing—Code Section 730.5—has long plagued Iowa employers. Even the most well-meaning employers, who are truly just trying to do the right thing and make every effort to comply with the statute’s strict requirements, can face a lawsuit based on a technical violation that has not actually caused an employee harm. 

Jul 9, 2021

Weekly Business Report Shares LifeServe Blood Center's Push to Boost the Blood Supply

LifeServe Blood Center's spokesperson, Danielle West, says staffing shortages and lower blood donor turnout is impacting the blood supply. West explains how businesses can help with this need to boost the blood supply.

Jul 7, 2021

4 Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic to Help Prepare Your Business for the Next Crisis

While some businesses overcame challenges posed by the pandemic – some even shined – others struggled on. There are four factors that set successful businesses apart and how they can help you prepare for the next time a crisis strikes.

Jul 2, 2021

Thinking Ahead After A Wonderful June

Every July 1^st, ABI begins a new fiscal year.  As always noted, the date is much more than a simple accounting mark. July is important to ABI, because it provides the opportunity to take stock of the year past and to implement plans for success in the year ahead.  

Jun 24, 2021

New EEOC Guidance on Vaccinations

As Americans continue to be vaccinated in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to CDC recommendations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has updated its COVID-19 guidance on regarding employers and COVID-19 vaccines. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mar 18, 2021

ABI Launches Weekly Business Report Video Series

ABI started its Weekly Business Report video series this week.

Mar 11, 2021

Workers’ Compensation Medical Bill Review: Neglected Truths

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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. 

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. 

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.

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.