Blog

Nov 17, 2016

Five Reasons Why the ABI Foundation is a Great Investment

Tis the season of giving! Now is the time to give thanks for all that we’ve received this year, and give back to those who are fueled by the support of the communities they serve. This year, we ask that you consider the ABI Foundation when determining how best to use your end-of-year dollars.

Nov 10, 2016

All candidates for elected office deserve our respect

As I write this column, ABI members across Iowa are voting. Today is Election Day. I thought about writing this column after the results of the election are known, but the results aren't really the point of this column.

Nov 3, 2016

How will identity theft affect ABI members' employees?

Half of all Americans have had one or more ID stolen at some point in their lives, and the concerns about identity theft continue to grow. The amount of time it takes to recover from such a theft is detrimental to victims and their employers. It’s important to educate yourself on the risks and realities of identity theft and share that information with your employees.

Oct 27, 2016

Usability and your website

Have you ever thought about the usability of your website? Maybe the last time you launched a new website for your company, you sat down with members of your team and had them click through a few pages, making sure they understood how to use the site prior to launch.

Oct 20, 2016

Proposed Changes to IRS Regulations Would Impose a Higher Tax Burden

On Aug. 2, 2016, the Department of Treasury released proposed regulations under Section 2704 of the Internal Revenue Code, which if enacted, are likely to mean a higher tax bill if you transfer shares of family-controlled entities.

Oct 13, 2016

Lean Six Sigma – It Applies to Manufacturers and Business Advisory Firms Alike

Lean Six Sigma is the combination of two concepts that have made a major impact in manufacturing.

Oct 6, 2016

Manufacturing Week celebrates important Iowa industry

This week is an important one at ABI. That is because it is Manufacturing Week, a week set aside to recognize and honor manufacturers for all they do for our nation and our state.

Sep 26, 2016

Employee Voter Registration Week is here!

Employee Voter Registration Week is here! Make plans to join employers all across Iowa and the U.S. who are participating in this important initiative to encourage employee voter registration and civic engagement!

Sep 22, 2016

Election Cycles Mean More Than Just Choosing a President

A presidential election year can change the direction of the country. It may also change the direction of the stock market. This article looks at market performance and elections since the 1920s, the beginning of the modern era of diversified market indexes.

Sep 22, 2016

Five reasons to attend the Advanced Manufacturing Conference

When you have questions about a piece of equipment on your shop floor, you consult your owner’s manual, but where do you turn for answers to the challenges facing your business? Those solutions are often more difficult to track down. 

The 2016 Advanced Manufacturing Conference on Oct. 4 in Altoona has valuable instructions to keep your company running smoothly.

Sep 15, 2016

Advanced Manufacturing Conference offers instructions to keep your manufacturing business running smoothly

ABI is proud to host the Advanced Manufacturing Conference on Oct. 4 in Altoona for companies involved in manufacturing, along with those that are influenced by and have an impact on this important industry. 

Sep 8, 2016

ABI success the result of hard work by members, board and staff

ABI is all about its members. Providing value for members is at the core of everything we do, because if we aren't providing value for you and your company, there is no reason for you to be involved in the association.

Sep 1, 2016

How to use a joint venture to spur growth

There are numerous reasons to seek joint venture, including business expansion, increased technical expertise, and development of a new product or service, and there are just as many types of joint ventures to pursue.

Aug 25, 2016

Should I Use Google AdWords?

If you're new to digital advertising and paid ads, it can be difficult to know whether you should venture into Google AdWords.

Aug 18, 2016

New EEOC Guidance on Workplace Bathroom Access Rights

On May 2, 2016, the EEOC issued a Fact Sheet entitled "Bathroom Access Rights for Transgender Employees Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." 

Aug 11, 2016

Capitol Business: ABI advocates for workforce initiatives

No one knows about the workforce and skill shortages better than you, ABI members and Iowa employers. ABI members have directed staff the last several years to focus on workforce readiness and opportunities for legislative reform. I am pleased to say that ABI has been successful in advocating for changes in Iowa’s education system, specifically career and technical education.

Aug 4, 2016

Member input critical to ABI's public policy success

ABI is heavy into policy development for 2017. By the time the process is completed in September, well over 1,000 members will have been involved in meetings related to the policy process.

Aug 2, 2016

Why I Support IIPAC

Jul 20, 2016

Cost of a Failed Sale Process - Higher Than You Think

There are multiple issues that a business owner needs to consider when preparing for a sale of their business. One consideration that is often poorly understood is the cost of a failed deal - it can be enormous and overshadow any other deal costs incurred.

Jul 13, 2016

Payroll updates and how they impact your business

Years ago, handling payroll for a business was relatively simple–you would write a pay check and submit the tax withholdings. No problem. Unfortunately the number of rules and regulations being mandated continues to increase and we’re here to tell you there is no end in sight.

Jul 7, 2016

July offers the opportunity to take stock of the past year

July is important to ABI because it provides the opportunity to take stock of the past year and prepare for success in the year ahead.

Jun 30, 2016

The possible dream of fixing Iowa's business taxes

There's a lot about Iowa for businesses to like. We have a highly-educated workforce, good schools, attractive employment laws, short commutes, good infrastructure, and reasonable housing prices.

Our business tax system, in contrast, is nothing to brag about.

Jun 23, 2016

Your Annual Review Checklist

Preparing for an annual financial review may be easier with a checklist to help you focus on important matters. With that in mind, here is a list of key considerations that you may want to discuss with your financial advisor.

Jun 9, 2016

Download the Iowa ABI App - your go-to conference resource

The 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference app - Iowa ABI app - is now available for download!

Jun 8, 2016

5 reasons to attend Business Horizons 2016

There are countless reasons for Iowa high school students to attend Business Horizons, a unique weeklong personal and professional development program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation.

Here are five ways Business Horizons can have a positive impact on high school students.

Jun 1, 2016

June is a busy month for ABI

June is an important month for ABI. There is a great deal that happens in this month, but two things stand out.

May 26, 2016

Giving up accountability

You don’t have to look far to find proof of the stunning success of teams within organizations. Teams are one of the most effective responses to today’s business challenges.

May 25, 2016

Three weeks and three reasons to attend the Taking Care of Business Conference

Three weeks from today business leaders from across Iowa will converge on Sioux City for the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference. This is the best investment you'll make all year. Here are 3 reasons to attend with your team.

May 15, 2016

YP Challenge: Bring your young professionals to conference!

Those of you who attend the Taking Care of Business Conference each year understand first hand the value you receive by attending. As leaders in your companies and your industries, the annual ABI conference offers of the very best opportunities in Iowa to network with fellow business leaders and build relationships with potential partners.

But this event isn’t just for executives. It’s also a wonderful learning opportunity for our emerging and future leaders.

May 12, 2016

Focus on worker safety can improve the bottom line

It is important to remember that it is usually easier to keep the revenue already generated by reducing the cost of doing business than it is to create more business.

May 12, 2016

At Business Horizons, learning spans generations

After volunteering as an industry ambassador at Business Horizons for four years, Gina Vitiritto-Robinson knew her 16-year-old son Nico Robinson would enjoy the experience, but like most participants, the high school student just weeks into his summer vacation needed a little convincing.

May 5, 2016

No kidding, the 2016 conference will be among the best yet!

Several times during the past year, I joined ABI leaders and staff members for meetings in Sioux City. The meetings were important as we finalize plans for the 2016 Taking Care of Business Conference, ABI's 113th annual convention.

Ladies and gentlemen, you do not want to miss this event!

Apr 28, 2016

Employers, educate your employees on the dangers of opioids

Employers have a special opportunity to help educate employees about the dangers of opioid use, addiction, and death. 

Apr 21, 2016

2016 Conference Educational Escapes Offer Something for Everyone

Last week, members of the ABI Conference Programming Committee got to sit down with the presenters for our upcoming Taking Care of Business Conference for a preview of their Educational Escapes.

Here are some highlights of everything I learned during our meetings. Good luck selecting just two!

Apr 14, 2016

Five common web terms to learn today

As a responsible business owner, you should know what is going on in technology and how those things will affect how you market your business.

Apr 7, 2016

Spring is a particularly busy time for ABI

Many Iowans believe the General Assembly is nearing its final month of action for the year. And, they seem to believe that means ABI is slowing down its work, too.

Nothing is further from the truth!

Mar 24, 2016

Avoiding Deal Fatigue

Anyone that tells you an M&A process is quick, simple and/or pain free either knows something the rest of us don’t, or is failing to be truthful.

Mar 10, 2016

Whose employees are they anyway? DOL issues guidance on joint-employer liability

Mar 9, 2016

ABI team bringing A game for 2016 conference

It’s basketball tournament time. Across Iowa and across the country, teams are preparing for the post season. At ABI, we’re preparing, too. We’re bringing our A game to provide the very best Taking Care of Business Conference in 2016.

Mar 7, 2016

ABI Legislative Preview | March 7, 2016

It’s the second funnel week at the Iowa Statehouse this week, which means most bills must have been approved by one chamber and a committee in the other chamber to stay alive.

Mar 3, 2016

The state of ABI member businesses

When I write these columns each month, I typically focus on thanking you for your investment in ABI and providing an update on the state of our organization. This month's column will be a bit different, because I would like to share with you what I am hearing from ABI members about the state of their businesses.

Feb 25, 2016

Why Risk Management Matters More than Increased Profits

In business, not all choices are an ‘either or’ proposition. Owners and managers often times believe the zero sum game approach to decision making must be the primary consideration when establishing priorities. “If I do ‘X’, I will not be able to do ‘Y’.” Yet, just the opposite is likely true, especially when delving into the world of risk management.

Feb 11, 2016

Three Tips for Network Security Planning in 2016

One of the most active conversations companies started having in 2015 centered on network security.

Feb 4, 2016

2016 Conference Shaping Up to be Best Yet

All of us on the staff at ABI have an incredible perk as a daily part of our jobs. We have the opportunity to learn what it takes to have a successful business. Our teachers are the very best found anywhere and they are you, ABI members.

Jan 28, 2016

Ask the candidates: How will you support manufacturing?

The caucuses are a few days away, and Iowa voters are hearing more and more from presidential campaigns. Voters have heard plenty of rhetoric, slogans and promises, but they deserve to hear more about one very important topic: manufacturing.

Jan 21, 2016

Hotel Pattee offers special discount for ABI members

The historic Hotel Pattee in Perry is offering fellow ABI members an opportunity to stay at a discounted rate.

Jan 14, 2016

Gerlach: Election Landscape 11 Months Out

For months, Iowa’s political focus has been on the caucuses next month and the federal elections that are less than a year away. A lot will happen in that time, but here is where the races to control the House and Senate stand currently.

Jan 11, 2016

Business Horizons: A volunteer's perspective

Karen Rieck's Business Horizons experience began like the experiences of many of the students she has mentored over the past decade - with skepticism. 

Jan 7, 2016

Ralston: January a busy time at ABI

This is a busy time of year for most ABI members. It is a busy time at the ABI office as well.