Opinion

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On Leadership: Supporting Gen Z and millennials in the workplace

Throughout history, older generations have had opinions about younger generations’ tastes, morals and work ethics. When I was in college, I remember the elderly cook at the cafeteria where I scrubbed pots and pans constantly …
By SUZANNA de BACA | Aug 31, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Ames and the airport

I was disheartened to learn Ames will provide no money for a new passenger terminal at Des Moines International Airport.


Ames is where I was born and received all of my formal education. My parents …
By DAVE ELBERT | Aug 30, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Our merry-go-round

I was at the drinking fountain in the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park when I saw my old friend K.C. admiring Keith Haring’s colorful sculpture of three dancing figures.

Haring was a 1980s graffiti …
By DAVE ELBERT | Aug 24, 2022
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On Leadership: Workforce on the move

Employees are on the move, and no one is sure how to get them back. 

 

I recently moderated a panel discussion of top leaders from various industries about their experiences leading through the pandemic …
By SUZANNA de BACA | Aug 17, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Iowa’s early fairs

Craig and Diane Leaming have an unusual connection to the Iowa State Fair. Their 1880s west-side home was once a ticket station for trains carrying passengers between downtown and the fairgrounds.


The Leamings live on …
By DAVE ELBERT | Aug 16, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Letters from 1930

My cousin Naomi handed me copies of 31 letters during her father’s 100th birthday celebration on June 7. The pages chronicle a three-month trip to the West Coast that our grandparents, Leslie and Esther Everly, …
By Dave Elbert | Aug 10, 2022
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Guest opinion: The time has come for Central Iowa Water Works

Submitted by: Jay Byers,president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and Steve Gaer, former West Des Moines mayor and COO of R&R Realty Group

We live in a community experiencing significant momentum. Central Iowa continues …
By BPC Staff | Aug 4, 2022
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On Leadership: The leader as chief wellness officer

For years I worked at companies where leaders and employees alike were expected to get the job done at all costs. Pushing yourself to extremes was valued and rewarded as a sign of dedication and …
By Suzanna de Baca | Aug 3, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Fruits and vegetables

Problems facing fruit and vegetable growers present a unique opportunity for Iowa manufacturers of specialty farm equipment, including Deere & Co., Pella-based Vermeer Corp. and Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, among others.

Before I explain, here’s …
By DAVE ELBERT | Aug 3, 2022
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The Elbert Files: Field of suckers

I’m one of those guys who had a hard time walking out of the theater the first time I saw “Field of Dreams.” I wasn’t prepared for the flood of emotions at the end of …
By DAVE ELBERT | Jul 27, 2022
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