Banknotes

Lisa Smith, founder & CEO of Minneapolis-based strategic marketing communications firm SMITH Company, joins the show to discuss her personal journey to launching her organization, the innate importance of storytelling, marketing trends in a COVID world, the components of a strong personal brand, and more.

Jenna Atkinson, founder & CEO of The P5 Project, joins the show to discuss the challenges of operating a new business in a pandemic, turning obstacles into opportunities, and empowering entrepreneurs to set big goals and make a positive impact.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median length of time a worker stays at a job is 4.1 years. Even when you adjust for my personal demographics, less than half of men my age have been at their current job for 10 years or more.

The election is finally over (we think)! We survived! And while I promise to (mostly) attempt to steer clear of politics here, the results of the election do have consequences for the markets and the economy. It appears that the government will remain divided, which will likely mean fewer surprises when it comes to policy. So, the 2020 beat goes on…now to vanquish the virus and get back to normal – new or not!

What is the true value of your business? If you're like most business owners, you do not really know.

At best, you may have an ‘estimate,’ based on some financial multiple associated with your industry – one that reflects a vague ‘average,’ but does not consider the myriad specific qualitative, planning, and trend-related factors unique to your situation. It views your business through the rear-view mirror (where it's been) rather than the windshield (where it's going).

Though recent thermostat readings may lead you to believe otherwise, the fact remains: winter is coming. Despite the inevitability of colder temperatures, the challenges posed by inclement weather, and the social distance guidelines recommended by governmental and health agencies alike, your retail banking options at State Bank of Cross Plains remain streamlined, connected, and more robust than ever.

For many years, we have been told by business analysts that paper checks would go the way of the typewriter, replaced by electronic payments and other more efficient ways to settle transactions. Clearly, this has yet to happen. In fact, checks are still the most popular payment method for transactions among U.S. businesses, according to a 2019 study by the Association or Financial Professionals.

Yesterday, the country awoke to the welcome news that we may be one step closer to a potential game-changing vaccine, in the fight against the coronavirus. Getting there has required numerous clinical trials, and the fact remains that new cases continue to surge across the continent and, indeed, the world.

What does it mean to be resilient? How can you deal with things in your life that drain you of your energy? This presentation answers these and other questions, equipping viewers with the tools necessary to build themselves back up through life-goal planning, attitude management, and self-care.

The show's first guest is Alison Helland, a partner at the Madison-based law firm Boardman Clark, who joins Alyssa & Dawn to talk about her path to law, what she most enjoys about advising business clients, and how she builds strong relationships within her practice. She also addresses some of the tax-related complexities that have arisen during the pandemic, and offers guidance to business owners as the end of the year approaches.