Claim OwnershipIndustry Iowa
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A CIRAS podcast to help Iowa businesses and communities prosper and grow.
The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University.
The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is part of the College of Engineering and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR) at Iowa State University.
76 Episodes
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In this insightful episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Andrew Pfeiffer, founder of the Process Innovation Lab, to explore the evolving world of intelligent automation—and why it’s about far more than just bots and workflows.Andrew unpacks the integrated capabilities behind intelligent automation—from process analysis and user-centric design to AI, case management, and chatbots. But what sets this conversation apart is the focus on the human side of automation: how design thinking, empathy, and rapid prototyping are reshaping how we solve problems and deliver value.We also discuss:
🔧 How intelligent automation differs from traditional IT and RPA
💡 Why fast prototyping and agility matter more than ever
🤖 What makes a process a great candidate for automation
🧠 How leaders can embrace experimentation and manage risk
🕵️ The invisible signals of inefficiency—and how to find them
📈 Why operational excellence today must include digital toolsWhether you're an operations leader, IT professional, or innovation strategist, this episode will expand your view on how to align technology, people, and purpose for real business impact.🎧 Listen now and discover what intelligent automation really means.
In this episode of Industry Iowa, Steven Wilson sits down with Chad Cooper, copywriter at de Novo Marketing, broadcaster, and storyteller, to explore the power of brand storytelling in what he calls the “Age of Average.” Together they unpack why so much of branding has become bland, safe, and forgettable—and what it takes for businesses to stand out. Chad shares memorable examples of creative storytelling, including a wind energy campaign that turned a natural annoyance into a symbol of potential, and outlines practical steps any business can use to connect more authentically with its audience. If you’ve ever wondered how to break free from the sea of sameness, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.
In this powerful conversation, host Steve Wilson sits down with Billy Ray Taylor, CEO of LinkedXL and author of The Winning Link, to unpack what it really takes to align people, purpose, and performance—and why most leaders miss the mark.Billy shares leadership gold from decades of experience leading operational excellence at Fortune 500 companies. We dig into:
- The real drivers of ownership and accountability
- Why daily management systems are the engine of strategy execution
- How to build alignment—even in union environments
- “Celebrate the Red”: a fresh take on fact-based leadership and transparency
- The difference between KPIs and KPAs—and why it matters
- Psychological safety, behavioral indicators, and the invisible signals of misalignment
- How AI can inform decisions—without replacing the human touchBilly’s insights are sharp, grounded, and actionable—perfect for anyone serious about transforming culture, improving execution, and building teams that win.
In this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, I sit down with keynote speaker and communication coach Erik Dominguez, who will be speaking at this year’s Iowa Lean Consortium Conference. We explore how real leadership confidence is formed—not by eliminating fear, but by learning to navigate it.Topics include:
• Why Imposter Syndrome is more common than you think
• How discomfort signals growth, not failure
• The power of vulnerability (and when to share it)
• How to expand your comfort zone intentionally
• The secret connection between confidence and storytellingWhether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this conversation offers practical insights and a mindset shift that could reshape how you lead.
In this episode of Industry Iowa, I sit down with Mayor Nick AbouAssaly of Marion, Iowa, to talk about what it really takes to create communities where people and businesses want to be.From reinventing Marion’s City Square into a year-round destination to launching bold new projects like the upcoming Aquatic Center, Nick shares how collaboration between business and civic leaders is key to shaping quality of life, attracting talent, and driving economic vitality.Why public-private partnerships are essentialHow business investment in “quality of place” fuels growthWhat Marion is doing right—and what other communities can learnWhether you’re in city government, economic development, or business leadership, this conversation is packed with insights you can use.EconomicDevelopment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #CommunityLeadership #IndustryIowa #MarionIA #CityPlanning #BusinessLead
In this episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, Steven Wilson sits down with Andrew Pfeiffer, founder of the Process Innovation Lab, to explore the real meaning of process innovation.Andrew shares how this approach goes beyond traditional continuous improvement by emphasizing empathy, experimentation, and human-centered design. Through real-world examples—from transforming customer experiences at a major telecom to running a Microsoft Copilot user study—Andrew unpacks how process innovation can drive cultural change and deliver lasting impact.Whether you're in manufacturing, leadership, or community development, this conversation offers practical strategies to strengthen your organization through people-first innovation.👉 Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-andrew-pfeiffer/
🌐 Learn more: HTTPs://www.theprocessinnovationlab.com/
🎧 Subscribe for more insights on Iowa’s industry and innovation leaders.ProcessInnovation #DesignThinking #IndustryIowa #Leadership #ContinuousImprovement
Part 2 is here!Is your data helping you lead—or just making noise?In this follow-up episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, I continue the conversation with Mark Stanley and Angela Kalemis , co-authors of Data: Harness Your Numbers to Go from Uncertain to Unstoppable.We dig deeper into how to build a data-informed culture that fuels real results—not just reports.Key takeaways:✅ The five-number income statement that simplifies cash flow ✅ Avoiding the “Streetlight Effect” in your metrics ✅ How to make scorecards stick ✅ Why vision without data is just a wish ✅ Empowering high performers with the right measurements ✅ Common data mistakes—and how to fix themAngela and Mark are on a mission to make data practical, predictive, and powerful for EOS-driven teams—and their insights in this episode are gold.Resources & workshops: https://unstoppable-biz.com/Unstoppable-Biz – Drive Growth, Profit & Control <https://unstoppable-biz.com/>Master the Data Component™ of EOS® to fuel growth and improve cash flow. No more surprises—just the right numbers driving decisions, action, and results.unstoppable-biz.comIf you're serious about making data a strategic asset, not a burden—this is your episode.
What if the right data could take your business from uncertain to unstoppable?On the latest episode of the Industry Iowa Podcast, I sit down with Mark Stanley and Angela Kalemis, co-authors of the powerful new book Data: Harness Your Numbers to Go from Uncertain to Unstoppable.Making data practical—not just prettyBuilding scorecards that actually drive behaviorUnderstanding your cash flow driversReal-world stories of financial turnaround Lessons learned from implementing EOS with purpose.Angela and Mark share energizing insights, practical tools, and client success stories—including how one company used their framework to avoid bankruptcy during hyper-growth.This conversation is a must-listen for any leadership team serious about making data a strategic advantage. Get the book: https://unstoppable-biz.com/
Join host Steve Wilson and sit down with Kyle Uebelhor, partner at the Alexander Group’s Chicago office, to explore how sales compensation can be a powerful lever for growth. Kyle shares insights on:✅ Aligning sales compensation with business goals✅ Avoiding common mistakes in sales plans✅ Navigating the rise of AI in sales✅ Creating purpose-driven compensation strategiesWhether you're a sales leader or business executive, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways.And don’t miss the chance to hear Kyle live at the Ivy College of Business Innovation Sales Summit on April 2nd! Register now at www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu.
In this episode of Industry Iowa, host Steve Wilson welcomes sales expert Liz Heiman to discuss strategies for building high-performing sales teams. As a featured speaker at the upcoming Ivy College of Business Innovation Sales Summit, Liz shares insights on sales compensation, effective team management, and the importance of aligning sales strategies with company values.Key topics include:✅ How sales compensation impacts team performance✅ The role of mindset and values in attracting top sales talent✅ Common pitfalls in sales forecasting and how to avoid them✅ Coaching strategies that drive long-term sales success✅ Adapting to the evolving sales landscapeTune in to gain practical insights on optimizing your sales organization and ensuring your team’s success!Connect with Liz: linkedin.com/in/lizheiman; www.reagardingsales.com
Are young workers prepared for the toll of physically demanding careers?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Olivia Johnson, an Air Force veteran, former police officer, and founder of the Blue Wall Institute, to discuss the hidden health risks in physically demanding jobs like construction and law enforcement. Dr. Johnson shares critical insights on:The long-term impact of lifestyle choices on career sustainabilityWhy education on health risks should start in middle schoolHow employers can support workers' mental and physical well-beingThe importance of mentorship, relationships, and communication in preventing burnoutWhether you're in the trades, leading a workforce, or guiding the next generation, this conversation is a must-listen!Listen now and take the first step toward a healthier, more sustainable career!
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