Recap: Mentor-Protégé Summit 2024

• micapaul

CIRAS APEX Accelerator Government Contracting Specialists participated in the Mentor-Protégé Summit 2024 in Detroit. The event highlighted the immense value of the Mentor-Protégé Program for companies aiming to excel in government contracting. Key Takeaways: Focus on Collaboration: The summit emphasized the power of collaboration between established companies and emerging businesses. The structured mentor-protégé relationships were … Continue reading Recap: Mentor-Protégé Summit 2024

Empowering Leadership in Manufacturing: An Insightful Q&A with Mike Wagner of White Rabbit Group

• jmearp

Leadership is a critical component of success in the manufacturing industry. In this Q&A, we speak with Mike Wagner of the White Rabbit Group, an expert in leadership development, who shares practical insights and strategies to help companies cultivate effective leaders and improve their overall performance. Q: Can you tell me about your background and … Continue reading Empowering Leadership in Manufacturing: An Insightful Q&A with Mike Wagner of White Rabbit Group

Q & A with John Roberts

• eknudsen

Q & A with John Roberts  Role: Industry Extension Specialist IV Q: Tell me about your job and how it contributes to the overall goals of CIRAS to help companies prosper. My CIRAS job has evolved over the past 27 years. Working initially as a student doing AutoCAD to my current position of providing direct … Continue reading Q & A with John Roberts

Elevating Company Success through Cultural Transformation

• jmearp

The term “culture” is often used differently and invokes various interpretations. When it comes to a business and its workforce, though, we prefer describing culture as the personality of a company. Just like people, those personalities have benefits and challenges. Companies prioritizing innovation and action can align effectively with employees who share similar values, though … Continue reading Elevating Company Success through Cultural Transformation

Senator Ernst’s Entrepreneur Expo: A Gathering For Growth In Ames

• jmearp

This August, Ames will host the second Senator Ernst’s Entrepreneur Expo, an event for Iowa’s small business community. Supported by CIRAS APEX, America’s SBDC, and Senator Joni Ernst, the expo aims to connect Iowa small businesses and local entrepreneurs with government contracting opportunities and insights into federal innovation programs. Following the success of last year’s … Continue reading Senator Ernst’s Entrepreneur Expo: A Gathering For Growth In Ames

Iowa Company Finds Success in Hawaii

• jmearp

Surveillance equipment provided by an Iowa company and one of its client partners helps address a poaching problem happening at state parks in Hawaii. BizReps, located in Davenport, and two partners recently delivered solar-powered surveillance equipment to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources in Maui. The equipment captures illegal activity and information on … Continue reading Iowa Company Finds Success in Hawaii

Mapping Your Supply Chains: A Guide to Risk Prioritization and Action

• jmearp

A version of this article was initially published in Industry Week. The Strategic Advantage of Mapping Key Products Manufacturers often face supply chain disruptions without knowing their timing or impact. Assessing risks and implementing management practices can seem overwhelming, especially without dedicated staff or tools. A practical solution exists: map the supply chain of a … Continue reading Mapping Your Supply Chains: A Guide to Risk Prioritization and Action

Partnership with CIRAS, Career Services Pays Off

• eknudsen

Student interest in internships at Stellar Industries is rising thanks to the company’s work with CIRAS and Iowa State University’s Engineering Career Services (ECS). The three entities have been collaborating on strategies to enhance awareness of internship opportunities, and their efforts are paying off. Stellar Industries, headquartered in Garner, manufactures service trucks, cranes, hook lifts, … Continue reading Partnership with CIRAS, Career Services Pays Off