BITN – July 2021

Business In The News is a compilation of business stories from around Minnesota and neighboring states usually not reported on by Twin Cities media. These stories provide business leads, trends and insights we hope you will find useful. Mankato to Remain an MSA The Biden administration has scrapped plans to reclassify metropolitan statistical areas across the nation, including the Mankato MSA. With a population of […]

Do’s and Don’ts of Pursuing Investors for a Startup

By Ron Leaf, Partner Back when I was managing a venture capital investment partnership, I received a call from a consultant who asked if he could introduce me to an entrepreneur seeking capital for his business. Without knowing the entrepreneur was also on the call, I said ‘yes.’ The consultant handed off the call to the entrepreneur who immediately started his pitch. The business, he […]

What to Do When None of the Kids Can Take Over the Family Business

By Tom Hubler, Executive Consultant James Schultz appeared to be at the top of his game. A locally recognized leader in his industry, he had earned a national reputation for craftsmanship and business acumen. But his dream to have his three sons work in the business had become a nightmare. While each had grown up in the company, none demonstrated the necessary skills to take […]

Success Depends More on Character Than Skill

By Bill English, Partner In his book, Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality, Dr. Henry Cloud says, “there are a lot of people who are competent and good at what they do who don’t get to be leaders or ‘hugely successful’.” He goes on to write that in order for competent individuals to be successful, they must be able to build alliances […]

BITN – June 2021

Business In The News is a compilation of business stories from around Minnesota and neighboring states usually not reported on by Twin Cities media. These stories provide business leads, trends and insights we hope you will find useful. DNA Produced in Fargo Helps Produce COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Fargo-based Aldevron LLC reports it has worked overtime to make enough DNA for pharmaceutical companies to produce hundreds […]

Tapping the Hidden Value of Work in Progress

By Dean Bachelor, Founder and Chairman It was the year 2010. The Great Recession of 2008–2009 had created an opportunity for Platinum Group to help banks deal with their troubled credits (loans). Years ago, we formed Platinum Receiver Services to facilitate receiverships capable of addressing the disposition of assets that banks require when they are near or at foreclosure. We received a phone call from […]

How (and Why) to Step Down Yet Stay Involved

By Tom Hubler, Executive Consultant Jim was rightfully proud of his company. He had nurtured it from a garage start-up to an enterprise generating $40 million a year in sales. To ensure a smooth transition, Jim met monthly with Robert to review the company’s performance. At one such meeting Jim noticed Robert’s last item on the agenda: “Jim’s Schedule.” When they got to it, Robert […]

Finding and Retaining Great Talent

Finding great talent today is more challenging than ever for a variety of reasons, including the fact that just about every industry is now experiencing this dilemma. If you’re looking for great talent—or if you’re looking for the very best place to work—watch or listen to this discussion with: Bill English, president and CEO, Accurate Home Care, Otsego, Minn.; David Magy, principal and co-founder, Abeln, […]

BITN – May 2021

Business In The News is a compilation of business stories from around Minnesota and neighboring states usually not reported on by Twin Cities media. These stories provide business leads, trends and insights we hope you will find useful. New Owner of Duluth Paper Mill Receives City Support The Duluth City Council has agreed to abate up to $600,000 in property taxes over 10 years and […]

Don’t Wear Yourself Out to Get Rich

By Bill English, Partner Proverbs 23.4: “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint”. Hmmm… Are you serious? Turn away good customers who are ready to buy my products and services? Perhaps. Work less even though I could make more money? I think so. Restrain my sales team? Yep. Think about it. Here are four, good reasons to not […]