Welcome to Conversations, the TwinWest Chamber's podcast. We're proud to be the first chamber of commerce in Minnesota to establish a podcast on our Web site. Simply click on the blue play buttons below to listen to information about the topics that are important to you; we'll add new topics regularly to keep you up to date on critical business issues.

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March 2008
TwinWest's March Legislative Breakfast: Health Care Reform in Minnesota (59:29)

Health care is an increasingly urgent issue for the business community. At TwinWest’s Legislative Breakfast on March 14, Dr. Charlie Fazio (chief medical officer for Medica), Tom Forsythe (vice president of corporate communications for General Mills) and Rep. Paul Thissen (chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee) discuss what’s being done to make health care more affordable and accessible to all Minnesotans.

 

Thanks to  for recording this program.


February 2008
TwinWest's February Legislative Breakfast: Session Preview Featuring  House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (53:13) 

What issues will legislators be grappling with during the 2008 legislative session? At TwinWest's Legislative Breakfast on February 1, House Minority Leader Marty Seifert and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher discuss bonding bill priorities, address the state’s budget deficit and highlight their vision for Minnesota.

Thanks to  for recording this program.


January 2008
TwinWest's January Legislative Breakfast featuring Bill Blazer and Dan McElroy (52:11)
NOTE: You will need to turn up your volume considerably to hear this audio.

Shortages of employees in the United States of America are growing, while the demand for skilled laborers is on the rise. TwinWest's January Legislative Breakfast featured Bill Blazer (Minnesota Chamber of Commerce) and Dan McElroy (DEED), who addressed and analyzed the issues surrounding employment needs in Minnesota and the nation.

Thanks to  for recording this program.

December 2007
TwinWest Foundation conversation with 2007 Career Path Scholarship recipient Ray Rojas (8:50)
NOTE: You will need to turn up your volume considerably to hear this audio.

In 2007, the TwinWest Foundation gave $104,500 in scholarships to local high school and adult students. Hear Ray Rojas, one of the TwinWest Foundation’s 2007 Career Path Scholarship recipients, speak about his study of law enforcement at North Hennepin Community College and encourage other adults to pursue their goals. Becky Bakken of Citizens Independent Bank, 2007-2008 chair of the TwinWest Foundation Board, conducts the interview.

RELATED LINKS:  TwinWest Foundation scholarship program 
                                  North Hennepin Community College

Thanks to Channel 12 for recording this interview.

 
October 2007
TwinWest's October Legislative Breakfast featuring Mike Ciresi, Jim Cohen and Al Franken (57:27)

Do you know where the candidates stand on issues important to your business? TwinWest's October Legislative Breakfast held on Friday, October 5, featured Minnesota's DFL U.S. Senate candidates Mike Ciresi, Jim Cohen and Al Franken in a forum discussing their plans for transportation, health care, taxes, the war in Iraq, and much more.

RELATED LINKS:  Mike Ciresi for U.S. Senate
                                  Jim Cohen for U.S. Senate
                                  Al Franken for U.S. Senate

Thanks to  for recording this program.

September 2007
TwinWest's September Legislative Breakfast: Minnesota's Transportation Future (49:25)

Every morning, area commuters are reminded that Minnesota has a transportation problem.  Find out the facts about Minnesota’s growing transportation crisis from Bob McFarland, assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT); Jim Erkel, program director of Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy; and Peter Hutchinson, co-founder of the Public Strategies Group as they discuss transportation in Minnesota during TwinWest's September Legislative Breakfast on Friday, September 7.

Thanks to  for recording this program.

June 2007
Hispanic Marketing in Minnesota (13:14)

Should your business expand into the state's growing Hispanic market? Juan Ramirez of Grupo Avance gives an overview of what your company will need to consider before making this exciting move.

RELATED LINKS:  Grupo Avance 
                                  Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota


May 2007
Why Not Raise Taxes? (8:47)  

Why is it so important for Minnesota to keep a lid on taxes? Charlie Weaver, executive chair of the Coalition of Minnesota Businesses and director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, explains why our state’s economic viability depends on making smart investments – instead of raising taxes.
(Music Credit: Parachutes Fail)

RELATED LINKS:  Coalition of Minnesota Businesses   


April 2007
TwinWest April Legislative Breakfast featuring Gov. Tim Pawlenty (30:32)

How can Minnesota stay competitive in the changing face of education? At TwinWest’s Legislative Breakfast on April 20, 2007, Gov. Tim Pawlenty explains his "World-Class Students" initiative. He also discusses how the country's growth is affecting our socioeconomic status, and how he plans to work with our state’s schools in light of that growth. 

RELATED LINKS:  PowerPoint presentation shown by the Governor

Thanks to  for recording this program.

September 2006
Property Tax Reform (11:07)

Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, discusses Minnesota property tax reforms. He speaks about how both homeowners and business owners are affected by the positive and negative aspects of recent reforms. He touches on where schools and local government could be headed, and who the public should hold accountable for property taxes. 

RELATED LINKS:  Coalition of Minnesota Businesses   


September 2006
Do the Math (8:57)

Charlie Weaver, executive director of Minnesota Business Partnership, discusses education funding in Minnesota. He talks about the history of education funding on the federal, state and local levels, along with the formulas used to determine how much funding schools receive. He also describes resources the public can use to understand why and how much funding education in Minnesota receives.

RELATED LINKS:  Coalition of Minnesota Businesses


September 2006
Minnesota Tax Revenues (13:26)

Charlie Weaver, executive director of the Minnesota Business Partnership, discusses how Minnesota has been seeing revenue growth without having to raise taxes. He also talks about how the legislature didn't cut the budget, but prioritized and actually spent more than previous years on programs. He discusses how vital the next five to 10 years are for Minnesota in terms of education and staying competitive in a global marketplace. Finally, he talks about what we can do as tax payers to ensure that Minnesota's economy stays healthy.


September 2006
Why Manufacturing is Important to Minnesota (12:51)

Mark Lofthus, director of business development for the State of Minnesota, speaks about why manufacturing is important to Minnesota.  He discusses what kinds of companies are based in Minnesota and why they are staying.  Manufacturing gives Minnesota a diverse economy, vibrant communities, larger revenue for the state and spin-off employment.


September 2006
Spend Smart and Keep the Lid on Taxes (9:13)

David Olson, president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, speaks on behalf of the Minnesota Coalition of Businesses. He discusses the campaign to "Spend Smart and Keep the Lid on Taxes." The campaign encourages Minnesota voters to have the facts they need to vote smart, understand the importance of their vote in November, and the importance of the issues on which they will be voting.
      
RELATED LINKS:  Coalition of Minnesota Businesses


July 2006
The Servant-Leadership Style (10:51)

Why are business leadership models of the past being replaced by the
servant-leadership style? Dr. James Sipe, president of Magellan Executive Resources, discusses why industry leaders are discarding the hierarchical model of "direct and control" and learning how to trust their people to achieve quality results. 

RELATED LINKS:  Magellan Executive Resources 
                                  Leadership TwinWest program 

                                 
July 2006
Pandemic Influenza Series (1 of 4): Business Impact (11:03)

If or when an avian flu pandemic becomes a reality, how will it impact your business? Ken Wilson, business pandemic planning consultant with Wilson Marketing Group, discusses the likelihood and potential severity of a pandemic influenza, the benefits of having a business plan, and an overview of what your plan should include.

Pandemic Influenza Series (2 of 4): Communications and Health Education (10:59)

Ken Wilson continues the series by addressing the importance of communicating with your employees, customers, and suppliers in the event of a pandemic influenza, and the need to implement a health and wellness education program as well.

Pandemic Influenza Series (3 of 4): Essential Services (9:38)

How can you keep your business open as long as possible during a pandemic influenza? Ken Wilson explains how to develop a list of your company's essential services and functions, perform a dependency analysis, and form a logical response plan to remain operational.

Pandemic Influenza Series (4 of 4): Recovery (9:34) 

After you've gone through the process of shutting down or minimizing your services, how can you logically and cost-effectively return to 100 percent operation? Ken Wilson discusses how to restart your company's essential functions after a pandemic influenza, while improving and updating your business plan.

RELATED LINKS:  E-mail Ken Wilson of Wilson Marketing Group  
                                  TwinWest's pandemic planning resources page


June 2006
Business Planning for an Avian Flu Pandemic (16:32)

What can the private sector do to plan for an influenza pandemic? Aaron Desmond, coordinator for licensing and new business development for the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, explores this complicated but critical topic. The discussion covers an array of issues, from a pandemic's potential impact in today's global economy, to what is and isn’t known about the likelihood of the avian flu virus spreading to humans, to employers’ legal responsibilities during a pandemic.

RELATED LINKS:  TwinWest's pandemic planning resources page


June 2006
Immigration Law and the Business Community (12:36)

How does the current system of immigration laws impact local businesses and communities? Vincent Martin, attorney with Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC, gives an overview of what business leaders must know as immigration issues become more and more relevant in Minnesota.

RELATED LINKS:  Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC 


June 2006
TwinWest's 2006 Entrepreneur Award Winners (14:02)

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? TwinWest's 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year Bill Jeatran (RJF Agencies) and 2006 Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Chris Graham (Graham Jewelers) share their inspiring stories and advice.

RELATED LINKS:  Q&A with all 2006 entrepreneur award finalists


May 2006
The Value of TwinWest Chamber Membership (9:07)

Why should your business join the Chamber? Former TwinWest President Barb Obershaw explains the value of TwinWest membership, including the many opportunities for networking, legislative involvement, community involvement, and marketing.

RELATED LINKS:  TwinWest membership application