ReINVENTing Iowa, College of Business & Innovation
Nick Litwiller
It’s amazing that I’ve lived in Ames my entire life and have never been exposed to companies that we encountered today. Sauer Danfoss for one. What an incredible company. First of all, my original perspective toward manufacturing companies encompassed dusty, greasy machines working until days end with little regard to working conditions. On the tour, I learned that Sauer Danfoss prided themselves greatly on their enduring focus on worker safety and factory cleanliness. Most companies are quick to rush OSHA officials in and out of their doors in order to avoid sanctions, but SD embraces the opportunity to consult with them to identify what they could do to make the work environment as safe as possible.
Another place we visited was the Ames Research Park, which is basically an incubator for high-tech startup firms. We were fortunate to be able to hear from three different companies that were at various stages of business. It’s amazing to know that Ames is the home of companies with such potential.
The session tonight with Dan Topf was really fun because we could finally review the business simulation results that we completed yesterday. As finance major, it was frustrating not knowing what types of business decisions affected the growth rate and stock price within the simulation. It was definitely relieving when we found out that we had a second chance to win the prize by presenting a “roadshow” type presentation to our classmates who mimicked equity investors. Well…tomorrow is going to be our last full day and I am excited to meet some great Des Moines leaders.
Aug 12, 2009 11:09 AM
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| Leadership Iowa University is a program of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) Foundation. The program is designed to bring together two ABI Foundation programs, Leadership Iowa and Business Horizons, to create a unique opportunity for college students. Leadership Iowa University will educate, inspire and develop young leaders as the foundation for Iowa’s future economic growth and encourage their on-going involvement in local communities and the state to create a better future for all Iowans. |  |
