BPC Streaming Network

From business headlines to inspiring stories of courage and community, the BPC Streaming Network brings together Iowa’s most trusted voices. Featuring original video podcast series from Business Record and dsm Magazine, the network celebrates the people, ideas and developments shaping our state's future. Watch, listen and discover what drives Iowa forward.

  1. Made In Iowa: Open Books, Open Minds - The Culture Behind Paul Mueller’s Performance

    3d ago

    Made In Iowa: Open Books, Open Minds - The Culture Behind Paul Mueller’s Performance

    Amy Starlin of Paul Mueller Company offers a compelling look inside a highly specialized manufacturer that has built its reputation on precision, customization, and long-term customer partnerships. Serving industries like food, beverage, and pharmaceuticals, the company doesn’t just fabricate stainless steel equipment—it engineers solutions that are critical to its customers’ operations. Amy emphasizes that their success comes from deeply understanding each client’s process and delivering tailored systems that perform at the highest level, reinforcing why customers return generation after generation. What truly sets Paul Mueller apart, though, is its commitment to open-book management, inspired by The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack. Amy explains how this level of transparency—sharing financials, teaching employees how the business runs, and giving them a stake in the outcome—creates a culture of ownership across the organization. When employees understand how their daily decisions impact the bottom line, trust deepens, innovation accelerates, and productivity follows. It transforms the workforce from task-doers into problem-solvers who are actively engaged in the company’s success. In an industry facing constant pressure from supply chain shifts and evolving customer demands, that culture of accountability and shared purpose is a powerful competitive advantage. Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

    36 min
  2. Made In Iowa: Communication That Works - The Hidden Advantage Driving Altec Forward

    Jun 4

    Made In Iowa: Communication That Works - The Hidden Advantage Driving Altec Forward

    Nathan Grismore of Altec pulls back the curtain on a manufacturing operation built around reliability, not just in its products, but in how its people operate every day. Supporting critical industries like electric utilities, telecom, and tree care, Altec’s equipment keeps essential services running. Nathan emphasizes that this level of performance starts on the inside—by equipping employees with the tools and trust they need to identify issues, raise concerns, and continuously improve both products and processes. It’s a system designed to ensure that what happens on the shop floor directly strengthens what happens in the field. A key driver of that culture is Altec’s commitment to real-time communication across the organization. Employees are empowered with clear, accessible ways to report safety concerns, flag engineering challenges, and raise HR questions without delay. That immediacy removes bottlenecks in problem-solving and ensures issues are addressed before they escalate. More importantly, it builds trust—employees know their voices are heard and acted upon. The result is a more engaged workforce, faster innovation cycles, and stronger retention. In an industry where speed, safety, and precision all matter, this kind of open communication isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a competitive advantage. Presenting sponsor: Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield https://wellmark.com/MadeinIowa

    35 min

About

From business headlines to inspiring stories of courage and community, the BPC Streaming Network brings together Iowa’s most trusted voices. Featuring original video podcast series from Business Record and dsm Magazine, the network celebrates the people, ideas and developments shaping our state's future. Watch, listen and discover what drives Iowa forward.

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