The University of Iowa plans to offer a major in Risk Management and Insurance starting in the fall of 2023 as a way to strengthen the state’s largest non-agriculture economic sector.

A university study finds that, although brand essence, or authenticity, ideally comes through an association with the creator, one other proxy to measure essence is the recipe and manufacturing process. The study from the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business explored the brand essence of Ghirardelli Chocolate, whose founder, Domenico Ghirardelli, died in 1894.

Professor Peggy Stover, director of the U-I’s Undergraduate Marketing Institute, says she was shocked at how little people knew about the midwife profession. “In addition to birth care, prenatal care and post delivery care,” Stover says, “midwives also offer women’s wellness checkups, birth control, menopausal care.”

If the entrepreneur and investor share the same alma mater, it’s more likely that they will make a deal—and for more money.

A new risk management and insurance major will be offered at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business starting in the fall of 2023, helping to strengthen the state’s largest non-agriculture economic sector.

While visiting the University of Iowa for the Des Moines Business Record's Fearless initiative, Editor Emily Barske sat down with Tippie Associate Professor Beth Livingston. Here are a few takeaways for business leaders related to management strategy from that interview.

Earlier this year the University of Iowa was recognized nationally for gender representation in leadership among top higher education institutions. The study by the Eos Foundation looked at representation in key positions, including President Wilson and Dean Kristof-Brown.

A University of Iowa researcher set out to discover whether the old adage is true, that "nice guys finish last." Her finding, after years of research? Niceness can actually help put someone ahead in the workplace.

“They will be Iowa’s ambassadors to Africa, learning our way of doing things and bringing Iowa values back to their homes,” says Dimy Doresca, director of the UI Institute for International Business. “The visits will also have an economic development impact, as the fellows will build connections with Iowans who want to conduct business in Africa.”

In the tortured deal’s alternate reality, it makes sense for the company’s leaders to try and force Musk to take over—but things will get tricky if they succeed. Tippie's Michele Williams spoke to WIRED about negotiations and what might deescalate tensions.