The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) was created in 1963 to improve the quality of life in Iowa by helping businesses and their communities prosper and grow. Their individually tailored strategy Engage. Educate. Embed. means they work with companies to fashion solutions specific to their individual needs.
MEDCO staff recently met with local CIRAS representatives where they learned about areas in which their organization can help support business needs. CIRAS offers a wide variety of services and this short article by Joy Donald with CIRAS, showcases a few of the great places to start!
CIRAS Workforce Services (Brenda Martin)
Workforce needs are consistently the number one issue for Iowa businesses. CIRAS research shows that while the pandemic accelerated the problem, the primary cause of workforce issues are long-term demographic and population trends across Iowa. CIRAS helps businesses look at their workforce needs through a different lens: data. We help you understand the current state of your community and the potential impact of attracting specific workforce groups, improving retention, creating “virtual” employees through productivity and automation, and building your long-term pipeline. Then, we help you develop and implement a plan that will create sustainable change in your business.
CIRAS Digital Marketing Services (Paul Gormley)
Digital marketing uses the internet and other digital communication tools to achieve the goals of your marketing strategy. A strong digital marketing strategy defines the target market, the messages that you want to be delivered (content) and the methodologies you will use to deliver those messages (tactics). CIRAS can help you develop and deploy the right elements of your digital marketing at the right time.
CIRAS Automation Services (Eric Higgins)
Automation is the use of pre-configured and pre-programmed, powered equipment, and integrated system hardware and software to perform processes and operations automatically without human intervention. CIRAS offers automation education, assessments, planning, and implementation support.
CIRAS Executive Strategy Services (Joy Donald)
CIRAS empowers executives to develop and implement strategic plans--define their company’s long-term goals, assess market dynamics, and craft actionable roadmaps to achieve sustainable success. CIRAS also supports senior executives with leadership development and mentorship, helping them enhance their decision-making abilities, communication skills, and overall effectiveness in leading their teams. By aligning strategic vision with exceptional leadership capabilities, CIRAS equips Iowa-based companies with the tools they need to navigate challenges, drive growth, and achieve their full potential in the ever-evolving business landscape.