: SOLUTIONS : : EXPERTISE : : VIEWS : : POLITICS : : TECH : : TRAVEL : : FOCUS : : GOOD WORKS : : EXECUTIVE PROFILE : : DIVERSITY : : MISCELLANEOUS :

SOLUTIONS

Rescuing your business from the cash-poor house

Our sales are growing rapidly, but we are constantly out of cash. How can we solve this problem?... > Full text

A successful brand rings true with customers and employees

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EXPERTISE

Increasing enforceability of noncompete agreements

Many businesses seek to protect their confidential information, trade secrets and customer relationships through noncompete or nondisclosure agreements.... > Full text

Opportunity knocks, but usually, developer refuses to answer

Test and measure, again and again

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VIEWS

Manufacturers drive state economic growth

The economic outlook for Wisconsin remains positive, and manufacturing is playing a key role in fueling economic growth in Dane County and across the state.... > Full text

Corporate giving has its rewards

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POLITICS

New agency helps businesses understand, navigate state's red tape

The panel will also hear appeals, but don't expect 'a hall pass.'... > Full text

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TECH

Proceed cautiously to the next frontier

VoIP is cool, but does it make sense for your business?... > Full text

Don't cut programs that feed economy, like R&D

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TRAVEL

No more excuses for wandering during layovers

Previously the bane of the business traveler, the time between flights now can be put to use.... > Full text

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FOCUS

Collaboration Council hears ideas for future

Plans include economic development council, internship program and a county brand to use as a marketing tool.... > Full text

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GOOD WORKS

Lands' End provides Bright Spaces for children

Volunteers decorate areas, while company donates for supplies.... > Full text

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EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Ballweg president, a grandmother, keeps full schedule

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DIVERSITY

Nettles a strong advocate for minority businesses

Former secretary of the state Department of Commerce Cory Nettles has become an important advocate for the needs of minority-owned business in Wisconsin.... > Full text

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MISCELLANEOUS

The evolution of Seversin's Service Center

When Mike Seversin was in eighth grade, he couldn't wait to work around the service station that his dad, Tom, had opened that year.... > Full text

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Business Indicators

Unemployment rates are one of the most frequently reported economic indicators and provide broad measure of a region's economic performance.  When compared to other areas throughout the Midwest and the United States, the Captial Region had relatively low unemployment rates in 2004.  Specifically, Dane County had one of the lowest annual rates in the United States, while Rock County was the only regional county withy an annual unemployment rate greater than the national average.

Unemployment date are also useful in evaluating worker availability.  Monthly and annual data are available from the state Department of Workforce Development and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Note that these unemployment statistics do not include people who are unemployed and not actively looking for employment, and people who are underemployed.  Both of these worker classifications can provide additional sources of labor.

For more date visit http://worknet.wisconsin.gov or http://www.bis.gov/lau/home.htm

Past Issues

April 2008

Prayer and profit

Capital Region businesses mix religion and capitalism....


March 2008

Outside help: A consultant could be the missing piece your business needs

February 2008

Strike first: Make your plans before disaster hits

January 2008

Defend their data

December 2007

Generations meshed

November 2007

Going green

October 2007

Good work if you can get it

September 2007

Thieves within our companies

August 2007

Choosing a charity

July 2007

Southern Wisconsin's big kitchen

June 2007

Use debt to get a leg up

May 2007

More than just
rah-rah!


April 2007

Real world lessons

March 2007

Evolution or extinction

February 2007

New directions

January 2007

Polishing your image

December 2006

On guard

November 2006

Building with the Web

October 2006

Making lean work

September 2006

Winning together

August 2006

Hospitals are getting treatment

July 2006

Going inside corporate culture

June 2006

Madwaukee -- closer than you think

May 2006

Business next

April 2006

Protect your business

March 2006

Make your company a great place to work

February 2006

"The Incredible Shrinking Workforce"

January 2006

What to expect in 2006

December 2005

Secrets of highly successful CEOs

November 2005

Maximum exposure

October 2005

Employer flexibility

September 2005

401(k) auto features

August 2005

The value of today's MBA

July 2005

Exporting from Wisconsin

June 2005

Health care costs

May 2005

Ethics in the workplace

April 2005

The search for skilled labor


Resources

Index of advertisers

Directory