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

SOLUTIONS

Exit interviews can improve company operations

Is it valuable to conduct an exit interview for an employee who leaves your company?... > Full text

Registering a business name doesn't offer legal protection

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EXPERTISE

You can't be everything to everybody

Choose your target market carefully.... > Full text

The top 10 mistakes tech companies make

Techniques to improve sales success rate

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VIEWS

Behind the scenes of corporate site selection

Forward Wisconsin brags up state to 'mystery' consultants.... > Full text

Don't look elsewhere for meeting venue; try 'Bringing It Home'

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POLITICS

Lawmakers want businesses to help pay for state health plan

They say the proposed payroll tax would be offset by insurance savings.... > Full text

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TECH

When done right, a corporate blog can be a useful marketing tool

Although online, interactive journals have been around since 1994, and the term "Web log" (or "blog") was coined three years later, most of us became aware of them only within the last few years.... > Full text

Wisconsin had much to offer and learn at BIO 2005

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TRAVEL

The glamour of travel wears off in a hurry

Instead of hitting the road, use high-tech advances such as videoconferencing.... > Full text

Protect yourself from fraudulent rental-car charges

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FOCUS

Volunteering can be a good marketing tool

But do it for the right reasons, not just to boost your career.... > Full text

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GOOD WORKS

Volunteers hammer away until the work is done

Goal is to improve quality, affordability of low-income housing.... > Full text

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EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Wall built his firm from the ground up

Unique investment structure helps attract capital for his Madison real estate empire.... > Full text

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DIVERSITY

Get certified; then bid for government contracts

Becoming certified at the various governmental levels may seem daunting; however, there are several programs available to minority business owners to aid them in the certification, bidding and procurement processes.... > Full text

Get certified; then bid for government contracts

Becoming certified at the various governmental levels may seem daunting; however, there are several programs available to minority business owners to aid them in the certification, bidding and procurement processes.... > Full text

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MISCELLANEOUS

Von Rutenbergs' success goes back to the Nibble Nook

Brothers say balancing work, family is one of their biggest accomplishments.... > Full text

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Business Indicators

The 55-74 age group accounted for more than 147.000 capital region residents and 15.3 percent of the population in 2004.  The Federal Reserve Board reports that U.S. households ages 55-74 have the highest median net worth of any age group.  Furthermore, they are overwhelmingly empty-nesters with higher discretionary incomes.
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Spending patterns differ somewhat for those 55-64 and those 65-74.  Nationally, people 55-64 spend at an annual rate 9 percent higher than any age group.  When compared to all households, expenditures by the 55-64 group are particularly high in full-service restaurants (27% higher), coffee (40% higher), wine (54% higher), new cars (30% higher) and vacation homes (84% higher).  While those 65-74 spend at lower rates, they have high spending for travel and dining.
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Notably, the 2004 population estimate for 55-74 includes only a small portion of Baby Boomers.  As the Boomers get older, the 55-74 age group eill grow in size and buying power.  Given the differentspending patterns of boomers, tracking the purchasing preferences of the 55-74 group will be vital over teh next 20 years.

Past Issues

July 2009

HOW CONNECTED ARE YOU? Social networking can be an effective tool for business

The more involved you become with social networking, the more effective you become at capturing the interest and involvement of customers, vendors and potential recruits -- especially those in the increasingly important Gen X and Gen Y demographics....


June 2009

Economy squeezing some internship programs

May 2009

Federal stimulus money on the way

April 2009

Entrepreneurs and inventors clubs are growing popularity.

March 2009

TOURISM'S RECOVERY: Region making a strong comeback after a year of tough times

February 2009

Competing in a global market

January 2009

Small gestures go a long way

August 2008

The work is there, but are the workers?

July 2008

Start-ups from UW research fuel the state's economy

June 2008

Drive down fuel costs

May 2008

Weather the storm

April 2008

Prayer and profit

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