The paradox of the current job market
Virtually every conversation I have had with a business owner or executive in the last few weeks includes the lament that they desperately need and cannot, for love or money, hire new employees.
Latest Viewpoints
Couples and money: Agreeing on financial priorities
One of the easiest ways for couples — or even business partners — to find themselves fighting about finances is when they don’t share the same priorities regarding how, when, and where to spend money.
Yet another reason to ride — May is Bike Month
As a kid, I loved to ride my bike. It was my primary form of transportation to get around my neighborhood, and it was freedom. I had a bright yellow Schwinn Fair Lady with a banana seat and monkey handlebars. It was so cool.
Tech world watches as Apple and Epic Games slug it out in court
First released in 2017, one of the enduringly popular versions of the online video game Fortnite is called “Battle Royale.” That’s also a fitting name for the high-stakes federal court trial pitting Fortnite developer Epic Games against Apple, an icon of the mobile economy.
5 tips for creating an outdoor office
It’s no secret the pandemic has reinforced the importance of outdoor spaces, but what does that mean for the office this summer?
How to get off autopilot to move your career (and life) forward
Millions of people feel like they are living their life on autopilot. This is the word to describe when day in and day out it’s the same thing, to the point that many feel they are sleepwalking through life.
EEOC hearing underscores our collective ‘empathy deficit’
On April 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission met to hear testimony regarding the civil rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More capital could breed more ‘unicorns’ in Wisconsin
For all the excitement about Madison-based Fetch Rewards achieving “unicorn” status, meaning it is one of about 250 U.S. startups valued at $1 billion or more, this fairy tale almost never happened.
What ‘Nomadland’ teaches us about retirement
Nomadland, this year’s Oscar winner for Best Picture, reflects on one woman’s journey after leaving the life she has known for years.
Inflation jitters may bring opportunity for bond investors
Volatility has returned to the bond market. The year-to-date-rise in bond yields is remarkable more for its speed than in its magnitude. Yields remain low by historical standards, but sudden moves are unsettling and serve as a reminder that the Federal Reserve exerts the greatest amount of control over the short end of the yield curve.
Couples and money: What is your personal money motivator?
Money itself is not intrinsically good or bad. However, it can symbolize how we feel about ourselves in the most profound ways, carrying a lot of emotions along for the ride.
Young companies leading the way on clean technologies
At the latest First Look Forum produced by three of Milwaukee’s leading research universities, three of the six presenting research teams offered solutions to cleaning water — from drinking water at home and abroad to untreated sewage discharges often triggered by storms.
Couples and money: How to talk about finances without fighting
When buying a house or making any big purchase together, it’s important for couples to be on the same page financially.
Be a motivating leader!
Of all the topics in management, leadership, sales, and team training, one of the most challenging to truly grasp is the subject of motivation. Part of the reason is the lack of a fundamental understanding of the meaning of “motivation.”
Attracting ‘OPM’ from beyond borders will help Wisconsin companies grow
Cultured Decadence may sound like a societal dilemma, but it’s precisely the opposite. It’s a young company offering a timely solution, all the while demonstrating how emerging companies in Wisconsin can attract investors from elsewhere.
Turn the tables on the pandemic paradox: Strategies for the labor crisis
The economy continues to crawl out of the economic impact of the pandemic. As millions of vaccines are administered daily, more consumers will return to former activities, boosting the demand for goods and services. Are we ready?
Good times or bad, innovative business ideas can take off
More than a year after the pandemic hit, some basic trends have emerged in the economy.
The digital buyer’s journey — How to nurture your potential clients
Open your inbox and count how many times you’ve received an email like the following: “Hey, Jane Doe, I’m just following up to see if you received my last email.” Or I’m “touching base” or “checking in.” Doesn’t it seem like many digital salespeople follow this same impersonal sequence?
Power of undergraduate research being felt in Wisconsin economy
In April 2023, Wisconsin will host a national gathering of about 4,000 collegiate researchers who will descend on Eau Claire to present their ideas, to network with peers and mentors, and to meet with corporate and graduate school recruiters.
Business sustainability during a pandemic? Yes, and it’s perhaps more important than ever
While our world is vastly different today versus where we were a year ago, there is one thing that is the same — we are still very much talking about the need for our businesses to be sustainable. And no, “sustainability” is not the same thing as “being green.”
