Chamness Group's Christmas Show

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Christmas Show

’Tis the season. Diane celebrates the holiday with a special show! As a gift to listeners this week, Diane invited entrepreneurs to call into the show and advertise their business on air. Calls were accepted between 1p.m. and 2p.m. to take advantage of this opportunity. Diane took numerous promo calls during the hour as her holiday gift to the listeners. Happy Holidays!

Mark O'Connell, Political Expert from Wisconsin Counties Association

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Year End Update

The New Year is fast approaching. This week, our Resident Political Expert makes his last update of 2008. Be sure to join Mark O'Connell as he fills you in on political and business issues affecting all of Wisconsin's 72 counties.

Cellular and Wireless Communication

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Cellular and Wireless Communication Show

Diane invites Jason Kayzar, president of MC2, on air to answer all of your cellular and wireless communication questions. Jason has insider tips about specific applications that help generate revenue, such as GPS tracking, work order flow and wireless email. Callers were able to take advantage of the opportunity to fine-tune the technological aspects of their own business.

Small Business Times Makes Big Announcement

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Small Biz Times Show

Big things are happening at the Small Business Times! This week, guest Dan Meyer, publisher of Small Business Times, will unveil a major announcement about the publication. Meyer will also discuss how the newspaper is growing its brand at a time when many print publications are struggling to maintain readership.

Presidential Platforms

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Presidential Platforms Show

Given that the upcoming election is so important, this show is dedicated to the presdiential candidates – John McCain and Barack Obama. Representatives from both sides call in to explain what each candidate wants to do for business.

Recruiting and Retaining the White Collar Workforce

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sySTEM Now Show

The labor force is dwindling by the day. This includes candidates for “white collar” jobs: the technical, scientific, engineering or mathematics professions. How do we attract and retain these workers? One group, Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee, has launched STEM 7 to do just that. This program ensures that enough young people get exposed to and choose careers in these critical white collar sectors. Join Diane and her guests – Van Walling, executive director of Engineers & Scientists of Milwaukee, and Laura Baker, coordinator of Career and Technical Education for Milwaukee Public Schools – to discuss this important initiative.

Business Solutions 5th Anniversary Show

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Anniversary Show

This week marks the 5th anniversary of Business Solutions. To celebrate, Diane shares some of her best-kept secrets. She reveals what it takes to be a successful business – no matter what. For example, times of economic downturn are when you should really evaluate your marketing and sales efforts to ensure they are leading you to accomplish your vision.

Building Healthy Leaders

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Healthy Leaders Show

In these times, stress has become a way of life. Financial crisises, election, businesses worry about the future and some laying off staff. There is no end to the stresses in our day. If you are in a leadership role, your level of stress is often compounded by the responsibility of that leadership. How can we better deal with the challenges at work and in life and manage stress?

This week Diane invites Kalpana (Rose) Kumar, M.D., CEO of The Ommani Center for Integrative Medicine in Pewaukee, to the show. Kumar, a doctor trained in multiple health frameworks, works with executives to develop leadership from the inside out. Learn how this unique approach helps you to achieve greater levels of success, peace and total wellness. You can learn more about the Ommani Center at www.ommanicenter.com.

Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce

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Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Show

Dee Olsen, Executive Director of Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce, is one of the most tenured chamber executives in Wisconsin. Her chamber career spans 37 years, including the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce and, presently, the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. Dee brings unique insights about developing business through chamber involvement. She also shares with the audience the many new developments in Sheboygan County and new directions the organization has undertaken.

Guest: Dee Olsen, Executive Director, Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce

Strategies to Keep Staff and Benefits in a Down Economy

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Keeping Benefits in a Down Economy Show

The economy is down and money is getting a little tight. This week, resident benefits expert Terry Frett and Diane Chamness talk about what to do - and not to do - when adjusting in a down economy. Rather than cutting staff and benefits, Diane and Terry will share several strategies to help you ease costs and keep your key staff.

Guest: Terry Frett, president of Frett/Barrington Limited

Industrial and Technical Marketing

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Marketing for Industrial and Technical Products and Services Show

Marketing is not the same for every industry. Marketing products and services in industrial and technical industries requires some expertise. This week, Diane invites guest Frank Burke to teach us more about manufacturing and technical marketing. Frank is president of Burke & Towner, Ltd., a marketing communications and consulting company in Milwaukee specializing in industrial/technical products and services. He has 30 years of experience in metalworking and manufacturing on both the corporate and consulting side.

Guest: Frank Burke, president of Burke & Towner, Ltd.

Holistic Wellness

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Holistic Wellness Show

"New age" approaches for battling stress and other ailments are taking hold in mainstream medicine. In fact, there's little debate that various relaxation techniques offer tangible physical benefits. Hospitals and medical professionals all over the United States are embracing the idea of holistic practices, and many combine that with traditional Western medicine.

Whether it is cutting down on overtime, switching off the BlackBerry or setting aside an hour of “me-time” each evening, it’s no wonder why many people are turning to different kinds of complementary therapy to help them keep the balance in their life. When incorporated into our lives, these practices can improve not only ourselves but our businesses, as well. On this show, Diane invites three expert guests to discuess what you can do to improve the wellness of your business.

Guests: Ted Smith from Oriental Health Methods; Dr. Kevin Herrle, Chiropractor; and Dr. Cary Loose, Reiki Master

What is Social Media?

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Social Media Show

Can you imagine using a blog as a promotional tool? How about setting your firm up with a page on Facebook? On this show, Diane explores the rapidly-growing sector of social media. Joining Diane are two expert guests who can help you understand how social media works and discuss new and creative ways to promote your business.

Guests: Johnathan Crawford, founder of Data Dog Marketing, and Linda Menck, Professional-in-Residence at Marquette University

Etiquette in the Workplace

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Etiquette in the Workplace Show

The way you behave in business situations say a lot about you. Do you know the rules for proper etiquette in the workplace? If not, listen in as Diane discusses the dos and don'ts with etiquette expert Laura Kestner.

Guest: Laura Kestner from Marquette University

Going Green

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Going Green Show

Is “going green” just a fad, or is it something your business should take more seriously? What does it take to be an environmentally sustainable company? Listen to hear Diane and four local experts explore what it really means to go green.

Guests: Jim Wasley, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture at UWM; Preston Cole, Milwaukee's Environmental Services Superintendent; Dr. Kevin Gibson, Associate Professor of Management and Philosophy at Marquette University; and Jennifer Holpfer, LEED Certified Architect with Eppstein Uhen Architects

Bullying in the Workplace

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Bullying in the Workplace Show

Bullys don't just exist on the schoolyard playground; adults can be bullys, too. In fact, bullying in the workplace is a serious problem. This week, legal expert Mike Berzowski discusses bullying in the workplace.

Guest: Mike Berzowski, partner at Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP

Summerfest

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Summerfest Show

Summerfest, Milwaukee’s biggest and perhaps most loved festival, has come to
define summer in Milwaukee. But it’s no easy task to make Summerfest live up to its long-standing reputation. Hundreds of people work all year long to ensure the 11-day festival is a success.

Diane is joined by Don Smiley, Summerfest President and CEO, and John Boler, Summerfest VP of Sales and Marketing. They will explain what it takes to coordinate and implement such a massive event.

Guests: Don Smiley, Summerfest President and CEO, and John Boler, VP of Sales and Marketing for Summerfest

Lakefront Festival of Arts

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Lakefront Festival of Arts Show

For 46 years the Lakefront Festival of Arts has been one of the nation’s premier art events on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum. Three days of amazing art, music, food and fun have consistently attracted a wide range of guests, from art connoisseurs to those who simply appreciate things of great beauty. This week, Diane invites three guests from the Lakefront Festival to discuss what the expect from the festival this year.

Guests: Deb Felman, co-chair of the festival, Beth Hoffman from the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Larry Oliverson, poster artist for the 2008 festival

SBA Small Business People of the Year 2008

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SBA Awards Show

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) recently announced the winners of the “Small Business People of the year for 2008.” On this show, Diane is joined by Mary Trimmer, coordinator of the 2008 SBA awards program, to announce the winners.

*Congratulations Diane on receiving the 2008 Small Business Journalist of the Year award presented by the Small Business Administration.*

Guest: Mary Trimmer, Business Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration

How to Get Great PR

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PR Show

Many businesses have great stories but are not engaging the media in a way to ensure their story gets told. Entrepreneurs are not given the big book of PR when they start a business, nor do they typically have PR staff. Further, businesses tend to advertise in the same ways as their competition and rarely look for ways to really set themselves apart. On this show, Diane has asked two other PR experts to join her in discussing how to get great PR and expand the reach of your business.

Guests: Tom Branigan, President, Branigan Communications, and Rich Rovito, Reporter for The Business Journal

Avoid Personal Liability for Your Business Taxes

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Tax Law Show

Don't become personably liable for your business taxes. On this show, Rob Teuber, attorney at Weiss Berzowski Brady, gives advice on how to avoid getting entangled in your business taxes. He also answers questions on many other tax issues.

Guest: Rob Teuber, Attorney at Weiss Berzowski Brady

Making the Most of Internships

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Intern Show

Having interns at your company can make a big impact on your business. This show discusses how to recruit the right interns and how to make internships work for you and your intern.

Guests: Sheena Carey, Internship Director for Marquette University, David Brinker, Chamness Intern, Shelly Podansky, Chamness Intern

What Your Chamber of Commerce Can Do for You

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Chamber of Commerce Show

Diane invites three Chamber of Commerce members to discuss what role the Chamber of Commerce can play in growing your business.

Guests: Chad Schultz, Owner Innovative Signs & President of the Brookfield Chamber; Barbara Wesener, Executive Director of the South Suburban Chamber of Commerce; and Bob Ruger, President South Suburban Chamber of Commerce

Listener Feedback

Do you like the new blog? Do you have suggestions for future topic ideas? Is there a guest expert you would love to hear on my show? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.