Monday, June 25, 2012

Transportation in Wisconsin

Listen to the show: Transportation Development Association

On June 23, Mark O'Connell, Executive Director of Wisconsin Counties Association, hosted return guest Craig Thompson, Executive Director of the Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin.

If you own a company that produces a product, you need to get your goods to the market and similarly as a consumer you care about how long it takes to get goods and the method in which they're delivered, as that influences the price. Craig and TDA are the foremost authority on transportation in Wisconsin and Craig and Mark will discuss transportation in our state, recent conditions and potential future changes that will affect Wisconsin's infrastructure. 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Summerfest Celebrating 45 Years

Listen to the show: The World's Largest Music Festival

It's time for Diane's annual Summerfest show and joining her again is John Boler, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Summerfest, and Bob Babisch, the Vice President of Entertainment for the 700 plus events held over 11 days.

Listen in as Diane, John and Bob kick-off summer by discussing what's in store for this year's event, as Summerfest celebrates its 45th anniversary.

Summerfest Dates/Hours
June 27 - July 1
July 3 - 8, 2012
(Closed Monday) 
Noon - Midnight

Admission
Admission Promotions
Adults & Children Over 10, Tues-Fri from Noon to 4 p.m.: $9.00
Adults & Children Over 10, General Admission: $16.00
3-Day Pass: $36.00
Seniors, 60 and Over: $4.00
Children 10 and Under: $4.00
Children 2 and Under: Free

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

2012 Lakefront Festival of Arts - Celebrating 50 Years!

Listen to the show: Lakefront Festival of Arts

This year Milwaukee's Lakefront Festival of Arts (LFOA) is celebrating 50 years of art, food, music and family fun! Diane is joined on the show by MAM Director of Special Events Krista Renfrew and 2012 Lakefront Festival of Arts co-chairs Scott Wallace and Kathy Schnuk, to talk about what's new and exciting at this year's festival.

LFOA will be held June 15 - 17, featuring 170 artists, plus performing arts on a main stage and children's stage, Milwaukee Magazine Wine Garden and other attractions that appeal to a wide variety of interests and ages.


Admission (Includes admission to the Milwaukee Art Museum)
$15 General admission
$8 Advance tickets
$8 Milwaukee Art Museum Members
$20 Three-day pass
Free for kids 16 and under
Buy Tickets

Hours
Fri, Noon–11 PM
Sat, 10 AM–8 PM
Sun, 10 AM–5 PM

More information about 2012 Lakefront Festival of Arts.

Monday, May 21, 2012

VETransfer and Veteran Entrepreneurs

Listen to the show: VETransfer

Diane is live on the show this week with guests from VETransfer, a Milwaukee non-profit organization that works with Veteran owned businesses across industries and in all stages of growth - from new ideas to established businesses - to maximize their success. Ted Lasser, Founder and Executive Director of VETransfer, and A-Sun Truth, an ex-marine turned entrepreneur, will talk to Diane about how Veteran entrepreneurs can benefit from the organization's services.

For more information, visit www.VETransfer.org.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

Listen to the show: SBA and Women-Owned Businesses

Did you know that women-owned businesses across the country employ 35% more staff than all of the Fortune 500 companies combined, plus women-owned businesses generated $1.3 trillion in revenue last year and employ 7.7 million people nationwide? Women business owners are making a huge contribution to the economy and there are a multitude of resources to help these businesses succeed and thrive in today's economy.

Eric Ness, District Director for the Small Business Administration - Wisconsin District Office, is back in the studio with Diane this week to talk about resources and opportunities for women-owned businesses. The SBA helps small businesses by providing Capital (Lending), Contracting, and Counseling programs. Listen to Eric and Diane, along with two local women business owners, talk about how to take advantage of the SBA's resources.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Health in Wisconsin

Listen to the show: Health in Wisconsin

This past Saturday Mark O'Connell, Executive Director of Wisconsin Counties Association, hosted Business Solutions and invited Karen Timberlake to discuss health in Wisconsin. Karen is the Director of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and former Secretary of the Department of Health Services for the state of Wisconsin.

The Population Health Institute is part of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and  it's a group of faculty, researchers and policy analysts who delve into research in order to translate it into policy and practice for Wisconsin residents.

Mark and Karen will also talk about the recent Wisconsin county health rankings and about Milwaukee specifically and what residents can do to improve their state of health.

Monday, April 23, 2012

ECBI: Emerging Construction Business Incubator

Listen to the show: KPH Construction and ECBI

This week Diane Chamness is joined by guest Keith Harenda, the President and CEO KPH Construction and a Milwaukee entrepreneur who has been helping start-up businesses since 1988. Keith has a long history of mentoring and coaching individuals and businesses. Listen to the show to learn more about Keith and KPH Construction's involvement in ECBI: Emerging Construction Business Incubator, a non-profit organization committed to helping small, disadvantage firms access construction business opportunities.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Higher Education in Wisconsin

Listen to the show: Mark O'Connell and Higher Ed in Wisconsin

Mark O'Connell, Executive Director for Wisconsin Counties Association, hosts the show today and welcomes guest Dean Tom Pleger from the University of Wisconsin Baraboo, Sauk County. The University of Wisconsin system consists of universities and two-year colleges that are a critical element to our state's higher education system.

Higher education is important because it builds a base of smart young people in Wisconsin - an important element for businesses in the state to succeed. Listen to the show if you're thinking about access to higher education for your children or other family members or if you're an employer who has individuals who can excel with more education.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Spring into Wellness

Listen to the show: Terry Frett, Spring into Wellness

This week Terry Frett, Business Solutions' resident benefits expert, is joined by colleague Sara Miles, the wellness expert at Frett Barrington, Ltd., to discuss employee Wellness Programs. Wellness Programs have become increasingly popular because of their employee and health plan impact. These programs create more productive employees and better morale in the organization. Listen to hear more about Wellness Programs and how to get in touch with Frett Barrington to learn more.

Frett Barrington coordinates fringe benefit programs for employers so they can attract and retain high quality employees. Contact them at 262-696-5010. 



Monday, March 26, 2012

Strategies for Early Retirement Healthcare Coverage

Listen to the show: Terry Frett - Early Retirement Healthcare

Frett Barrington, Ltd. often gets calls from small business owners and individuals who are less than age 65 who want to retire. The challenge for these people is securing health coverage until they reach Medicare eligibility (age 65). Terry Frett, President of Frett Barrington, Ltd., and his colleague, Liz Johnson, will discuss a variety of strategies for these individuals, including:

•       COBRA
•       Private Insurance
•       If selling the business, negotiating health coverage to 65
•       HIRSP

Monday, March 19, 2012

Create Your Own Luck in Business and Life

Listen to the show: Create Your Own Luck

Join Diane and Paul for the St. Patrick's Day show and listen to how you can create and also inadvertently block "luck" in your business and personal life. What does luck mean and how does it work? How can you open yourself up to being more "lucky"? Listeners will also call in and share their stories of lucky opportunities and encounters.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Small Technology Company Means Big Business

Listen to the show: Running a Technology Business

Jason Kayzar, owner of MC2, filled in for Diane as a guest host this week on Business Solutions. Jason's company assists business with their telecommunications connectivity. This week Jason will discuss his experience as a small business owner, how his company got started 11 years ago, and some keys to MC2's success in the technology world.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Matching Appearance to Your Expertise

Listen to the show: Dr. George Korkos, Rejuva

Return guest George Korkos, M.S. F.A.C.S., the Medical Director for Rejuva Skin Care & Wellness in Waukesha, Wis., joined Diane on the show again last Saturday to discuss new technologies in skin care so professionals can feel and appear more youthful. Diane and Dr. Korkos will discuss the role that appearance plays in landing the job you want and what results of a Newsweek study reveal about the importance of appearance to hiring managers.

Monday, January 16, 2012

New Year, New Plan in 3 Steps

Listen to the show: New Year, New Plan

It's the start of a new year and as a business owner you've probably been contemplating where to take your business in 2012. A recent statistic indicated that 50% of businesses don't have a strategic plan and this makes it difficult for employees to support the business owner's vision and goals. Listen to business guru Diane Chamness talk about three things you can do that don't require a traditional strategic planning process, but will help lead your business down a successful path:

1. Feed your spirit.
2. Build good ideas.
3. Ensure financial wherewithal.

Listen to the show for details about each step and how it will help your business improve and grow.

Monday, January 9, 2012

All About Health Savings Accounts

Listen to the show: Terry Frett and HSAs

Terry Frett, President of Frett Barrington, Ltd., is back on the show to provide information about Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Listen and learn about HSAs - what it is, how it works, the rules and regulations around HSAs and more. Whether your company is thinking of introducing an HSA, already has one, or you're a consumer wondering how to maximize your HSA, this show is a valuable resource to answer all of your questions.