NOVEMBER 2013

LESNIAK:HEALTH CARE:

WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S NOTHING LEFT TO DO

KARRIGAN:25 YEARS OF HR 5050 SPARKS

GROWTH IN WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

HOFFMAN:3RD QUARTER UPDATE

December 14th:Business Behind the Scenes:

A Christmas Carol

November 15th:What the Affordable Health Care Act

means to your business from the State’s perspective.

Eric NessDirector,

Small Business Administration

December 20th:“The Entrepreneurial Spirit

of Wisconsin”

Gov. Scott Walker(invited)

Craig CulverCEO, Culver’s Restaurant

SURVIVAL GUIDE

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

At AT&T a storefront is as important as a skyscraper.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They are the engines of new opportunity and growth. Having access to innovative technologies drives success. And we’re here to make sure you’re connected. Always.

AT&T is proud to support the Independent Business Association of Wisconsin.

no businessis small

Executive DirectorSteve Kohlmann

PresidentSteve Van LieshoutK & S Technologies

.

President Elect 2014Membership / Sponsorship

John WeberHypneumat

VP. State & National ProgramsJeff Hoffman

Judson & Assoc.

TreasurerCasey Malek

SIKICH

Directors

Bart AdamsSIKICH

Ann Barry HannemanSimandl Law Group S.C

Heather BaylorPark Bank

Richard BlomquistBlomquist Benefits

Jason KuwayamaGodfrey & Kahn

Tom BoelkowBSI Design, Build, Furnish

Dave Drumel Staff Electric

IBA MEDIA LINKS

Lt. Governor Kleefisch discusses Wisconsin women in manufacturing.

To view, click here.

Message from Governor Walker regarding the$100 million property tax cut relief.

To view, click here.

IBAW Mission:To advance business prosperity through

insightful programming, executive networking and member-driven public policy

and advocacy.

Message From The IBAW PresidentSteve Van Lieshout, 2013 / 2014 IBAW President

Good Day to both kinds of business people, those who are members of IBAW, and those who should be but haven’t joined yet.

And for those who haven’t seen fit to join us, this situation reminds me of one of the great tag lines of the Nike athletic apparel, “Just Do It!”

Our IBAW Chapter has a long history. Not too long ago that history could best be described as, “Stormy” or more charitably as “Bumpy”. However over the last couple of years our organization has made tremendous strides to improve our IBAW brand and to generate ever expanding reasons to earn and justify your membership with IBAW.

Being that I am known as a “Serial Networker” and from my humble opinion, the quality level of the speakers and their programs are unmatched for an organization of our size, or for that matter, organizations which may be multiple times larger than we are.

We have direct and regular access to both State and Federal Legislators, which can provide huge benefits when issues affecting your business arise. Our organization is already on the politician’s radar screen. As IBAW continues to gain membership and when the legislators know you eye-to-eye, we become even more of a force with politicians, it is very likely that both yours and our issues gain a higher priority to be addressed.!Our consistently high level membership and regular meeting attendees provide great opportunities to gain networking input and resources for business issues you have , it is similar to a poor-man’s Tech Group.!Our monthly E-Magazine is improving, upgrading and expanding continually further benefiting the value of our brand and bringing more value to its readers.!Our Board of Directors has spent the better part of the last year looking at what IBAW means to our membership, how IBAW and our brand are perceived to non-members and yet to be members, and how can we bring increasingly greater value to answer the question of “What’s in it for me?” to members and non members alike. At the end of the day, the answer to that question will always drive our future be it positive or negative.!The last couple of years have seen plenty of positive improvements in IBAW. We have come to the conclusion that maintaining the status-quo would make further significant improvements to IBAW difficult. !The Board of Directors has determined that we need a full time Director to drive additional improvements which our organization needs to become more a force in this business climate and market. As a result, we have gone through an extended selection process and have hired Steve Kohlmann and the Kohlmann Management Group to take us to the next levels where we need to go!!We are confident having benefited from Steve’s past performance as Past President and acting part time Director of IBAW we are confident that we have made the right decision.!Well Steve.....get to work and don’t screw it up!

And for us members - let’s get out and help our new executive director!

“...we are confident that we have made

the right decision.”

By the time you read this column I will have taken over full time duties as Executive Director for the IBAW. Yes, full time.

For the past several months the Board of Directors and myself have been in discussions on whether or not to make this leap. As you can probably tell we’ve come to the conclusion that the IBAW needs to take a lead as to helping and representing small business. The time was right to move forward on this endeavor.

A few weeks ago, I gave my notice to Heritage Printing / Cultivate Communications where I have worked for the last eight years. The easy thing to do would have been the safe thing to do: Keep my regular job and forget about taking on the risk & responsibilities of a new job....play it safe. But my passion is here - with you - and small business.

As entrepreneurs you are aware that road ahead may not always be seen as a clear path. It can take on twists & turns, be fraught with obstacles, uncertainty, unexpected dangers and perils. But it can also be rewarding, enjoyable, fun, adventurous, satisfying and productive.

As with anything, every day won’t be easy or a bed of roses. There will be bumps in the road and advancing the organization won’t happen overnight. New ideas will be brought forward and tried, some of those ideas will have success and some will not. As business owners you know it’s never a sure thing. Difficulties and challenges need to be enterprised with courage and determination.

Because of these inevitable hazards, there may be some who think we need to stay where we are a little longer and play it safe. But those who originated IBAW back in the mid 1970’s wanted this organization to be a leader on business topics and representation to small business owners in Wisconsin. We do not intend to have the IBAW be in the backwash of other organizations. IBAW needs to be a part of the conversation -- we need to lead that conversation.

To be sure, all this will take a good deal time & effort. The Board and I have given high priority to growing the IBAW -- even though we realize that this is - in some measure - an act of vision and faith.

With your help we can shorten that timeline.

I want to thank everyone on the Board for their trust in my abilities and for their continued hard work as well as those of you who have worked so hard to advance where the IBAW will be going...Forward.

All Ahead FullSteve Kohlmann, IBAW Executive Director

Business Presentation Series

November 15th - Eric NessDirector, Small Business Administration - Milwaukee

Mr. Ness will discuss the Affordable Care Act in particular the considerations small business owners will need to address for both their company and their employees.

• Does your business have to provide coverage?• Is your firm eligible for tax credits?• Where can I get more information?

The Wisconsin District Office is responsible for the delivery of SBA's many programs and services to the 72 counties of Wisconsin and has developed many small business loan and assistance programs, special outreach efforts and initiatives to aid and inform small businesses.

Click here to register.

LOCATION! ! THE WISCONSIN CLUB ! 900 W. WISCONSIN AVE. MILWAUKEE

7:00 AM ! ! REGISTRATION & NETWORKING

7:30 AM ! ! BREAKFAST & PROGRAM

9:00 AM ! ! PROGRAM ENDS

December 20th Meeting:“The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Wisconsin”

Gov. Scott Walker(invited)

Craig CulverCEO, Culver’s Restaurant

Plus...

“Legislator of The Year Award”

Register now - click here!

Health Care Benefits: What to do when you’re told “there’s nothing more you can do”Bruce Lesniak, MOR Strategy Group

With all of the dramatic, sweeping changes about to occur with health care, it’s interesting to see that little is being done to educate businesses on the options that are available to them when making long term, strategic decisions. In speaking with companies, whether large or small, private and public sector, schools, governments, etc., they are typically stuck in one of three stages: denial, acceptance or stalled.

The denial group refuses to do anything, shutting themselves off from the reality of change. Despite their efforts, they will eventually be forced to accept the resulting consequences. Acceptance leaders trust their long time providers, believing that the best that they can do is to lock into an increased (but lower than expected) rate, then placed into a wait and see

holding pattern. Lastly, stalled leaders are plagued with indecision, planning without a long term strategy, and sometimes without a strategy at all. When coupled with little or bad information, this causes paralysis.

Consider this: if you were faced with a serious medical condition would you get a second medical opinion? If you wanted to expand your operation, would you plan and budget? If you were involved in a crisis, would you seek an opinion from an expert in the area of your specific need? Of course you would.

Then why are so many businesses sitting idly on the side lines, letting time and opportunity slip by? The truth is, there is very little written information available for a business that is useful; and broker provided information is limited to the prepackaged plan design which that particular company offers. So what is a business to do and where can it go for help?

Unfortunately, you’re on your own to do your research and develop a strategy that meets the needs of your business. Take the following points into consideration before making any decisions.

• Understand what the goals of your company are in providing health care coverage

• Talk with a non-broker plan designer whose interest is in helping you build a comprehensive program designed around the needs of your organization, not in selling you a policy

• Understand “consumerism and reward programs” and how implementing them into your plan will drive down costs, increase engagement and drive satisfaction

• With your plan established and time left before your renewal, comparison shop!

• Build your knowledge base on what is possible so you can better understand your options and move forward

It has never been more important to partner with an unbiased expert to build a lasting strategy that prepares and protects your employees and business from the upcoming changes! Remember, the definition of insanity is: continually doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different outcome. For additional information on strategic re-benefiting plan design, contact MOR Strategy Group at 262-247-2272.

Contributed by: Bruce Lesniak MOR Strategy Group, 262-337-3307

SURVIVAL GUIDE

Wisconsin'Industrial'Market'Leaders'!

1285!Sunnyridge!Road!

Pewaukee,!WI!53072!!

262.695.8800! !

www.judsonrealestate.com!

Market'Summary''Several'Big'Announcements'in'the'Metro'Milwaukee'market'in'Q3!'Amazon.com'1'million'SF'fulfillment'center,'Hana'Cylinders'100,000'SF'Pleasant'Prairie'facility,'Kenall''''''''''''Manufacturing'announcing'a'354,000'SF'manufacturing'plant,'proposed'78,000'SF'manufacturing'facility'for'Pro'Mach'in'Pewaukee,'Technical'Metal'taking'a'100,000SF'plant'in'New'Berlin,'and'the'former'Triad'HQ'site'being'absorbed'by'PM'Plastics.''At'6%'overall'vacancy'in'the'industrial'marketplace,'a'SPEC'building'is'no'longer'a'4'letter'word!''Q3'2013''1''The'Data'!! SE'Wisconsin'Industrial'Vacancy'rate'is'down'to'6.0%.'!! 1.4!million'SF'of'quarterly'space'absorption'was'fastest'pace'in'1'year.'!! Waukesha'County'is'now'at'a'vacancy'rate'of'3.7%'and'posted'a'performance'of'393,782'SF'of'positive'''''

absorption'in'the'quarter.'!! Kenosha'County'is'down'to'a'vacancy'rate'of'4.4%'and'continues'to'be'the'strongest'market'of'interest'for'

projects'in'the'100,000SF'+'Range'as'well'as'outside'investment.'' Subtracting'Milwaukee,'there'are'only'60'total'spaces'in'excess'of'50,000'SF'available'within'the'entire''''''''''''''''''' region.''

''Q3'2013''1''The'Trends'!! Pricing'for'owner/occupied'industrial'buildings'in'the'10,000]30,000SF'range'has'posted'a'stellar''' performance'in'2013.'Well'conditioned'assets'in'this'size'frame'are'within'5%'of'peak'prices'of'early'2008.'!! Troubled'asset'market'on'the'industrial'side'has'effectively'cleared.''!! Fewer'tenant'choices'and'more'favorable'landlord'terms'continue.'!! ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������' dwindling'supply'base'and'a'customer'base'that'is'still'reticent'to'commit'to'long'term'projects.'' While'conditions'continue'to'improve,'everyone'still'wants'a'deal!'

''

Q3'2013''1''The'Forecast''!! Businesses'continue'to'invest'in'technology'and'facilities'to'upgrade'their'operations.'This'is'not'translating''' into'a'surge'in'hiring.'This'bodes'well'for'the'industrial'market'place'and'points'to'the'continued'stagnation'of'' the'office'and'retail'marketplace.''' Kenosha'County'still'has'several'large'users'circulating'in'the'market.'' With'a'diminished'supply'base,'expect'private'sector'industrial'construction'to'show'strong'improvement'in'' 2014.'

!

Contact!

Jeff!Hoffman,!SIOR,!CCIM!

262.695.8800!

jhoffman@judsonrealestate.com!

Companies that use recognition as an essential management tool have a more engaged workplace. As a whole, engaged workplaces have a lower turnover, high customer loyalty, and are more profitable. In fact, engaged employees are 50% more productive than disengaged workers! These workplaces benefit by:

50% Lower Turnover

• Replacing a key employee costs 150% of their salary

• New Employees take 6-9 months to be productive

38% More Productivity

• Engaged employees perform more efficiently

• Engaged employees are more loyal

• Engaged employees feel appreciated

• Engaged employees are easy to manage

56% Higher Customer Satisfaction

• Less customer “churn”

• The customer always wins

• More referrals from existing customers

• Decreased marketing and sales expenses for new customers

27% More Profitability

• Companies are financially stable

• More capital for the future

• Companies return more to their stakeholders

The power of “Thank you” is in your hands!

Formal awards, gifts, monthly or weekly contests and recognition are all excellent ways to start a recognition program. Recognize those employees publicly that have been with you for many years or even just for 1 year. Let them know that they are an integral part of the company’s success.

We learned in Kindergarten to always say Thank You, and it’s still a powerful statement. You can achieve greatness within your employees and create client opportunities through creative recognition programs.

For more detailed information on these types of programs, please contact IBAW member: Jeanie Brown of Quality Resource Group, Inc. 262-754-2032 jeanieb@quality-resource.com

Recognition:It Doesn’t Cost, It Pays!Jeanie Brown, Quality Resource Group, Inc.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14THSTAGE TOUR: 5:30 PM / SHOW: 7:30 PM

IBAW members & their guests will get an exclusive, backstage tour of the Milwaukee Rep’s production of A Christmas Carol.

Then enjoy center section, orchestra seating for the evening show!

TICKETS: $48.00 per person Only 50 29 seats left on a

first come - first serve basis.

To register, click here.

Treat your family or staff!

BUSINESS BEHIND THE SCENESHOLIDAY EDITION

EXCLUSIVEBACKSTAGE

TOUR!

STAGE TOUR + SHOW / MEMBER ONLY EVENT

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Limite

d Seats

Order Now!

X

Invited Governor Scott Walker

Get Inspired, Get Motivated!Network With Top Business Leaders -

Elected Representatives Also In Attendance!Wisconsin Club - Main Ballroom, 900 West Wisconsin Avenue

7:00 AM - 7:30 AM - Networking 7:30 AM - Breakfast 9:00 AM - Adjourn

*Save The Date*Registration now open! Click here!

“THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT OF WISCONSIN ”

Craig CulverCulver’s Restaurant

Event Sponsor:

PlusLegislator of

The Year Award

Media Sponsor:

Friday, December 20th

October Meeting: Nancy Mistele, Director, Wisconsin Department of Administration,Office of Business Development

Steve, As a result of listening to the speakers today I was able to find and lookup the WI Lean Govt. working group and booked appointments with three departments so far this afternoon. I wanted to pass on to you how immediately effective Nancy and Joe were this morning. Mark TruesdellCTAccess | Computer Technologies of Wisconsin, Inc. | Laserfiche ECM VAR

Are IBAW meetings worth attending?

Our speakers for October were Nancy Mistele & Joe Knilins, Directors for the Office of Development within the Department of Administration.

• Outreach with business owners, trade associations, Chambers of Commerce, etc.

• Ensure business has a seat at the table—get your feedback on where to reduce red tape

• Raise awareness of the goals and mission of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board

Is there a state policy or regulation that is keeping you from expanding your business or creating jobs? Contact IBAW Executive Director Steve Kohlmann for help with getting in touch with the Office of Business Development.

To learn more about the Office of Business Development, see their PowerPoint discussion here.

Congratulations to Carol White and our friends at the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce as they recently cut the ribbon on their new offices. Their new location is 17100 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite 202, Brookfield, WI 53005

Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce Has New Location

IBAW member Lori Highby owner of Keystone Click, celebrated her 5 year anniversary in business last month with a open house blow out party at their offices in the 3rd Ward of Milwaukee. Tasty treats, cold beer and a chair massage were the big highlights.

IBAW attended and spied the IBAW support decal in the office.

Where is your support decal?

Keystone Click Celebrates 5th Anniversary

You Can Make a Difference In Wisconsin!

Spread the word of IBA to your business associates -

pass on the IBA brochure!

Download it in PDF format or pass the l ink on.

Available at www.ibaw.com

Get Informed

Get Connected

Get Involved

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS...

ATTIndustrial Towel & UniformBlomquist BenefitsAssociated BankSIKICHGodfrey & KahnPark BankLauber CFO’svon BriesenVrakas / BlumAdvantage Leasing

Grace MatthewsSimandl Law Group, S.C.BSI - Design, Build, FurnishK & S TechnologiesJudson Commercial Real EstateHypneumatReinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, S.C.

Media Partner:Cultivate CommunicationsHeritage Printing

Become A New IBAW Member!

Get Informed...

Get Educated...

Get Connected!

Join Wisconsin’s premier business association!

Contact IBAW by clicking here.

Nearly 60 business owners attended the IBAW’s special Energy Event featuring John Felmy, Chief Economist of the American Petroleum Institute. Mr. Felmy shared with the group how Wisconsin’s energy concerns will affect their business in the future and also why our state’s sand deposits are key to the nation’s hydraulic fracturing.

IBAW would like to thank Lemberg Electric for their hospitality and Skyline Catering for the hard work in preparing our delicious box lunches.

IBAW’s Energy Event - Lunch & Learn

Political Advocacy • Education • Networking

www.ibaw.com / 262-844-0333 / IBAWOffice@gmail.com

We can’t be responsible how you feel after attending our meetings.

IBAW’s Business Presentation Series offers high level speakers on timely business topics keeping you informed and exhilarated.

Quality programming every month.

That’s IBAW.

“As a result of listening to the speakers today I was able to find and lookup the WI Lean Govt. working group and booked appointments with three departments so far this afternoon.” - Mark Truesdell, CTAccess / Computer Technologies of Wisconsin, Inc.

Cheers to women entrepreneurs!

October is National Women’s Small Business Month. Did you know that 1 out of every 11 adult women in the U.S. is an entrepreneur?

The staggering growth in women’s entrepreneurship did not happen on its own. One piece of important legislation set a critical foundation, thus enabling more women to start and significantly grow their own businesses.

Twenty-five years ago on October 25, President Ronald Reagan signed H.R. 5050 – the Women’s Business Ownership Act, legislation that tore down barriers to capital access and training and education for women startups and small businesses. The legislation also gave women business owners a prominent voice in policymaking through the establishment of the National Women’s Business Council, and directed the U.S. Census Bureau to count all women-owned firms in its business census.

It’s hard to believe, but before H.R. 5050 became law, women in many states were required to have a male relative co-sign a loan. It’s true.SBE Council appreciates all the hard work that many women leaders and entrepreneurs put into making H.R. 5050 a reality.  We thank the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) for their leadership 25 years ago, and of course we are forever grateful to President Reagan for giving women equal opportunity in the marketplace.For more details about the signing of H.R. 5050, and how it has catapulted the staggering growth of women’s entrepreneurship please check out Julie Week’s blog post on Womenable.com.

Karen Kerrigan is president & CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, and served as an appointed member on the National Women’s Business Council.   - Learn more here.

25th Anniversary of HR 5050 - Legislation Helped Spark

Explosive Growth in Women’s Entrepreneurship

Karen Kerrigan, Executive Director, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council , Washington D.C.

PLEASE CHOOSE THE APPROPRATE CATEGORY FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE GROWTH AND STABILITY OF SMALL BUSINESS

AMOUNT

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN COMPANY ANNUAL DUES

1 – 5 $215

6 – 15 $275

16 – 25 $375

26 – 49 $470

50 or more $600

Sustaining Member $700

Special! – Pre pay breakfast meetings – 12 for the price of 10 $300

ENCLOSED AMOUNT:

Membership Application

Name____________________________________________________________________________________

Company_________________________________________________________________________________

Type of Business___________________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip_____________________________________________________________________________

Phone____________________________________Fax_____________________________________________

Email______________________________________Website________________________________________

PAYING BY CHECK ? Make checks payable to IBA – and mail to: IBA 960 Timber Pass Brookfield, WI 53045 WANT TO PAY ONLINE? You can also pay by Mastercard / Visa at the IBA Membership page. www.ibaw.com

________________________________________________________________________ The Independent Business Association of Wisconsin is a not-for-profit entity filed with the IRS under 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. As a not-for-profit association, the members of The Independent Business Association, Inc. are allowed to deduct a percentage of dues that are not used for lobbying purposes. For the year 2013 based on the total income of the association and the lobbying expenses as reported on the Wisconsin State Ethics Board Lobbying reports for 2011 the percent of dues that were used for lobbing purposes is 10%. Therefore, the percent of dues that would be tax deductible is 90%.

IBAW 960 Timber Pass

Brookfield, WI 53045

Office: 262-844-0333 WWW.IBAW.COM