top legal issues businesses face - Madison Magazine

The role of the GMCC is to lead enlightened economic growth, positioning the greater
Madison area as a globally competitive place to live, work, play and do business.
SEPTEMBER 2005 / Professional services
BUSINESSBEAT
www.greatermadisonchamber.com Volume 35, Issue 09
WHAT’SINSIDE
08
ON THE MOVE AND CONSULTING
Outside advisors help companies achieve better outcomes and improve
productivity
by Sharyn Alden
GMCC Feature: Find out
how area businesses are
building flexible workforces.
10
Roger Seip, president of Freedom Speakers and
Trainers, addresses seminar participants
Staying competitive while simultaneously improving the bottom line is a
challenge every business faces, and a growing number of companies are
looking to outside consultants for help. Here are some ways area consultants
are getting involved.
Why hire an outside consultant
“An outside consultant can provide expertise and experience to help a
business accomplish important tasks it has trouble completing,” says Eric
Brown, co-chair of Madison Area Business Consultants (MABC). He also
conducts workshops for the Small Business Development Center at the
UW-Madison Business School, and has provided management consulting to
startups and small, growing companies since 1985. “Consultants also
provide a fresh look at issues facing a business,” he adds. Continued on Page 15
Ambassador Profile:
Rolfe Nervig, Director of
Edgewood College Corporate
Learning Center
10
TOP LEGAL ISSUES BUSINESSES FACE …
AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THEM
by Judy Dahl
11
Peer to Peer:
Emily Chapman and
Kaycee Whitaker,
JobsInMadison.com,
discuss attracting quality
candidates online
Got the Beat:
Erdman Art Group
Every business owner dreads facing legal action, whether it’s brought by an employee, a customer, a business
partner, even a passer-by. In today’s litigious society it’s something to guard against. Area attorneys see certain legal
issues arise more often than others, and offer advice for heading them off.
General business issues
Poor—or no—succession planning is likely to cause legal problems, according to George R.
Kamperschroer, managing partner, Neider & Boucher, S.C. “If owners of closely-held businesses
put off planning until they’re ready to retire, they’ve waited too long,” he says. “A delay means
lost windows of opportunity, and if you pass away without planning, your heirs will have to do it
for you. At best, this may mean a different approach than you’d have wanted; at worst, it may
mean a long family fight.”
He also says many small businesses begin without adequate legal or financial advice, including
advice about setting up their ownership structure. “At the beginning of a business, most
Kamperschroer entrepreneurs have enough issues to concern them that they don’t pay enough attention to
properly recording actions taken, such as stock sold, or agreements to let others buy stock. If the
business is successful, at some point there will be disagreement among the participants as to who owns what percent
of the business, who’s entitled to what compensation, who has the authority to act on behalf of the business … We
see these problems constantly.”
Kamperschroer says time spent at the outset to clarify these matters can save a lot of problems and prevent costly
disputes later on.
Coming next month:
Insurance Continued on Page 9

GREATER MADISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
615 E. Washington Ave., P.O. Box 71
Madison, WI 53701-0071
Phone: 608-256-8348 – Fax: 608-256-0333
E-mail: beat@greatermadisonchamber.com
Web: www.greatermadisonchamber.com
Business Beat provides a forum where members and partner
organizations can share their views on a variety of topics.
Opinions expressed are the authors’ own, and do not
necessarily reflect the views held by GMCC management,
staff, or board members.
OUR MISSION – The role of the GMCC is to lead
enlightened economic growth, positioning the greater
Madison area as a globally competitive place to live, work,
play and do business.
2005 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair – Gary Wolter, Madison Gas and Electric Co.
Immediate Past Chair – Londa Dewey, U.S. Bankcorp
Vice Chair – Lon Sprecher, CUNA Mutual Group
Treasurer – Robert T. Barnard, Stratatech Corp.
Secretary – James Hopson, Wisconsin State Journal
BOARD MEMBERS
Dave Anderson, American Family Mutual Insurance Group
George E. Austin, Overture Foundation
Bettsey Barhorst, Madison Area Technical College
Gladis Benavides, Benavides Enterprises, Inc.
Ian Biggs, ABS Global
Byron Bishop, APA of Madison
Robert A. Blettner, The Blettner Group Ltd.
Mark Bugher, University Research Park
Timothy B. Erdman, Marshall Erdman & Associates
A. Scott Faulkner, The Edgewater Hotel
John J. Flad, Flad Development & Investment Corp.
Clayton Frink, The Capital Times
James D. Garner, Sergenian’s Floor Coverings, MNBC Rep.
Kevin Hayden, Dean Health System
William D. Harvey, Alliant Energy
James R. Imhoff Jr., FirstWeber Group Inc.
George Kamperschroer, Neider & Boucher, SC
Marsha Lindsay, Lindsay, Stone & Briggs
Tod B. Linstroth, Michael, Best & Friedrich
Jay Loewi, The QTI Group
George Nelson, Evening Telegram Co.
D. Thomas Oakley, Covance Laboratories Inc.
Terri L. Potter, Meriter Health Services
Rebecca Ryan, Next Generation Consulting, Inc.
Douglas G. Reuhl, American TV & Appliance of Madison Inc.
James R. Riordan, WPS Health Insurance
Robert A. Schlicht, M&I Bank
Rick Searer, Oscar Mayer Foods-Division of Kraft Foods
Robert Smith, WMTV-TV Channel 15
David G. Walsh, Foley & Lardner
John Wiley, Chancellor, UW-Madison
CHAMBER STAFF
Jennifer Alexander, president
Sarah Breckenridge, program & event coordinator
Pattie Fowler, office manager
Jennifer Leavitt-Moy, public policy assistant
Lisa Loniello, executive assistant
Amy Olson, vice president membership & marketing
Rafael Mayor Carbonell, economic development coordinator
Laura President-Brown, information coordinator
Henry Sanders, Jr., vice president public policy & economic
development
Rick Sheridan, membership development executive
Connie Shomberg, LGM director
Katy Skarlatos, public policy & economic development coordinator
Tracy Smull, director of finance & operations
Amy Torgeson, membership coordinator
BUSINESS BEAT STAFF
Publisher – Jennifer Alexander, GMCC
Associate publisher – Tracy Smull, GMCC, 608-443-1950,
tsmull@greatermadisonchamber.com
Editor – Judy Dahl, JKD Communications LLC,
608-271-2107, judydahl@charter.net
Designer – Tara Ingalls, Tingalls Dzyn LLC, 608-268-5525,
tara@tingalls.com, www.tingalls.com
Advertising and Sales – Madison Magazine, 608-270-3600
Business Beat is published 12 times a year for the Greater
Madison Chamber of Commerce, which holds the copyright
to all content, by Madison Magazine, 7025 Raymond Road,
Madison, WI 53719.
Subscription included in GMCC membership.
Submit all member news items by the 15th to be considered
for the next issue, which will publish two months later.
Items will be published as space permits. E-mail items to
beat@greatermadisonchamber.com.
BEHIND
PRESIDENT’SLETTER
Dear Valued GMCC Member:
THE
I extend my sincere thanks to
all of you who volunteered at our
tremendously successful—and
enjoyable—July membership
event. With your assistance,
nearly 300 new area businesses
joined the GMCC during the event. A hearty
welcome to our new members; in our October issue of
Business Beat we’ll list all businesses who are now
enjoying the benefits chamber membership brings.
The GMCC is deeply committed to the success
and vitality of the greater Madison business
community. That’s why, in addition to being your
advocate in the public policy and economic
development arenas; and bringing you educational
and networking programs like our business card
exchanges, 12@12, and our annual dinner; we
provide discount programs that add value to your
membership and opportunities to increase awareness
of your business. I hope you’ll take advantage of our
latest offerings.
We’ve partnered with Office Depot to offer
GMCC members substantial savings on office
supplies. Just contact Keri Lange at
klange@officedepot.com to register, and in seven to
ten days you’ll receive an account pack that lets you
start saving. You’ll get:
• Access to the exclusive National Chamber core
catalog with over 300 of the most-frequentlyordered
items at the deepest discounts.
• Six percent off retail pricing on items in the
standard catalog.
• Extended discount and billing in any Office
Depot store with an in-store purchasing card.
• Discounts on in-store print and copy services.
• Discounts on technology.
• Discounts on promotional items through Your
Company Store.
• Free next-day delivery (available in most areas).
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Behind the Door @ GMCC
GMCC Update............................................4
Member Matters
Member News & Events ............................5
Membership Matters ..................................7
Member Spotlights ......................................7
GMCC Feature ............................................8
Front & Center
Ambassador Action: Rolfe Nervig ..........10
Peer to Peer................................................10
Got the Beat: Erdman Art Group ............11
DOOR
We’ve also partnered with the UW – Madison
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer
GMCC members discounts on SBDC business
education programs. With only a few exceptions,
GMCC members are eligible for a ten-percent
discount on individual programs and a five-percent
discount on program series. Just visit www.uwsbdc.org
for more information and a calendar of courses that
provide practical knowledge and expertise for
growing businesses.
Our GMCC gift certificates program, powered by
Certifichecks, encourages consumers and businesses
to spend dollars locally—at businesses like yours. The
certificates, similar to “mall gift certificates,” come in
$10 and $25 denominations. When a shopper uses a
certificate at your business, you deposit it just like a
check and receive 100-percent reimbursement. The
certificates are available for purchase 24 hours a day
from virtually anywhere, including online at the
GMCC Web site, www.greatermadisonchamber.com,
by phone at 877-770-GIFT (4438), and at the
GMCC office.
We also offer opportunities for you to build
awareness of your business through online or hard
copy advertisements. More than 57,000 visitors each
month view the GMCC’s Web pages, and when you
advertise on our Web site, your business is visible to
each of them. You can sponsor our e-newsletter to
reach its more than 3,600 subscribers, or advertise in
Business Beat and connect with its thousands of
readers.
In today’s dynamic marketplace, you need to stay
abreast of current issues, continuously educate
yourself about contemporary business strategies, and
find new ways to attract customers to your business.
The GMCC is here to help.
I look forward to seeing you September 12 at the
53rd GMCC Annual Dinner.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Alexander, GMCC president
Advice & Answers ................................11
Leaders @ Work
LGM Update ............................................12
MAGNET ................................................12
Initiatives and Insights
Economic Development............................13
Public Policy ..............................................14
New Member List ..................................14
Calendar & Conventions ........back page
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 03

BEHINDTHEDOORCONTINUED
GMCCUPDATE
See you at the annual dinner!
The 53rd
GMCC Annual
Dinner is right
around the
corner. Don’t
forget to reserve
your spot for
September 12 at
the business
event of the
year, featuring
keynote speaker
Bud Selig, Major League Baseball commissioner.
Swing to the sounds of the Tony Castaneda
Latin Jazz Sextet at the beautiful Madison
Marriott West. We’ll hold a raffle and a silent
auction, with many fantastic prizes packages to
be won. Don’t pass up your chance to network
at this premier event and find out what your
chamber is doing for YOU! We’re pleased to
introduce our platinum sponsors: Land’s End
and Madison Gas and Electric Company; our
gold sponsor: Kraft/Oscar Mayer Foods; our
silver sponsors: Michael Best and Friedrich,
MATC, Physicians Plus, Arnold & O’Sheridan,
and our band sponsor: Neider & Boucher, SC.
Chamber Café addresses
presence
Members attending the August 10 Chamber
Café: “Professional Presence: What You Don’t
Know CAN Hurt You,” were treated to a very
entertaining and informative talk given by
Susan Smedley and Amy Grant from The Next
Level Training. The speakers pinpointed ways in
which professional presence, or a lack thereof,
can affect how a business performs. Thanks to
Inn on the Park for hosting and providing the
continental breakfast.
Party at the zoo!
The Annual Business Social on August 11
was a roaring success. GMCC members mingled
with Greater Madison Convention and Visitors
Bureau members at
the Henry Vilas Zoo,
where A Touch of
Brass provided music
and Great Dane Pub
and Brewery
provided food and a
cash bar. Members
connected with old friends and met new ones,
all with the beautiful zoo as the backdrop.
12@12
Strategic Planning for the Small Business
was the topic at our August 12@12 lunch
meeting held at the GMCC. Twelve GMCC
small business members came together for an
informative and engaging discussion, facilitated
by Jonathan Harrison of ARC Associates, LLC.
Thank you to Wipfli LLC, annual underwriters
for the 12@12 program, and to White Jasmine
for sponsoring a fantastic Pakistani lunch.
At the
Wednesday,
September 7
session,
scheduled for
noon to 1 p.m.
at the GMCC,
we’ll focus on “Public Relations for Small
Businesses,” facilitated by Rebecca Kopf, PR
Etc. The October session will be held
Wednesday, October 5 at the GMCC from
noon to 1 p.m. Our topic is “Cash Flow,” and
Mark McNally, Wipfli, LLC, will facilitate.
12@12 programs are open to GMCC
members with 15 or fewer employees and are
limited to 12 participants. We send invitations
via e-mail three weeks prior to each meeting
and hold a semi-random drawing from responses
sent within 48 hours.
Giving up because your name hasn’t been
picked We take into consideration those
who have been unsuccessful in getting into
past sessions. ◆
PAGE 04 SEPTEMBER 2005

MEMBERMATTERS
MEMBERNEWS&EVENTS
Events
Caboodle Cartridge celebrated the grand
opening of its Madison store on July14.
Customers enjoyed finding out how they
can save money on ink and toner cartridges
without sacrificing on quality, and how
Caboodle’s cartridges are remanufactured
in a centralized facility in the Silicon
Valley of California, ensuring consistently
higher-quality cartridges compared to those
refilled in the back of a store or in a
basement. Remanufacturing also keeps the
cartridges from being tossed in a landfill.
Door prizes were awarded, and the GMCC
helped make this exciting day a success.
Caboodle Cartridge’s grand opening
Home Health United will host its second
annual golf outing at Trappers Turn in
Wisconsin Dells on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Course designer Andy North is the
honorary chair of the event, which raises
funds for Meals on Wheels in Dane
County and Home Health United Hospice
outside of Dane County. The cost for
individual golfers is $125, and business
sponsorships are available. To register or for
more information, call Pam at 276-7590.
Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Dane
County raised over
$150,000 in
pledges during the
2005 Bowl for
Kids’ Sake event,
the agency’s
second-largest
fundraiser. The
23rd annual event
took place at
bowling centers around Dane County from
April 30 to May 6. The proceeds provide
major funding for Big Brothers Big Sisters
programs throughout Dane County and
allow Big Brothers Big Sisters to continue
to work towards the goal of matching a
caring, adult mentor with each and every
child in Dane County who wants one.
Smith & Rogers Consulting is offering a
free executive luncheon focused on
Aligning ROI to Business Objectives with
Portfolio Management Tools. The
executive luncheon will be held at the
Hilton Inn, Madison, on September 13 at
11:30 am. Details and registration are
available at www.smithrogers.com
Innovations and new
business
In an effort to expand courier service to
more of its customers, Capitol Bank
recently announced a partnership with
Dunham Express. In addition to daily
courier service, Dunham can offer Capitol’s
customers value-added services such as
early-morning mail delivery, emergency
courier service, and an on-call option for
clients needing extra assistance on a given
day.
Construction will begin soon on a new
Westside Family Pet Care Center and
Club Bow-Wow, adjacent to each other
at the corner of Struck Street and Watts
Road, near Woodman’s.
Cranberry Creek Casual Café, which
opened in February at the corner of Bridge
Road and Broadway, between South Towne
and Monona Drive, has added patio dining
under the cranberry umbrellas.
Donna Beestman has launched a new
business, Career Success Strategies, LLC,
which offers one-on-one career consulting
and coaching services to professionals and
executives who have lost or quit their jobs,
desire executive coaching to advance their
careers, need advice on transitioning
toward retirement, or need to redefine
their career direction.
St. Marys Hospital is the only one in
Madison and just one of two in Wisconsin
with the revolutionary new 64-slice CT
(computed tomography) scanner. It is
expected to be used, as current CT is, for
diagnosing heart disease in addition to the
detection of lung disease, stroke and other
neurological conditions. The images are so
clear that doctors are able to spot potential
problems earlier and with unprecedented
precision.
Mergers and acquisitions
As of April 1, 2005, Hoffman Chemical &
Supply Co., Inc. and DnS Janitorial
Services have merged under one name,
KleenMark. For more information on
KleenMark, call 800-422-5159 or visit
www.kleenmark.com.
The lawyers of Quale Hartmann of
Baraboo/Sauk City have joined Boardman
Law Firm. Quale Hartmann will maintain
offices in Baraboo and Sauk City,
practicing under the name of Boardman
Quale Hartmann.
New construction and new
addresses
Central Place Real Estate will break
ground this summer on one of the few
vacant commercial parcels in central
Madison. The property, a former
brownfield located just north of the
Sheraton Hotel on John Nolen Drive,
languished for years due to known
environmental problems. Working with
Madison engineering firm BT2, Central
Place is close to completing clean-up and
preparation of the site for a new three-story
office building.
T. Wall Properties has purchased High
Point Office Park, with direct frontage on
the West Beltline; and 1224 Deming Way,
in Old Sauk Trails; from Welton
Enterprises.
Continued on Page 6
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 05

MEMBERMATTERSCONTINUED
MEMBERNEWS&EVENTSCONTINUED
On September 1, Manpower Inc. opened a
new office located at 515 Junction Road,
Suite 2600.
The Wisconsin Electrical Employees
Benefit Fund (WEEBF) recently
celebrated its new, soon to be LEEDcertified,
12,000 square foot office building
at 2730 Dairy Drive in Madison. This
single-story building, designed and built
by The Renschler Company, demonstrates
that even small buildings can be built
to LEEDTM certification levels at a
cost premium of only a few dollars per
square foot.
Rendering of the WEEBF building
Awards and recognition
Madison’s local artisan coffee roaster,
Ancora Coffee Roasters, has received top
ratings for two of its African coffees in a
national independent tasting of 160
coffees. Ancora’s Kenya AA and Rwanda
coffees received 94 and 93 points (based
on a 100 point scale) respectively. These
award-winning coffees are available at
Ancora’s three retail locations and online
at www.ancoracoffee.com. Ancora also
recently completed renovations of the
former “Rollerdrome” roller skating rink on
Highway 51 (Stoughton Road) across from
MATC, now informally referred to as the
“Roasterdrome”!
Per Mar Security Services has been
awarded the prestigious “Five Diamond
Certification” from the Central Station
Alarm Association (CSAA). This signifies
that 100 percent of the company’s Central
Alarm Station Operators have passed the
CSAA Central Station Operator Level I
Training Course.
Publishers of Corporate Report Wisconsin
recently presented J.H. Findorff & Son
Inc. with the “Best of Wisconsin” award in
the commercial contractor category.
Awards were based on a survey conducted
in March, which polled more than 30,000
readers on their favorite businesses in the
state.
KANDU Industries recently received a
$3,000 grant from the Stateline
Community Foundation to be used toward
the purchase of heat-sealing equipment.
The equipment will allow KANDU to
expand its packaging capabilities, thus
offering additional work opportunities to
people with disabilities.
Madison Area Technical College has
received a grant for $450,000 from the
National Science Foundation to help
support the development of a new
biotechnology certificate for individuals
who already have earned a bachelor of
science degree in biology or a related field.
The Zweig Letter Hot Firm 2005 List has
ranked Mead & Hunt 43rd in the nation
as one of the fastest-growing architecture
and engineering firms. The firm’s ranking
on the Engineering News Record’s Top 500
Design Firm List remains strong at 266 in
the nation after rising 82 spots in 2004.
Engineering News Record has ranked Mead
& Hunt’s aviation-related services 18th in
the nation.
Glowac+Harris+Madison, a full-service
advertising, marketing and public relations
agency was recently recognized by the 26th
Annual Telly Awards for television work
created for Jon Lancaster Toyota. Two
commercials, “You Are What Drives Us”
and “Dozens of Siennas,” and one jingle,
“You Are What Drives Us,” have all been
awarded finalist standing.
The Madison-area franchise of the national
moving company TWO MEN AND A
TRUCK ® received a Dane County Small
Business Award at the annual prize
breakfast on June 3. The award cites the
organization’s overall success, ability to
foster an employee-focused workplace, and
support to the community through
volunteerism, contributions, and in-kind
services.
The TWO MEN AND A TRUCK ® team
Virchow, Krause & Company, LLP
achieved the ranking of “Best of
Wisconsin” in a recent corporate
recognition program sponsored by
Corporate Report Wisconsin. Virchow Krause
received top honors in the following
categories: Grand Award Winner for
“Most Admired Wisconsin Company”;
Grand Award Winner for the “Best
Accounting Firm” in Wisconsin; and
Creative Financial Staffing, an associated
company specializing in temporary staffing
and recruiting for financial positions, was
the Grand Award Winner for “Best
Staffing Firm” in Wisconsin.◆
PAGE 06 SEPTEMBER 2005

MEMBERMATTERSCONTINUED
MEMBERSHIPMATTERS
GMCC MEMBERSHIP
EVENT YIELDS
RECORD GROWTH
The GMCC made Wisconsin chamber
history through our July membership
event! We welcomed 281 new members
over the two-day event, during which
volunteer business leaders recruited fellow
businesses to join the GMCC. Over 170
volunteers turned out during the event,
held July 19 – 20, to share the message and
benefits of GMCC membership with fellow
business associates in the greater Madison
area.
Planning for the event began several
months ago with the recruitment of seven
team chairs (see sidebar) who led their
teams to success throughout the event. The
event chairs rallied some of the best and
brightest professionals in our community to
create enthusiasm and drive results in this
volunteer effort.
Seven teams competed to bring in the
most new members during a series of threehour
shifts. Afterward, the Oscar Mayer
Weinermobile whisked team chairs from
the GMCC office to a celebration roast for
volunteers at Tenney Park. There were
plenty of high-five’s as leading volunteers
accepted awards.
New members
recruited during the
event will be invited
to Primetime, a
special event that lets
them network, have
fun, and display
materials while
learning more about
their GMCC
benefits.
We extend our
thanks to the Quality
Inn & Suites in Fitchburg for hosting the
event, and to our sponsors, Einstein
Wireless, Johnny Delmonico’s, Oscar
Mayer, and Verizon Wireless, for their
support. We’re excited to welcome our new
members, and we appreciate our many
volunteers’ help in making the membership
event a success. ◆
GMCC Membership Event Chairs
Ray Allen, WI Dept of Financial Institutions
Laurie Benson, Inacom Information Systems
Joe Boucher, Neider & Boucher, SC
Charlie Hoslet, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations
Brad Hutter, Mortenson Investment Group
David Sanks, WISC - TV3
Mary Starmann-Harrison, St. Marys Hospital Medical Center
MEMBERSPOTLIGHTS
We know what’s for dinner, do you
We’re Main Dish Kitchen ® , a new
“make and take” meal business coming to
the Madison area. Using the Main Dish
Kitchen ® Web site, guests sign up for a
one- or two-hour session, during which
they prepare six or twelve freezer-ready
meals. We provide all the ingredients,
packaging and instructions necessary to
complete each six-serving entree. Not only
have we done the work of recipe selection,
shopping, and prepping, we also clean up!
Our guests save time each month, while
enjoying a unique experience in our
beautiful facility. Our goal is to strengthen
families by bringing them around the
dinner table. We’ll also serve the greater
community through our Meals with a
Mission program, donating twelve meals
per session to local charity partners and
families in need. We’ll be opening at 3148
Deming Way in Middleton. Find us at
www.maindishkitchen.com, or call 608-
827-9909.
Hoffman Chemical & Supply Co., Inc. and
DnS Janitorial Services have merged under
one name: KleenMark. Scott
Stevenson, president and CEO, says the
new name more clearly communicates the
combination of products and services the
two companies have to offer. “Our focus is
providing environmentally-safe products
and services to our customers under one
identity. The impact of cleaning products
and practices can be significant in any
facility, and we want the name to convey
our focus on environmentally-safe products
and practices for the future.” KleenMark
has over 600 employees who clean 10
million square feet daily. We’re dedicated
to customer satisfaction, and through our
state-of-the-art communications and
quality-control system, we’re available 24
hours a day, seven days a week, to respond
to our clients and to address emergency
issues as they arise. Visit
www.kleenmark.com to learn more
about what we do!
Madison Reading and
Learning Center, LLC, established
in 1998 and owned by Janice Schreiber-
Poznik, director/reading specialist, is
conveniently located on Madison’s near
west side at 2702 Monroe Street. Our
customer is any pre-K-12 student or adult
seeking quality tutoring in academic
subjects and/or support services. All
students receive tutoring on an individual
basis and our staff of ten brings several
types of expertise to the business. We also
bring an enthusiastic and energetic
presence to the learning environment—
our students have fun while they’re
learning. For more information, contact
us at 608-238-7323 or visit
www.madisonreadingandlearning.com.◆
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 07

GMCCFEATURE
BUILDING A FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE
by Judy Dahl
With the economy steadily improving,
employers are beginning to hire new employees
to handle the recent increase in business,”
comments Tad Cromley, owner, Express
Personnel Services. “However, with the
economic downturn fresh on their minds, many
managers hesitate at premature hiring.”
Increasingly, rather than committing to a
full-time hire they’re not sure they’ll need down
the road, employers are turning to temporary
employees as a lower-risk way to add staff. In
many cases, say area employment-service
professionals, this makes sound business sense. It
can also be a bridge to a full-time hire.
When does it make sense to
use temporary employees
“Temporary employees can help businesses
meet workflow demands during economic
fluctuations, seasonal or peak work periods,
large projects, or to fill in for maternity or
medical leaves, vacations, or other absences,”
says Leslie Graves, city manager, Kelly Services,
Inc.
“Companies with a new opening for a fulltime
employee (FTE) should look at using a
temporary employee to make sure the position
will be needed long term,” adds Kirk Wessel,
civil engineering search consultant,
Management Recruiters of Madison, Inc.
(MRI). “Hiring employees and having to lay
them off because the work load didn’t continue
can hurt the company’s reputation.”
“And if temporary labor is used in these
situations, businesses can avoid termination and
severance costs,” says Luke Whitburn, branch
manager, Manpower, Inc.
There are other financial benefits, notes
Shana Bakken, program manager, Veterans
Industries, which helps Veterans return to the
workforce. “Employers don’t pay for vacation,
Bill, a Veteran’s Industries employee, is on assignment as a disassembly
technician
sick time, workers’ compensation, or
employment and Social Security
taxes—since the employee actually
works for us, they just pay the
hourly wage.”
“Some staffing companies offer
outsourcing of complete
departments, such as call centers,”
notes Brian Weis, president of
WisconsinJobs.com and
RecruitersNetwork.com. “This puts
all hiring and firing costs on the
staffing firm and minimizes costs for
the employer—like litigation,
unemployment, benefits,
401k/pensions, and more. The
employer can focus on its core
competencies.”
“Often larger companies build the use of
temporary employees into their business plans
and budgets,” says Jim McNett, CEO, ABR
Employment Services. “They’ll use this
supplemental, flexible workforce to augment
their core workforce. It’s part of their strategy.”
Making good matches
To ensure that a temporary employee will be
a good fit for your company and the position,
says Jill Dohnal, corporate
development/marketing manager, The QTI
Group, “The first step is providing your staffing
agency with a detailed job description that
explains the scope of the position, key skills
required, and the job responsibilities. And
giving the employment agency and potential
applicants a tour of your facility will help them
understand your company’s culture and find the
right fit for your organization.”
It’s also important to choose the right
employment agency. “Businesses should ensure
they choose a staffing service that has the
abilities, tools and resources to assist them,” says
McNett. “Look at what screening, behavioral
analysis, and testing processes they
go through to qualify employees,
and ask what standards they use.
Get references and testimonials
about their service; look at their
Web site and interview people.”
“Hiring managers should work
with staffing firms that specialize in
their industry,” recommends Holly
Dary, branch manager,
Accountemps. “The firm’s
representatives typically understand
their clients’ unique staffing needs
and can provide insight throughout
the hiring process.”
“The goal is to build a
relationship, so the staffing firm can
Brad, of Veteran’s Industries, is working as a Maintenance Technician
understand a company’s corporate culture, work
environment, and management style,” says
Weis. “Then the staffing firm can make better
employer/employee matches.”
A bridge to a full-time hire
Often temporary employees are such a good
fit that organizations end up hiring them.
“Approximately 40 percent of Manpower’s
temporary employees are hired by our
customers,” says Whitburn.
“Using temporary employees is an excellent
way for an organization to audition talent,”
Wessel says. “It allows the employer to make
sure the employee really does have the skills to
handle the job they’re hired for.”
“Many companies are trying the temp-tohire
approach,” explains Dary. “That is, they’re
bringing professionals in on a temporary basis
before offering them a full-time position. This
lets the company ensure someone is the right fit
before extending an offer, and allows
professionals to assess whether an employment
opportunity is an appropriate match to their
interests, work preferences and long-term career
goals.”
“By evaluating prospective employees on a
temporary or short-term basis first, companies
can minimize the productivity losses and costs
associated with poor hiring decisions,”
continues Dary. “Companies often use this
approach to determine if they have a full-time
staffing need or if the work can be handled by a
combination of project professionals and
existing employees.”
Whether a company should hire a temporary
or a full-time employee is a complex question.
“It depends on the company’s business strategy
and situation,” says Graves. “The ‘try before you
buy’ approach lets them fill gaps with temporary
positions while they evaluate ongoing needs.” ◆
PAGE 08 SEPTEMBER 2005

COVERSTORYCONTINUED
TOP LEGAL ISSUES
Mark Ehrmann, partner, Quarles & Brady,
LLP, notes that a number of his firm’s clients
have expressed concern about the legal issues
surrounding manufacturing products and
providing services in foreign countries,
particularly India and China. “The cost structure
in the U.S. makes products produced here very
expensive relative to those produced overseas,”
he explains. “Accordingly, companies
consistently explore establishing operations in
those countries or setting up joint ventures with
foreign companies.” This creates a number of
complex legal issues, so companies
contemplating joint ventures should work
closely with an attorney experienced in handling
international business initiatives.
Employment law issues
Recent regulatory changes have affected
employers’ responsibilities for handling many
employment law issues. Employers should
carefully review their policies to ensure they’re
complying with all applicable changes, according
to Bonnie Wendorff, head of the employment
law group at Neider & Boucher, S.C.
“Since the overhaul of the federal overtime
rules last year, we’re seeing a significant upswing
in the number of overtime claims filed by both
current and former employees on the basis that
they were improperly classified as exempt
(salaried) when they should have been nonexempt
(hourly),” says Wendorff. “Nationwide,
some larger employers have been targeted for
class action litigation on overtime issues.”
Wendorff continues, “And since 9/11,
employers have become more attuned to security
issues. The use of criminal background checks
has increased accordingly.” Employers using third
parties to conduct background checks on
applicants and employees must comply with the
federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. “Failure to do
so can result in liability running into the
hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she says.
Many employers access background
information directly, through public records
resources like the Circuit Court Access Program
(CCAP) or the Department of Justice Web site.
“Although this information is readily available,
an employer’s right to use the information is not
unlimited,” says Wendorff.
She also cites identity theft caused by
employers’ failure to properly safeguard employee
records as a serious problem, and recommends
business leaders review their documentdestruction
standards.
“Although workplace dress and grooming
requirements are generally permissible, we’ve
seen a steady increase in discrimination cases
based on what we in the legal business call
‘image’ or ‘appearance,’ ” adds Wendorff.
“Nowadays, we advise clients to be sure they can
articulate a legitimate business reason for any
dress or grooming requirement, and that they
evaluate any complaint about such a
requirement carefully to be sure they’re not
inadvertently discriminating.”
A fair number of employers have recently
asked her firm for help in developing policies
governing workplace relationships.
“Relationships between supervisors and
subordinate employees, even where they appear
to be consensual, must be looked at carefully for
potential conflicts of interest, and also for
potential harassment situations, especially when
the relationship breaks up,” she explains.
“Employers can generally choose whether to
ban personal relationships altogether, ban them
only for supervisors and subordinates, or permit
relationships,” says Wendorff. “However, because
of the potential problems workplace
relationships pose, one key element of any policy
ought to be a disclosure provision requiring
employees involved in the relationship to inform
management about it, so that the circumstances
can be evaluated and appropriate steps taken to
prevent potential conflicts or harassment
claims.”
Another issue of concern
for employers is potential
liability for supervisors’
unlawful harassment of
employees. “Until recently,
employers with an antiharassment
policy that
Vergeront
included a process for
complaining about
harassment, were in a good position to shield
themselves from damages stemming from
supervisors’ acts of harassment—if the individual
claiming harassment had failed to use the
process,” says Meg Vergeront, attorney, Stafford
Rosenbaum LLP.
“Unfortunately,” she continues, “a recent
decision by the Wisconsin Labor and Industry
Review Commission makes it clear that
Wisconsin employers sued under the Wisconsin
Fair Employment Act for unlawfully-harassing
conduct by their supervisors will not be shielded
from a damage claim stemming from the
harassment, even if they have a harassmentcomplaint
procedure in place.”
This decision makes it critical that employers
provide in-depth anti-harassment training for
supervisors. “Training should be provided upon
hire and periodically to all supervisors, preferably
at least once a year,” says Vergeront. “Employers
should also be more aware of what’s going on in
the workplace and should address issues of
inappropriate supervisor behavior immediately.”
Bankruptcy-related litigation
A new bankruptcy law, the Bankruptcy
Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection
Act of 2005, will affect both
personal and business
bankruptcies, according to
Christopher J. Stroebel,
attorney, LaFollette Godfrey
& Kahn. Most of the law’s
provisions take effect
Stroebel
October 17.
“The new law makes it
tougher for companies to stay in bankruptcy for
an extended period,” says Stroebel. It also
strengthens the hand of commercial lessors
dealing with a bankrupt tenant, and gives
additional rights to creditors providing goods to
the debtor within 20 days before bankruptcy.
The areas in which businesses are most likely
to become involved in bankruptcy litigation are:
• Violations of the automatic stay arising
when a bankruptcy case is filed.
• Improper attempts to collect debts that
have been discharged by bankruptcy.
• Lawsuits by the debtor’s bankruptcy estate
to recover “preferential” payments made by
the debtor prior to bankruptcy. (Any
payment the debtor made within 90 days
before bankruptcy is potentially a
preferential payment.)
“And, of course, in order to stand a chance of
receiving a distribution from the bankruptcy
estate, a non-government creditor must file a
proof of claim in the bankruptcy,” says Stroebel.
“Upon learning of a bankruptcy, you should
assess the size of your claim and your potential
exposure to a preference action, and take action
based on your stake and exposure,” he
recommends. “The importance of promptly
reading correspondence from the bankruptcy
court, and seeking legal advice early in the case
if the stakes are high enough, cannot be
overemphasized.”
This will ensure you learn of deadlines for
filing claims and for other possible actions—such
as objecting to the discharge of a debt. “Early
attention to the bankruptcy case can head off
trouble, such as a preference action, that may
come later,” says Stroebel. “This is particularly
true in instances where you have an ongoing
relationship with the debtor.”
According to these experts, planning ahead,
seeking legal advice early, and establishing
policies that ensure compliance with changing
regulations can help keep the lawsuits away. ◆
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 09

FRONT&CENTER
AMBASSADORACTION
Ambassador Profile
ROLFE
NERVIG
Director of Edgewood
College Corporate
Learning Center
Rolfe Nervig doesn’t even
call Madison “home” yet, but already he’s
devoted more than a year to the Chamber of
Commerce. An ambassador since July of 2004,
Nervig has split his time between a rented room
in Madison and his home in Milwaukee. That
will end soon as he and his wife, Mary, sell their
home and settle in Madison for good. “Our four
children are all grown up,” he says. “We’re ready
for a new phase; we’re ready to try something
different.”
While Nervig may divide his time between
the cities, professionally he is committed to
Madison. Nervig is the director of the
Edgewood College Corporate Learning Center,
a management training and development
resource for area businesses. His
dedication to team building and
client-centered services prepared
him well for his work as a
GMCC ambassador. “I appreciate
being a working part of the
chamber,” he says. “It ties with
my idea that you have to be a
giver as well as a taker.”
While the role of an
ambassador is different than he
had expected, Nervig has adapted
well and believes in the work he
does. “I thought it would be more
about welcoming new members
or working in recruiting,” he
explains. “While there’s certainly
some of that, we really are an
extension of the GMCC’s efforts
as a whole. We’re here to provide
a visible support to current member businesses.
It’s the kind of work that makes you feel you’re
really making a difference.”
For more information on the Edgewood
College Corporate Learning Center, including
public events, seminars and training series,
contact Nervig at 608-663-3497m or e-mail
him at rnervig@edgewood.edu. ◆
GMCC ambassadors serve as runners for the July membership event, delivering newmember
welcome packets. Volunteers recruited 281 new members during the two day
event. Runners delivered new member welcome packets. Pictured, from left, are: Jen
Yakimicki Guimond, Kelly Dewey, Tracy Buglass
Additional Ambassador Runners: Amy Ammon, Paul Gradian, Kimberly Bean,
Cynthia Jansen Everhart, Kelly Starr King
THANK YOUS
We thank Captain Bill’s for hosting the July
ambassador meeting.
The GMCC sends
heartfelt thanks to
Land’s End Business
Outfitters for its
generous sponsorship
of the ambassador program.
PEERTOPEER
HOW TO ATTRACT
QUALITY CANDIDATES
ONLINE
by Emily Chapman, general manager, and Kaycee
Whitaker, sales manager, JobsInMadison.com
Looking
to recruit a
broader
range of
candidates
online
More
qualified
applicants
Make sure
you take advantage of all the extra features that
posting your positions on a local or niche job
board offers. Here are some tips to get you
started:
Use the space available. One of the
great aspects of online job boards is that you
don’t have to abbreviate and leave out critical
information. If you have a highly specialized
job, be sure to describe it in detail. The more
skills and requirements you list in your posting,
the better chance you’ll have of attracting
candidates with the desired qualifications.
Brag about your company/client. Use
both company-profile pages and job postings to
list the benefits of working at the organization
for which you’re recruiting. Does it have a great
benefits plan Flexible work hours A fantastic
location A commitment to diversity Sell more
than just the job. Sell the whole work
experience, and you’ll entice the best, most
diverse candidate group to apply for your open
positions.
Check your ad for keywords. Think
like a job seeker on this one. If you were your
ideal candidate, what keywords would you use
to search for a position like yours Since you
have all that room to describe the job
opportunity, make sure to use specific words to
set your position apart from similar ones. Use
html code to bold out words and phrases that
will stand out to jobseekers viewing your ad.
Make yourself visible all over the
site. Many job boards, including
JobsInMadison.com, offer extra features to
increase visibility. Talk to your account
executive about being a featured employer or
designating your top jobs as featured positions.
Use discussion forums, events calendars and
articles, to indirectly promote your job or
company.
Discover great, local candidates in
the resume database. Any company with
a subscription to JobsInMadison.com has access
to our extensive resume database. Rather than
sending a blast email out to candidates, send a
personalized invite with a link to your posting.
Use the keywords from your ad to search for
that perfect potential-applicant’s resume.
By becoming a savvy Internet recruiter, you’re
bound to connect with both active and passive
job seekers who are looking to work for a
progressive company like yours. ◆
PAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 2005

GOT THEBEAT
ERDMAN ART GROUP
Responses by Margaret LeMay, director
Address: 5105 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53705
Direct: 608-218-6308 (direct line)
Toll Free: 866-848-4ART (4278)
Fax: 608-218-4461
Web site: www.erdmanart.com
Current owner: Tim Erdman, Erdman
Holdings, Inc.
Year established: The initiative began in 1982
as an art department with Marshall Erdman &
Associates (a local design-build firm) offering
an exclusive service for its health care
customers. We established a separate
organization in 2003.
Number of employees: Three full-time
Your customer is:
“
Our primary client
and expertise is
providing art
collections for the
health care industry.
In recent years,
however, we’ve
expanded into professional offices and corporate
settings. Our customers range from small dental
offices, law firms, banks and alternative
medicine providers, to large hospitals and suited
multi-specialty clinics, with an understanding of
how art will enrich a setting, large or small. Our
clients include local organizations like
HospiceCare and Dean Clinic, and national
clients such as Mayo Clinic, Washington
Hospital, Washington D.C.; Mount Sinai
Medical Center, New York; and Stanford
University, California.
OUR PRIMARY CLIENT
AND EXPERTISE IS PROVIDING
ART COLLECTIONS FOR THE
HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.
You recently enhanced the GMCC office
environment with some wonderful artwork.
Can you tell us a little about the project The
GMCC was looking to create a new, engaging
and exciting atmosphere. We selected a variety
of art by local, regional and international artists
to reflect the diversity of the Madison
community and the mission and professionalism
of the GMCC. Art provides a visual metaphor
and creates a work environment that is both
appealing and stimulating. The art collection
reflects the GMCC’s image and expresses a
commitment to quality to its clients and
employees.
What business achievements are you most
proud of From a business perspective,
speaking in terms of numbers, bottom lines and
growth might be most appropriate. We’ve grown
what was once strictly an exclusive service into
a profitable business with a national presence.
The business of art is subjective, personal, and
passionate. By providing high-quality diverse art
collections in medical
and office
environments, we
create a thoughtprovoking
atmosphere
and engage a wide
variety of people from
all walks of life. Our
collections have been heralded as rivaling
museum exhibits in both rural and metropolitan
areas. Placing art in professional office and
healthcare environments brings a bit of culture
and sophistication to the masses and into
communities. We expose people to art and get
them comfortable with an aspect of life that
may sometimes seem foreign to them. In a
“
medical setting or in the work place, art not
only can create a healing and inviting
atmosphere, but it engages viewers and gets
their minds off worries and anxiety, or allows for
a bit of repose from the daily grind.
How would you describe your business
philosophy To provide a unique service and
custom art collection with honesty, integrity,
commitment to quality, and unsurpassed client
satisfaction.
What are the key issues affecting your
industry today The economy. Although health
care construction is booming, health care
dollars are tight. Art is considered a luxury item,
so it’s often the first item to get cut from
budgets—not every one appreciates the value
art can bring to a health care or office
environment.
GMCC member since: 2005
Favorite GMCC benefit: I’ve often heard that
we’re the best-kept secret in Madison. I’m out
to change that impression and I see our
relationship with the GMCC as another
opportunity to “let the cat out of the bag” by
getting acquainted with other local businesses,
learning what Madison truly has to offer and
offering businesses in the greater Madison area
exclusive art collections. ◆
ADVICE&ANSWERS
BRINGING IT HOME
By Deb Archer, president and
CEO, GMCVB
As a member of this
extraordinary community
you probably already know
what a privilege it is to live
and work in greater Madison.
But did you know that you’re
in a position to strengthen our area’s economy
and fortify its vitality simply by extending an
invitation to others to experience what you
enjoy every day
The Greater Madison Convention & Visitors
Bureau (GMCVB), the area’s sole entity
dedicated to promoting, attracting and
confirming meetings and events for Madison and
Dane County, knows that one of our most
important tools for success is people like you—
people eager to “bring your meeting home.”
That’s why we’ve started the Bringing It Home
campaign, inviting you to join dozens of other
residents who have helped attract their
professional, social, hobby or special-interest
conventions, conferences and meetings to
Madison and Dane County.
The benefits of Bringing It Home are
plentiful. These meetings stimulate our local
economy, providing support for local jobs and
helping to generate state and local tax revenues.
They also foster professional development, and
may garner national or international recognition
for your company or industry.
The GMCVB is ready to help host events,
and can provide a framework for making your
meeting a reality. We can help you with the bid
process, and with venue and accommodations
selection. We can also lend assistance with
housing, event promotion and onsite event
management, and can help align your event’s
needs with local vendors.
We hope you’re eager to get involved and
join other residents, like those below, who have
stepped up for Madison and Dane County by
Bringing it Home.
• Linda Baldwin, Isthmus, Association of
Alternative Newsweeklies
• Ian Duncan, UW-Madison School of
Veterinary Medicine, American Society of
Neurochemistry
• Gary Knowles, Gary Knowles Marketing
Communications, Midwest Travel Writers
Association
• Jeff Slivocka, Madison Speedskating Club,
World Cup Short Track Speedskating
• Cora White, International Foster Care
Association
For more information or to get involved
in Bringing it Home, please go to
www.visitmadison.com/home or contact
the GMCVB at 608-441-3941 or
holcomb@visitmadison.com. ◆
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 11

LEADERS@WORK
LGM UPDATE
PERSONAL
CONNECTIONS
AND COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
By Carol Hay, LGM12 project team coordinator;
director of call centers, American Girl
Team projects have always been an integral
component of the LGM program, balancing the
monthly curriculum with a hands-on “reality”
experience working in and with the community.
At the October retreat, the LGM12 class
broke into smaller teams and over the next eight
months: defined their missions, researched
community needs, defined their scope and
deliverables, selected community partners,
created and implemented action plans, and
prepared final presentations for the graduation
in June. The final presentations were
enlightening and fun, incorporating what
participants accomplished with what they
learned in the process.
Fostering volunteerism in middle school
youth was the first group’s mission. While
researching the project, group members
discovered the Jefferson Middle School Student
Organization (JSO) already incorporated
volunteerism. With the help of JSO students,
the group created and implemented collection
campaigns for two community needs—used
soccer shoes for the Millennium Soccer Club
and duffel bags for Dane County foster children.
This was such a rewarding experience that group
members continued to donate their time by
working at the JSO annual carnival, a fundraiser
for the American Cancer Society.
Another group pinpointed a need to better
connect individuals interested in serving on
boards with nonprofits searching for board
members. Their mission was to connect
individuals with organizations by creating a
board-service Web tool. Discovering early on
that the LGM Alumni Association had already
begun working on such an effort, they partnered
to develop an extranet Web application where
over 400 LGM alums can profile their interests
and skills in an effort to find an ideal board
match.
To help middle school children improve their
career opportunities was another group’s mission.
They joined forces with the Urban League of
Greater Madison’s “Project REACH” and
connected with middle school children:
speaking to classrooms about their careers,
conducting mock job interviews, and then
providing feedback on the kids’ interview skills.
Another group set out to improve the
environment by promoting the benefits of
positive choices. They organized an event that
drew over 70 individuals from local businesses,
who listened to a panel of environmental groups
advocating and encouraging ways to achieve a
“greener bottom line.”
The City of Middleton was well-served by
the resources and skills that another LGM12
team brought to their project partnership. To
help transition renters to homeowners, the
team created a marketing brochure and
organized a breakfast meeting to promote the
“Down Payment Assistance Program.”
Improving access for disadvantaged children
to attend sports and cultural events was the final
group’s mission. They escorted area youths from
the Vera Court Neighborhood Center and the
Boys and Girls Club of Dane County to
performances by the Madison Symphony
Orchestra and the Madison Ballet’s Cinderella,
complete with a “meet the artist” session
following the show. An encore performance will
take place this summer with a trip to a
Milwaukee Brewer’s game.
Connecting, learning, engaging, and adding
value—all full, rich experiences the LGM12
project teams gained—as did the community
organizations they partnered with this year.
Leadership Greater Madison thanks the
alumni who volunteered their time and effort to
serve as advisors/liaisons to the LGM12 project
teams:
Carol Hay, American Girl
Tim Lightner, Two Men and A Truck
Gregg Knoche, American Family Insurance
Jennifer Kreuger, Murphy Desmond
Diane Morgenthaler, American Girl
Rick Potter, Alliant Energy
Brian Thompson, ADP Major Accounts ◆
MAGNET’s Public Policy
Committee encourages
member involvement in
local politics
MAGNET members are learning about the
political figures and policies that shape their
futures during events organized by MAGNET’s
Public Policy Committee. The committee
hosted two events focused on county and city
political initiatives this summer. In early June,
Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk
presented her “Attain Dane” strategies, and in
late August, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
presented his “Imagine Madison” strategies to
members.
Understanding the political environment is
important to all employment sectors, from
private and public to nonprofit and
community-based. City and county policies
ultimately affect everyone—regardless of
whether or not the general public is aware of
them. MAGNET members interested in local
and regional politics have an opportunity to
engage with political leaders and express the
concerns, needs and wants of the next
generation of leaders.
This is a mutually beneficial exchange.
Many of greater Madison’s next generation of
leaders are concerned about the region’s
health: economical, environmental,
educational and otherwise. Discussing these
areas of concern with political leaders gives
them a chance to engage with their elected
officials. In exchange, local and regional
elected officials have the opportunity to get in
front of a key demographic—young
professional people in greater Madison. As you
can imagine, the benefits to both are
substantial.
During the Attain Dane! session,
MAGNET members heard about the county
executive’s plan to keep Dane County the best
place to live and work for generations to come.
They also heard about her plan for Dane
County’s growth and how citizens can
participate in this process, by identifying what
they like and dislike about growth, economic
development, planning, services and
conservation in the places they live.
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz reviewed
his “Imagine Madison” strategies. According to
the city of Madison website, “Imagine
Madison” is a way of thinking about what
Madison is, and our aspirations for what it
should become in the future. Madison has
done great things in the last 150 years. The
decisions we make, the priorities we set today,
are going to shape our city and our
neighborhoods for the next 150 years and
beyond,”(www.cityofmadison.com). “Imagine
Madison” encourages public-private
partnerships and active citizen input regarding
the future of our city.
MAGNET’s Public Policy Committee is
dedicated to encouraging MAGNET member
participation in the public policy arena.
MAGNET is proud to facilitate the
relationship between the next generation of
leaders and our region’s elected officials. ◆
PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 2005

INITIATIVES&INSIGHT
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT
COLLABORATION COUNCIL UPDATE—PHASE II
Regional input/involvement
We’re making the Collaboration Council
effort even more regional and collaborative in
nature by visiting the many different groups and
communities throughout Dane County, giving
an overview of the Collaboration Council
initiative and receiving valuable input. This
“road show” has been possible thanks in large
part to the collaborative, active participation of
many communities’ chambers of commerce and
elected officials, including Sun Prairie,
Fitchburg, Verona, Middleton, DeForest,
Monona, Stoughton and Oregon. We’re
scheduling visits to other chambers and
communities to expand the dialogue and get
additional county-wide involvement.
Composition
The council is in the process of improving its
leadership potential (see exhibits at right). This
includes expanding regional representation on
the Collaboration Council, as well as forming
the executive steering committee, the
government advisory committee and the
implementation teams, including “Education &
Outreach” to focus on communications. The
goal is to have a balanced representation of
talents, geography and demographics. We’ll also
include representatives from the sectors
identified by the Quality of Life team’s research
as being economic opportunities that will allow
us to grow in ways that preserve and advance
the quality of life.
Web site
We’re working on the content for the
Collaboration Council Web site, and we thank
Dan Guerra and Argus Innovations
(www.argusinnovations.com) for their generous
contribution of site design, construction and
hosting. An update will follow its launch.
What can you do
We need you to continue to spread the word,
suggest groups to present to, and recommend
individuals to get involved (e.g., businesses,
Rotaries, boards, public-sector representatives/
committees, etc.). Please share this information
with others or feel free to contact Rafael
Carbonell for follow up. One key component of
phase II is the fundraising that will ensure we
implement the design/ implementation teams’
recommendations and also strive towards the
creation of a regional economic development &
stewardship entity.
For more information, contact Rafael
Carbonell, GMCC economic development
executive, at 608-443-1955 or
rcarbonell@greatermadisonchamber.com. ◆
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 13

INITIATIVES&INSIGHTSCONTINUED
PUBLICPOLICY
GMCC legislative agenda aims
to improve greater Madison
community
The role of the GMCC is to lead enlightened
economic growth, positioning the greater
Madison area as a globally competitive place to
live, work, play and do business. In an effort to
do this in a pragmatic and tangible way, the
GMCC has developed a proactive legislative
agenda that outlines areas we hope to focus on
within the public policy arena.
Our legislative agenda encompasses a wide
variety of legislative action, from implementing
the Economic Development Commission’s
recommendations to helping our small businesses
enjoy equal access to local government. The
GMCC is committed to advancing the greater
Madison community and its businesses and
residents. The legislative agenda items described
below will play an active role in this effort.
Implementing some of the recommendations
put forth by the Economic Development
Commission’s report and the LaFollette
Institute’s report will move the region toward
more efficient economic development. Some of
the recommendations include:
• Making economic development and
business development a high priority for
every part of city government that is
involved with or affects business
• Implementing a “one-stop-shop” for the
development review process; and
implementing an automated development
tracking system.
Likewise, the importance of tax incremental
financing (TIF) as a method for encouraging job
development and creation cannot be overlooked.
Maintaining greater Madison’s high quality of life
standard is largely reliant upon Madison’s ability
to effectively create, retain and attract businesses
that provide new job opportunities.
Over the years the greater Madison area has
positioned itself on the cutting edge of
biotechnology research. In order to preserve that
advantage, we must pursue policies attractive to
high caliber researchers. One issue of particular
relevance in this arena is stem cell research and
related legislation.
Increasing access to local and regional
government for all people is important to the
GMCC. Of particular importance is ensuring
that the greater Madison community is able to
express its needs and concerns to local
government in an efficient and effective manner.
In addition, encouraging civic involvement and
an understanding of local politics is a priority.
The GMCC will continue to advocate for
businesses and their access to government.
Similarly, the GMCC will encourage increased
communication between local business
associations and local government.
Finally, in order to ensure a robust democracy
in the greater Madison area, the GMCC is
committed to increasing voter turnout. Providing
voter registration information and education is
an important component of increasing civic
involvement, and one that the GMCC takes
seriously.
The time and attention spent on developing
our legislative agenda items reflect the GMCC’s
long-term commitment to sustainable public
policy efforts in our region. By outlining
proactive steps toward achieving enlightened
economic development through public policy
efforts, the GMCC is helping to create a better
greater Madison community. ◆
NEWMEMBERLIST
We are happy to list contact information for new members of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, and we
encourage members to do business with each other. The new members are in alphabetical order, with their business category
listed last. Unless noted, all addresses are in Madison. Members are also listed on our Web site under “Member Directory.”
Avon
Peggy Marvin
5105 Retana Drive, 53714
608-222-0170
pmarvin@charter.net
www.youravon.com/mmarvin
Cosmetics & Beauty Products
Club Bow-Wow
Renee Brantner
1253 Dayflower Drive, 53719
608-829-1222
reneebrantner@charter.net
www.clubbow-wow.com
Pet Care Services
Datastore Records Management
Rick Freiwald
6139 Pepsi Way, Windsor WI 53598
800-596-0607 FAX: 608-846-3155
rfreiwald@datastoreweb.com
www.datastoreweb.com
Storage - Records
Home Instead Senior Care
Justine Whitman
6400 Gisholt Drive, Suite 209, 53713
608-663-2646 FAX: 608-663-2645
homeinstead@hiscmadison.com
www.homeinstead.com
Home Health Care Services
Kakimlima
Andren Adams
9 Leon Street, 53714
608-469-0863
samesamebutt@hotmail.com
Personal Chefs
Kesslers Diamond Center
Mary Barnes
341 Junction Road, 53717
608-662-9800
www.desslersdiamonds.com
Jewelry - Retail
Madison Marketeer
Denise Salerno
4505 Barby Lane, 53704
608-252-6001
madisonmarketeer@yahoo.com
Media
Mahler Enterprises, Inc.
Pat Sullivan
600 N Broadway, Milwaukee WI 53202
414-347-1350 FAX: 414-347-1825
psullivan@mahlerent.com
www.mahlerent.com
Janitorial Services
Main Dish Kitchen
Jill DeYoung
3148 Deming Way
Middleton WI 53562
608-827-9909 FAX: 608-827-9910
jdeyoung@maindishkitchen.com
www.maindishkitchen.com
Personal Chefs
Phillips Insurance Agency
David Phillips
5610 Medical Circle, Suite 31, 53719
608-274-7575 FAX: 608-274-2474
davephillips3@allstate.com
Insurance
Quality Inn & Suites
Jason Salus
2969 Cahill Main, Fitchburg WI 53711
608-274-7200 FAX: 608-271-7720
superj@qualitysuitesmadison.com
www.qualitysuitesmadison.com
Hotels & Motels
Ron Skubal Publications
Ron Skubal
515 W Main Street #3, 53703
608-770-2246
rdsazus@yahoo.com
Public Relations Consultants
The Relocation Center, Inc. (TRC)
Karla Gones
1042 E Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee WI 53202-2820
414-226-4200 FAX: 414-226-4210
relo@relo-center.com
www.relo-center.com
Relocation Services ◆
SAVE THE DATE!
Mark your calendar for the 53rd GMCC
Annual Dinner, scheduled for September 12
from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Madison Marriott West.
Watch for your invitation, designed exclusively
for the GMCC by Tingalls Dzyn.
PAGE 14 SEPTEMBER 2005

COVERSTORYCONTINUED
CONSULTING
What are the tell-tale signs that prompt
calling a consultant “The obvious red flag is
when a task isn’t getting done. But sometimes
the company may lack in-house expertise or
experience. That’s when it’s best to call in a
consultant,” says Brown.
Roger Seip, president of Freedom Speakers
and Trainers, says consultants help businesses in
two important ways. “Consultants play two
major roles: reinforcement and a different lens.”
Freedom Speakers teaches workshops in the
areas of Memory Training/Accelerated Learning,
Goal Setting, Attitude Management, Time Use
and Effective Communications.
Someone from outside can say the same thing
company leadership says, but employees typically
respond differently—that’s reinforcement, says
Seip. “I see this all the time. I’ll reiterate
something I hear from an executive, and the
people in the meeting act as if they never heard
it before.”
The different lens approach involves trust.
“When you trust someone who sees things
differently to influence an organization, it can
make a huge difference in the end result,” Seip
explains.
Kristi Thering-Tuschen, owner of KTT
Associates notes, “Simply put, consultants often
Consultants help with
employee retention
David M. Wollenziehn, attorney and
CPA with the Wilson Law Group, LLC,
says, “In this era of intense competition to
attract and retain qualified employees,
businesses are turning to consultants,
especially attorneys, to design and
implement incentive-compensation plans.”
The plans are usually equity-based or cashbased.
The elements of an effective incentive plan,
according to Wollenziehn:
• It should be specific, so employees know
what needs to happen before they obtain
the bonus.
• It should be tied to performance
standards, typically related to cash flow or
net income.
• It should be substantial, so employees
consider it worth achieving.
• It should handcuff the employee to the
business, so the objective of retaining the
employee is achieved.
Wollenziehn, who specializes in ERISA,
the federal law that governs employee
compensation and benefit plans, points out,
“There’s no plan that’s perfect for all
situations.” That’s why, he says, “It’s
advisable to consult with an attorney who
specializes in employee compensation and
benefit plans before implementing an
incentive plan arrangement.” ◆
know the solution to a problem.”
KTT Associates works with
companies on a variety of
projects to improve efficiency and
productivity.
Thering-Tuschen sums up the
benefits of hiring consultants.
“We become part of the
organization, but we don’t take
up office space, we don’t take
benefits, and we can create results
above the ordinary for the
organization.”
Hands-on solutions
Consultants often help
companies through the loan
process. A Middleton-based
company had developed a new system for garage
and basement storage, and Brown helped it
define its business model and raise funding.
“We prepared the business plan and a slide
presentation for use in meetings with three
banks,” he says. “One of the banks offered
financing to build the inventory and launch the
business. Now we’re working on another
financing application with the Wisconsin
Department of Commerce, for a loan to establish
distribution and implement the marketing plan.”
When clients participate in Freedom
Speakers’ workshops, Seip says, “Our clients
become versed in fundamental skills for success,
and the bottom line improves.” Many of the
firm’s clients say they’ve increased sales just by
learning new techniques for remembering a
person’s name. In addition to workshops,
Freedom Speakers offers one-on-one coaching
for executives and top-producing sales
executives.
KTT & Associates also offers a range of
services that help businesses grow their bottom
line. “When one of our clients needed constant
telephone work with a select call list, to put its
sales associates in front of local businesses, we
were there,” says Thering-Tuschen. “We were
able to make calls that would otherwise not have
been made.”
Where’s the niche for the consultant here In
this situation, Thering-Tuschen says, “The
client’s staff was too busy serving their current
client base and couldn’t find time to add to the
base. We scheduled appointments for the sales
team, sent reminders to them 24 hours in
advance, confirmed the appointments with the
business prospects, and then followed up to see
Kristi Thering-Tuschen, owner of KTT Associates, hard at
work on clients’ behalf
what action was necessary.”
In addition to saving time, how else do
consultants help the client’s bottom line
Thering-Tuschen says, “Historically, this client
has experienced sharp peaks and valleys on the
sales side. Our approach has resulted in a much
more balanced, steady growth pattern.”
Companies often have in-house marketing
teams, but find it beneficial to partner with
outside firms on specific projects. KTT partnered
with a health care provider to help the principal,
who had limited knowledge about developing
marketing campaigns.
“We were hired to develop a complete
marketing plan,” says Thering-Tuschen. “Our
client knew her own strengths, and recognized
where she could apply KTT’s expertise in order
to produce a solid marketing plan for her
company.”
Top motivators
What’s the number one reason for hiring an
outside consultant Brown says it’s “to help a
company complete an important task it needs to
have done in order to move ahead and reach its
goals.”
Seip adds, “Einstein said that ‘problems
cannot be solved by the same level of thinking
that created them in the first place.’ It’s
imperative, for any organization looking for
better outcomes, to get help. Fundamentally,
that’s what a consultant should provide.” ◆
SEPTEMBER 2005 PAGE 15

CONVENTIONS
GMCCCALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
The Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau is
pleased to welcome these great conventions and
tradeshows to the Madison area in September.
[EA = Expected Attendance]
Sept. 3 UW Football vs. Oregon State, Camp
Randall, EA: 77,500
Sept. 3-4 Taste of Madison, Capitol Square,
EA: 80,000
Sept. 6-12 Ironman Wisconsin, Monona Terrace ® ,
EA: 30,000
Sept. 8-11 American Massage Therapy Assn.,
Exhibition Hall, Alliant Energy Center,
EA: 300
Sept. 10-11 Arabian Futurity Festival, Arena/Barns,
Alliant Energy Center, EA: 4,000
Sept. 10 UW Football vs. Western Michigan,
Camp Randall, EA: 77,500
Sept. 12-18 Rotary International Club Zone
Institute, Madison Concourse Hotel,
EA: 350
Sept. 13-15 UW Extension Faculty-Staff
Conference, Monona Terrace ® , EA: 500
Sept. 14-18 Pharmacy Society of WI, Monona
Terrace ® , EA: 400
Sept. 15-17 Quilting Expo, Exhibition Hall, Alliant
Energy Center, EA: 3,000
Sept. 18-22 Epic Systems Corp., Monona Terrace ® ,
EA: 2,150
Sept. 21-25 WI Saddlebred Futurity Horse Show,
Veterans Memorial Coliseum & Arena,
Alliant Energy Center, EA: 1,000
Sept. 24-29 The Wildlife Society, Monona Terrace ® ,
EA: 1,100
Sept. 24 UW Football vs. Michigan, Camp
Randall, EA: 77,500
Sept. 25-28 Dames of the Court of Honor,
Edgewater Hotel, EA: 85
Sept. 29-30 National Kidney Foundation of WI
Allied Health Professional Symposium ,
Crowne Plaza, EA: 120
Sept. 27- Oct. 1 USS Radford 446 Assn., Marriott
Madison West, EA: 150
September 7, Wednesday – 12@12
Noon - 1 p.m.
Location: GMCC Office, 615 E Washington Avenue
Topic: “Public Relations for Small Businesses” - Rebecca Kopf, PR Etc.
Annual Underwriter: Wipfli LLC
Contact: Connie Shomberg at 443-1953 or cshomberg@greatermadisonchamber.com
September 12, Monday – GMCC Annual Dinner
5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Madison Marriott West – 1313 John Q Hammons Drive – Middleton
Guest Speaker: Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig
Contact: Sarah Breckenridge at 443-1954 or sbreckenridge@greatermadisonchamber.com
OCTOBER
October 5, Wednesday – 12@12
Noon – 1 p.m.
Location: GMCC Office, 615 E Washington Avenue
Topic: “Cash Flow” - Mark McNally, Wipfli, LLC
Annual Underwriter: Wipfli LLC
Contact: Connie Shomberg at 443-1953 or cshomberg@greatermadisonchamber.com
October 6, Thursday – GMCC Business Card Exchange 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Brocach Irish Pub – 7 W Main Street - Madison
Sponsored by M&I Bank
Contact: Sarah Breckenridge at 443-1954 or sbreckenridge@greatermadisonchamber.com
October 19, Wednesday – GMCC Chamber Café
7:30 – 9 a.m.
Location: Comfort Inn and Suites, 4822 E Washington Avenue
Topic: “The Generational Divide” – Dr. Ken Macur of Edgewood College
Contact: Sarah Breckenridge at 443-1954 or sbreckenridge@greatermadisonchamber.com
NOVEMBER
November 1, Tuesday – GMCC Issues Roundtable
4 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Edgewood College Corporate Learning Center, 1255 Deming Way
Topic: Marketing
Contact: Sarah Breckenridge at 443-1954 or sbreckenridge@greatermadisonchamber.com
Fee: $20.00
DECEMBER
December 15, Thursday – Holiday Business Card Exchange 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: Wingate Inn – 3510 Mill Pond Road - Madison
Contact: Sarah Breckenridge at 443-1954 or sbreckenridge@greatermadisonchamber.com
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