January 2015 ibaw magazine

JANUARY 2015

BIG EVENT

THE

January 12h

January 16th

Best Practices

Sales Roundtable

The ONE Meeting Not To Miss!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: KEATING: 2014 SMALL BUSINESS POLICY INDEX BY STATE

KAPENGA: LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

SEROKA: 21 WAYS BRANDS TURN CUSTOMERS AWAY

Networking matters

At AT&T, we know that making connections is critical to success. In Wisconsin and across the nation, we link businesses with their customers and the world through our wireless network with access to the nation’s largest Wi-fi network. It’s just another way we help our customers stay connected.

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

© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

IBAW thanks AT&T for it’s continued sponsorship.

IBAW MEDIA LINK Property Tax Relief Governor Walker discusses property tax relief.

Executive Director Steve Kohlmann President John Weber Hypneumat Secretary Charles Fry Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc President Elect 2014 Membership / Sponsorship Jim Leef ITU AbsorbTech VP. State & National Programs Jeff Hoffman Boerke

LISTEN HERE

Treasurer Casey Malek Sikich Follow IBAW on Twitter

Follow IBAW on Facebook

Click here.

Click here.

Directors Bart Adams Sikich Ann Barry Hanneman Simandl Law Group S.C Heather Baylor Park Bank

Follow IBAW on LinkedIn Click here.

Richard Blomquist Blomquist Benefits Lisa Mauer Blackhawk Industrial Jason Kuwayama Godfrey & Kahn Tom Boelkow BSI Design, Build, Furnish

IBAW Mission: To advance business prosperity through insightful programming, executive networking and member-driven public policy and advocacy.

Craig Coursin MSI General Robert Gross Gross Automation

The

BIG

THE

BIG EVENT

E ve n t i s B a ck !

Friday, January 16th Location: The Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave. Time: 7:00 AM - 9:15 AM Cost: $32.00 IBAW Members $42.00 Guests

ON: WISCONSIN! “The Success of Wisconsin Business” Join the IBAW as we kick off 2015 with a meeting of inspiration and success!

Special Guests

We’ll celebrate Wisconsin business with a panel discussion moderated by Mark Sabljak, Publisher of The Business Journal, of successful companies sharing their dynamic stories of hard work, challenges and entrepreneurial true grit determination which has made them leaders in Wisconsin.

We’ll also hear remarks from Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Senator Ron Johnson (invited) and Col. Ernie Litynski, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

Other elected representatives will also be in attendance. A plated breakfast & high level networking is included.

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch

Panel Participants Jay Schauer, CFO.....................Allen Edmonds

Mary Isbister, President.............GenMet, Corp

Jon Krohn, President................Jet Intermodal

Ted Balistreri.............................Sendik's Food Market

Senator Ron Johnson (Invited)

Panel Moderator: Mark Sabljak Publisher, The Business Journal

Meeting Sponsor:

Col. Ernie Litynski

Seating Limited!

Register Now!

The Fight for Independent Business Steve Kohlmann, IBAW Executive Director When I mention fighting for independent business, your first thought might be standing up against big government - regulations, policy issues, high taxes, EPA or OSHA regulations, etc. And you would be correct. IBAW leads the way in that fight.

But tonight, the fight for independent business would take place at Maria’s Pizza, a small restaurant that isn’t even an IBAW member. The battle would be over fought over an extra large thin crust pizza...with garlic bread.

It all started this past summer when one of the owners of Maria’s Pizza put up a yard sign in support of Governor Scott Walker at her home in Tosa. A local union member noticed the sign and took exception. He wanted to apply pressure by posting a boycott of Maria’s Pizza on his Facebook page. But when he did, WISN’s Dan O’Donnell took notice and sent the story over the airwaves, a conservative “BUYcott” took place.

Maria’s is a small family restaurant set in Milwaukee's blue collar south side that hasn't changed much in the over fifty years since it opened. The original owner, Maria, passed away years ago but the restaurant is still going strong thanks to her children, and a third generation is involved as well. The inside is similar to what you might find in a basement rec room; It’s loud and chaotic, Christmas lights, pictures of Jesus (gasp!), Elvis (gasp!) and a few family photos on the wood paneled walls.

So, on a weekday evening, Sue and I decided to show support for this small business by eating pizza (not the biggest hardship on the planet, mind you.) We loaded into the IBAW BRV (Business Response Vehicle) and made our way from Brookfield to 50th & Forest Home. Apparently we were not alone in our thinking. Upon arriving we were greeted with a line that was out the door and down the sidewalk. After standing in line for 15 minutes we learned the wait for a table was over 3 hours. We didn’t wait and left, vowing to return. And return we did. A week later we were back at Maria’s parking the BRV right in front of the building for all to see. The back window displaying “Glad to see you’re behind Wisconsin business”. We feasted on some of the best thin crust pizza Milwaukee has to offer. The garlic bread was to die for.

On that evening IBAW didn’t change the world. We didn’t fly to Washington or lobby lawmakers to change policy. We didn’t have signs of protest or a shout down the opposition. Come to think of it, we didn’t even support an IBAW member. But we went out of our way to support a small family business that was under attack for no good reason. The owners of Maria’s bust their butts to satisfy their customers, keep their workers employed and add to the fabric of a hard working community - just like you do with your business.

We’ve been back to Maria’s several times now. Not to make a big political statement but to let a small business know that a statewide organization is aware of what’s going on, to support them and stand beside them.

That’s what IBAW is all about.

Maria’s Pizza, 5025 W. Forest Home Ave. Milwaukee.

Legislative Update Chris Kapenga, Assembly District 99

Introducing Right to Work Legislation I announced that I will be introducing Right to Work legislation during the upcoming session. Right to Work laws simply allow employees to choose their union status.

Current law in Wisconsin stipulates that every employee MUST be a member of the union as a condition of employment.

That is in direct conflict with personal liberty and freedom, and I firmly believe that individual employees should be able to enter into a private agreement with their employer without a union being involved if that is their desire. There are currently 24 states that have Right to Work laws in place, including Indiana and Michigan.

There are also several studies that prove this policy is good for a state's economy. Statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) show that between 1990 and 2011, workers-choice states saw a 43% increase in total employment, while forced-union states only saw gains of 19%. More recently, between June 2009 and March 2013, household employment growth was 4.4% in workers-choice states, compared to only 1.7% in forced-union states.

I believe that Right to Work legislation will keep Wisconsin on a path of prosperity and economic growth. I look forward to working with my colleagues in both the Assembly and the Senate to ensure that we continue to remove barriers for people looking for work and increase working citizens standards of living.

UPDATE: Many people have been asking about the progress of the right-to-work legislation, so I wanted to mention a couple of things. Current law states that if a company is a union shop, all employees must be a part of the union. My goal is to simply provide employees a choice as to whether they want to be a member of the union. Currently, employees do not have that choice.

The specifics of a bill are still being worked through. Senate Majority Leader Fitzgerald stated that the Senate would likely be leading and stressed the importance of tackling this issue sooner rather than later. As we move into the new session, I will continue to meet with my colleagues in the Assembly to discuss the specifics of right to work legislation and how we can continue to grow Wisconsin’s economy.

Bucks Arena Financing Over the past several months, there has been an ongoing discussion about building a new arena to replace the out-dated Bradley Center. While there has been little discussion about whether or not a new arena is needed, many seem to agree with that fact, the primary debate has been how to pay for a new arena. I would like to hear your thoughts about how to pay for a new arena.

There are several proposals that have been put forward by various stakeholders and concerned parties. To start, both former-owner Herb Kohl and the new ownership team have pledged $100 million towards construction of a new arena.

One proposal is for the new ownership team to use only private investment for construction. Other NBA teams and owners have pursued this option in the past including the Golden State Warriors.

Other proposals utilize public financing for construction of the arena in various ways. One public financing options is the added sales tax in neighboring communities. This type of public financing was used both for Miller Park as well as renovations for Lambeau Field. Another public financing option that has been put forward is a concept referred to as a "Jock Tax". This would involve the new arena being built using bonding. Those bonds would be paid off using income tax revenues from athletes and employees of the bucks organization.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimated the annual income tax revenue generated through players and employees would be just over $10 million annually. In one version of the "Jock-Tax" proposal, the state would bond for $150 million over 20years. The amount generated in income tax revenue would pay back the loan and the interest over that 20-year period.

These are just a few of the financing ideas that have been put forward. This will be an important topic of discussion during the upcoming legislative session. I want to know which option sounds viable to you, as well as any ideas that you may have that I have not outlined.

EPA Regulations Bad for Wisconsin Earlier this week, Governor Walker and the Department of Natural Resources announced their opposition to the federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Action Plan. The stated goal of the EPA is to reduce carbon pollution from new and existing power plants. However, this plan is nothing more than a tax on utilities and rate payers.

The potential cost to Wisconsin to meet the EPA compliance standards would be up to $13.4 billion according to Wisconsin's Public Service Commission. Additionally, a study by Energy Ventures Analysis indicated that the average Wisconsin family would see an increase in their electricity bill of more than $485 by 2020.

Over the last fifteen years, Wisconsin has invested approximately $10.5 billion to help cut CO2 emissions and increase renewable energy usage and energy efficiency. The Obama Administration's plan to cut emissions is nothing more than an added tax on Wisconsin families. Government should be getting out of the way in order to help the private sector to create jobs; not instituting harmful policies that make it more expensive to live and work in Wisconsin.

2015 Membership Committee Lyndsay Zwerlein PNC Bank Jim Leef ITU Absorbtech

Charles Fry Baird

Lori Highby Keystone Click

Scott Seroka Seroka Branding

Steve Kohlmann IBAW

Steve Van Lieshout K & S Technologies Get involved with IBAW. Consider joining a committee!

Contact Steve Kohlmann for more information.

Business Education Series FIVE STAR Programing

Jerry Jendusa “The Drive Toward Success” Friday, February 20th Location: The Wisconsin Club, 900 W. Wisconsin Ave. Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Cost: $32.00 IBAW Members $42.00 Guests

Mr. Jendusa co-founded STUCK, LLC to revolutionize the business advisory and investment world. STUCK touches many aspects of business, including planning/strategy, coaching, advisory board support, investing and giving back to the local community. Jerry has a passion for business growth adding much to the equation with a collaborative approach to job creation and

COST: IBAW Members....$32.00 Guests....$42.00 Includes high level networking and plated breakfast!

product/service innovation. He views the process as a journey of continuous learning and growth. His passion is teaching and developing others to achieve great things.

Prior to STUCK, LLC Jerry was the co-founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board for EMTEQ for more than 18 years. During his tenure, the Aerospace company went from a basement start up to an international aerospace business with seven locations in four countries with more than 630 employees and over $100M in sales.

Attire: Business professional.

Send your team!

Registration now open!

Click here.

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 Meeting Wrap Up

Meet IBAW’s Newest Sponsor: Bank Mutual Greg Larson, Bank Mutual's Senior Vice President and Director of Commercial Banking highlights the importance of being involved with Wisconsin’s business community and points out Bank Mutual’s commitment to helping Wisconsin business succeed and drive the state forward.

Featured Speaker Dean Rennicke, Vice President of Marketing for KAPCO Metal Stamping discusses business strategy, marketing and branding with the group. One of his key points was the importance of business becoming involved with the community and giving back.

KAPCO Metal Stamping is a driving force involved with the Kids to Kids Christmas Gift Program.

To learn more about KAPCO Metal Stamping watch their company video here.

December Board Meeting On December 10th the IBAW held it’s regular monthly board meeting highlighted by a conference call with Karen Kerrigan of the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council in Washington D.C. These conference calls keep the IBAW up to date on national business issues.

Small Business Policy Index 2014: Spotlight on Regulatory Costs By State Ray Keating, Chief Economist, SBE Council, Washington D.C. When it comes to the policy costs that hurt entrepreneurship, small business growth and investment, it’s not just about taxes, but also regulations. And it’s not just about the federal government, but also about state and local governmental regulatory policy.

The Small Business Policy Index 2014 ranks the 50 states according to 42 different policy measures, including a wide array of tax, regulatory and government spending measurements. Of those 42 measures, nine relate to regulations. Those measures are described in the study as follows: 1

Energy Regulation Index. A study from the Pacific Research Institute, written by economists Wayne Winegarden and Marc Miles, titled “The 50 State Index of Energy Regulation” ranks the states according to energy regulatory costs.

As the authors put it, “As economists, we have adopted a basic economic perspective—economic efficiency—defined as allocating resources to their most productive uses. The effects of policies are evaluated, as objectively as possible, solely from that perspective. Policies that promote economic efficiency receive higher scores, those that reduce economic efficiency receive lower scores. Given the regulatory variation across states, a picture emerges of where in the country the regulatory environment for energy consumption, production, and distribution is relatively more economically efficient.” And later: “Energy is one of the essential ingredients that drives economic growth in a modern economy. Consequently, states that encourage the efficient production and consumption of energy should be expected to experience faster economic growth than those states that discourage economic efficiency in the energy marketplace.”

2

Workers’ Compensation Costs. High workers’ compensation rates impact the economy in much the same way as high unemployment tax rates. The cost of labor relative to capital is increased, and incentives for labor-intensive businesses to flee are clear.

3

Right to Work. A right-to-work state means that employees generally are not forced to become labor union members or pay dues to unions. Such worker freedoms offer a more dynamic, flexible workforce, and a more amenable environment for increased productivity and improved efficiency.

4

State Minimum Wage. The minimum wage raises costs for businesses—being particularly harmful to smaller firms —while also hurting young, low-skilled, low-income workers by too often denying them the work experience necessary to climb the ladder of economic opportunity. Various states impose a state minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage.

5

Paid Family Leave. Government mandating that businesses provide leaves of absence to employees under various circumstances comes with real costs. For example, flexibility between employer and employee, and in terms of managing a firm’s entire workforce is lost. Holding positions open, and shifting responsibilities or using temporary workers raise costs. However, those costs are pushed much higher when mandated leave must also come with pay.

In addition, the opportunities and costs of abuse expand. No matter how the compensation package or insurance is set up, mandated paid leave ultimately means higher labor costs.

6

E-Verify Mandate. The government has imposed many of the costs of policing immigration onto the backs of the business community. Various states mandate that employers use the federal E-verify system to make sure that their workers are in the nation legally. This places costs and risks on employers, while nothing is being done to fix the flaws of the overall immigration system, including expanding and quickening the pace of legal entry into the nation so that the labor needs of consumers and businesses are being met.

7

Regulatory Flexibility Status. The Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Office of Advocacy led a campaign to have states pass their own versions of the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act. The idea is to pass legislation that requires state agencies to assess the economic impact before imposing regulations, to consider less burdensome alternatives, to allow for judicial review of the process, and to periodically review all regulations.

8

Protecting Private Property. The June 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Kelo v. City of New London case ignited a firestorm of protests across the nation. Homeowners and small businesses realized how vulnerable they were to losing their property. If the government decided it could get what it perceived as a better deal in terms of economic development and tax revenue by taking homes and businesses through the power of eminent domain, and turning that property over to other private parties, then that was mistakenly deemed constitutional by a narrow Supreme Court majority. That same majority, however, acknowledged that each state was free to restrict such abuses of eminent domain. In fact, the first duty of government is to protect property, not steal it. In addition, the enforcement of private property rights by government is foundational for any economy. In the end, economic development is hampered when government fails to protect private property.

9

Intrastate Equity Crowdfunding. Crowdfunding allows individuals, entrepreneurs, businesses, or other organization to raise funds – whether via donations, investments or borrowing – on the Internet. As explained in a study released by the World Bank titled “Crowdfunding’s Potential for the Developing World” – authored by Jason Best, Sherwood Neiss and Richard Swart from Capital Crowdfund Advisors (CCA): “Crowdfunding takes advantage of crowd-based decision-making and innovation, and applies it to the funding of projects or businesses. Using social networks, social profiles, and the viral nature of web-based communication, individuals and companies have raised billions of dollars in debt, equity, and donations for projects over the past five years.” States can enact legislation allowing for in-state businesses to raise funds via equity and debt-based crowdfunding from state citizens.

If we focus on these nine regulatory measures, we throw a spotlight on regulation within the “Small Business Policy Index 2014.” How the states rank on these nine measures are shown in the following table with their Regulation Spotlight Score (along with their rankings on the overall “Small Business Policy Index 2014”).

Small Business Policy Index (SBPI) 2014: Regulation Spotlight Rankings Raymond J. Keating is chief economist for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.

Keating’s latest book published by SBE Council is titled Unleashing Small Business Through IP: Protecting Intellectual Property, Driving Entrepreneurship and available from Amazon.com here.

Washington D.C. Update Karen Kerrigan, Executive Director, SBE Council, Washington D.C.

Congress Wraps It Up The 113th Congress is over and Washington is gearing up for 2015. While small businesses will get some benefit from the one-year retroactive extension of tax provisions that expired last year, these provisions expire again in less than two weeks - on December 31, 2014. For small businesses, the system is a mess. Hopefully, with tax reform being a priority issue for the GOP-controlled Congress in 2015, entrepreneurs will see action to promote certainty and stability on this critical policy matter.

In his last press conference of the year on December 19, President Obama said that specific tax reform proposals are soon coming from his administration. Outgoing Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) officially introduced H.R. 1, the Tax Reform Act of 2014, as one of his last acts. The proposal formalizes the tax reform discussion draft released on February 26, 2014. Senate Finance Committee Orrin Hatch (R-UT) recently released an in-depth analysis titled "Comprehensive Tax Reform for 2015 and Beyond," which outlines the issues policymakers will need to confront as they work to reform the nation's tax code. SBE Council weighed in on both Chairman Camp’s efforts over the past two years, and with Senate staff on the importance of designing a tax code that: encourages entrepreneurship and capital formation, is fair and simple for small businesses, and is internationally competitive with respect to tax rates.

Momentum continues to build for tax reform, and it will remain a top issue for SBE Council in 2015. Members of Congress – old and new – have already heard from us about this priority undertaking for America's economy and entrepreneurs.

Confusion and Ignorance the Norm Under Obamacare

As this story in The Hill notes, almost “half of U.S. adults are unaware they must report their health insurance status on their 2014 tax returns, according to a TurboTax survey released earlier this month.” Many small business owners are confused about their obligations as well, especially since the White House, HHS and Obamacare supporters continue to say that the law will not and does not have any impact on most small businesses. This isn’t the case. Of course, vastly higher premiums and the loss of choice and flexibility are just some ways that Obamacare is hitting small businesses. For businesses with more than fifty employees, there’s the employer mandate. For the self-employed business owner, there's the individual mandate.

Then there are reporting requirements. As noted by SBE Council advisor and “Big Ideas for Small Business” founder Barbara Weltman, the IRS recognizes that there are new requirements for small businesses and individuals. The agency has developed a resource page so that small employers fully understand their obligations under Obamacare. That resource page can be accessed here.

Tax Professional Need to Bone Up Too! Obamacare rules are intimidating and complex, even for tax professionals. That is why the IRS has developed a guidance and resource page dedicated to the tax professional. Read, learn and enjoy the upcoming filing season!

When the new Congress convenes, SBE Council will continue to push for measures that replace and reform Obamacare.

Likely legislation on the docket includes restoring the 40-hour week to Obamacare, repeal of the employer mandate, repeal of the medical device tax, and fixing other onerous provisions of the law that are raising prices, restricting freedom and choices, and stifling innovation and job creation.

Grace Matthews Releases Industry Report The Changing Face of the Aluminum Component Industry report examines the current outlook for the North American aluminum manufacturing industry. The report offers an overview of some of the drivers behind the above average growth expected in the global aluminum industry, as well as additional analysis regarding the domestic aluminum manufacturing industry.

The use of aluminum is expected to increase significantly in the next several years, driven primarily by strong demand from the automotive and construction industries. This increased demand, coupled with reshoring of manufacturing, is leading to a shortage of aluminum manufacturing capacity here in the U.S., allowing aluminum component manufacturers with available capacity to grow revenues and margins faster than general industrial averages. This margin improvement, along with strong growth opportunities and a favorable outlook for the aluminum industry overall, has led to increased interest in aluminum component manufacturers as acquisition targets.

The report can be viewed online by clicking here.

Grace Matthews, Inc. is a Milwaukee-based middle market investment banking firm that provides merger, acquisition, and corporate finance advisory services for companies both in the U.S. and internationally. Our firm specializes in two primary verticals: Specialty Chemicals and Industrials. We have worked with businesses in industries that include adhesives, coatings, oilfield chemicals, construction products, industrial services, general manufacturing and metal fabrication. Grace Matthews’ practice is global in scope and has a strong track record of success dating back to the early 1990s.

21 Ways Brands Turn Customers Away Scott Seroka, Seroka Branding If you are a business owner, president or CEO, your customers mean everything to you. They are the reason you are in business, and you would do almost anything to keep them happy. Happy customers are loyal customers who are also great referrers of business. The loss of a customer, no matter how big or small, not only affects your profitability, it also affects you personally because he or she left to go be with your competitor. It stings.

If you would like some insight into the top reasons customers pack their bags and go to competitors, take a few minutes to look through the lists below. These lists are a product of brand audits I have done and candid interviews I have facilitated with customers from many industries.

Unprofessional Salespeople: These are the people you rely on the most, as they are responsible for building relationships, establishing trust, and bringing new business into your company. Below are the top eight brand crimes salespeople commit: 1.

Unprepared for meetings = disrespectful/inattentive brand

2. Poor communication skills = unprofessional brand 3. Product/service offerings lack relevance = low-value brand 4. Lack of follow-through = unreliable brand 5.

Lack of attention to detail = unreliable brand

6. Late for appointments = unreliable/disrespectful brand 7.

Badmouthing the competition = insecure/disrespectful/untrustworthy brand

8. Poor hygiene = unprofessional/sloppy brand

Neglected Website: This is what customers are looking at, oftentimes long before any personal connection is established with a salesperson or rep from your company. Oftentimes when I meet with a new client, I’m informed about how awful their website is and how desperately it needs to be updated. I’m not sure if these companies truly understand that having a crappy website is like spraying on ten coats of OFF in the sales process. Here are the top five website fumbles that repel prospective customers.

1.

Failure to clearly articulate what the company does = confusing/irrelevant brand

2. Failure to define brand uniqueness/benefits/value = low-value brand 3. Difficult to navigate = “difficult to work with” brand 4. Does not function properly = low-quality brand 5.

Old/dated information = low-quality/poor-service brand

Unmotivated and untrained personnel: Once people are drawn to your brand either by a salesperson or through your website, they will be exposed to other employees. Whether your employees realize it or not, they are a critical element of the sales process because they also give an impression of what your brand stands for and represents. Below is a list of the top four things customers gripe about, causing them to reconsider whether or not to do business with a company.

1.

Waiting on hold too long = poor customer service brand

2. Untrained people in customer service = incompetent brand 3. Need to chase/beg for a return call or email = poor customer service brand 4. Lack of concern for us after the sale is made = “we don’t care about our customers” brand

Unimpressive office/facility/location: As soon as customers pull into a company’s parking lot to visit with the team or to take a tour, they start forming opinions about the brand by the condition of the parking lot, whether or not there is parking designated for visitors, and the overall appearance of the building. Once they enter, their opinions quickly harden like cement based on the look of the lobby and whether or not there is a smiling and welcoming face to greet them. Here are the top four ways companies tell customers to turn around, get back in their cars and go visit a competitor.

1.

Unwelcoming feeling (e.g., dimly lit lobby, boxes and other junk laying around, no lobby seating, etc.) = uncaring brand

2. Dirty = sloppy/low attention to detail brand 3. Outdated = old-fashion and/or struggling brand 4. People don’t appear to be happy or look unfriendly = low-quality brand

If, after reading through this list there are areas within your company that merit attention, consider implementing a brand enhancement initiative to improve your brand’s image. These are the little (and not so little) details your customers notice, and potentially details that may cause them to second-guess doing business with your company.

You, as the owner, may give a fantastic impression and presentation, but if that impression isn’t consistent with what they see, hear and experience, there is no brand credibility, and that’s a significant brand metric to ignore.

Meet a new IBAW Member!

Chris Berg is your local representative with The Payroll Company. Chris lives in New Berlin and has spent the last 25 years managing human resources, benefits and operations. Prior to joining The Payroll Company, Chris served as the Human Resources Director at the Energy Center of Wisconsin, a Madison-based research and consulting firm and became a client of The Payroll Company. She holds a Bachelor's degree in in Human Resources, a Master's degree in Organizational Development, and is Treasurer of the Wisconsin SHRM State Council. Her vast experience provides you with a wealth of experience that can be invaluable to any firm.

Founded in 1999, The Payroll Company is a Wisconsin based provider of human capital management systems, retirement plans and human resources outsourcing. While headquartered in Middleton, WI, The Payroll Company serves clients nationwide.

The Payroll Company Chris Berg 17725 W. Beers Road New Berlin, WI 53146 608-826-1103 chrisb@payrollcompany.biz

SALES: Best Practices ROUNDTABLE

Monday, January 12th 7:15 AM - 9:00 AM.

This month we’ll start off the new year discussing ways to stay inspired and keep the drive for sales going in 2015.

Even if you're seasoned in sales, learn what other professionals are doing and some new techniques and skills you might be missing.

This roundtable is open to anyone in a business development role at an IBAW member company who would like to share their real world challenges and most successful strategies for growing business.

This Roundtable is meant to serve as a confidential means to learn from your peers in other industries and to help others learn from your experience – good and bad.

Location: CTaccess Conference Room Cost: Free - A benefit of IBAW membership.

740 Pilgrim Parkway, Suite L3 (Registration is required) Elm Grove

Registration is open!

Coffee provided by CTaccess, bakery provided by IBAW.

Click here!

GOOD FOR YOUR BUSINESS. GOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. Hire National Guard and Reserve Members: • • • • •

Proven and experienced leaders Committed to team and company success Adept at using advanced technologies Globally minded Adaptable and effective under pressure

Department of Defense Partnership of Programs

Supporting Reserve Component Members, Families and Employers

GET STARTED! POST YOUR JOBS NOW.

ESGR is a Department of Defense office, established in 1972, to promote cooperation and understanding between National Guard and Reserve service members and their civilian employers.

@ESGR

Facebook.com/GoESGR

Legislative Fix Moving Ahead for Wisconsin’s New Manufacturing & Agricultural Credit Jim Brandenburg, CPA, MST - Sikich LLP

In IBAW meetings and publications in recent years we have introduced you to Wisconsin’s new tax incentive - the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit (referred to as the “MAC”). The MAC came about in 2011 to provide an incentive for Wisconsin manufacturers and agricultural companies to remain and grow here, and also perhaps to have out-of-state companies move here. It was scheduled to begin in 2013, and when fully phased-in by 2016 it would essentially exempt any Wisconsin manufacturing and agricultural income from Wisconsin income tax. The MAC was championed by Representative Dale Kooyenga and Senator Glenn Grothman in the legislature.

Magazine Content Needed Consider Submitting an Article!

The MAC, however, had some problems for individual taxpayers when it was drafted and this glitch was recently identified. Here is the issue in a nutshell: the MAC would reduce a taxpayer’s Wisconsin individual income tax, but then would trigger a Wisconsin minimum tax for nearly the same amount. Thus, there may be little, if any, net savings for the MAC in 2013 (a “MAC Attack?”). The legislature is trying to remedy this situation now so that taxpayers can realize the proper tax savings with the MAC on their 2013 Wisconsin individual tax returns.

The IBAW magazine is in need of content, we rely on our members and sponsors to supply us informative information.

The digital magazine is sent out to over 650 contacts statewide and the magazine is parked on the web where, on average, it gets over 1100 views.

Legislative Update: It seems that all key legislative leaders are now on board to correct this issue. It was approved by the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee last week. The Senate and Assembly will be in session in March and voting on final passage for several bills, one of which is this tax bill with the MAC correction. It looks like the legislative timetable will have the bill passed near the middle of the March, before going to the Governor.

Thus, a best guess now is that the bill would be enacted into law somewhere in the latter half of March, 2014.

MAC Attack Options: For any of our individual taxpayers taking advantage of the MAC, this may present some filings logistics. Here are the possibilities:

1. Best case scenario - in some cases the taxpayer’s share of the MAC for 2013 will be used and not result in a Wisconsin Minimum Tax. A taxpayer in this situation could go ahead and claim the MAC and file their 2013 Wisconsin individual return. There would be no need to wait for the legislation to pass.

Consider writing an article on a timely business related topic to your particular field of business. This is an outstanding opportunity for you and your company to gain exposure and increase your brand awareness to a statewide audience. There is no cost to submitting an article.

2. Next, a taxpayer has generated a MAC for 2013, but it will trigger a Wisconsin Minimum Tax. The taxpayer in this case could wait until the law is changed (and then wait a little for the WDR to update its computer processing systems) and then file their Wisconsin tax return and claim the MAC, and not incur the Wisconsin Minimum Tax. This could present a tight timeline for the April 15 deadline, and you may need to file for an extension.

3. Similar case as #2, but this taxpayer could file their Wisconsin individual return with the MAC, but also incur and pay a Wisconsin Minimum Tax for 2013. Then, once the corrective law is enacted go back and file an amended 2013 Wisconsin tax return to obtain the proper tax benefit of the MAC. You would not need extend, but you would need to amend.

We’ll keep you posted as this legislation moves forward.

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Brandenburg or Brian Kelley at Sikich, LLP in Brookfield (262)754-9400.

Contact Steve Kohlmann for details.

Articles submitted by our members & sponsors.

Welcome New IBAW Members!

Meeting Recaps 2014 Wisconsin Manufacturing Knowledge Summit

Power Test

On June 20, 2014 the IBAW partnered with the Tool, Die & Machining Association of Wisconsin (TDMAW) to offer Wisconsin manufacturers and their suppliers a unique look at trends within the industry and to also report on some of the challenges the industry faces in the next 5 years.

Power Test, Inc. is an industry leader in the design, manufacture and implementation of dynamometers and control systems.

Special thanks to the event sponsor, First Business Bank for their efforts in helping organize this event.

For more than 37 years, Power Test has provided specialized test equipment to manufacturers, rebuilding facilities and distributors globally. Our products can be found in use at these facilities in nearly 100 countries on six continents.

Chris Halaska

2 3

1

Our headquarters and manufacturing operations are located in Sussex, WI with sales representatives worldwide. Our unparalleled customer service is well known throughout the industry.

Power Test employs a dedicated staff of talented machinists, fabricators, electronic technicians, assemblers, designers, engineers, software developers, and administrative and customer service personnel.

Our exceptional product life and excellent customer service is well known throughout the industry and has made us one of the industryleading dynamometer manufacturers. Our dedication to the customer and to the advances in powertrain component testing keep us there.

Power Test N60 W22700 Silver Spring Drive Sussex, WI 53089 Phone: 262-252-4301

4 Advanced Waste Services Advanced Waste Services is an environmental services company that provides wastewater recycling and other waste and risk elimination services to manufacturers in all industries. Each day, AWS helps hundreds of businesses, both large and small, meet their community and environmental obligations. Annually, we collect, treat and recycle more than 50 million gallons of contaminated wastewater into clean, reusable water and other valuable resources like fuel, steam and electricity.

AWS is constantly helping our clients manage, reinvent and improve their sustainability successes. For example, we recently partnered with Forest County Advanced Waste Services Potawatomi Community to help Wisconsin food and beverage manufacturers convert 1126 South 76th Street food waste into clean, green renewable energy.

Suite N408B

West Allis, WI 53214 Founded in 1993, AWS employs 55 people in the Milwaukee area and a total of 150

people companywide in 5 states.

414-847-7100

Photo Key 1: A full house in the main ballroom of the Wisconsin Club as IBAW & TDMAW members prepare to hear about the state of manufacturing and the challenges the industry faces in the workforce.

5

2: David Vetta of First Business Bank delivers opening remarks and highlights the importance of a strong relationship between banking and manufacturing working together for success.

3: New IBAW President, John Weber of Hypneumat addresses the change in IBAW Bylaws and calls for voting in new board officers.

4: Kent Lorenz of Acieta gives the main presentation on “Manufacturing Matters” pointing out the trends on manufacturing now and what to expect in the future.

5: Outgoing IBAW President, Steve Van Lieshout receives his award for his efforts as 2013 - 2014.

6 Photos courtesy of Tim Townsend.

6: IBAW Executive Director, Steve Kohlmann (Left) presents David Drumel with an award for his service on the IBAW board.

Spotlight on new members

IBAW Legislative Priorities Online

State Legislative Priorities 2014 State Legislative Priorities

- Workforce Development / Technical College Benchmarks - Pro Growth Tax Reform - Address the Structural Deficit of WI DOT - Predictable Sand Mining Regulation

1- Workforce Development / Technical College Benchmarks 2 - Pro Growth Tax Reform 3 - Address the Structural Deficit of WI DOT 4 - Predictable Sand Mining Regulation

Click here to view.

Hi-Crush Partners LP

National Legislative Priorities - Delay of the Affordable Care Act - Support the Existing Level of the Federal Minimum Wage

2014 National Legislative Priorities

- National Energy Policy Capitalizing on our Strengths - Increase Access VISAS for Immigrants with Advanced Degrees & Start Ups

1- Delay of the Aordable Care Act 2 - Support the Existing Level of the Federal Minimum Wage 3 - National Energy Policy Capitalizing on our Strengths 4 - Pro Growth Tax Reform

Click here to view.

5 - Increase Access VISAS for Immigrants with Advanced Degrees & Start Ups

Get Connected. Get Inspired. Get Informed.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS.

Click on their name to visit their website.

AT&T ITU AbsorbTech Park Bank Blomquist Benefits Advantage + Bank Mutual Sikich Godfrey & Kahn Lauber CFO’s RW Baird von Briesen HRS Associated Bank Vrakas / Blum Advanced Waste Services Simandl Law Group, S.C.

Boerke Co. BSI - Design, Build, Furnish Letterhead Press MSI General Contractors BMO Harris Powertest Judson Commercial Real Estate Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, S.C. Hypneumat Mfg Cultivate Communications Staff Electric Sponsor support helps IBAW continue to bring insightful programming to small business owners.

Ask about becoming a sponsor today!

Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors who make your IBAW programing possible.

Click on their logo to visit their website.

Senior Sponsors XXXX XXXX XXX XXXX

Benefactor Sponsors XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XxXXXXXXXXXX

BLOMQUIST BENEFITS

XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Defender of Business Sponsors XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

XXXXXXXX

xxxxxxx

XXXX X

XXXXX XXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

xxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXX

xxxxxxxxxx

Small Business Champions XXXXXXXXXX Xx XXXXX XXX

XXXXXX

XXXXXX XXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXX XXXXXXXX

XXXXXX XXXXX

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.

“...I am much better informed and educated on a plethora of topics.”

- Todd Poston

FIVE STAR Programing Political Advocacy • Education • Networking www.ibaw.com / 262-844-0333 / IBAWOffice@gmail.com

! !

IBAW& 960!Timber!Pass!

Brookfield,!WI!53045! !

Office:!262Y844Y0333!

WWW.IBAW.COM!!

Membership Application

! !!

!

Name____________________________________________________________________________________!

Company_________________________________________________________________________________!

Type!of!Business___________________________________________________________________________!

Address__________________________________________________________________________________!

City,!State,!Zip_____________________________________________________________________________!

Phone____________________________________Email___________________________________________!

Website______________________________________________________________! !

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!–!16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$300!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!16!–!25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$400!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!26!–!49!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$500!

!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!50!or!more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!$600!

!

!!

!

Consider!becoming!an!IBAW!sponsor!!Sponsorship!includes!membership!with!advertising!options!!!

Sponsorship!opportunities!start!for!as!little!as!$750!

!

Special!)–)Pre)pay)breakfast)meetings)–)Get)12)for)the)price)of)10)))))))))))))))))))))))$320)

!

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&ENCLOSED&AMOUNT:&

!

PAYING&BY&CHECK!?!!!!!!Make!checks!payable!to!IBAW!–!and!mail!to:!IBA!960!Timber!Pass!Brookfield,!WI!53045! !

WANT&TO&PAY&ONLINE?!!!You!can!also!pay!by!MasterCard!!/!Visa!at!the!IBAW!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%.

!