This week’s episode features a recent Rotary Club of Milwaukee presentation by Brian Adam, president of the Olympus Group, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer of mascots, including the Brewers Racing Sausages and Bucky badger, flags, banners and larger-than-life graphics seen on arenas like the Fiserv Forum. In addition to sharing some fun insights from the world of mascots, Brian discusses his approach to company culture and employee engagement. From the importance of first impressions to soliciting employee suggestions to being able to quickly Venmo $1,000 for an employee loan after a car accident, we hope you’ll find a few useful ideas in this episode to apply at your company.  

Lauren Anderson, Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news, including why Versiti's plans to grow its research of blood is important for the region, the substantial potential impact of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's $700 million fundraising campaign and the continued reinvention of the Marquette University campus. 

Insider Spotlight Stories:

• Octane Coffee's first location could open this summer in Pewaukee
• YMCA of Greater Waukesha County rebounding after pandemic hit
• Milwaukee Tool's growth continued in 2021 with nearly 41% increase in sales

Other stories in this episode:

• Versiti plans new building, to add more than 100 employees on Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus
• Greater Milwaukee Foundation goes public with $700 million philanthropic campaign
• Marquette University plan $80 million wellness and recreation facility

On this week’s BizTimes MKE Podcast, Beth Weirick, CEO of Milwaukee Downtown BID 21, and Tanya Fonseca, long range planning manager at Milwaukee’s Department of City Development, discuss the process for updating the downtown area plan during a recent Rotary Club of Milwaukee presentation. In addition to taking questions, they involved their audience in providing feedback about the current and future state of downtown.

In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee

This episode features two conversations. First, BizTimes Media co-owners Dan and Kate Meyer discuss our Business Cares sections and why it was important to put an emphasis on education in Milwaukee in the latest issue of our magazine. Second, BizTimes associate editor Lauren Anderson discusses her approach to covering education for a business audience and goes deeper on some of her magazine coverage.

For more on BizTimes Media's education coverage, visit biztimes.com/highqualityseats

Lauren Anderson, Arthur Thomas and Andrew Weiland of BizTimes Media get together to discuss the news of the week, including the possibility of sports betting coming to Potawatomi Hotel & Casino later this year, Strauss Brands opting to sell land in Franklin where it had planned to build a new meat processing facility, and the possibility that Milwaukee has jumped to the top of the list for potential Republican National Convention locations in 2024. 

Insider Spotlight Stories:

• Pleasant Prairie closes TID, adds $1 billion to property tax base
• Summit Packaging Systems seeking to expand Racine facility and add 145 jobs
• Zurn to acquire Elkay Manufacturing in $1.56 billion deal

Other stories in this episode:

• Potawatomi gets state approval to add sports betting at its casinos
• Strauss Brands drops plans for new slaughterhouse in Franklin
• Report: Milwaukee 'emerges as favorite' for 2024 RNC

This week’s episode of the BizTimes MKE Podcast features remarks from Kimberly Kane, president and CEO of Kane Communications. Kimberly spoke recently at the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, a podcast partner of BizTimes. Her presentation focused on research by her firm that found half of working women in Wisconsin are considering quitting their jobs. In this episode, she talks about why Kane Communications did the research, how she decided to release it and share more findings. Kimberly also offers some suggestions for employers, including to starting their efforts at improved retention with research, having open conversations with direct reports on a monthly basis and engaging with Gen Z by looking at things through a social impact lens and talking with employees about their career track.

In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

BizTimes Media reporter Maredithe Meyer joins Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas to talk about the steady stream of new coming from Menomonee Falls-based Kohl's Corp. and the activist investor pushing for the company to shake things up. Maredithe breaks down how we got here, the new slate of board members nominated by the investor and how things could play out in the coming months.

Insider Spotlight Stories:

• Employees at Oak Creek Starbucks want to unionize
• Brewery, beer garden, dog park, food truck park planned at former Pereles Bros. property
• What will Frontier-Spirit deal mean for Mitchell Airport?

Other stories in this episode

• Kohl's turns down $9 billion purchase offer, says it will pursue better opportunities
• Activist investor nominates 10 candidates for election to Kohl's board
• Amazon adding 400 jobs, leasing 1 million-square-foot building in Kenosha

This episode features remarks by Tim Gokhman of New Land Enterprises to the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, a podcast partner of BizTimes Media. Tim’s presentation focused on his firm’s development of Ascent, a 25-story mass timber apartment project in downtown Milwaukee. He describes some of the inspirations for the project, why he thinks mass timber should be the dominant construction technology for 8 to 25 or even 30 story multi-family buildings, and some of the environmental and safety benefits of the project. Tim offers both a high level view of this method of building and some detailed numbers on what makes it work.

In partnership with the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

Lauren Anderson, Andrew Weiland and Arthur Thomas from BizTimes Media get together to discuss the week's news, including a plan to develop a center for for African American art and culture at the corner of King Drive and North Avenue in Milwaukee. The site was previously the southeast region headquarters for the state Department of Natural Resources. The state listed the property for sale in October.

Insider Spotlight Stories:
Good Karma Brands looks to 'chart its own course' with new studios, offices at The Avenue
Twin Disc faces labor challenges to meet demand as oil and gas market returns
Milwaukee-based Fiveable merges with virtual studying platform Hours

Other stories in this episode:
Bronzeville arts group plans cultural center at former DNR building site on King Drive

This week's episode of the BizTimes MKE Podcast features conversation with Jonas Prising, chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup, during the annual BizTimes Economic Trends Event. Jonas' job gives him insight into the trends shaping the labor force and job markets at a time when many companies are finding it increasingly difficult to find the talent they need to grow. The conversation touches on how to help employees upskill, the outlook for wages, viewing the Great Resignation as more of a reshuffle and how the inequal distribution of skills and opportunities contributes to polarization. Jonas discussed the need to invest on a scale similar to climate change to create a more balanced system moving forward.

All of the presentations from Economic Trends are available on-demand at biztimes.com/trends.

A special thanks to Annex Wealth Management, BMO Harris Bank and Vistage for their support of this event.