Alysha Schertz

The U.S. economy has lost 7.3 million jobs since the Great Recession began two years ago.

The nation's economy gained 4,000 jobs in November, the first monthly job increase since the end of 2007, but lost another 85,000 jobs in December, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

Andy Nunemaker, president of Milwaukee-based EMSystems LLC, says there are two things every company can and should take advantage of in an economic downturn: search for opportunities and upgrade the talent in the company's workforce.

The national health care reform proposals call for mandating health insurance for all Americans, which would provide a boost to Waukesha-based Connecture Inc.

Johnson Controls Inc. recently partnered with the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) to commission more than 1,400 business executives from various industries to answer a survey related to energy efficiency in North America and its effects on business strategy and employee relations.

Many business people carry mobile phones, laptop computers and other communication devices to keep information at their fingertips.

The United Way of Greater Milwaukee recently finished its annual campaign, raising more than $45.5 million for the organizations it supports. A portion of that money was raised during the last 10 days of the campaign and was done mostly by the means of social media and the power of connection.