Ideas

Do you know what stage of the organization life cycle your business is currently in?

When people ask me what I do, I often answer the question, “I teach people in companies how to play in the sandbox together so they get results.” The response is always laughter and countless stories shared of how people from their workplace are either playing “too nice” in the sandbox and avoiding the accountability needed for performance; or how people are competing with each other in the sandbox for the limited resources and then finally getting frustrated and “kicking up sand” in each other's face. The sandbox analogy seems to give a great word picture for what is not working. What they are missing are examples of what the sandbox looks like when everyone works together to build something great.

Grafton-based Kapco Inc. recently purchased a building at 983 Badger Circle in Grafton, and has applied to the city to start production operations there.

Kenosha-based Snap-on Inc. reported second quarter net earnings of $108.8 million, or $1.80 per share, up from $90.7 million, or $1.50 per share, in the second quarter of 2013.

Glendale-based Johnson Controls Inc. reported fiscal third quarter net income of $196 million, or 26 cents per share, down significantly from $572 million, or 80 cents per share, in the third quarter of 2013.

Brown Deer-based Badger Meter Inc. has reported its best quarter in company history.

BizTimes Media’s fourth annual Giving Guide offers southeastern Wisconsin’s business community an outlet to connect with area nonprofit organizations for philanthropic involvement.

Marquette University has received two new $1 million gifts, which marks the completion of a nine-month, $15 million fundraising effort to build a new 40,000 square-foot on-campus residence for its community of Jesuit priests.

The Selig family has gifted $2.5 million to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, to be used toward the Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee.

Zachariah’s Acres celebrated the groundbreaking of Zachariah’s Acres Barn on Thursday while also celebrating progress made on Phase I-A of its capital campaign.