Ideas

Businesses in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties are slightly more optimistic about 2013 than they were heading into 2012, according to the First Business Economic Survey released Wednesday by First Business Bank-Milwaukee.

After more than five years as president and chief executive officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee and 30 years with the organization, Robert Yamachika will retire at the end of 2013, the organization announced Monday.

Brighter12, a Milwaukee-based start-up company, has launched its website www.brighter12.com to assist 12-step program participants in recovering from their addictions through interactive online tools.

Social business agency 7Summits, based in Milwaukee, has named R.J. Reimers president.

Should Wisconsin legalize and tax the use of marijuana? Tell us what you think by responding to the BizTimes...

*Now through Saturday, Dec. 22, The Alchemist Theatre presents "A Kick in the Dickens," a holiday comedy improv show....

Five best-selling business books you should read:

Terry Hansen, president of Ultra Tool & Manufacturing Inc. Company address: W169 N5954 Ridgewood Dr. in Menomonee Falls, WI...

“So, one of our key editorial missions of 2013 will be to keep our readers up to date about...

Over the years, I’ve spent considerable time writing and reporting on the manufacturing skills gap. It remains a topic of concern for the industrial sector in Wisconsin as business, education and political leaders continue to work to develop solutions to a problem that stems from manufacturers struggling to fill open jobs while thousands of unemployed workers search for employment but don’t have the necessary skills to make them immediately viable candidates.