Ideas

Early in a new year many of us want to re-organize our lives, especially our work lives.

In the 1980s, while I was a senior vice president at JH Collectibles, we were so focused on producing fashion sportswear for the misses market we missed the emerging “women's” size market.

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” is an English proverb which means necessity or difficult situations encourage inventive solutions.

After 23 years in business together, John and Patty Mueller, the owners of Menomonee Falls-based Idea Factory Inc., have managed to keep their marriage operating as smoothly as their business ventures.

When Dean Mouradian strolled into his office one cold December day two years ago and noticed his office manager struggling to stay warm with a sweater and space heater, he set out to find a better way to help her warm up.

It seems there is no way to put a stake in the issue of trust vs. verification. Caterpillar Inc.'s recent $580 million writedown on a Chinese company it acquired in June for $700 million is an example of the principle.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed at work or school...or both? In “Extreme Productivity: Boost Your Results, Reduce Your Hours” author Robert C. Pozen will change your mindset from hours worked to results produced.

According to ManpowerGroup's 2012 Talent Shortage Survey results, 49 percent of U.S. employers struggle to fill mission-critical positions. Skilled trades, engineering and IT positions continue to rank among the top 10 most difficult jobs to fill.

Oak Creek-based Nucor Cold Finish Wisconsin recently was named the 2012 Business of the Year by the South Suburban Chamber.