Free falling
While Suzanne Caulfield has a deep-seated fear of heights, one of her greatest stress relievers flies her 14,000 feet – or nearly 2.5 miles – off the ground and sends her falling back down at speeds up to 160 mph.
Technology ventures spawn economic growth
A recent Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance study confirmed that Wisconsin lost more jobs than it gained over the past decade, but there’s cause for hope in economic sectors that are sources of young, high-growth companies.
Obamacare causes economic uncertainties
Moody's Investors Service recently issued a negative outlook for the nation's not-for-profit hospitals for 2014, citing the likelihood of another round of new Medicare cuts being considered by Congress as part of larger entitlement reform legislation.
Consolidations will continue, but banks are ready to lend
Wisconsin financial institutions continue to become healthier with the passage of each calendar quarter. However, the headwinds against banks remain strong and the shape of the industry will begin to change in more apparent ways in 2014.
Housing market improvements boost manufacturing
J. Timothy Ferry, president of Racine-based InSinkErator, a division of Emerson Electric Co., says his economic outlook for 2014 is positive, with growing momentum in the housing market and a “revival in the U.S. manufacturing base.”
U.S. global competitiveness is under stress
In 2014 and beyond, business leaders need to address bigger picture, longer-term trends that have plagued Wisconsin and the United States in a global economy, said Katherine Gehl, president and chief executive officer of Gehl Foods Inc.
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Technology opens up new marketing channels
More than half of all searches for information originate on a mobile device, a historical first that occurred in the last half of 2013, and that is dramatically altering the way marketers connect with their target consumers.
Competition for talent gets tougher
With anticipation of a stronger economy and stronger employment rates in the region, Pinstripe Inc. chief executive officer Sue Marks is bullish about hiring in the coming year.
MMAC Outlook Survey bullish for 2014
Metro area businesses start 2014 with a strong expectation of growth, according to a quarterly Business Outlook Survey conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce. Seventy-five percent of businesses surveyed see sales increases in 2014, 65 percent forecast profit gains and more than half expect job growth in the calendar year.
Stocks soar to record highs
The U.S. stock market closed out 2013 at record highs, and local stocks in the BizTimes Stock Index also soared.
