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There's no question that there's been a notable push for economic development in Wisconsin. The state wants businesses to not only survive, but thrive. With growth comes success, but also greater risks. After all, the more companies have, the more they must protect. Surprisingly, 50 percent of small to medium-market businesses are still lacking the vital data protection of a formal disaster recovery plan.

John Rupcich, a Cardinal Stritch University MBA graduate, doesn't mind when people refer to him as “quirky.” In fact, he embraces it. His so-called quirkiness actually is key in his approach to business and in the success and growth his company has experienced – even during tough economic times.

“We have significantly diversified the company,” said Roadrunner CEO Mark DiBlasi. “Our customer base needs a carrier that provides multiple services.”

Brian Bennett is a partner and founder of STIR Advertising + Integrated Messaging, a national integrated advertising and marketing communications firm based in Milwaukee. Successful, bold businesses have some key characteristics in common, he says.

I continue to be intrigued by the exasperated opinions of baby boomers about their Gen Y employees. This is an emotionally charged situation. It consistently conjures up eye rolling and comments that begin with “When I was their age, I never would have...”

You have an excellent ongoing customer — a steady, high-revenue, profitable and long-time account.

Innovation doesn't happen in a vacuum. Most often, it happens as a result of the collective effort of many people with different areas of expertise who come together to assess market opportunities and determine which ideas could generate the most profitable streams of revenue.

I facilitated a TEC mediation recently between my TEC CEO member "Frank" and his controller "Jim" (names changed to protect me!). They were very frustrated with each other.

Michael Crowley Jr., chief executive officer of Brown Deer-based Bank Mutual Corp., will retire into a non-executive chairman role on July 1, when Bank Mutual president Dave Baumgarten will become CEO. The company's board selected Baumgarten to join the bank as Crowley's successor in 2010. Since then, he has made quite a few changes at the company. Looking forward, Baumgarten says he plans to focus on making acquisitions. BizTimes Milwaukee reporter Molly Newman recently interviewed Baumgarten. The following are excerpts from that interview.

While current retirees have been able to largely rely on a safety net of Social Security, pensions and, in some cases, retiree health insurance, younger workers will have to take a much more proactive approach in planning their retirement income, according to Rebekah Barsch, vice president of market strategy at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.