Manufacturing companies have a lot of cash on their balance sheets, but they will continue to spend it conservatively in 2013, according to Peter Gottsacker, president of St. Francis-based Wixon Inc.

Horizontal directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) will continue to result in larger domestic energy supplies in the U.S. and lower prices for consumers this year, according to energy industry experts, including Lawrence T. Borgard, the president and chief operating officer of Integrys Energy Group.

With the certainty ongoing rollout of Obamacare in the coming year, Gerald Frye, president of The Benefit Services Group in Pewaukee, advises employers to focus their immediate attention on exchange notifications they must give employees and internal assessments of their health care plans in the face of reform.

Digital marketing and social media have changed very quickly in a short period of time. In 2013, three trends will play key roles in determining online success.

The number of homes sold in southeastern Wisconsin was up significantly in 2012, but the prices of homes sold continued their post Great Recession slide.

Financial institutions will continue to improve from a profitability standpoint throughout 2013. However, earnings pressures will also continue to challenge the industry.

As we move into a new year, I am reminded of a story in the book: “Leadership From the Inside Out,” by Kevin Cashman.

Question:

Geoff was pumped when he was promoted to his new job as a manager in the customer service department. He had earned it with great results; customers loved him, he solved problems faster than his peers and he had taken on extra projects.

Many people think that growing their business will eventually lead to happiness, but surprisingly; it's the other way around. Research over the past few years quantifies the link between happiness and corporate outcomes, reporting that unhappiness has a direct correlation with lower productivity.