2009-10 Food for Thought
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Presenters: The Zimdars Company and The QTI Group
Program 1 (presented by The Zimdars Company):
Critical Insurance Issues in Our Current Economy
What are the critical issues people should be evaluating in their life insurance policies? How much life insurance is needed after our economic downturn – more or less?
The financial strength of life insurance companies is changing. People's needs for life insurance are changing. The cost and performance of policies are changing significantly. And, income and estate taxes are probably going up.
As a family business owner, learn what you can do in light of these trends to maximize the value and minimize the problems of the life insurance portion of your business and estate plans. John Zimdars will share his experience working with dozens of family business owners who have addressed these questions during the past year.
Program 2 (presented by The QTI Group):
“You’re lucky to have a job in this economy” and other short term—but tempting-- management approaches guaranteed to put your family business at risk
Financial system crisis, business closings and high unemployment rates. At least this means that our employees are thankful just to have a job, so managing them is easier, right? Well, not exactly. Keeping employees engaged, committed and willing to go the extra mile…so important in making your business competitive….is even more difficult in tough economic times. In fact, recent area surveys conducted by QTI suggest that 75% of employers are concerned that “employee engagement” is a problem in their organization. What are the longer term effects of some of the difficult people decisions that have been made? How well positioned are you for growth? Come discuss the new realities of the workplace and employee engagement, with the human resources experts from QTI.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Presenters: Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek
Program 1(presented by Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek):
State and Local Tax Traps for Family-Owned Businesses
Joe Pickart is the Team Leader of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.’s State and Local Tax Practice. As a shareholder in the firm’s Milwaukee office, Joe practices in taxation, with specific expertise in state and local contested matters, litigation and planning. He has successfully represented airlines, railroads, telecommunication companies, IT firms, health care providers, manufacturers, developers, property managers, local businesses and individuals in property tax, sales and use tax, transfer tax, estate tax, and franchise and income tax disputes with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, other states’ departments of revenue, and local assessing authorities. Joe is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Business, where he teaches "Multistate Income Taxation." He is the principal author of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Bar Association’s "Property Tax Deskbook," and a Regional Editor for that publication. Joe is also a regular columnist for "The Journal of State Taxation."
During this session, Joe will identify common state and local tax traps that are often overlooked by family-owned businesses. Joe will also provide an update on recent state and local tax changes, and identify a few tax tips that could generate significant tax savings.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Presenters: Associated Bank, Smith & Gesteland
What Can You do to Give Your Banker 20/20 Vision of Your Company?
What does your bank look at in your business? What do they want to see improve? What has changed in banking that is driving their decisions, and how can take advantage of those changes?
What drives your profits? What are the most important activities in your business? Who are your key clients/products/vendors? Once you know those things, what do you do with that information to improve your bottom line and impress your banker?
Associated Bank and Smith & Gesteland are teaming up to provide you with pragmatic ideas to improve your numbers. You will learn about what has changed in the metrics that banks must evaluate when working with businesses.
These are timely topics for the times we are facing. Don’t miss out on this valuable session.
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