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Category: Business/Technology

Executive Q&A: Google exec learns from entrepreneurs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Q: Tell me about Google?s office in Madison. How many employees are there and what do they do?

A: The reason we have an office here is that this is the regional epicenter for really smart people from the UW-Madison. The office is growing. A couple of years ago, there were fewer than 10 employees. Now, there are a couple dozen, mainly engineers who are part of Google Platforms. They are focused on networking, storage software and advanced development projects. They?re the guys behind the scenes that make the lights go on. The second group here is working to get small businesses online. They are working with the chambers of commerce to get companies on Google Places and to set up Google+ pages. … We want to make as much information in the world as accessible as possible. If not, it?s a missed opportunity.

Campus Connection: Sweatshop allegations against Adidas will test UW-Madison

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Capital Times

The pressure continues to mount on University of Wisconsin-Madison officials to cut ties with Adidas. On Thursday, the Worker Rights Consortium released its final report outlining alleged sweatshop abuses at a factory the apparel giant subcontracted with. Adidas supplies UW-Madison?s 23 sports teams with equipment, uniforms and footwear — and also sells apparel to Bucky backers — in a deal that?s worth about $2.5 million annually to the university.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained? New state-backed venture capital fund pushed

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Capital Times

The lack of investment dollars for new business ventures has long been an issue in Wisconsin. It has become even more pressing in a state that has lost jobs for the past five straight months while the nation as a whole has been adding them. Legislators from both sides of the political aisle are now pushing for some kind of taxpayer-backed venture capital fund that would invest in promising young companies in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or medical equipment. The hope is those investment dollars will help firms flourish, hire more employees, grow the tax base and improve the overall economic climate.

HotelRED celebrates grand opening, neighborhood support

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Wisconsin State Journal

Of the 48 rooms in HotelRED, 30 are equipped with balconies offering views of the UW Field House and Camp Randall Stadium. Each room in the stylishly designed boutique hotel has a kitchenette, bathrooms with seven-head showers, natural light from large bay windows, and artwork with a distinct Madison flare. But perhaps most importantly, HotelRED, at 1501 Monroe St., now has overwhelming support from the Vilas Neighborhood Association.

New stem cell classroom at MATC triples student capacity

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Wisconsin State Journal

With seven biosafety hoods, plenty of space and a big screen to project images from microscopes, a new stem cell classroom at Madison Area Technical College is a major advance from the cramped quarters where students previously learned how to grow the cells. The expanded space, dedicated Tuesday, means up to 24 students can be trained each semester, up from eight before. The added capacity could supply more workers for the burgeoning stem cell industry in Madison and around the country.

Walker unveils new council to prep students for college, jobs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday he is creating a new council to help better prepare students for college and careers. The move comes after Walker and the Legislature last year cut $71 million over two years from funding for Wisconsin?s technical colleges, whose primary mission is to train students for available jobs. Democrats and others criticized that cut and a $250 million reduction in funding for the University of Wisconsin System as harmful to worker training efforts.

Walker unveils new council to prep students for college, jobs

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Wisconsin State Journal

Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday he is creating a new council to help better prepare students for college and careers. The move comes after Walker and the Legislature last year cut $71 million over two years from funding for Wisconsin?s technical colleges, whose primary mission is to train students for available jobs. Democrats and others criticized that cut and a $250 million reduction in funding for the University of Wisconsin System as harmful to worker training efforts.

Tech and biotech: Bio bigwigs to converge on San Francisco this week

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Wisconsin State Journal

An elite group of up-and-coming biotech companies from around the country – as well as a number of the nation?s biggest, most successful health-related firms – will be making presentations this week to the investment community at the 30th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, Monday through Thursday. Cellular Dynamics International, the Madison company founded by UW-Madison stem cell pioneer James Thomson, will be among them. It will be the second year that CDI has been invited to participate in the event, considered the biggest and most prestigious in life sciences in the U.S., said CDI chief executive Robert Palay.

WISC-TV now providing news services for Fox 47

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Wisconsin State Journal

There are some new faces on the Fox 47 9 p.m. news. The Madison television station WMSN, Channel 47, has ended the agreement it had since 1999 for WKOW-TV Channel 27 to provide it with news. As of Jan. 1, WISC-TV Channel 3 is serving as the news source for the local Fox network affiliate.

Campus Connection: Report could force UW to cut ties with Adidas

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Capital Times

The days of University of Wisconsin sports teams? uniforms being stamped with the familiar Adidas logo may be numbered. On Thursday, the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) released a document that further outlines alleged sweatshop abuses at a factory Adidas subcontracted with in Tangerang, Indonesia. The memo also picks apart the apparel giant?s assertion that it wasn?t producing at the factory when the alleged violations took place, and therefore isn?t responsible for any wrongdoing. In recent years, similar findings by the WRC have led UW-Madison to end licensing agreements with Nike and Russell Athletic. But those deals — worth between $40,000 and $50,000 each — were relatively minor compared to the current arrangement between UW-Madison and Adidas, which pays the university roughly $2.5 million annually in both royalties and equipment.

Merger with Pamida to let Shopko expand to smaller towns

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Wisconsin State Journal

Jerry O?Brien, executive director of the Kohl?s Center for Retailing Excellence at UW-Madison, believes the move to focus on smaller communities could be a boon for the Shopko brand and its customers.”To find new places right now with the growth that Target and Walmart have had is very challenging,” O?Brien said. “I think it?s really good for these towns. Some of these more outlying towns are not very well served. This will be fun to watch.”

Anthony Schweitzer: NCAA should buy American-made goods

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Wisconsin State Journal

Periodically we read about laborers in foreign countries working in bad conditions to make uniforms and sports equipment for our university teams, such as UW-Madison, and being cheated out of wages. Since UW alone purchases over $2 million per year, what would happen if all NCAA teams were required to buy American?

Wisconsin fans flock to Union South to watch Rose Bowl

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Wisconsin State Journal

If there were any doubts about fans? enthusiasm over the Badgers? second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance, they were put to rest by the turnout for Monday?s Rose Bowl watch party at Union South. Badgers fans flocked to Union South in larger-than-expected numbers to cheer on Bucky. Riley Garcia, general manager for restaurants at Union South, said the university was planning for between 300 and 1,000 guests. Instead his staff of eight student employees – diminished by students who hadn’t returned from winter break – hosted closer to 1,500 fans.

Two injured after early-morning downtown shooting

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Daily Cardinal

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said that there was a tremendous police response resulting in the 100 block of State Street closing down, restaurants closing early, and the presence of a police mobile command post, which is only used during extreme circumstances. UW-Madison senior Lisa Anderson, who lives on the 100 block of State Street, discovered the scene after leaving her apartment for Ian?s Pizza around 2 a.m. Police questioned her since the 100 block was closed to pedestrians. In response to Anderson?s safety concerns, police said it was safe at the time and to return to her apartment. Anderson said it was “kind of unsettling” not knowing the details of the incident. She also reported seeing overturned tables and broken glass in Frida?s later Sunday morning.

Santa Monica Bar Is Haven For West Coast Badgers Fans

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WISC-TV 3

PASADENA, Calif. — While the University of Wisconsin football players had to travel far from home as they gear up for next week?s Rose Bowl matchup, some Badgers fans call the Los Angeles area home. For many California-based Badgers fans, it might seem tough to get into the team spirit when Bucky is so far away. That?s why so many West Coast UW alumni are so excited to welcome the Badgers back to their home for the Rose Bowl. In fact, there?s even a bar in Santa Monica that is about as Badgers-crazed as a fans can get on the West Coast.

UW football team reaps benefits with Rose Bowl ‘gift suite’

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Wisconsin State Journal

Three weeks ago, in the wake of the University of Wisconsin football team?s win in the Big Ten Conference title game, players and coaches were ushered into a banquet room at Camp Randall Stadium decked out like the set of “The Price is Right.” Inside there was an array of items such as tablet computers, flat-screen televisions, recliners and Rose Bowl-themed items such as custom bar stools. Everyone was allowed to choose one of the more expensive pieces or a hodgepodge of smaller items. This shopping spree, known as the “gift suite,” is offered annually to all 10 schools participating in Bowl Championship Series games.

On Campus: Ducks will wear ‘the most advanced football uniform ever assembled’ at Rose Bowl

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Wisconsin State Journal

They will have wings. They will shine like a mallard?s feathers. They will do just about everything but take flight. The uniforms the Oregon Ducks will wear to the Rose Bowl are “the most advanced football uniform system ever assembled,” according to uniform designer Nike. Nike unveiled the new uniform designs Tuesday with the flourish of a bird shaking its tail feathers.

Quoted: Justin Doherty, UW associate athletic director

Biz Beat: Jobs report notes high number of Wisconsin layoffs

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Capital Times

There are more mixed signals on the Wisconsin jobs scene. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on Thursday released a report showing Wisconsin with the second-highest number of unemployment claims from mass layoff events in the nation last month. A “mass layoff” is any event affecting at least 50 workers, according to the BLS. Its mass layoff report for November estimated Wisconsin with 90 such events in the month, impacting 9,359 individuals.

“The tilt against manufacturing over the last few months is hitting Wisconsin pretty hard,” says Laura Dresser, a labor economist with the Center on Wisconsin Strategy, a UW-Madison think tank.

AT&T faces ‘difficult decisions’ after T-Mobile deal fails, experts say

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Wisconsin State Journal

AT&T may very well look for a smaller wireless company to buy now that it has given up on plans to acquire T-Mobile USA, or it may just wait for a new administration in Washington, D.C., two UW-Madison School of Business finance experts say. “They?ve got some difficult decisions to make. The government now has set the bar,” said Jim Seward, director of the Nicholas Center for Corporate Finance and Investment Banking. Assistant professor Oliver Levine said he thinks AT&T may wait until a new president is elected before trying another merger. “In a different political environment … they may try to do it again,” Levine said.

Sen. Mary Lazich: Self-funded UW athletics a boon for economy

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Capital Times

The UW athletic department is self-funded. The athletic department operating budget does not receive state aid. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the athletic department revenues were $81.7 million. The largest chunk, $27.3 million, was ticket sales, and its share of Big Ten Conference revenue was $23.3 million. Other revenue is derived from private and corporate gifts, $13.8 million, and concessions, $6.8 million. The athletic department?s revenue covers salaries, operating expenses, and athlete scholarships.During recent years, returns on investments have been twofold. UW teams have been very successful on the field. On-field success leads to more merchandise sales, more paid attendance, and more television and postseason revenue. Businesses throughout the state, including bars, restaurants and clothing stores, benefit from UW athletics.

According to an April 2011 study by NorthStar Economics Inc., the UW athletic department has a total economic impact of nearly $1 billion on the state of Wisconsin. The NorthStar study revealed 8,853 jobs were created and supported, and nearly $53 million of tax revenue was generated by the athletic department.The last line of a popular song played at UW sports games is, ?When you say Wisconsin, you?ve said it all.? The self-funded athletic department might not literally do it all; however, it has a significant impact on the state?s economy, without costing taxpayers a dime.

Expanded alcohol sale hours won’t apply in Madison, police say

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Capital Times

A new Wisconsin law expanding the hours alcohol can be sold by retailers won?t apply in the city of Madison, according to the Madison Police Department. That?s because municipal ordinances can be more restrictive than the state law, according to the language in 2011 Wisconsin Act 97, which amends the state statutes regarding how many hours in a day a business can sell alcohol.

Biz Beat: Walker’s budget cuts are costing state private jobs, report warns

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Capital Times

A liberal-leaning Milwaukee think tank is out with a new report blaming state budget program cuts and public worker paycheck reductions for exacerbating Wisconsin?s job struggles. The report from the Institute for Wisconsin?s Future says the reduction in take-home pay for tens of thousands of public employees is now hurting the private sector, as are the drastic state budget cuts for K-12 education. Steve Deller, an economics professor at UW-Madison, says that reducing spending during a deep recession can often make things worse, as this blog chart suggests.

“Economic modeling shows that the extreme cuts to state and local programs cost thousands of jobs and put Wisconsin in a weak position to create jobs,” says Deller, who appeared at the Capitol on Tuesday with Norman and Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison, to introduce the IWF report.

The Growing Demand for Global Talent

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Chronicle of Higher Education

The following is a guest post by Gilles Bousquet, the dean of the Division of International Studies and vice provost for globalization at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He is also chair of the Statewide International Education Council and co-chair of the University of Wisconsin System Task Force on Economic Development and Globalization.

At a roundtable discussion last spring in Milwaukee hosted by the Wisconsin International Education Council, the vice president of global human resources at Johnson Controls told educators: ?Our talent development and acquisition activities across the organization are the most critical factors for us as a company to grow and to thrive. So, it is all about people.? At a series of meetings I had with business officials in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai in November, executives at several American companies ? including giants like 3M and Caterpillar in addition to up-and-coming ones like Madison-based Promega and TrafficCast ? vigorously repeated that same message.

Venture capital has hope as GOP gives up on controversial portion

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Wisconsin State Journal

Kevin Conroy, president and CEO of Exact Sciences, a Madison-based cancer research company, said Wisconsin has one of the best research institutions, UW-Madison, and does some of the best scientific research, but despite that opportunity, lags in funding and opportunities for venture capital. UW “is consistently ranked No. 2 in total federal research dollars, second only to Johns Hopkins University, and Wisconsin inventors are awarded patents at a higher rate than the national average,” Conroy said. “But we rank very low in terms of venture capital dollars invested and new company formation.”

Few business owners publicly choose sides in recall effort

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Wisconsin State Journal

“If you look broadly across the state, it?s still really rare for a retail establishment to take a stand,” said Dan Olszewski, director of the Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship at UW-Madison. The standard business maxim is that there?s little upside to mixing politics and commerce, although there are notable exceptions, Olszewski said.

Wisconsin couple click at Google

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Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin?s loss, Google?s gain.Matt and Reena Vokoun grew up here South Milwaukee and Town of Delafield, respectively, graduated from college here, met each other in their mid-20s at a birthday party in San Francisco and are doing very, very well for themselves – in California.

CDI announces launch of neuron product

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Wisconsin State Journal

Cellular Dynamics International is out with a new product: stem cell-derived neurons. The Madison company, founded by UW-Madison stem cell pioneer James Thomson, says it is the first commercial release of human brain cells, created through the company?s stem cell technology, in large enough quantity, quality and purity for use in life science research.

Former city employee George Austin is mover and shaker for high-profile developments

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Wisconsin State Journal

He?s not an architect, developer or politician, but George Austin has left an imprint on Madison?s landscape like few others. As a former city Planning and Development director and a private consultant since 1998, Austin led the most complex, iconic projects in the city, including Monona Terrace, Overture Center and the recently opened Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery ? a half-billion dollars in construction in the past 15 years.Now, Austin, 59, is engaged in two more high-profile initiatives within a block of the state Capitol, both presenting the sort of challenges that confronted previous big efforts.

Delta adds non-stop flights for Rose Bowl

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Capital Times

Delta Air Lines announced on Monday that it has added two non-stop flights from Madison for fans headed to the Rose Bowl. The Delta flights from Dane County Regional Airport to Los Angeles International Airport will leave on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, and return overnight Jan. 2/3 and early the afternoon of Jan. 3.

Brad Basten: Walker spends $4 million on nothing

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Wisconsin State Journal

I am confused about Gov. Scott Walker?s inspiration for taking money from UW-Madison, one of the premier educational institutions in the world working on advancing human knowledge in breakthrough subjects you can?t even pronounce, then letting Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation give $4 million to a group of overpaid “experts” at Spectrum Brands who can?t make batteries or waffle irons without going bankrupt and losing the stockholders? money.

Campus Connection: Adidas releases statement addressing alleged violations

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Capital Times

On Sunday, the Cap Times posted my blog which noted UW-Madison is considering cutting ties with Adidas because the sports apparel company is being accused of sweatshop abuses. Although the piece didn?t run until Sunday, it was written on Friday. Two phone calls and two emails to Adidas representatives on Friday did not produce a contact, so I noted attempts to reach officials with the company were not successful. However, over the weekend an Adidas public relations representative emailed me a statement.

Campus Connection: UW could put top apparel provider Adidas on notice

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Capital Times

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has played a leading role in recent years when it comes to attempting to curb sweatshop abuses at companies that produce college-logoed apparel. But will Bucky still flex his muscle when the company coming under fire is Adidas — which supplies the university?s sports teams with everything from shoes and jerseys to athletic gear? “This time around, it?s a bit more complicated because of our involvement and close ties with Adidas,” says Vince Sweeney, UW-Madison?s vice chancellor for university relations. “We?re still in fact-finding mode.”

“I don’t believe money is going to ultimately drive this decision, and I hope I’m right,” says Lydia Zepeda, a UW-Madison professor of consumer science who chairs the university’s Labor Licensing Policy Committee (LLPC).

Redevelopment Projects Proposed Near UW Campus

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WISC-TV 3

With apartment vacancy rates at the lowest level in 16 years, Madison developers said now is the time to act. From studios to five-bedroom apartments, redevelopment projects are targeting University of Wisconsin-Madison students. Nick Garcia, a UW-Madison junior, lives at 1323 W. Dayton St., and he said the location was a big reason he wanted to live there.

Survey: County business execs not optimistic about 2012

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Wisconsin State Journal

Overall, things are better for Dane County businesses this year, but company executives are not so optimistic about 2012. That?s the gist of the 2011 First Business Economic Survey of Dane County, being released Wednesday. Of 3,584 surveys sent, 337 were returned. The sample size has a margin of error of 5 percent….The survey was conducted by UW-Madison’s A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research in September and October.

Physicians Plus sues UW-Madison doctor group

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Wisconsin State Journal

Physicians Plus is suing UW-Madison?s doctor group, saying the doctors? threat to stop treating the insurance company?s patients is illegal. Physicians Plus, owned by Meriter Health Services, says the doctor group, UW Medical Foundation, demanded fees that are too high. After Physicians Plus refused to pay the fees, it says the doctor group threatened to stop serving most of the insurance company?s patients starting in 2013. Both sides say they?re still negotiating.

On Campus: Badgers apparel provider Adidas should be put on notice, committee says

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Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison should put Badgers uniform provider Adidas “on notice” because of alleged worker rights abuses, a campus committee recommended on Friday. At issue is a factory owner in Indonesia who reportedly failed to pay more than 2,800 workers an estimated $3.2 million in severance, according to a university news release. The payments equal nearly one year?s salary per worker at minimum wage.

UW-Madison could have office in China by June

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Wisconsin State Journal

A UW-Madison office in Shanghai could be open as soon as June, according to officials who just returned from a trip to China to explore the possibility of the university?s first foreign outpost. Gilles Bousquet, dean of the division of international studies and vice provost for globalization, said that would be the “ideal” timeline but it hinges on continued support here and getting the necessary permits in China. He said UW-Madison is convening a planning team to determine next actions.

University committee recommends investigation into alleged adidas workers’ rights violation

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Daily Cardinal

A university committee recommended Friday UW-Madison put top apparel manufacturer adidas on notice after an allegation of workers? rights abuses in Indonesia. The Labor Licensing Policy Committee, made up of student representatives, faculty and administrators, voted university officials propose a 90-day deadline for adidas to make $3.2 million in legally mandated severance payments owed to displaced factory workers in Indonesia.

Health care industry leaves a trail of money for UW doctors

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Wisconsin State Journal

Ten doctors at UW-Madison received $48,000 or more from drug or medical device companies last year, a State Journal analysis of campus disclosure records found. Six of the doctors were orthopedic surgeons, and each made $99,000 or more in consulting or royalty fees on top of their salaries averaging $750,000. The top earner ? Dr. Thomas Zdeblick, with nearly $1.7 million in medical industry income ? has been the subject of investigations and media reports about conflicts of interest in medicine. But he?s not alone in earning large sums, according to university records that only recently have included specific amounts of income instead of broad ranges.