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The ChamberWorks
Newsletter
2015
Inside this issue:
Meet Cara Carper, Executive Director
for Monroe Chamber of Commerce
2
2015 Hiring Outlook
3
News / Events Around the Area
4
2015 Hiring Outlook continued
5
April Happenings/MCCI Board of
Directors
6
5 Steps To Selecting The Right HR
Software For Your Business
7
Local Business Advertisements
8
1505 9th Street, Monroe WI 53566
(608) 325-7648
thechamber@tds.net
www.monroechamber.org
Look us up on Facebook: MonroeWIChamber
Future Forward March Calendar
Babbletown Children’s Store
Floors for Less
Nicolette Dreikosen, Owner
1111 16th Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566
608-449-3942
https://www.facebook.com/pages/BabbletownChildrens-Store/1441214939462572?fref=ts
Kris Eastwood, Owner
1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200
Madison, WI 53713
608-442-1200
kris@floorsforless.com
www.floorsforless.com
Hawk’s Mill Winery
Scentsy Family Brands
Ric & Teresa Joranlien, Owners
W8170 Pilz Road
Browntown, WI 53522
608-966-HAWK
Teresa@hawksmillwinery.com
www.hawksmillwinery.com
Diane Nevel
1109 11th Street
Monroe, WI 53566
815-291-0466
neveldelong@aol.com
www.nevel.scentsy.us
Tia’s Mexican Grill
Tupperware
Bryan Lang, Co-owner
1014 17th Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566
608-426-6008
tia@tiasmexicangrill.com
www.tiasmexicangrill.com
Lori Yaun
W558 Yarwood Road
Brooklyn, WI 53521
608-219-5858
tyaun58@litewire.net
www.my.tupperware.com
Page 2
PIZZA COUPON
Grede designs, develops and manufactures
high-quality cast, machined and assembled
components for the transportation and
industrial markets.
Grede II LLC. - Browntown
N2480 County Highway M
Browntown, WI 53522
(608) 966-3261
www.grede.com
$2 OFF Any Large Pizza
$1 OFF Any Medium Pizza
One coupon per pizza-Not valid with other coupons
EAT IN OR CARRYOUT—325-3220
Free City Delivery-Med. & Large-5 to 10pm
Monroe Chamber’s Executive Director
Cara Carper
Cara Carper comes to us from Southwest Badger
Resource Conservation and Development, a regional
community development non-profit covering nine
southwest Wisconsin counties, where she has been
Executive Director for the past two years. There she
provided leadership, direction and coordination
including organizational administration, project
management, fundraising, supervision of six staff
members and public relations activities.
Prior to her work at Southwest Badger, you may remember Cara as Green
County’s UW Extension Community Resource Educator. She was also the
Community Resource Educator in Lafayette County.
Cara has a strong background in political effectiveness. This enthusiasm dates
back to her time working as a Regional Representative for U.S. Senator Herb
Kohl and has continued through her work at UW Extension and Southwest Badger.
Cara received a BA in both Public Communication and Political Science at Luther
College and an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in
Public Administration at UW Madison. She is passionate about learning and
teaching about leadership and is skilled at strategic planning and evaluation.
Cara is very GOLD (which those of you who have been lucky enough to
participate in the True Colors session at Green County Leaders will understand,
and perhaps poke fun at) with a fun streak of ORANGE.
Cara grew up on a dairy farm just north of Wiota,
and currently lives not far from where she grew up
with her husband
and two kids (12
and 14), cats, dogs
and a dragon. She
plays upright bass
and sings in the
MooGrass Band.
She likes to read,
hike and geocache
with her family.
She looks forward to keeping PACE with the business community.
JOIN NOW!
2205 21st Street
Monroe, WI 53566
Call: (608) 325-3157
Page 3
2015 Hiring Outlook
36% of employers plan to hire full-time, permanent employees in 2015, says CareerBuilder
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Companies in 2015 are predicted to have more job openings, according to CareerBuilder’s
annual job forecast. More than one third of employers expect to hire full-time, permanent
employees in 2015, the best outlook from the survey since 2006. Salary increases—including
raises for minimum wage workers—are also on the agenda of hiring managers.
“The U.S. job market is turning a corner as caution gives way to confidence,” said Matt
Ferguson, CEO of CareerBuilder and co-author of The Talent Equation. “Hiring in 2014 has
been broad-based, including encouraging activity among small businesses and hard-hit
sectors like manufacturing and construction.
Companies look to hire more STEM workers in 2015. The amount of companies planning
to hire in 2015 is up 12 percentage points over last year, setting the stage for a more
competitive environment for recruiters that may lend itself to some movement in wages.”
The annual job forecast survey was conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder by Harris Poll and
included a representative sample of 2,192 hiring managers and HR professionals across all
industries.
Full-time, permanent hiring
Thirty-six percent of employers plan to increase the hiring of full-time, permanent employees
in 2015, a significant jump from 24% last year when employers were more hesitant to expand
their workforce. Nine percent expect to decrease staff levels, an improvement from 13% last
year, while 48% anticipate no change and 8% are unsure.
The percentages of employers hiring full-time, permanent employees in Information
Technology (54%), Financial Services (42%), Manufacturing (41%) and Health Care (38%)
are expected to outperform the national average.
700 8th Avenue, Monroe
The Best in Independent
Retirement Living
(608) 329-4400
Hot areas for hiring
Hiring for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) occupations will continue to
be strong with 31% of hiring managers planning to create jobs in these areas over the next
12 months, up from 26% last year. Looking at specific functions within an organization,
positions tied to revenue growth, innovation, and customer loyalty will dominate in terms of
new opportunities. Among employers planning to add full-time, permanent staff, the top five
areas they are hiring for include:
Sales—36%
Customer Service—33%
Information Technology—26%
Production—26%
Administrative—22%
Continued on Page 5
Page 4
“…an undiscovered gem!”
National Historic Cheesemaking Center
Green County
Open daily 9 am - 4 pm
Welcome
April 1 - October 31
Center
2108 6th Ave. Monroe, WI
Thinking of expanding or relocating your business?
Home of the
(608) 325-4636
Monroe, WI
WI—
—Vintage America is the right place.
Land is currently available in our industrial parks for as little as
$1.00 an acre for eligible projects.
For more information call Martin Shanks @ 608-329-2521
News/Events Around the Area
www.ways with wood-exhibit at MAC
April 1-April 3 . Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th
Street. Gallery open Tuesday thru Saturday
10am-5pm. Tony D'Angelo was introduced to
woodworking by his father while helping him with
house projects. The wood pieces he produces are
intuitive; that is he does not plan anything out.
Tony comments, "I start with an idea or theme
and let the piece and experience dictate the final
outcome. I like the idea of expressing emotion in
a functional object in the attempt to surprise or
invoke an emotional connection between the
viewer and myself. He explains, "Every piece is
an original moment to me. The viewer will glimpse
a bit of my inner self in each individual work." For
more info: 325-5700 or visit their website at :
www.monroeartscenter.com
Live Music @ Turner Hall
April 5, 12, 19, 26
1217 17th Avenue, Monroe. Sunday afternoons
from 1-5 p.m., enjoy dancing with live music
performed by old-time, big band and oldies bands
in southern Wisconsin. Admission to the Sunday
afternoon dance is $10.00 per person unless
noted otherwise. Popcorn & beverages are
available at an additional cost. For more info: call
(608) 325-3461 or go to their website at
www.turnerhallofmonroe.org.
Playwriting Class at Monroe Theatre Guild
April 4-April 25, 9-11:20am. For ages 16+,
enrollment limited to 9 people. $90.00 registration
fee. Class meets on Saturdays from 9-11:30 am.
Call 608-325-1111 or www.monroetheatre.com
for more information.
Business After Five
Wednesday, April 9 from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Held at SLICE Arena, 1632 4th Avenue West.
Hosted by Monroe Chamber. Come and enjoy
some food and refreshments and meet the
vendors who will be at the Home and Business
Expo.
Stateline Home and Business Expo
Held at SLICE Arena, 1632 4th Avenue West.
Friday, April 10th from 9am-7pm
Saturday, April 11th from 10am-3pm
FREE and Open to the public! Over 75 area
business under one roof. For more info visit the
www.monroechamber.org.
Comedy Night
April 10 & 11 and April 17 & 18 at 7:30pm.
Held at Monroe Theatre Guild, 910 16th Avenue.
Presented by Monroe Theatre Guild; directed by
Adam Bansley and Chris Soukup. For more info:
608-325-1111 or www.monroetheatre.com.
.
Green County & the Civil War: The Home
Front –Life in Green County
Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm. Held at Monroe
Theatre Guild, 910 16th Avenue. A speaker’s
series is part of “Bugles, Bayonets & Beyond:
Green County and the American Civil War.”
Presented by Al Stauffacher-well-known Monroe
educator. For more info call 608-325-5700 or
http://www.civilwargreencounty.com/
The Whimsical World of Tom Kelly
Friday, April 17 from 5-7pm. Opening
reception. Artist Gallery talk at 5:30pm. Held at
Monroe Arts Center, 1315 11th Street.
April 17-April 30, gallery open Tuesday thru
Saturday, 10am-5pm. Kelly's artwork will
capture your attention, your imagination, your
sense of humor, and then your heart. He has a
way of connecting with each person he meets.
Whether it's a painting, wood carving, or
sculpture Tom's art leaves an impression on
you and makes your world a little brighter and
a little happier. Even as a young boy Tom was
destined to become an artist. He credits his
artistic creativity to his grandmother, Cecilia
Anderson. For more info call 608-325-5700 or
www.monroeartscenter.com.
Wisconsin Regional Arts Opening Reception
Friday, April 17 from 5-7pm. Held at Monroe
Arts Center, 1315 11th Street. 608-325-5700.
Wisconsin Regional Arts Program
Competition & Exhibition
April 17-April 30. Held at Monroe Arts Center,
1315 11th Street. For more info call 608-3255700 or www.monroeartscenter.com.
Indoor Winter Market
Saturday, April18, (9 am-2 pm) in the
Masonic Temple Building, 1613 1/2 10th Street
Call (608) 325-7648 for more details or
www.monroechamber.org.
Courthaus Quilters Quilt Show
Saturday, April 18 from 10am-5pm.
Sunday, April 19 from 10am-4pm. Held at
Monroe High School. Admission $5; or $4 with
non-perishable food item for donation to Green
County Food Pantry.
Squeezebox Night
Tuesday, April 21 @ 4:30 p.m., Turner Hall of
Monroe, 1217 17th Avenue. Call (608) 3253461 for more information.
www.turnerhallofmonroe.org.
Green County & the Civil War: The Last Act–
Green County Men & the End of the Civil War
Wednesday, April 29 at 7pm. A speaker’s
series is part of “Bugles, Bayonets, & Beyond:
Presented by Tom Howe-educator, author and
historian. For more info call 325-5700 or
http://www.civilwargreencounty.com/
shgfuneralhome@tds.net
Page 4
Continued from page 2:
Companies also expect to add more headcount in emerging fields. Examples include:
Cloud, mobile, or search technology
Cyber security
Managing and interpreting Big Data
Alternative energy sources
Anti-terrorism
Robotics
Temporary and contract hiring
Temporary employment is expected to pick up over the next 12 months as employers struggle to fill in-demand roles and strive to
maintain more flexibility in their workforce. Forty-six percent of employers plan to hire temporary or contract workers in 2015, up
42% from last year. Of these employers, 56% plan to transition some temporary or contract workers into full-time, permanent roles.
Hiring by region
Confidence in hiring is consistent across regions with the South reporting the biggest year-over-year increase (14 percentage
points) in the amount of employers planning to add full-time, permanent staff. Thirty-six percent of employers in the South and
West will recruit new full-time, permanent employees in 2015 followed by 35% of employers in the Northeast and Midwest. Eleven
percent of employers in the West anticipate they will downsize staff, on par with last year, and the highest percentage of all the
regions.
Compensation in 2014
Wage growth has been largely stagnant post-recession, but greater employment demand may help to boost compensation at
various levels within an organization. Eighty-two percent of employers plan to increase compensation for existing employees-up
from 73% last year—while 64% will offer higher starting salaries for new employees—up from 49% last year. Sales and
Information Technology professionals are the most likely to receive raises, though increases are expected for a variety of job
functions.
Five trends to watch for in the new year:
1) Minimum wage increasing—at the center of one of the most debated issues of the year, minimum wage workers may be
earning bigger paychecks going forward. Forty-five percent of employers expect to raise the minimum wage within their
organizations in 2015.
Of these employers, half (53%) will raise it by $2 or more per hour while one-third (32%) will raise it by $3 or more. Forty-seven
percent will limit the increase to $1 or less. The majority of employers (69%) said they will pay $10 or more per hour while 39%
will pay $12 or more. Nearly one in five (18%) will pay $15 or more.
2) Small businesses ramping up—while still the most cautious when it comes to expanding staffs, small businesses are planning
to have extra hands on deck to meet increased market demands. Twenty-nine percent of small businesses with 250 or fewer
employees expect to add full-time, permanent employees, up from 22% last year. Seven percent will downsize, an improvement
from 9% last year.
3) Education requirements becoming stricter—as roles within organizations become more complex and data-driven, hiring
managers have adjusted requirements for their job openings. Twenty-eight percent of companies say they’re now hiring workers
with master’s degrees for positions that had been primarily held by workers with 4-year degrees.
Thirty-seven percent are now hiring workers with college degrees for those that had been primarily held by workers with high
school diplomas—65% of these employers attributed this to the skills required for positions evolving within their firms.
4) Part-time jobs increasing—twenty-three percent of employers expect to recruit part-time workers over the next 12 months,
up six percentage points over last year. While various factors will influence this trend, 14% of all employers stated they will likely
hire more part-time workers in 2015 due to the Affordable Care Act.
5) Cubicle walls coming down—employers subscribe to different schools of thought on what creates the most productive and
collaborative work environment, with some leaning toward eliminating any physical barriers. Thirteen percent of employers
reported that their companies are implementing an open space floor plan with no cubicle walls in 2015.
Page 6
April
Chamber Happenings
2015
MCCI BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Nikki Matley
2015 MCCI President
Woodford State Bank
Gary Olson
2015 Vice President
Minhas Brewery
Kim Berg
2015 Treasurer
FusionFly, LLC
Dr. Peter Schmitt
2015 MCCI Past President
New Leaf Chiropractic
Erin Daniels
Monroe Clinic
Gerald (Fuzzy) Karlen
Fuzzy’s Audio & Video
Jeff Maliszewski
Hedeman Real Estate
Katie Studer
RR Donnelley
Phil Vosberg
International Ingredients
Tim Wolff
Colony Brands
Louis Armstrong
Monroe City Council Rep
STAFF
Cara Carper
Executive Director
Cathy A. Maurer
Director of Membership/
Communications
*Business After Five*
Thursday, April 9
Join us at the SLICE Arena the evening before our Home and Business
Expo! Meet the vendors, while you enjoy some great food and
refreshments.
Chamber of Commerce
SLICE ARENA, 1632 4th Avenue West
5:00-7:00 p.m.
*********************************************************************
Monroe Chamber of Commerce
*Stateline Home & Business Expo*
Friday, April 10 - 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday, April 11—10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Held at Stateline Ice Arena (SLICE)
1632 4th Avenue West
FREE and Open to the Public
Over 75 area businesses under one roof!
**********************************************************************
Indoor Market on the Square*
Saturday, April 18
Located on the north side of the Historic Courthouse Square in the
Masonic Temple Building
For more information, call the Chamber office 325-7648
Page 7
“Your Hospitality
Professionals”
6th Street
& Hwy 69
325-1500
328-3444
Follow these 5 steps to select the right HR software for your company
By Reda Sedrati, Founder and CEO of Cloudswave
No matter what industry you’re in, your most important business asset is your people. As an HR professional, you understand the
importance of building productive workforce relationships, improving employee engagement and ensuring compliance with external
regulations as well as company policies and training initiatives.
The right technology solution can help you achieve these tasks, streamlining HR operations, automating core processes, and giving HR
professionals the time they need to focus on more strategic initiatives. But with thousands of software choices on the market, the challenge
is to find the right one.
Here are five steps you can follow to choose the HR software that will work best for your company:
Analyze your requirements and define your budget. Every business and industry has its own unique needs, strengths, and
weaknesses. To choose the right software, make sure you understand your company thoroughly and know exactly which features
you need. Map out how these features will help your company address its unique business challenges. Rate the importance of
each feature on a scorecard, and set budget parameters.
Involve your employees in the selection process. To successfully achieve organizational change, it’s a good idea to get buy-in from
employees at every level. A new software solution is a type of change that must be managed carefully because it has a major daily
impact on users. Your employees will typically have valuable advice about features and requirements, so it makes sense to involve
them in the selection process.
Create a short list of software candidates. Because there are so many software choices on the market, it’s a good idea to whittle
your list of choices down to a manageable number—five—that broadly meet your parameters and then take a closer look at each.
To accomplish this, use an unbiased professional listings source to preselect your final five, accessing expert opinions and user
reviews to narrow down your choices.
Set up product demonstrations. Once you’ve read expert opinions and user reviews via a professional listing service to choose five
prospective software solutions, set up a demonstration so that you can see each solution in action. This will give you and your
team an opportunity to make sure the software solutions live up to their billing and have the capabilities and features you need.
Complete a scorecard. When evaluating software, it can be easy to get distracted by the bells and whistles each choice offers. That’s
why it’s essential to use a scorecard. A scorecard allows you to make an apples-to-apples comparison and evaluate each
contender’s ability to meet your needs. Once you complete a scorecard for each of the five software choices on your shortlist,
you’ll have the information you need.
A technology solution can make a huge difference in an HR department’s ability to efficiently handle employee data, streamline workloads,
and effectively manage changes within the organization. That’s why it’s so important to select the right software solution. By following these
five steps and relying on unbiased information, your HR team can make an informed choice—and put the right software solution to work for
your company.
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127 W. 8th Street, Monroe WI 608-325-2111
101 - 7 1/2 Street ♦ Monroe, WI 53566
(608) 328-3800 ♦ www.townbank.com
Member FDIC
Page 8