GUEST COLUMN: Furloughs, layoffs, and other words better unsaid: Workforce planning in a time of pandemic

Much has changed in our lives in the past 80 days.  This marks the period since most of our lives seemed “normal.”  We have become telecommuters.  We have become home-school educators.  We have become crisis managers.  As entrepreneurs, we have also added several other titles that most of us never predicted … such as bankers, negotiators, or human resource professionals.

Each of these changes has been brought on by the circumstance of a global pandemic.  The one question to remain after we survived those earliest days of uncertainty is which roles will remain when all of this is over. Click here to read Sachse’s full column.

‘Diligent Dozen’ BPC pitches can be viewed ahead of June 4 Entrepreneurs’ Conference

Finalists representing diverse tech-based sectors in Wisconsin’s early stage economy have recorded their presentations for online viewing as part of the 17th annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. The four-month-long contest culminates during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference. This year’s finalists have recorded seven-minute pitches on their business ideas for you to watch. New this year is a “People’s Choice” award and contestants need your support to win! Please watch all 12 and vote for your favorite before June 4. Winners selected by our judges as well as the “People’s Choice” award will be announced during our virtual conference. Click here to watch and Vote by June 2nd at midnight!

Register today for our ‘virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference!

We recently announced that Brian Pinkerton, Apple’s chief architect for Siri and a graduate of the UW-Madison Department of Computer Sciences, will speak June 4 during the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs Conference on a virtual platform that will offer plenty of interaction with attendees.

Click here to read the conference press releases: (* New!)
* Not signed up yet for Entrepreneurs' Conference? Here are 10 reasons to be there (virtually) June 4 *
'Diligent Dozen' BPC pitches can be viewed ahead of June 4th Entrepreneurs' Conference
Discounted registration for vets, students available for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference 
Tech Council's virtual event platform launched for June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference 
Exact Sciences CEO Kevin Conroy to receive the 2020 'Seize the Day' award June 4 at 'treps conference
Five interactive workshops to target post-COVID strategies at June 4 Entrepreneurs' Conference
Panels at virtual Entrepreneurs’ Conference will focus on COVID-19 economic recovery 
‘Virtual’ Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference will offer plenty of ways for attendees to engage
‘Siri, did you know your boss will speak June 4 at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference?’

We’ll announce more conference highlights soon, including engaging ways for attendees to network among themselves and presenters. Nothing beats live, but this will come close! Among the features of the conference over time have been the Governor’s Business Plan Contest (see more below) and a presentation by the winner of the Wisconsin Youth Entrepreneurs in Science, or YES!, contest. A full release on the young people advancing in that competition is linked here, as well.

Please stay tuned for more about panel discussions, workshops and special networking activities.                                                                    Register here!

2020 BPC LSC STUDENT STORIES:

We are beyond excited to showcase one last time some of the amazing Governor’s Business Plan Contest companies, with stories written by Tom Still’s UW-Madison Life Science Communication class. Click here to read stories about:

FixdPicks, Last Lock, Güd Medical, eCourt Reporters, Pedal-Motive, Plumb Pharmaceuticals, Bizzy Bizzy, UpStream AV, Partita, Steady Shot, YDY Sweets, MyGenomeRX, Ascending Hearing Technologies, Gyld, AGent Plus Solutions, GoDx and ModuTree

WPR: Where stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 restrictions are in effect in Wisconsin
WISN: Counties, municipalities that reopened & remain closed
TMJ4: Dane County issues its own order, continues Safer At Home measures
City of Milwaukee Health Department: COVID-19 Public Health Plan for the City of Milwaukee
Wisconsin State Journal: 13 of 72 Wisconsin counties and the city of Racine have extended stay-at-home orders
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here's which Wisconsin counties and cities have continued or started new stay-at-home orders
Urban Milwaukee: Cities respond to pandemic with public space experiments
The Journal Times: After the coronavirus: Your next road trip may look like this
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we've learned about how to protect yourself from coronavirus in reopened Wisconsin
Milwaukee Business Journal: Employers need to weigh legal and health ramifications when reopening, experts say
Madison.com: As Memorial Day tempts people outdoors, precautions advised
The Cap Times: Some Madison restaurant owners wary about reopening dining rooms
Madison.com: How should I clean and store my face mask?
Wisconsin State Journal: How to manage COVID-19 risk as you leave your cocoon
BizTimes: Area restaurants carefully approach reopening dine-in service
Humana offers a Workplace Reentry Essential Guide in checklist format to assist employers
Forbes: Expert advice for behaving responsibly during the next phase of the pandemic

Wisconsin State Journal: State announces application period for small business grants opens June 15
Milwaukee Business Journal: Was it worth it? Small businesses that took PPP loans sound off
Milwaukee Business Journal: Fed-backed Main Street Lending program preparing to launch
BizWomen: Why you might see a COVID surcharge on your next bill
Madison.com: Trump slams governors as 'weak,' urges crackdown on protests
The Cap Times: Destination Madison's new message: Get outside!
Business Today: Pfizer CEO claims COVID-19 medicine could be ready by October-end
Forbes: Astronauts arrive on the ISS after historic SpaceX Crew Dragon launch
Wisconsin State Journal: Novel ideas outmaneuver a novel virus
BizTimes: Business community must join the fight for equality
BizWomen: Mentoring through a pandemic: Be intentional and be together
The Cap Times: Peter Halfmann and UW researchers look at coronavirus in cats, potential link with humans
Urban Milwaukee: Lessons learned from past public health battles
Wisconsin State Journal: Key votes from the Wisconsin congressional delegation this week
WISN: Tommy Thompson cuts public service announcement for hospitals
Wisconsin State Journal: UW System unveils first-of-its-kind study looking at graduates' earnings
Milwaukee Business Journal: PPP borrowers must report work refusals, rule says
Wisconsin State Journal: Tony Evers taps former Doyle administration ag secretary to take up role
The Cap Times: Epic Systems, health council team up to save black babies
The Journal Times: Family travel five: Preparing for flight during coronavirus
Milwaukee Business Journal: Covid-19 trends prevent city of Milwaukee from easing restrictions on bars, restaurants, stores
Quarles & Brady: The Paycheck Protection Program & COVID-19 fraud investigations
OZY: Experts: Protests Risk Spreading COVID-19
The Journal Times: US sends unproven drug to Brazil
Milwaukee Business Journal: Midwest Express forges ahead during pandemic, wins $150K from Elite in lawsuit
Bascom Ventures/Alumni Ventures: Our new post-COVID world: Thesis-based venture investing 2020-2021
The Journal Times: Coronavirus concerns create an epic road trip
Wisconsin State Journal: Taste of Madison canceled due to COVID-19

• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government.
• COVID-19 Volunteer Program
• Prioritizing Children’s Mental Health
• Religious Gatherings and Services
• DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• Call 1-800-WIS-VETS for Veterans Benefits Information
• Relief and recovery resources for your business: Reopen guidelines
• Gov. Evers Announces Badger Bounce Back Plan
• Helping minority-owned micro-businesses weather the storm: Ethnic Minority Emergency Grant
  
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• The Wisconsin Department of Revenue offers these information sources:
•       Business Development and Government Relations (BDGR)
•       COVID-19 Information and Announcements
• WEDC has compiled a comprehensive overview of their resources along with state and federal resources to assist Wisconsin citizens aimed at maintaining the viability of the companies upon which our economy depends.
• Report any scams or price gouging to Wisconsin Department of Justice: If you suspect fraud or a scam, Attorney General Kaul suggests filing a complaint online at datcp.wi.gov.
• Small Business Administration (SBA) has guidance for businesses, Pending congressional and presidential approval, the SBA may offer another round of low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) and Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses and non-profits impacted by coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control: Coronavirus latest updates
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Wisconsin
• The FDIC has provided guidance to banking institutions and consumers affected by COVID-19 and encouraged financial institutions to work constructively with borrowers and customers in affected communities.
• The Department of Labor has issued guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements.
• NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers are providing services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers such as connecting businesses that are pivoting their production in response to the coronavirus to new supply chains, connecting firms with state resources, advising companies on new operational issues, and providing workforce support.
• “Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent” is a new project to help those displaced from jobs and employers now hiring
• The Department of the Defense has established the Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) for COVID-19 to assess and rapidly respond to challenges presented by this pandemic. They are collecting information from both government and non-government personnel who are interested in getting involved. All resources and solutions are welcome from industry, academia, venture capital firms, individual contributors and more. Request information here.
• Wisconsin Hospital Association releases a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
• View an interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin