April 17, 2020 Dear readers, The extension of Wisconsin’s previous “Safer at Home” order from April 24 through as late as 8 a.m., May 26, has engendered no small amount of debate over its duration, provisions and how state officials will measure success in the fight against COVID-19.  Executive Order 28 deserves a careful reading, as it may alter how some businesses operate and how changes in those operations will be enforced. There is also a FAQ on the order. We would like to hear more from you on the topic, starting with your responses to a brief survey also listed below. Please let us know your opinions! Have a safe weekend,

Stay tuned for announcements about virtual Tech Council webinars on COVID-19 issues of interest to our members and others.

Do you have news or best practices to contribute to a future edition of Tech Council Current?
Contact Laura@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com 

Sincerely,

Tom Still, president

Guest column: Why innovation is a journey, not a destination

Most of the greatest companies in history attribute their success with innovation. Apple developed the first portable computer for the masses. Blackberry created its trackball. Blockbuster provided any kind of rental movie or video game a person in the United States needed. Today, only one is still at the top of their industry.

To quote James F. Bell: "To face tomorrow with the thought of using methods of yesterday is to envision life at a standstill. To keep ahead, each one of us... must search for new and better methods..."

Apple fell to obscurity before the return of Steve Jobs. They failed to connect with their audience and develop innovative products.

Tech Council member Rodgers’ column can be read in full in our newsroom.

We want to know how you’re doing!

Please complete a brief online survey, the results of which we believe will be helpful to policymakers, news media and others as Wisconsin prepares for the economic aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Let me emphasis “brief” really means brief in this survey, with only 11 questions – counting demographics – and all questions answerable via radial buttons. It’s anonymous and asks for your thoughts on the timing of the economic recovery, what actions can help your organization, targeted workforce needs and more. We’ll publish the results when they’re tabulated.

Aberdean Consulting is hosting several webinars to enhance the remote working environment safety:
Microsoft Outlook Productivity Hacks on Tuesday, April 21 and Tuesday, May 5
Collaborate with Microsoft OneNote on Thursday, April 23 and Thursday, May 7

Reinhart Law is partnering with Wisconsin Family Business Center to host webinars designed to help family-owned businesses:
Planning & Portfolio Opportunities for Challenged Environments on Wednesday, April 22

Join UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies for their Earth Day Conference on Monday, April 20

Join WisPolitics.com for virtual lunch event entitled "Earth Day: the Next 50 Years” on Tuesday, April 21

DreamBank is hosting Sales During Social Distancing: Thriving in the New Normal with Ashley Quinto Powell on Thursday, April 23

Baker Tilly is offering a series of coronavirus-related business concerns (registration for all):
A briefing on coronavirus-related tax relief on Wednesday, April 22
Crisis, continuity and recovery: A real-time enterprise risk workshop on Wednesday, April 29

• WEDC Small Business 2020 Program: Assistance will be available to Wisconsin-based Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) List of All 23 CDFIs in Wisconsin to provide grants to their existing loan clients to help mitigate business-related cash flow issues in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Approved CDFIs will make program grants (up to $20,000) available to for-profit businesses meeting the following: criteria: Current loan recipient in good standing as of 3/1/20 with the approved CDFI (or its collaborating CDFIs);20 or fewer PT/FT employees; Greater than $0 but less than $2 million in annual revenues; and, preference should be given to service and retail businesses
• Gov. Evers’ office has launched a statewide COVID-19 website that aggregates information and resources throughout state government, including: 
  COVID-19 Volunteer Program
  Religious Gatherings and Services
  DVA Assistance to Needy Veterans Program
• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development produced this helpful Frequently Asked Questions document.
• 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, and is offering low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) 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.
  
• COMPTIA offers eight cybersecurity tips for working remotely
• Wisconsin COVID-19 Startup Talent 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 released a COVID-19 dynamic Situational Awareness Update
• (new) View a PSC interactive map of public wi-fi “hot spots” in Wisconsin

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