Christine McMahon

What makes good companies great is their ability to attract and retain the right people. Employees who are excited to come to work get the right work done, and are far more creative, productive and committed. Their passion infects both clients and colleagues, in the most positive way.

Business leaders want more of these employees, but few understand what makes candidates want to say, “Yes!” to the opportunity.

Attracting top talent has become a strategic priority for many companies. Too often, however, the direction is to focus on talent management incentives – increasing health care benefits, compensation, vacation time and training or offering flex work programs – rather than what makes the company a special place to work.

Research shows that people make employment decisions depending upon the role work plays in their life. In a study called “A Job by Any Other Name,” researchers Tamara Erickson, Ken Sychtewald and Bob Morison categorized workers into six segments on the basis of the role work plays in a person’s life and the factors that contributed to high engagement. Here’s what they found:

Around this time every year, Performance Review Stress (PRS) shows up on managers' faces and in their disposition. Most managers know what they want to say, but they're not quite sure how to construct the right language. This leads to frustration, which in and of itself, can disrupt the creative flow.

To simplify this process, and lower your PRS level, here are some key points to help you construct the right language that supports high performance and can withstand a legal proceeding if necessary.

Keith Wandell, new to his position as chief executive officer and president of Harley-Davidson in 2009, faced horrendous business conditions. After 20 years of...

It’s a common scenario: A sales leadership position became available and you are considering promoting one of your top performers. It makes perfect sense. But something deep within is saying, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

Great Lakes Futon Inc., a landmark business at the north entrance to Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward for 19 years, is moving to Walker's Point....

Some individuals are blessed with financial success. Unfortunately, not all of them take the steps necessary to protect their wealth so it can be...

The outsourcing of American jobs and technologies to China is well-documented by record U.S. trade deficits. However, middle-market manufacturers and suppliers in Wisconsin increasingly...

You have heard that most people fear death, second only to having to stand up and speak in front of an audience. I...

Woodway USA, a Waukesha-based treadmill manufacturer, has opened its first retail store near its factory at W229 N591 Foster Court, just off of Bluemound...

Milwaukee-area health care providers are tightening their health care insurance benefit plans to discourage employees from seeking medical attention at competing facilities. Many health...

A new service from Disciplined Financial Services Inc. will extend the Brookfield-based investment management company's client-base to include any individual or business seeking financial...

Wouldn't you like to know what "hot buttons" employees are talking about over lunch? Or why you may not be attracting the caliber of...