I love being a multiplier. Watching ExporTech graduates Hydro Thermal, Waukesha and Gamber-Johnson, Stevens Point win the US Dept of Commerce’s President’s “E Star” Awards in Washington, D.C. The “E Star” is awarded to companies who have achieved the “E Award” for 4 years measurable, sustainable exports; followed by 4 additional years. In 2018, the “E Star” was only given to 8 companies nationwide; and 2 of the 8 were Wisconsin manufacturers that were ExporTech graduates! No longer accidental or reactive exporters, these companies were proven, strategic exporters with economic growth and job growth. So proud!
What’s one business you want to see open in Milwaukee?
Probably manufacturing robotics or cognitive automation, not to replace workers; but to automate repetitive tasks to close the bodygap and allow workers to be retrained for higher value-add positions. There is a wave of digital disruption new technologies coming in manufacturing that will require new skills, new talent, new business models. There are new industry trends: 3D printing, artificial intelligence, security & privacy, the internet of things, additive manufacturing, automation, drones, autonomous vehicles, transformational productivity, and sustainability. Wisconsin suppliers to FoxConn will be faced with understanding these new trends to be globally competitive. It’s estimated by 2022, 54% of all employees will require significant reskilling, upskilling, and new skilling.
What can Milwaukee businesses do to include more women as leaders and/or board members?
Business women are ready for these roles. They bring solid business skills, diversity, fresh solutions, strategy, and more. Milwaukee businesses can easily identify potential board members through networking and associations in Milwaukee. Most women leaders are usually easily visible. I’d like to see incumbent board members seeking out women business leaders for these positions.
If you could open any type of business today, what would it be and why?
Here are some amazing facts: For the last 50 years, Europe and the United States have been the main source of product demand. Today, 95% of the world’s consumers are now outside the US. 80% of the world purchasing power is outside the US, and 92% of economic growth is occurring outside the US. Today, only 21% of the world’s middle-class consumption is in the US; but by 2030, 90% of middle-class spending will take place outside the US. World demographics are shifting dramatically as well. By 2050 only 4% of the world’s population will be in the US; 81% will be in Africa and Asia/Pacific; and 97 out of 100 people added to the population in the next decade will live in developing countries.
So, we must embrace globalization. These consumers need US products, especially our high-quality Wisconsin manufactured products. I’d chose to open a technology or manufactured product business with unique value, strong differentiators, and key competitive advantages needed in these growing markets. The product would not be in direct competition with products produced in low-cost markets. Key US products needed globally are capital goods such as aircraft, industrial machinery and components, electrical equipment, bio-medical equipment, plastics, paper products, chemicals, agricultural crops (Wisconsin ginseng, cheese, soy, whey, milk), pharmaceuticals, and vehicles. The need is great; and only 4% of small-to-medium size manufacturers nationally export. More than half who do, sell only to Canada or Mexico. Regardless of tariffs or trade agreement issues, the global need for great Wisconsin products will only increase.
