Business Strategy

RSS Link

When people think about IP, they often envision tech companies, software developers, and research and development labs—not construction companies. In reality, most companies, including those in construction, manage far more IP than they may realize. From brand identity to proprietary building methods, these assets can be as valuable as cranes, trucks, or tools, and, like any asset, they need protection.

Below are key areas where construction companies should take a closer look at how they manage and protect their

…
Continue Reading Why Construction Companies Must Protect Their Intellectual Property Now

Running a solo or small law office means managing every aspect of the practice. Roles as attorney, receptionist, intake coordinator, billing department, IT support, marketer, and file clerk can all become part of the workday.

One theme becomes clear quickly: efficiency is not optional. It is survival.

Even modest operational changes can have a significant impact. Improving productivity does not always require additional software or expanded staffing. Thoughtful systems and consistent practices that reduce friction and preserve focus on…
Continue Reading Efficiency is Not Optional: Productivity Tips for Solo and Small Firm Attorneys

Deciding to start a small business is exciting, energizing, and often a little overwhelming. Whether you are turning a side hustle into something more, launching a long‑planned venture, or buying into an existing operation, this step is more than a career move: it is an investment of your time, money, and future. Many new business owners find themselves asking: “Do I really need a lawyer to get started?” While you are the expert on your idea and industry, experienced…
Continue Reading I Want to Start a Small Business in Wisconsin — Now What?

The U.S. health care industry continues to experience consolidation, with steady merger and acquisition activity (“M&A”) aimed at improving quality, expanding patient access and reducing costs by leveraging economies of scale. These transactions present a unique opportunity to undergo a strategic analysis of an often overlooked, but vitally important area: the supply chain.

Integrating two previously independent supply chains can be challenging from multiple perspectives, particularly given differing processes, levels of integration, existing vendor relationships and operational philosophies. These…
Continue Reading From Transaction to Transformation: Leveraging M&A to Optimize Health Care Supply Chains

If you visited your local dispensary or brewery yesterday to celebrate 4/20, things probably did not look much different than they did back in January, when we first wrote about the looming federal THC ban set to take effect in November 2026. THC beverages and vapor products remain widely available and, at least in my area, that availability appears to be growing. But the current status quo could change dramatically in just a few months.

Many industry members…
Continue Reading Happy 4/20. November Is Going To Be Weird

Spring is the season for cleaning and organization—and it can also be a good time for businesses to revisit their document retention policies. For any combination of paper files, emails, and digital records, having a thoughtful business records management strategy can help reduce risk, control storage costs, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

As you review what to keep, archive, or dispose of, consider the following key issues.

Be Mindful of Litigation Holds

If your business is involved in…
Continue Reading Spring Cleaning for Your Business: Consider Your Document Retention Practices

A major shift in federal tax law now allows innovative businesses to deduct many domestic research and experimental costs immediately.  The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (the “OBBB”) created new Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) §174A, permitting full first‑year expensing of domestic “research and experimental” costs for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2024.

Alternatively, taxpayers may elect to amortize those domestic “research and experimental” costs over a period of not less than 60 months. This reverses the…
Continue Reading New Federal Research Tax Credit Rules: How Increasing Research Activity Can Benefit Innovators From the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Integrated estate & business planning is often the missing link for high-achieving individuals who have mastered their craft but haven’t yet bulletproofed their legacy. As a licensed professional or a successful business owner, you dedicate your life to building, protecting, and growing valuable assets—whether that’s a thriving medical practice, a boutique consultancy, or a multi-unit enterprise. You excel at foresight within your field, but have you applied that same rigorous strategy to the interconnected futures of your personal wealth

…
Continue Reading Why Integrated Estate & Business Planning Works

One of the most difficult parts of owning a business is finding great employees. Successful business owners know they cannot be everywhere at once and therefore must rely on their key employees. Sometimes retaining these key employees becomes vital not only for day-to-day operations, but the future success of the business.

This drives many Wisconsin business owners to ask: Should I let my key employees buy into my business? This is a loaded question. Not only do business owners…
Continue Reading Should I Offer Ownership to My Key Employees?

As businesses grow, owners may increasingly rely on key employees and Human Resources (HR) professionals to manage functions the owner does not directly oversee. Key employees and HR professionals are typically those employees who have access to important confidential business information. These individuals often gain access to confidential operational details, employee information, and other sensitive data. A common question that arises: When should employers use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)?

While NDAs are not required in every situation, they are one…
Continue Reading Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs): A Practical Guide on How and When NDAs Should be Utilized

As we start the second full week of January, we bring employers a second employment law resolution: a comprehensive wage and hour audit. So, even if you’re sticking to your commitment to less screen time in 2026, this is worth a read.

In addition to lawsuits brough by individuals, either on behalf of themselves or on behalf of a class of similarly situated employees, the Department of Labor remains focused on enforcement of the FLSA. In fiscal year 2025,…
Continue Reading Employer New Year’s Resolution #2: Comprehensive Wage & Hour Audit

Securing a federal trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is one of the most exciting and valuable steps a new business can take to protect its brand identity. The USPTO trademark application process is not always intuitive, especially when it comes to evaluating whether another business is already using a similar mark in commerce. It is important for prospective applicants to understand how the trademark application process works in order to prevent costly surprises down…
Continue Reading Navigating the USPTO Trademark Application Process: Is It Worth the Risk?

BASE jumping references aside, if you produce or sell intoxicating THC beverages, now is the time to plan your off ramp.

Congress enacted changes that narrow what qualifies as federally lawful hemp starting November 12, 2026, including a 0.4 mg per container cap for final hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

Let’s tear the band-aid off now: 0.4 mg is not a meaningful replacement for the 20 mg to 50 mg cans the market sells today. So for most producers, the real…
Continue Reading The THC Beverage Cliff is Coming: You Are Jumping – Plan Now to Avoid a Cliff Strike

  • Did your company file its Annual Report?
  • Did you corporation select its board or directors and do its annual resolutions?
  • Did you come up with goals and a budget for next year?
  • Did you celebrate your wins?

It’s that last one that comes hardest to many. Some people are born with confetti in their hands. Others celebrate by moving to the next thing on their To Do list. But this is the season for celebration, so let’s take a…
Continue Reading Year End Yays!

Choosing between an LLC and an S-Corporation isn’t just a tax decision — it’s a family protection decision. The business structure you choose affects liability, control, taxes, succession planning, and even whether your business ends up tangled in probate.
If you’re a local small or mid-size business owner, understanding these differences can help you safeguard what you’ve built and protect the people you love.

LLC vs. S-Corp: Quick Comparison Chart

Feature
LLC
S-Corporation

Liability Protection
Strong limited liability for

…
Continue Reading LLC vs. S-Corp for Small Business Owners: Which Protects Your Family Better?

Corporate executives in Wisconsin often receive a large portion of their compensation through restricted stock units (RSUs), stock grants, or employer equity awards. As your shares vest, they can quickly become a significant part of your net worth—and with that comes complex questions about taxes, transfer planning, and probate exposure.
One of the most effective strategies to gain more control over how your vested shares are handled is transferring employer stock into a trust. For Wisconsin executives, a trust

…
Continue Reading Should Executives in Wisconsin Put Employer Stock Into a Trust?