Upward Mobility

Feb 1, 2021 | Upward Mobility Signals

Written by Heidi Selberg and Judy Nagel, with thanks to Dave Wegge and Jamie Lynch.

One can identify key signals for upward mobility – “The American Dream” – by comparing the Greater Green Bay area to the rest of Wisconsin and to the United States as a whole and also by comparing it to other industrialized countries. While self-determination has, historically, predicted upward mobility in the U.S., an emerging theory suggests that social supports are also clear signals of such success. Countries with more positive rankings, though, sometimes take unique approaches that are also worth studying. Here we present our key findings on the status of upward mobility in our area.

[Link to full Upward Mobility Article and Upward Mobility Power Point]

Future of Work: Women Hold Key at Crossroad

Feb 1, 2021 | Economic Transformation Signals

Written by Nan Nelson

It’s now becoming clear that the Covid-19 pandemic could threaten transformative changes.  Women have been forced to drop out of the workforce at twice the rate of men (nearly a quarter of women with young children!) and even senior women report cutting hours or switching to less-demanding roles. (Link to full article Future of Work]

Doors in Our Lives

Feb 1, 2021 | From our Leadership

Written by Dave Wegge

I have been thinking a lot about doors recently. No, not the doors to our homes or places of work, but the doors of our lives.

The year 2021 provides a new door for all of us – and walking through new doors can be risky and/or provide opportunities. We need to be willing to take the right risks, but also have the strength to stand firm and close those doors that need to be closed. As we step across the threshold into 2021, I encourage you to make this a special year in your life or in the life of your organization by opening wide the doors to gratitude and growth.

(more…)

A Natural Workforce Solution

Jan 3, 2021 | Economic Transformation Signals

Written by Dave Wegge

How can employers in the Green Bay Area find workers with the skillsets their organizations need? Clearly they can attract and retain new workers from outside our area, but they might want to consider training and retaining individuals right here in our area. And there’s a potential workforce available! [Click A Natural Workforce Solution to read the full article.]

High Tech Advancements and Job Growth

Jan 1, 2021 | Economic Transformation Signals

January 2021
Phil Hauck, Economic Disruption & Transformation Signals Team

I was recently introduced to a futurist named Thomas Frey of the DaVinci Institute. In a recent blog post, he makes the point that all these high-tech advancements that are replacing jobs aren’t a negative, but historically have been a positive. The negative impact gets attention because it is “seeable,” an unemployment statistic. What’s unseen is this: When a robot replaces a job in a factory, the job-holder is theoretically now in a worse position, looking for another job and/or living on unemployment. But, Frey illustrates, the product that robot created will now appeal to more and more people, creating other jobs up the line, and provide a better quality of life. That, in turn, yields a more dynamic economy that spawns more jobs.

(more…)

What a Year, What a Year!

Jan 1, 2021 | From our Leadership

Written by Dave Wegge

During this pandemic I have been watching a great deal of old shows on YouTube. Recently I saw bits by Rodney Dangerfield. He would always open his act by coming on stage, adjusting his tie, and saying “What a crowd, what a crowd.” I would revise that for this message as “What a year, what a year!” 

(more…)

Stop and Thank the People Who Make a Difference in Our Lives

Dec 1, 2020 | From our Leadership

Written by Dave Wegge

“We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives,” President John F. Kennedy 

As we approach the end of 2020, this quote from President Kennedy captures my deep gratitude for the people who have contributed to the Bay Area Community Council’s (BACC) accomplishments over the past year. 

(more…)