2013

Economic
Outlook
Survey
November 2012

WMC: WISCONSINS BUSINESS VOICE SINCE 1911

WMC ECONOMIC OUTLOOK SURVEY: NOVEMBER 2012

Buoyed by an improving business climate, Wisconsin businesses say our state is headed in the right direction. Wisconsin CEOs say that our state has become increasingly
pro-business, with 92% saying our state is now pro-business. However, the survey found top executives continue to be concerned about taxes, healthcare costs, regulation and
the national economic slowdown. WMC completed an online economic outlook survey of WMC members in May. Conducted since 1997, the WMC Economic Outlook Survey
of WMC member CEOs provides a snapshot into the attitudes of the states employers.
Note: Totals may not add to 100% due to rounding.
Mbrs.*
Mbrs.**
Mbrs.** Mbrs.** Mbrs.** Mbrs.**
June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov. 12

Total Number of Respondents

42

593

30

33

34

35

34

24

32

32

38

263

30

193

281

182

121

31%
9.0
9.0
56.0
0
3.0

39%
5.0
11.0
47.0
3.0
0

42%
5.0
9.0
42.0
2.0
3.0

30%
13.0
10.0
57.0
3.0
7.0

47%
4.0
11.0
40.0
4.0
3.0

46%
4.0
10.0
40.0
2.0
2.0

45%
4.0
13.0
38.0
4.0
3.0

48%
8.0
13.0
31.0
3.0
3.0

1. BUSINESS CATEGORY
Manufacturing
Non-Durable
Durable
Services
Retail
Commercial

60.9% 56.2% 50.0% 51.5% 44.2% 45.7% 35.3% 37.5% 28.0%

19.5
17.3
10.0
12.1
11.8
11.4
8.8
4.2
3.0
26.8
33.0
20.0
30.3
26.5
25.7
20.6
20.8
6.0
34.1
33.2
50.0
39.4
52.9
48.6
55.9
58.3
56.0
2.4
3.4
3.3
3.0
2.9
8.6
5.9
8.3
3.0
2.4
7.6
3.3
9.1
5.9
5.7
5.9
8.3
3.0

2. WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES THE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR FIRM?

Private, family or individually owned 42.9
Private, investor owned
7.1
Public, closely held
4.8
Public, widely held
38.1
Other
7.1

67.1
12.2
3.7
10.3
6.8

46.7
3.3
6.7
33.3
10.0

45.5
9.1
3.0
36.4
6.1

41.2
8.8
2.9
35.3
11.8

40.0
14.3
5.7
28.6
11.4

35.3
8.8
2.9
26.5
26.5

41.7
8.3
4.2
25.0
20.8

38.0
16.0
6.0
16.0
25.0

41.0
3.0
6.0
31.0
18.0

39.0
3.0
5.0
29.0
24.0

59.0
16.0
3.0
8.0
15.0

43.0
3.0
10.0
23.0
20.0

65.0
13.0
2.0
8.0
12.0

62.0
11.0
2.0
11.0
14.0

65.0
13.0
4.0
7.0
12.0

74.0
14.0
1.0
2.0
10.0

23.9
16.0
18.0
13.3
N/A
12.1
16.5

3.3
6.7
10.0
3.3
N/A
3.3
73.3

0
3.0
6.1
3.0
N/A
21.2
66.7

0
2.9
2.9
2.9
N/A
20.6
70.6

0
2.9
2.9
5.7
N/A
14.3
74.3

2.9
5.9
2.9
2.9
N/A
14.7
70.6

0
0
0
8.3
N/A
4.2
87.5

6.0
6.0
0
13.0
N/A
22.0
53.0

9.0
3.0
0
9.0
N/A
9.0
69.0

3.0
5.0
0
11.0
N/A
16.0
66.0

29.0
20.0
16.0
13.0
N/A
10.0
12.0

10.0
0
0
10.0
N/A
13.0
67.0

23.0
17.0
21.0
17.0
N/A
11.0
11.0

24.0
12.0
17.0
15.0
N/A
12.0
20.0

24.0
15.0
20.0
15.0
N/A
11.0
15.0

24.0
14.0
20.0
12.0
N/A
13.0
17.0

3. TOTAL EMPLOYEES
1-25
26-50
51-100
101-200
200+
201-500
501+

*
**

-1-

2.4
2.4
9.5
2.4
83.3
NA
NA

October 2001: This survey was conducted of all WMC members.

June 2010, June 2011, December 2011, June 2012 and November 2012: This survey was conducted of WMC member CEOs only.

[More than one answer is permitted for questions 6-9.]

Mbrs.*

Mbrs.**

Mbrs.** Mbrs.**Mbrs.** Mbrs.**

June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov. 12

4. NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN NEXT 6 MONTHS

Increase
No Change
Decrease

26.2% 31.8% 33.3% 39.4% 60.6% 51.4% 69.7% 73.9% 44.0% 13.0% 29.0% 45.0% 57.0% 53.0% 44.0% 62.0% 24.0%
52.4
49.5
56.7
30.3
30.3
34.3
21.2
26.1
41.0
47.0
61.0
49.0
37.0
40.0
49.0
36.0
56.0
21.4
18.8
10.0
30.3
9.1
14.3
9.1
0
16.0
41.0
11.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
2.0
20.0

5. HOURLY WAGE INCREASES THIS YEAR

0 to 2.0%
2.1 to 2.9%
3.0 to 3.5%
3.6 to 4.0%
4.1% or above

6. TOP

POLICY ISSUE FACING

Taxes
Energy
Education
Regulation
Economic Slowdown
Labor Shortage
International Situation
Security
Health Care
Misc. (Other)

7. TOP

24.1
22.5
36.9
12.0
4.4

17.2
31.0
44.8
3.4
3.4

15.2
27.3
42.4
9.1
6.1

15.2
6.1
45.5
24.2
9.1

14.3
14.3
48.6
11.4
11.4

5.9
26.5
41.2
23.5
2.9

4.2
25.0
45.8
20.8
4.2

9.0
13.0
53.0
13.0
13.0

72.0
22.0
3.0
3.0
0

50.0
32.0
18.0
0
0

51.0
28.0
17.0
3.0
2.0

53.0
27.0
13.0
3.0
3.0

39.0
29.0
28.0
3.0
2.0

43.0
31.0
22.0
3.0
1.0

34.0
31.0
31.0
2.0
3.0

55.0
30.0
14.0
1.0
0

60.0
6.7
3.3
6.7
20.0
0
0
0
N/A
19.9

51.5
0
3.0
9.1
33.3
0
0
0
N/A
9.0

48.5
0
9.1
15.2
18.2
0
6.1
0
N/A
12.1

48.6
11.4
8.6
5.7
17.1
5.7
5.7
0
N/A
8.6

52.9
5.9
8.8
17.6
8.8
17.6
5.9
0
N/A
5.8

54.2
4.2
4.2
16.7
16.7
8.3
4.2
0
N/A
12.6

44.0
0
0
3.0
38.0
3.0
0
0
3.0
9.0

52.0
0
3.0
3.0
38.0
0
3.0
0
10.0
9.0

53.0
0
3.0
14.0
47.0
0
3.0
0
11.0
11.0

56.0
3.0
4.0
15.0
29.0
0
2.0
1.0
11.0
5.0

57.0
0
0
21.0
32.0
0
4.0
0
11.0
7.0

40.0
4.0
6.0
13.0
33.0
6.0
1.0
0
18.0
9.0

24.0
3.0
5.0
21.0
40.0
10.0
3.0
0
16.0
10.0

25.0
1.0
5.0
12.0
36.0
5.0
0
0
8.0
9.0

23.0
1.0
8.0
9.0
30.0
5.0
0
0
22.0
3.0

12.1
6.1
6.1
15.2
18.2
18.2
15.2
0
N/A
15.2

2.9
8.6
17.1
11.4
31.4
20.0
5.7
0
N/A
5.7

5.9
0
29.4
20.6
8.8
26.5
8.8
0
N/A
5.8

12.5
4.2
29.2
8.3
33.3
4.2
8.3
0
N/A
8.4

6.0
3.0
16.0
6.0
38.0
6.0
0
0
13.0
13.0

3.0
3.0
0
10.0
83.0
0
0
0
0
0

8.0
0
0
17.0
61.0
11.0
3.0
0
0
0

19.0
1.0
1.0
16.0
44.0
6.0
1.0
0
9.0
4.0

18.0
0
0
14.0
50.0
11.0
0
0
4.0
4.0

9.0
3.0
8.0
14.0
38.0
9.0
1.0
0
14.0
5.0

9.0
1.0
9.0
15.0
45.0
5.0
2.0
0
9.0
6.0

8.0
1.0
14.0
15.0
37.0
6.0
2.0
1.0
10.0
6.0

14.0
1.0
13.0
9.0
42.0
3.0
1.0
0
18.0
1.0

WISCONSIN
71.9
15.2
0
0
0
2.4
NA
NA
N/A
10.5

42.5
5.8
2.9
5.6
44.0
5.4
6.9
0.3
N/A
0.8

BUSINESS CONCERN FACING YOUR COMPANY

Taxes
Energy
Labor Shortage
Regulation
Economic Slowdown
Competition
International Situation
Security
Health Care
Misc. (Other)

-2-

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

4.8
7.1
9.5
4.8
38.0
16.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.8

13.4
2.4
7.0
8.3
61.0
9.5
2.5
0.3
N/A
2.2

13.3
0
6.7
16.7
56.7
3.3
10.0
0
N/A
3.3

9.1
0
0
21.2
45.5
15.2
3.0
0
N/A
6.0

[More than one answer is permitted for questions 6-9.]

Mbrs.
Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs.
Mbrs.
June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov. 12

8. ONE

THING THAT STATE GOVERMENT COULD DO TO HELP YOUR BUSINESS

Reduce Taxes
Reduce Regulation
Reduce Spending
Affordable Health Care
Education
Tort Reform
Economic Development
Be More Pro-Business in General
Miscellaneous

9. ONE

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

46.9% 56.0% 30.9% 36.85% 36.9% 22.4%

10.7
16.0
40.9
16.75
36.9
32.1
6.1
8.0
3.4
3.35
7.0
6.4
5.4
4.0
3.4
3.35
10.1
12.8
1.7
0
3.4
3.35
3.4
6.4
N/A
N/A
N/A 10.05
0
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
16.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.8

THING THAT STATE GOVERMENT COULD DO TO IMPROVE

Reduce Taxes
Reduce Regulation
Reduce Spending
Bring business to Wisconsin
Affordable Health Care
Tort Reform
Education
Be More Pro-Business in General
Economic Development
Recall Reform
Miscellaneous

10. PERCENT

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

60.0
7.8
6.5
1.3
0.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

61.5
3.8
11.5
3.8
0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
30.5

57.9
12.8
6.5
9.6
3.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.2

47.25
12.6
9.45
9.45
3.15
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.3

31.6% 16.0% 30.0% 10.8% 35.3% 14.0% 23.0% 22.0% 10.0% 16.0%
36.0
16.0
12.0
37.8
26.9
21.0
18.0
25.0
17.0
22.0
0
16.0
12.0
18.9
8.4
11.0
11.0
11.0
7.0
5.0
4.5
6.0
0
2.7
4.6
0
6.0
4.0
9.0
16.0
0
6.0
0
0
1.0
4.0
5.0
7.0
4.0
5.0
0
0
0
2.7
1.0
0
1.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
9.0
13.0
9.0
8.1
8.0
11.0
10.0
5.0
18.0
8.0
N/A
19.0
21.0
5.4
11.3
32.0
14.0
18.0
31.0
20.0
18.0
9.0
3.0
10.8
3.8
7.0
11.0
8.0
2.0
4.0

WISCONSINS

BUSINESS CLIMATE

59.9
23.3
0
10.0
3.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7

38.5
19.2
6.4
0
6.4
6.4
3.2
N/A
9.6
N/A
16.0

36.3
18.0
0
0
4.5
4.5
0
N/A
31.5
N/A
4.5

34.0
13.0
16.0
0
3.0
0
6.0
16.0
3.0
N/A
9.0

30.0
0
21.0
3.0
0
3.0
0
24.0
3.0
N/A
3.0

35.1
18.9
21.6
2.7
0
0
0
10.8
8.1
N/A
0

49.5
12.0
12.5
1.0
1.7
1.0
1.7
12.0
5.2
N/A
3.9

25.0
14.0
18.0
0
0
0
0
21.0
7.0
N/A
14.0

37.0
14.0
14.0
1.0
3.0
0
3.0
14.0
6.0
N/A
9.0

25.0
19.0
11.0
3.0
2.0
0
2.0
15.0
3.0
7.0
12.0

13.0
10.0
9.0
13.0
2.0
1.0
5.0
34.0
9.0
3.0
1.0

20.0
17.0
4.0
15.0
5.0
2.0
5.0
22.0
7.0
1.0
2.0

44.1
29.4
17.6
8.8

54.5
18.2
15.2
12.1

50.0
20.8
29.2
0

44.0
34.0
16.0
6.0

69.0
17.0
14.0
0

61.0
25.0
14.0
0

63.0
22.0
9.0
6.0

61.0
29.0
7.0
4.0

66.0
21.0
4.0
8.0

64.0
23.0
8.0
6.0

58.0
24.0
9.0
9.0

62.0
22.0
8.0
8.0

11.0
61.0
29.0
0
0
0
0
0

2.0
34.0
42.0
10.0
5.0
1.0
1.0
3.0

4.0
48.0
35.0
7.0
1.0
0
0
4.0

4.0
42.0
38.0
9.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
3.0

2.0
40.0
41.0
13.0
0
0
0
5.0

OF PAYROLL SPENT ON EMPLOYEE TRAINING

3.0% or below
3.1 % to 4.0 %
4.1% to 5.0 %
5.1% or above

70.0
12.5
5.0
12.5

66.5
18.4
9.3
5.8

48.3
27.6
10.3
13.8

57.6
30.3
6.1
6.1

58.8
17.6
5.9
17.6

11. HOW MUCH HAVE YOUR PER-EMPLOYEE HEALTH COVERAGE COSTS INCREASED OVER THE PAST YEAR?
0%
1-10%
11-20%
21-30%
31-40%
41-50%
More than 50%
N/A; Do not offer health coverage
-3-

0
21.4
52.4
14.3
2.4
9.5
0
0

1.9
11.1
36.1
31.0
10.4
3.7
4.4
1.4

0
7.1
64.3
21.4
7.1
0
0
0

0
3.0
69.7
18.2
9.1
0
0
0

2.9
20.6
61.8
14.7
0
0
0
0

0
50.0
37.5
12.5
0
0
0
0

3.0
42.4
48.5
6.1
0
0
0
0

17.4
43.5
39.1
0
0
0
0
0

0
63.0
34.0
3.0
0
0
0
0

3.0
72.0
21.0
3.0
0
0
0
0

14.0
61.0
19.0
3.0
3.0
0
0
0

3.0
41.0
42.0
8.0
2.0
0
1.0
3.0

[More than one answer is permitted for question 12.]

Mbrs.
Mbrs.
Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs.
June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov.12

12. HOW

DO YOU PLAN TO DEAL WITH INCREASED HEALTH CARE COSTS?

Increase Employee Contribution

Decrease Benefits/
Increase Emp. Contribution
Decrease Benefits
Increase Benefits
Drop Coverage
Other

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

64.5% 89.7% 78.8%

N/A
28.1
3.8
1.7
16.5

N/A
17.2
3.4
0
20.4

N/A
36.4
0
3.0
24.0

81.3% 85.3% 62.5%

N/A
28.1
0
0
28.2

N/A
29.4
0
0
34.8

N/A
18.8
0
0
40.3

52.2% 44.0% 69.0% 44.0% 57.0% 71.0% 59.0% 58.0% 53.0% 55.0%
16.0
17.4
0
0
47.3

N/A
3.0
3.0
0
34.0

N/A
21.0
7.0
0
21.0

N/A
25.0
3.0
0
44.0

N/A
30.0
3.0
4.0
28.0

N/A
21.0
4.0
0
18.0

N/A
35.0
1.0
2.0
29.0

N/A
25.0
2.0
2.0
32.0

N/A
25.0
0
1.0
32.0

N/A
24.0
3.0
9.0
25.0

13. WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CLIMATE GOING TO BE LIKE IN YOUR COMPANY IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS?
Good Growth
Moderate Growth
Remain Flat
Decline

14. HOW

WILL THE

9.5
33.3
50.0
7.1

WISCONSIN

Good Growth
Moderate Growth
Remain Flat
Decline

15. HOW

WILL THE

Good Growth
Moderate Growth
Remain Flat
Decline

16. WHAT

23.5
64.7
11.8
0

22.9
54.3
20.0
2.9

26.5
61.8
8.8
2.9

25.0
37.5
29.2
8.3

0.2
22.3
55.4
22.1

3.4
37.9
51.7
6.9

0
30.3
63.6
6.1

5.9
67.6
26.5
0

0.3
26.6
47.8
25.3

3.4
75.9
20.7
0

3.1
65.6
31.3
0

0
21.0
52.0
28.0

6.0
47.0
44.0
3.0

6.0
49.0
41.0
4.0

14.0
43.0
43.0
0

15.0
45.0
37.0
2.0

9.0
43.0
44.0
5.0

16.0
57.0
25.0
2.0

4.0
37.0
42.0
16.0

0
31.0
53.0
16.0

0
3.0
48.0
48.0

0
39.0
56.0
6.0

0
36.0
53.0
11.0

4.0
57.0
36.0
4.0

5.0
58.0
36.0
2.0

2.0
46.0
47.0
5.0

5.0
69.0
25.0
1.0

0
41.0
47.0
13.0

MONTHS?

5.7
77.1
17.1
0

11.8
58.8
29.4
0

0
62.5
37.5
0

MONTHS?

14.7
76.5
8.8
0

8.6
80.0
11.4
0

20.6
58.8
20.6
0

9.1
77.3
9.1
4.5

0
28.0
41.0
31.0

3.0
21.0
55.0
21.0

0
50.0
47.0
3.0

1.0
50.0
39.0
10.0

4.0
57.0
32.0
7.0

1.0
51.0
40.0
9.0

0
23.0
65.0
12.0

1.0
43.0
50.0
6.0

1.0
18.0
39.0
42.0

60.6
30.3
6.1
3.0

51.4
40.0
5.7
2.9

62.5
28.1
9.4
0

58.3
29.2
12.5
0

56.0
28.0
13.0
3.0

66.0
24.0
3.0
7.0

51.0
40.0
3.0
6.0

52.0
43.0
5.0
1.0

52.0
44.0
0
4.0

51.0
44.0
4.0
1.0

50.0
43.0
6.0
1.0

52.0
43.0
5.0
1.0

44.0
52.0
4.0
0

30.4
69.6
N/A

28.0
69.0
3.0

20.0
80.0
0

26.0
74.0
0

26.0
74.0
0

37.0
63.0
0

35.0
65.0
0

30.0
70.0
0

31.0
69.0
0

27.0
73.0
N/A

ECONOMY PERFORM OVER THE NEXT

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

19.0
22.0
47.0
13.0

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

52.1
42.5
4.2
1.2

50.0
39.3
10.7
0

62.5
31.3
3.1
3.1

YOU EXPECT TO INCREASE YOUR EXPORTS IN THE COMING YEAR?

Yes
No
No Answer

-4-

6.1
54.5
36.4
3.0

PORTION OF YOUR SALES ARE EXPORTS?

None
1-25%
26-50%
51%+

17. DO

10.7
53.6
32.1
3.6

ECONOMY PERFORM OVER THE NEXT

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

U.S.

4.6
35.0
44.0
16.4

23.1
76.9
0

18.3
81.7
N/A

25.0
75.0
N/A

29.6
70.4
N/A

20.7
79.3
N/A

40.6
59.4
N/A

31.0
69.0
N/A

Mbrs.
Mbrs.
Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs.
June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov. 12

18. ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE HIRING EMPLOYEES?

Yes
No

50.0% 28.1% 25.0%

50.0
71.9
75.0

6.1%
93.9

32.4% 37.1% 56.3%

67.6
62.9
43.8

50.0% 44.0%
50.0% 56.0

7.0%
93.0

6.0%
94.0

18.0% 26.0% 39.0% 43.0% 57.0%

82.0
74.0
61.0
57.0
43.0

55.0%
45.0

19. IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE, WHY?

Lack of Qualified Applicants
Labor Shortage
Education
Availability
Cant Compete with Wages/Benefits
Irresponsible Workers
High Cost of Living, Small Area
States Image
Other
Unemployment Benefits Too
Generous (Disincentives)

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

26.2
8.1
4.0
3.4
3.4
3.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

33.4
0
0
16.7
33.4
0
16.7
N/A
N/A
N/A

100
0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
N/A
N/A

60.0
20.0
0
0
0
0
0
30.0
N/A
N/A

66.6
0
0
0
11.1
0
11.1
11.1
N/A
N/A

42.6
35.6
7.1
0
0
0
0
14.2
N/A
N/A

33.3
44.4
0
22.2
0
0
0
0
N/A
N/A

77.0
23.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
N/A

66.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33.0
N/A

100.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
N/A

77.0
2.2
4.4
0
2.2
0
2.2
0
11.0
N/A

86.0
0
0
14.0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A

68.0
0
6.0
7.0
3.0
0
0
0
16.0
N/A

58.0
0
7.0
4.0
3.0
6.0
0
1.0
5.0
16.0

61.0
0
6.0
2.0
5.0
5.0
0
3.0
9.0
10.0

67.0
4.0
1.0
3.0
1.0
1.0
0
0
6.0
16.0

0
0
0
0
50.0
0
50.0
0
0
N/A

0
10.0
0
0
0
0
20.0
10.0
10.0
N/A

0
20.0
10.0
0
0
20.0
20.0
10.0
0
20.0

0
15.4
7.7
15.4
0
15.4
30.8
0
0
15.4

0
18.2
0
0
0
18.2
45.5
0
0
18.2

0
7.0
14.0
7.0
0
7.0
57.0
0
0
7.0

0
50.0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
50.0

0
0
0
0
0
0
50.0
0
0
50.0

20.7
4.6
6.9
2.3
9.2
4.6
9.2
0
2.3
39.1

20.0
0
0
0
0
20.0
40.0
0
0
20.0

14.0
14.0
13.0
8.0
8.0
5.0
11.0
0
0
27.0

16.0
9.0
15.0
25.0
1.0
5.0
21.0
0
3.0
4.0

13.0
24.0
11.0
11.0
6.0
6.0
16.0
3.0
4.0
6.0

17.0
36.0
10.0
10.0
3.0
1.0
19.0
0
1.0
3.0

20. IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE, WHAT FIELD?

Entry Level
All
Machinists
Labor
Sales
Welders
Professional
Senior Professional
Unskilled
Other (telecom/computer/IT,
truck drivers)

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

11.8
8.4
4.2
3.4
3.4
3.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

0
0
0
0
20.0
0
40.0
20.0
20.0
N/A

21. DO YOU THINK THINGS IN WISCONSIN ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, OR ON THE WRONG TRACK?
Right Direction
Wrong Track

N/A
N/A

69.4
30.6

38.5
61.5

38.7
61.3

79.4
20.6

78.8
21.2

46.7
53.3

59.1
40.9

43.0
57.0

4.0
96.0

17.0
83.0

10.0
90.0

93.0
7.0

88.0
12.0

94.0
6.0

95.0
5.0

93.0
7.0

0
55.9
23.5
14.7
5.9

0
54.3
34.3
8.6
2.9

2.9
29.4
35.3
32.4
0

0
12.5
29.2
50.0
8.3

0
31.0
28.0
28.0
13.0

0
3.0
14.0
48.0
34.0

0
9.0
23.0
43.0
26.0

1.0
6.0
12.0
51.0
29.0

37.0
44.0
7.0
7.0
4.0

35.0
44.0
8.0
11.0
3.0

34.0
52.0
6.0
7.0
1.0

39.0
52.0
3.0
3.0
2.0

40.0
52.0
5.0
2.0
1.0

22. WOULD YOU SAY THAT STATE GOVERNMENT HERE IS:

-5-

Very pro-business
Somewhat pro-business
Neutral on business
Somewhat anti-business
Very anti-business

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

2.3
43.2
25.6
26.2
2.8

3.4
37.9
17.2
41.4
0

0
21.9
34.4
37.5
6.3

Mbrs.
Mbrs.
Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs. Mbrs.
June 01 Oct. 01 June 02 June 03 June 04 June 05 June 06 June 07 June 08 June 09 June 10 June 10 June 11 June 11 Dec 11 June 12 Nov. 12

23. DO YOU PLAN TO EXPAND IN WISCONSIN IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO?

Yes
No

N/A
N/A

26.5% 13.8% 25.0%

73.5
86.2
75.0

37.5% 42.9% 35.5%

62.5
57.1
64.5

41.7% 38.0% 21.0% 23.0% 26.0% 37.0% 40.0% 38.0% 51.0% 32.0%
58.3
63.0
79.0
77.0
74.0
63.0
60.0
62.0
49.0
68.0

24. DO YOU PLAN TO EXPAND IN ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO?
Yes
No

N/A
N/A

24.8
75.2

57.1
42.9

51.5
48.5

61.8
38.2

67.6
32.4

66.7
33.3

59.1
40.9

59.0
41.0

52.0
48.0

51.0
49.0

29.0
71.0

56.0
44.0

25.0
75.0

24.0
76.0

18.0
82.0

23.0
77.0

3.0
97.0

5.0
95.0

7.0
93.0

3.0
97.0

3.0
97.0

2.0
98.0

3.0
97.0

25. DO YOU PLAN TO RELOCATE TO ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY IN THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO?
Yes
No

-6-

N/A
N/A

2.1
97.9

3.8
96.2

3.0
97.0

3.0
97.0

2.9
97.1

3.0
97.0

0
100.0

3.0
97.0

7.0
93.0

BUSINESS GROWTH PREDICTIONS 1997-2012

Predicting good growth in the business climate of your business in the next 6-12 months
Predicting moderate growth in the business climate of your business in the next 6-12 months
Predicting the business climate of your business to remain flat for the next 6-12 months

90%
80%
77.8%
71.4%

70%

68.8%
64.7%
61.8%

60%

57.0%
53.6%

54.5%

50.0%

54.3%

50%

47.0%

52.0%
44.0%

46.9%

47.0%
44.0%

40%

37.5%

43.0%
43.0%

44.0%
42.0%
43.0%
37.0%

36.4%
31.3%

35.0%

33.3%

30%

29.2%
32.1%
23.5%

18.8%

20%

22.9%

26.5%
22.0%

25.0%

25.0%

17.0%

21.0%

19.0%

15.6%

16.0%

20.0%

14.0%

10.7%
9.5%

11.1%

10%

11.8%
6.1%

4.6%

8.6%

6.0%

8.8%

6.3%

9.0%

4.0%

0.0%

D
ec
.2
01
1
M
ay
20
12
N
ov
.2
01
2

20
11
M
ay

20
10
M
ay

20
09
M
ay

20
08
M
ay

20
07
M
ay

20
06
M
ay

20
05
M
ay

20
04
M
ay

20
03
M
ay

20
02
M
ay

O
ct
.2
00
1

20
01
M
ay

20
00
M
ay

19
99
M
ay

19
98
M
ay

M
ay

19
97

501 E. Washington Avenue PO Box 352 Madison, WI 53701-0352 Phone: 608.258.3400 Fax: 608.258.3413 www.wmc.org