2024 Human Resources + Business Administration

Schedule

• Day 1
• Day 2
• 10/23/2024
• 8:00am Registration / Breakfast8:00am- 9:00am

  Get settled and enjoy breakfast with us before we begin our sessions.
• 9:00am Leadership: The Executive's Playbook to Attract, Engage & Retain High Performers9:00am- 10:00am

  The Executive's Playbook to Attract, Engage & Retain High-Performers

  Jason Chance - Director of Leadership & Management Training, LIFT Consulting

  Unlock the full potential of your team by tapping into the powerful dynamics of emotion-driven leadership. In this insightful session, we delve into the essential connection between emotions, people, and performance, offering a comprehensive guide for leaders to enhance employee retention.

  Discover proven strategies and practical techniques to foster a workplace culture where emotions are recognized, valued, and harnessed to drive motivation and productivity. Learn how emotionally intelligent leadership can create a positive ripple effect, boosting morale, collaboration, and overall team performance.

  Speakers: Matthew Pletzer
• 9:00am HR: New to HR in Construction & ABC’s Retention Kit9:00am- 10:00am

  New to HR in Construction & ABC’s Retention Kit - Roundtable

  ABC of WI HR Committee

  Are you new to the construction industry, HR, or both? If so, this comprehensive session is designed just for you! Join us as a panel of seasoned construction HR professionals explore the HR resources available to ABC of Wisconsin members. Additionally, we'll dedicate time to a roundtable discussion, offering you the opportunity to ask any questions you might have—no matter how niche or industry-specific. We'll also provide an in-depth look at our employee retention kit, detailing how it can help you retain top talent and improve workforce stability. This session is your chance to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge tailored to the unique challenges of HR in construction. 

• 9:00am HR: Establishing a Positive Culture9:00am- 10:00am

  Establishing a Positive Culture

  Holly Jones – Dave Jones

  Company culture can be one of the reasons people are attracted to your company and why they stay.  Holly will discuss how she and her team have cultivated a culture that creates a sense of belonging and community.  She will share how her organization protects this culture by encouraging feedback from her staff through routine check-ins and providing opportunities that truly support and foster the team environment.

  Speakers: Holly Jones
• 9:00am Accounting: Financial Reporting Updates: Software Matters9:00am- 10:00am

  Join Britney Denk, CPA at SVA Certified Public Accountants S.C. for this session.

  
  

  Contractors have specific reporting needs that can be easily met with the right financial reporting software. This session will cover QuickBooks Online Advanced and its newest features, such as Project Tracking, Revenue Recognition, Workflow Automaton, DataSync with Excel and Custom Report Builder.  A brief demo will showcase these features, focusing on their benefits for the construction industry.

• 9:00am Payroll: Smoke and Mirrors: Distinguishing Genuine Trends from Fads in HR & Benefits Strategies9:00am- 10:00am

  Sam Tews, HR and Laura Bermudo, Benefits Consultant - Hausmann Group

  In an era where talent acquisition and retention challenges loom larger than ever, updating your employee benefits and policies could be key to success. Fortunately, a plethora of innovative strategies and ideas are available for consideration. Join us as we navigate through the noise to uncover real trends in benefits strategies.
  

• 10:00am Break with Exhibitors10:00am- 10:30am

  Enjoy refreshments and visit with exhibitors in the trade show.

• 10:30am Leadership: Coaching Skills for Better Communication10:30am- 11:30am

  Coaching Skills for Better Conversations

  Shelley Smith - Managing Director Talent Management, LAK Group

  How we approach a conversation, mentally, physically, and verbally, will set the tone for the conversation. By utilizing certain skills, one can participate in a conversation that is inclusive of and engages the other person in the decision making or problem resolution process. 

  This session will help participants understand and apply skills that can help them prepare for and focus on their intentions and desired outcomes for different conversations. It will also provide opportunities to learn from others, apply the concepts, and reflect on ways to help them be more present and effective in their own conversations. 

  
  

• 10:30am HR: The Near Impossible Task of Eradicating Workplace Gossip10:30am- 11:30am

  The Near Impossible Task of Eradicating Workplace Gossip

  Dave Schwallier – LIFT Consulting

  In this knowledge sharing session, we delve into the intricate landscape of workplace gossip and grapple with the formidable task of eradicating it. Through an interactive and discussion-based format, participants will gain insights into the origins of workplace gossip, its subtle manifestations, and the profound impact it can have on organizational dynamics. As we navigate the evolving world of remote work and digital communication, we'll explore the psychological underpinnings of office gossip and its unique challenges in today's professional environment. Uncover the hidden costs of workplace gossip, extending beyond mere whispers, as we examine its ripple effects on culture, morale, productivity, and team cohesion. From leadership initiatives to fostering transparent communication channels, we will collectively explore practical approaches aimed at creating a gossip-resistant workplace culture. By the end of this session, attendees will leave equipped with a deeper understanding of the nuanced dynamics of workplace gossip and armed with actionable strategies to build a workplace where trust, transparency, and collaboration thrive.

  
  

• 10:30am HR: How to Health your Health Plan Costs10:30am- 11:30am

  How to Heal your Health Plan Costs

  Matt Ohrt – Owner, Self Fund

  Matt was a seasoned Human Resources executive, having worked his way up in companies in his 25-year career. Matt viewed his HR leadership role as a responsibility, not a privilege. In doing so, he was able to help countless members get more affordable, accessible, high-quality healthcare. Ultimately, he pioneered a new way for employers to find sustainability and amazing healthcare for all employers.  Join Matt to learn innovative ways to improve your health plan and quality of care.

  
  

• 10:30am Accounting: Leveraging AI, ML, and loT can help Maximize the Efficiency and Safety of Construction Teams10:30am- 11:30am

  Leveraging AI, ML, and loT can help Maximize the Efficiency and Safety of Construction Teams

  Ryan Merryman CPA/CFF/CITT, CFE, CLA

  The presentation will highlight the benefits of using these technologies, such as reducing error, improving communication and increasing productivity.  It includes providing examples of how these technologies can be used in construction, such as using drones for site inspections and using wearables to monitor worker safety.  Overall, the presentation will emphasize the importance of embracing technology in the construction industry to stay competitive and improve outcomes.  

• 10:30am Payroll: Davis-Bacon Review and Update10:30am- 11:30am

  DAVIS-BACON REVIEW AND UPDATE

  Doug Witte

  Whether you are a contractor who has experience with Davis-Bacon projects or are doing your first project, navigating the world of Davis-Bacon can be a challenge.  The law and regulations are diverse and ever changing which causes struggles for contractors to comply with the law.  This session will cover the types of wage determinations and how they are updated; discuss the proper classification of workers on projects; discuss job posting and contract document requirements; cover certified payroll reporting requirements; discuss how to properly calculate prevailing wage fringe benefits and take appropriate credit for those benefits; discuss how to calculate overtime when employees work at two more wage rates during a single work week; and discuss some of the penalties that can occur if you are not in compliance.  Attorney Witte will highlight some of the areas employers need to be aware of as they navigate this tricky area and answer questions attendees might have.  

  
  

• 11:30am Break with Exhibitors11:30am- 11:45am

  Visit with exhibitors in the trade show.

• 11:45am Lunch and Keynote: What's Getting in Your Way (An Introduction to Positive Intelligence)11:45am- 1:15pm

  What’s Getting in Your Way  (An Introduction to Positive Intelligence)

  Nancy Kalsow - Kalsow Coaching & Consulting, LLC

  
  

  Program Description:  Based on the popular science backed studies of Shirzad Chamine, author of Positive Intelligence and founder of the Positive Intelligence program.  Nancy will guide you through breakthrough research to introduce The PQ® Program that systematically sustains improvements in performance, engagement, wellbeing, and relationships, while establishing a growth mindset across your organization. 

  
  

  Learning objectives:

  1. Gain a high-level understanding of the human brain’s neuropathway design.

  2. Awareness of the top 10 saboteurs that stop you from being your best self.

  3. Learn techniques and superpowers to outsmart the saboteurs.

  4. Take away key practices to boost your mental fitness for inevitable downtimes ahead.

  
  

• 1:15pm Break with Exhibitors1:15pm- 1:30pm

  Visit with exhibitors in the trade show.

• 1:30pm Leadership: Avoiding Documentation Drama1:30pm- 2:30pm

  Join Mark Johnson, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. for this session.

  
  

  While employment human resources professionals agree that documentation is critical to minimizing liability and litigation risk, ensuring that managers prepare clear and well-documented reviews, write-ups and other documentation, and retaining that documentation for the proper period of time can be a challenge. This session will discuss strategies for systematically improving the quality of employee-related documentation within your organization and better protecting your company from liability.

• 1:30pm HR Boot Camp: Welcome to HR1:30pm- 2:30pm

  HR Boot Camp: Welcome to HR 

  Jon Anderson and Thomas Godar, Attorneys – Husch Blackwell 

  This session will provide an overview of the Wisconsin and Federal employment laws that all HR professionals need to know and dispel some misconceptions regarding laws that many think exist but do not. The discussion will include an overview of wage and hour law and dealing with harassment in the workplace. We will also discuss the nature of “at-will” employment and the best practices when interviewing candidates and extending employment offers.

• 1:30pm HR: Union Card Check Issues: One Year Since the NLRB's Big Decision1:30pm- 2:30pm

  Union Card Check Issues: One Year Since the NLRB’s Big Decision

  Daniel D. Barker, Attorney, Jackson Lewis

   

  It’s been over a year since the National Labor Relations Board radically changed the law of union organizing by deciding that employers can be deemed to be unionized based on authorization cards alone without any election.  This session will review the NLRB’s decision on this important topic and unpack what has happened in the year since that decision and what it has meant for merit shop employers. 

• 1:30pm Accounting: Hiring in Construction: Strengthen Your Payroll and Benefits to Attract and Retain1:30pm- 2:30pm

  Aaron Mills – Daaxit
  

  In this environment where construction and skilled trades labor can be hard to come by and hard to keep, attracting and retaining staff is more important than ever. This presentation will discuss what construction business owners can do from the standpoint of payroll and benefits to help attract top talent and retain that talent without sacrificing the bottom line.

• 1:30pm Payroll & HR Technology: A complete "How-To" guide in selecting your next technology partners1:30pm- 2:30pm

  Payroll & HR Technology:  A complete "How-To" guide in selecting your next technology partners

  Jeff Severson - HR Technology Consultant

  
  

  Join Jeff for a step-by-step review of how to successfully select your payroll & HR technology partners.  From RFP creation to final contract negotiations, we will discuss best practices, common pitfalls, and invaluable resources to set your company up for success.   

• 2:30pm Break with Exhibitors2:30pm- 3:00pm

  Enjoy refreshments and visit with exhibitors in the trade show.

• 3:00pm Leadership: Building Bridges: Navigating Team Communication Challenges3:00pm- 4:00pm

  Building Bridges: Navigating Team Communication Challenges

  Gary Rada - Lead Trainer, LIFT Consulting

  Attend this session if you experience: Struggles with ineffective communication in your team or organization. Frequent conflicts and misunderstandings amongst team members. Low employee morale or lack of engagement. Challenges in leading your team effectively. High turnover rates and difficulties retaining top talent.

• 3:00pm HR: Advanced HR Boot Camp: Being a Pro3:00pm- 4:00pm

  Advanced HR Boot Camp: Being a Pro 

  Jon Anderson and Thomas Godar, Attorneys – Husch Blackwell 
  

  This session will cover effective discipline policies and practices as well as how to handle harassment investigations and the EEOC/ERD processes. We will also discuss the interplay between the ADA, FMLA/ WFMLA, and Worker’s Compensation. Finally, we will examine the best practices for disciplining an employee.

  
  
• 3:00pm HR: Wisconsin Workers' Compensation 101 for a Successful Work Comp Program3:00pm- 4:00pm

  Wisconsin Workers’ Compensation 101 for a Successful Work Comp Program

  Jeremy Bellin - AON Risk Management

  In this interactive session we plan to go through the basics of Workers’ Compensation in Wisconsin and the terms and jargon that are used in the industry.  We will take a high-level review of the claims process with some of the forms that are part of the process and when they are needed.  A review of the roles and responsibilities of a successful claims program from carrier, employer and agency personnel.  We will take a quick look at how the Work Comp process can affect employers directly and indirectly.  Last, we will have plenty of time to work through your questions that may arise from our discussion.
  

  
  

• 3:00pm Accounting: Using Values to Create a High-Performance Construction Business3:00pm- 4:00pm

  Using Values to Create a High Performance Construction Business 

  Dan Paulson – CEO, InVision Development International 

  A workplace is defined by its Values. Maybe you have defined values for your company, but when was the last time you reviewed them? Who knows what they are? When your team doesn’t understand, or isn’t aware, of your values, they can make poor financial and managerial decisions. This session will provide you with tools necessary to create a high-performance workplace utilizing values as the guideposts for accounting and operational choices.

  
  

  Speakers: Dan Paulson
• 3:00pm Payroll: FLSA Mistakes and Best Practices3:00pm- 4:00pm

  FLSA Mistakes and Best Practices

  Maggie Cook – Attorney, Godfrey & Kahn

  For employers, it seems as though paying employees has never been harder, and the cost of errors is higher than ever. Get up-to-speed on best practices to avoid common timekeeping and pay mistakes along with the latest FLSA developments.

• 5:00pm Social5:00pm- 8:00pm

  Join us to socialize, network and enjoy refreshments.
• 10/24/2024
• 7:00am Breakfast7:00am- 8:00am

  Start the day off with breakfast at 7:00 a.m. Review the Leadership, HR, Accounting and Payroll tracks and choose your schedule for the day.
• 8:00am Leadership: Emotional Intelligence8:00am- 9:00am

  Emotional Intelligence:  Creating Great Leaders 

  Chris Krieg - VP of Strategy, Stevens Construction Corp

  Emotional Intelligence (EI), also known as EQ, is one of the most critical workplace leadership skills needed to lead and effectively influence teams.  So, what is Emotional Intelligence?  Is it an innate skill or can leaders grow their Emotional Intelligence? During this session, we’ll define Emotional Intelligence and explain why it plays such an important role in the workplace.  We’ll also provide tips on how to cultivate and grow your Emotional Intelligence.  

  
  
  

  
  

  Speakers: Jenna Oliver
• 8:00am HR: You Make the Call Law Update8:00am- 9:00am

  “You Make the Call”  Law Update 

  Doug Witte, Maggie Cook, Eric Locker, Mark Johnson

  This session will consist of a panel of experienced employment attorneys presenting hypothetical legal scenarios (sometimes derived from real cases) and possible answers for attendees to consider.  After each scenario is presented, attendees will be given a brief period of time to discuss the case among themselves and decide which is the best option or course of action.  We will review the options that the court, agency, or other decision maker may have made and discuss why they reached the result they did.  Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask follow-up questions after each hypothetical is considered.  

  
  

• 8:00am HR: What does it take to be an Employer of Choice?8:00am- 9:00am

  What Does It Take To Be an Employer of Choice?

  Gretchen Bockenhauer, Program Coordinator Construction Management, UW-Platteville, Jim Bunkelman, President , Royal Construction, Inc., Professor, UW-Stout, Construction Management Students at UW-Stout and UW-Platteville

  Millennials are the largest workforce in U.S History and are playing crucial roles in the modern workplace.  What does this generation look for in an employer and what will make them stay?  Learn how to make your company stand out from the rest, from a group of college students ready to enter the construction workforce. 

• 8:00am Accounting: Cost Segregation and Depreciation: Opportunities for Tax Savings8:00am- 9:00am

  Cost Segregation and Depreciation – Opportunities for Tax Savings

  John Folsom CPA, Kent Collier, CPA – Wegner CPAs
  

  Navigate the intricacies of construction depreciation with confidence! Depreciation rules are notoriously complex, and the possibilities among lives, methods, Bonus, and Sec 179 can be overwhelming. Embedded in these tax depreciation rules are opportunities for tax savings, particularly related to something known as cost segregation studies. If you own real estate and want to accelerate tax deductions, or if you are a contractor who has been asked to provide information for a cost segregation study for a job you’ve worked on, this session will arm you with the knowledge of what a cost segregation study is and how certain aspects of a building can be depreciated faster than the standard building life of 39 or 27.5 years. This session will also provide general tax depreciation rules for construction equipment and an update on upcoming Bonus and Sec 179 depreciation changes for 2024 and beyond.
  

  Speakers: John Folsom
• 8:00am Payroll: AI and How that will Impact your Payroll Process8:00am- 9:00am

  AI and How that will impact your Payroll Process

  Lou Perez, Head of Sales – Lumber

  Join Lou for an enlightening session on the impact of AI on payroll processes. Explore how AI technologies are revolutionizing payroll management, from streamlining calculations to enhancing compliance and employee experience. Gain valuable insights into current trends, best practices, and real-world case studies to help you harness the power of AI in your organization's payroll operations. By attending this session, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of AI's role in payroll, actionable strategies for implementation, and the knowledge needed to navigate future advancements in this rapidly evolving field.

  
  

  Speakers: John Folsom
• 9:00am Break with Exhibitors9:00am- 9:15am

  Break
• 9:15am Leadership: Beyond the Resume: Leveraging Best Practices for Effective Recruitment & Interviewing9:15am- 10:15am

  Beyond the Resume: Leveraging Best Practices for Effective Recruitment and Interviewing 

  Kayla Schaller-Greenwood - HR Business Partner, Workforce Solutions

  In today's competitive job market, hiring top talent goes beyond simply reviewing resumes. This session delves into the strategies and best practices that HR professionals need to adopt to identify and attract the best-fit candidates for their organizations. From innovative sourcing techniques to structured interviewing methods, attendees will explore how to go beyond the resume to uncover candidates' potential and fit within their teams. Join us to learn how to elevate your recruitment and interviewing processes to secure the talent your organization needs to succeed in today's dynamic workplace.

  Speakers: Doug Witte, Sam Mitchell
• 9:15am HR: Appealing to the Ages: Recruit, Reward and Retain Across Generations9:15am- 10:15am

  
  

  Appealing to the Ages: Recruit, Reward and Retain Across Generations

  Nicki Johnson, HR Director and Shay Sherfinski, Employee Benefits Consultant – R&R Insurance

  
  

  From The Beatles to Billie Eilish, attracting and retaining employees across the ever-growing cross-generational workforce requires a unique approach. In this presentation, you’ll learn real strategies and best practices for diversity and inclusion that have worked so well, Madonna and Dua Lipa would approve. No matter where your organization is at, we will provide tips and an action plan to promote generational inclusion and eliminate generational biases, which can be implemented immediately. We promise you’ll leave this session feeling confident and ready to lead a generationally diverse workforce with the tips and best practices needed to bridge the generation gap and attract and retain top talent.

  
  

• 9:15am HR: How do you Maintain being an Employer of Choice?9:15am- 10:15am

  How Do You Maintain being An Employer of Choice 

  Angela Wilcox Stevens Construction Corp

  Vanessa Collins, Dave Jones, Inc.

  What employees desire and expect from their employers often changes over time. So, what do professionals who are a year or more out of college want from an employer? The best way to answer this question is to hear from the demographic directly! During this session, you will have an opportunity to ask young professionals questions regarding what they are looking for in an employer and the industry. Take away insights directly from the target group to help your team recruit and retain young talent. 

  
  

• 9:15am Accounting: Tips for Maximizing the Retirement Plan Benefit for You and Your Employees9:15am- 10:15am

  Joseph Topp, CPA and Jonathan Nolan, CPA from Francis LLC 

  
  

  This session will help you identify opportunities for your organization to improve the overall quality of your retirement plan, inclusive of maximizing plan design features, minimizing plan costs and optimizing your investment menu. This session will also provide strategies to help you improve the engagement level of your employees and assist them in better managing personal financial matters.

• 9:15am Payroll: Accounting Software & Technology Overview9:15am- 10:15am

  Accounting Software & Technology Overview

  Tim Seidel, CPA - Partner, Liani McCarthy - Manager, Wegner CPAs Accounting Solutions Group

  With an ever-growing and seemingly infinite list of accounting software solutions, it feels impossible to decipher what technology you need, what you can skip, and when it’s time for an upgrade. 

  In this session, we will go over the fundamentals of building an accounting technology stack that fits the specific needs of organizations of varying sizes and accounting capacities. We will offer guidance and tips on building a more efficient and effective accounting system that will best support your business's unique goals, help you save money, and better plan for the future. 

• 10:15am Break with Exhibitors10:15am- 10:30am

  Break
• 10:30am Leadership: The Building Blocks of a Proactive Recruiting Strategy10:30am- 11:30pm

  The Building Blocks of a Proactive Recruiting Strategy

  Angela Wurtz, Director of Recruiting, Wegner CPAs

  Is the war for talent leaving your construction projects understaffed? You're not alone. For HR and Business Administration professionals in construction and contracting firms, particularly those with limited resources, reactive hiring simply isn't enough. This session will provide the building blocks you need to implement a strategic and effective recruitment plan that fits the unique needs of your organization. 

  This session dives deep with actionable steps for busy HR and Business Admin professionals. Learn how to:

  • Build Lasting Relationships: Discover proven techniques for nurturing "pipeline candidates" 

  • Source Before You're Desperate: Gain insights to identify your talent strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to proactively source skilled candidates before vacancies arise. Bonus: Explore upskilling options to maximize your internal talent pool.

  • Competitive Pay, Smart Equity: Develop strategies for offering competitive salaries while maintaining internal pay equity, ensuring a win-win for both your company and your employees.

  • Employer Branding Power: Learn how to leverage powerful company branding and storytelling to attract top talent and stand out from the competition.

  • Outsource Strategically: Discover when and how to outsource specific recruitment tasks for maximum efficiency. 

  
  

  Speakers: Doug Witte
• 10:30am HR: Fatal Flaws: Why Organization Change Fails10:30am- 11:30am

  Sarah Fecht, Best Self Leadership LLC

  So many organizations I've worked for and with say their culture is great. Culture often masquerades as great when times are good. It's in our seasons of challenge when culture is tested - like now, when we're all in a war on talent! Come explore how mid-level leaders play a pivotal role in driving change within an organization,  yet they are often caught in the crossfire between senior management's vision and front-line employees' resistance. We'll walk away with a shared understanding of what it takes to gain buy-in from all-level leaders so success is aligned and achieved.

  Speakers: Jenna Bidwell, Mark Johnson
• 10:30am HR: Navigating Diversity Requirements10:30am- 11:30am

  Jon Anderson and Thomas Godar, Attorneys – Husch Blackwell 
  

  In this session, we will delve into the intricacies of affirmative action plans, resident preference programs, and other diversity requirements prevalent on certain construction jobs. Our aim is to equip participants with a foundational understanding of the paperwork involved, effective strategies for recruiting and hiring diverse candidates, and best practices to ensure compliance with diversity mandates.
  

   

• 10:30am Accounting: Construction Payroll 101 and Beyond10:30am- 11:30am

  Aaron Mills – Daaxit 

  
  

  Tracking construction workers' time on the job and processing payroll can be a complicated task.  From old school techniques to new school tools and software, this presentation will present advice from a construction CFO on how to get the most out of your payroll processes with the least headaches.

  Speakers: Aaron Mills
• 10:30am Payroll: Best Practices10:30am- 11:30am

  Payroll Best Practices

  Meghan Schoen, Director of Client Relations - Lumber

  Do you have questions about making your construction payroll process more efficient but were afraid to ask? The Lumber team is here to share best practices around setting up an automated time tracking and payroll process that will increase efficiency, reduce calculation errors and time it takes to process your payroll. Lumber will also provide some interesting tips and best practices gained by working with many clients across WI, IL and other states.

  
  

• 11:30am Ice Cream Social and Drawings11:30am- 12:00pm

  The conference wraps up with an ice cream social and drawings for attendees.