UW-Madison reaches out to help businesses, stronger economy

In today’s increasingly complex and competitive business environment, most companies need every available resource to survive and flourish. And, in today’s challenging economic environment, helping businesses succeed can have the added benefit of building a stronger job base and, over time, a healthier tax base.

UW–Madison is in the first year of a new initiative to help businesses and, in the process, contribute to a stronger state economy. With a mandate from Chancellor John D. Wiley, the university opened the Office of Corporate Relations in mid-2003 to provide a new, first point of contact for people looking for resources and help for a range of needs.

“It’s an important role for a large public research university like ours,” says Charles B. Hoslet, OCR’s managing director. “We’re finding that wherever we go, business executives, community leaders and people involved in economic development recognize the value of the university to their areas of need, whatever that may be.”

Led by Hoslet, OCR’s business-relations experts have discovered that the business community in and beyond Wisconsin is very interested in tapping into the resources of one of the country’s leading public research universities.

Businesses are finding help on the Madison campus in such areas as the recruitment of graduates and interns, continuing education and professional development programs, faculty expertise and company-sponsored research opportunities, and a wealth of new and emerging technologies available for licensing through the university’s Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).

In addition, OCR can help companies connect with expertise on other UW campuses around the state, Hoslet points out.

“There has been a great deal of interest in working more closely with the University of Wisconsin, here in Madison and on the other campuses,” he says. “One of the issues that has confronted companies in the past is the sheer size and complexity of the Madison campus. We’re trying to make it easier for companies to work with us. We connect them with the expertise they need, and follow through to make sure their questions are answered and their needs are met.

“We’re also seeing the real connection between successful companies and a healthy economy, which is something we all have a stake in.”

Hoslet and Bob Brennan, the former president of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce who joined the OCR staff as a special consultant in late 2003, have been meeting with Chamber of Commerce executives and business leaders in many Wisconsin communities, making sure they are aware of the university’s commitment to supporting a stronger Wisconsin economy.

“This is an effort we will be building on in the months ahead,” says Brennan. “The reception we’ve received in community after community tells us there is real interest in learning more about how the university can play an even greater role in helping businesses and supporting economic development in Wisconsin.”

In addition to its offices on campus and at University Research Park on the west side of Madison, OCR has established a Web site (www.corprelations.wisc.edu) that provides a menu of services for businesses, and information on how to contact the office.

“This new venture has been welcomed by companies all across Wisconsin and beyond the state as well,” says Hoslet. “As we go forward, we want all parts of the business community to know that they can look to UW–Madison for help. That’s what we’re all about.”