August 2012 Features

  • Increased Approvals of Small Business Loans by Big Banks Are a Good Sign for Entrepreneurs

    August 31, 2012

    Lending at big banks (classified as banks with $10B+ in assets) are rising, thanks to increased activity by mid-sized institutions within this category. This is welcome, positive news for small business owners.

  • Health Care Reform: Deadlines Every Georgia Employer Needs to Know

    August 29, 2012

    In the wake of the Health Care reform, many employers are experiencing anxiety over how the Health Care reform will impact their individual businesses, whether it is confusion over compliance requirements or uncertainty as to how the reform will affect their costs. Valdosta Attorney with Coleman Talley Emily Macheski-Preston shares some deadlines every employer needs to know.

  • The Terms of Business: How to Negotiate a Partnership Agreement

    August 27, 2012

    Finding a partner who wants to play ball with you seems like a difficult task, but when you take a look at the process, it’s negotiating the terms of a partnership agreement that requires true business savvy. Like Ben Hogan’s legendary golf swing, follow-through is the key, consistent element to make sure the terms of partnership are mutually beneficial.

  • Ask Yourself These Questions Before Going for Funding

    August 24, 2012

    Need extra cash to move your business forward? Maybe you want to hire new people, buy a building, expand your inventory, or take your business to the next level, whatever that may be. Word on the street is that banks have money to lend. We look at five questions you should consider before you begin the funding process:

  • Advanced Manufacturing Training Now Available Through Wiregrass Georgia Tech

    August 22, 2012

    Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been named an exclusive regional provider for Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controller training. The next closest training sites are in Tampa, Fla. and Charlotte, N.C. WGTC can also help businesses realize state-tax savings through retraining tax credits. The state program offers tax credits for businesses implementing new technologies or equipment that require worker training.

  • The Value In Sales Reports

    August 20, 2012

    When you are a sales rep who works for a large company, you have a sales manager. That sales manager most likely has you filling out reports on your activity. And if you are like most sales reps, you probably dislike this process and think it is busy work.

  • 7 Ways to Foster Loyalty in the Consumer

    August 17, 2012

    Building relationships takes time but growing and maintaining them long term takes perseverance, energy and purpose. We live in seriously disposable times. People outgrow their use for things and each other, sadly rather quickly. So how do you build a long term following, loyalty, and community? How do you win in the minds of the consumer?

  • SunTrust Sees Strong Deposit Growth in South Georgia

    August 15, 2012

    Within SunTrust Bank, the southern Georgia region is at the top of the company in new deposit growth, according to Jay Montgomery, President of SunTrust Bank, South Georgia. Deposit growth has come mostly from new clients, primarily small businesses and municipalities.

  • How Google’s Recent Moves Matter to Business

    August 13, 2012

    We have seen a lot of coverage of the Olympics and now, some tech stories have recently received a lot of coverage as well. The Apple versus Samsung court fight, the Mars rover, and breaking info about the iPhone 5 seemed to have dominated, but one player has been making some headlines that are rather significant - That would be Google.

  • The Days of Not Collecting Internet Sales Tax Could Be Ending

    August 10, 2012

    One of the many benefits of buying online is that often the seller does not collect sales tax on the transaction (unless the seller does business in the consumer’s state). In essence, it’s as if the cost of buying something is lower when no sales tax is collected, especially on big ticket items. This however seems to be coming to an end.

  • Comfort Keepers Specializes in Interactive Care

    August 08, 2012

    Comfort Keepers offers a service that many people may not realize is available: in-home non-medical care that can enable elderly or other individuals to stay in their homes and out of a nursing home or other institutional care setting. Licensed by the state of Georgia in April 2009, the company serves a nine-county area surrounding Valdosta, owned by Scott and Lisa Register.

  • Is Your Retirement Plan Protected?

    August 06, 2012

    Planning for retirement is probably a top priority for you. Do you know how much money you need to retire? Are you concerned that you may outlive your money? Are you concerned about the burden a chronic health care need could have on your family and finances? Your retirement is the dream for you and your family’s future. Proper planning and protection of that dream are crucial to help make it a reality.

  • 10 Things Yoga Teaches Us About Running a Business

    August 03, 2012

    It’s funny where you pull life lessons from, isn’t it? One never would think lessons on running a business will come from a yoga mat. You’d be surprised at the connections.

  • Prince Automotive Group Takes a Small-Town Approach

    August 01, 2012

    Honesty and integrity may not be the first words people generally associate with car dealers, but those are the principles on which John Prince III built Prince Automotive Group. For nearly 50 years, the company has served Tifton and more recently Valdosta, Douglas and Albany through seven dealerships representing numerous automakers including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda and Mazda.