September 2012 Features

  • Where Do Franchisors Make Their Money?

    September 28, 2012

    I have a challenge for you, if you’re up to it. Ignore every pre-conceived notion you have about franchising for a few minutes. Pretend that it’s your first time learning about the franchise model. Be at one with the newness of it. Here we explore the world of franchising and how to profit from it.

  • Technical Colleges to Expand Science and Technology Focus

    September 26, 2012

    This story is one in a series of stories on the state of education in and around Valdosta. In this story, Dr. Ray Perren, president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) shares his views on the future of technical colleges and the initiatives under way at WGTC.

  • Georgia TV & Movie Productions Generate $3.1B in FY2012

    September 25, 2012

    The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that Georgia-lensed productions generated an economic impact of $3.1 billion in the state during FY12, a 29% increase from FY11.

  • Big Bank Lending Drops While Small Bank Lending Increases

    September 24, 2012

    Small companies pursuing capital during the month of August found mixed results from lenders. In a month where the overall volume of loan applications increased by 4.3%, my company’s Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index, a monthly analysis of 1,000 loan applications, revealed that approval rates increased at small banks and alternative lenders, but big banks and credit union approvals dropped in August 2012.

  • Social Media Tips for Small Business

    September 21, 2012

    You’ve recently setup the obligatory Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ profile pages for your small business and you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” If you’re new to the game and wondering what to do next, we share 5 social media tips to send you and your business off in the right direction to achieve social media success:

  • SunTrust Global Trade Forum: Cordele Inland Port Provides Another Boost for Area

    September 20, 2012

    In the second part of this two-part series, you’ll hear from Bruce C. Drennan, Executive Director, Cordele Crips Industrial Development Council. Mr. Brennan is responsible for much of the vision behind Cordele’s inland port and their amazing movement into global trade.

  • SunTrust Global Trade Forum: How Global Trade & Strategic Ports Bring Economic Gain to Georgia

    September 19, 2012

    In part one of a two part series, regional business leaders gather for the SunTrust Bank Global Trade Forum. Local experts discuss the importance of global trade and answer the question, “How will state ports bring economic gain to Georgia?

  • Chamber Fights for Business in D.C.

    September 18, 2012

    The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber Government Affairs Council traveled to the U.S. Capitol last week to advocate for federal issues that impact the Valdosta-Lowndes County business community.

  • How To Train Your Team And Make It Connect

    September 17, 2012

    Staff training is an on going part of business. You can’t just toss people in and expect them to swim. That works for a hand full of all-stars, but if you want to increase the success rate and the consistency in how the team does what it does, then effective training is important.

  • Project Management For Profit

    September 14, 2012

    The book "Project Management For Profit: A Failsafe Guide to Keeping Projects On Track and On Budget" is making a timely appearance in business culture today. Moreover, authors Joe Knight, Roger Thomas, and Brad Angus know it, as they note that the future has arrived and why projects are the result.

  • Rising Labor Costs Not the Sole Factor Influencing Potential U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence

    September 13, 2012

    Consensus views on a U.S. manufacturing resurgence have largely centered on rising labor costs in markets such as China as the key driver of re-shoring back to the U.S. However, a new report reveals that while rising labor costs are part of the story, a range of factors—could drive a sustained manufacturing renaissance in the U.S. beyond any cyclical recovery, potentially improving investment, employment, production output and research & development (R&D).

  • Valdosta Shared Office Space Nurtures Area Start-Ups

    September 12, 2012

    Economizing on operating expenses and maximizing flexibility are critical for new business start-ups. Choosing to lease from a shared office space provider can mean more flexible lease terms that include many amenities. Gino Fina, owner of Valdosta Shared Office Space, shares his story.

  • Valdosta State Continues to be Growing Economic Force

    September 11, 2012

    Valdosta State University continues to be a major economic contributor for the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), with more than $451.2 million generated through direct spending and the multiplier effect in 2010-11.

  • Budgeting From The Ground Up: This Budget Actually Means Something

    September 10, 2012

    Most small businesses seem to have a strong dislike for budgeting. The feeling is that budgets are just a time wasting distraction from the things that really need to get done. You probably have similar feelings toward budgeting. And you’re right. Budgeting is a waste of time if you do it the way most small business owners do it.

  • Business Owners and Their Succession Plans

    September 07, 2012

    Many business owners find their wealth is mostly tied up in their businesses, which provides well for them and their families. When it comes to protecting their business, however, business owners often have not quantified how they would replace their income when the time comes for them to exit or sell their business and retire.

  • VSU Student Creates Textbook Trading Platform for Students

    September 06, 2012

    Valdosta State University international business student Jebidiah Light has created a trading platform for students to buy and sell their used textbooks online. Established in 2011, Jebbles.com is accessible to students who attend colleges and universities throughout the nation. Through the site, a student can identify the institution he or she attends and find used textbooks that are for sale by other students.

  • Azalea Health Innovations Brings Cloud-Based Technologies to South Georgia

    September 05, 2012

    Digital patient records hold the promise of improved quality of care and lower health care costs. Rules published by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Healthcare IT require that hospitals, clinics and private physician offices be able to share patient information electronically with other unaffiliated facilities by 2016 or be faced with lower Medicare reimbursement money and face penalties.

  • LinkedIn: The Professional Playground For Professional Connections

    September 04, 2012

    There are so many tangible examples of how online networking, especially LinkedIn can, has and does open doors and connections, not only for me but many others I know who are using it with very good results. Very good results come from not only understanding how it works technically, but why it works. LinkedIn is a professional platform — not a social platform. That’s important to know so you use it right and get the best results.