August 2013 Features

  • Big Business Tactics Your Businesses Can Use

    August 30, 2013

    Don’t buy into the idea that as a small business, you’re limited to your personal capabilities. Software is getting more affordable. And DIY is “in” right now in a major way. The lines blur between “big” and “small” business when it comes to tools and techniques like these.

  • 49% of Workers Do Not Negotiate Job Offers

    August 29, 2013

    A failure to negotiate a job offer means many workers are leaving money on the table. A new CareerBuilder survey finds that even though 45 percent of employers are willing – and expect – to negotiate salaries for initial job offers, almost half (49 percent) of workers accept the first offer given to them.

  • 3 Things Small Businesses Can Learn From Google Product Failures

    August 28, 2013

    People tend to give Google a hard time for trying out so many different products – many of which eventually go to the chopping block. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt is famous for saying “We celebrate our failures.” We discuss three reasons why your small business should celebrate them too.

  • Azalea Health named as one of Georgia’s “Small Business Rock Stars”

    August 27, 2013

    Azalea Health was announced today as a winner of Georgia’s first “Small Business Rock Stars” competition, a new program representing the first-ever collaboration of the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). The program recognizes outstanding, unique and impactful small businesses in the state of Georgia.

  • SGMAC and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston Welcome Col. Franks to Valdosta

    August 26, 2013

    Friday, the South Georgia Military Affairs Council (SGMAC), with special guest U.S. Representative Jack Kingston, hosted a luncheon welcoming Col. Chad Franks to Valdosta as the 23d Wing Commander of Moody Air Force Base. The luncheon, co-hosted by Georgia Power and Colquitt EMC, drew nearly 150 area leaders to the Rainwater Conference Center.

  • President McKinney appointed to Southern Georgia Regional Commission

    August 23, 2013

    Valdosta State University President William J. McKinney has been appointed to serve on the Southern Georgia Regional Commission (SGRC) by Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston.

  • Stacy Bush on Saving for Retirement

    August 22, 2013

    Although most of us recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, few of us embrace the nitty-gritty work involved. With thousands of investment possibilities, complex rules governing retirement plans, and so on, most people don't even know where to begin. Here are some suggestions to help you get started.

  • Community Business & Industry Partnership Tackles Local Workforce Issues

    August 21, 2013

    Finding job-ready new hires; helping proven employees advance, developing middle managers. These were some of the top workforce issues discussed by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Community Business & Industry Partnership in its fall-quarter event with local business and education leaders.

  • What You Need to Know About Business Licenses and Permits

    August 20, 2013

    If you’re launching a business, you’ve probably already looked into the option of incorporating or forming an LLC for your new company. This act registers your business with the state, and you should be all set to legally operate your business, right? Not so fast. Incorporating or forming an LLC creates a legal entity for your business, but there are most likely other permits and licenses that you’ll need to obtain.

  • Georgia Currently 23rd in the Nation for Solar Power

    August 16, 2013

    Today, Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center released Lighting the Way, a new report highlighting a solar energy boom across the country. The report outlines the twelve states that have made a considerable contribution to the nation’s rise in solar power. Georgia, however, missed the cut and ranks 23rd in the nation for per capita solar installations. But, Georgia should not be written off yet, in the past year the Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to expand Georgia’s solar market by over 700 MW.

  • “Jobs” Movie Chronicles the Life of a Creative Entrepreneur

    August 15, 2013

    Jobs, the indie biopic about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is set to release tomorrow. The movie chronicles Jobs’s journey from college dropout to successful creative entrepreneur, taking place roughly from 1971 to 1991. Though the movie is specifically about the beginnings of Apple and, more specifically, Jobs’ rise as an innovator, entrepreneurs may find things that will inspire them in their own journey.

  • Dr. Tina Anderson Takes the Reins at Wiregrass

    August 13, 2013

    On July 1st, Dr. Tina Anderson became president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, after serving as president of Moultrie Technical College for 10 years. In her first month on the job, Anderson has visited the school's four campuses, meeting with faculty and staff. She has also been learning the details of the school's budget and getting ready for the start of the fall semester on August 20.

  • How Do Your Employee Benefits Stack Up?

    August 12, 2013

    Are you worried about retaining your key employees as the economy heats up? Or do you need to attract new workers to help with growing demand for your product or service, or to expand your business? In either case, employee benefits are an important factor in whether employees choose to join your company, stay with your business for the long haul or jump ship. How do you know if your employee benefits measure up?

  • Doug Robinson: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

    August 09, 2013

    Salespeople continually hear the mantra, practice makes perfect, but that’s not really true. As the title above emphasizes, it’s perfect practice that makes perfect, underscoring the fact that not just any practice will do.

  • Starting A Small Business: 7 Deadly Sins

    August 07, 2013

    A small business owner’s life can be a real roller coaster. There’s no road map, and pitfalls lurk around every corner. While making mistakes may be a great way to learn, it’s a lot better to avoid them in the first place.

  • Georgia Manufacturing Falls Below National Index for First Time in 2013

    August 05, 2013

    Georgia manufacturers experienced lower activity for the fourth consecutive month, falling below the national index for July, according to the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released today by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.

  • 5 Ways Your Business Can Beat the Summer Slump

    August 01, 2013

    It’s the dog days of summer, and your small business might be starting to feel like a ghost town. Everybody seems to be working shorter days, or on vacation, or just not ready to shift gears from browsing to buying. You may be thinking of throwing in the towel, but your business doesn’t have to suffer from a summer slowdown.