Features
-
5 Effective Positioning Techniques for the Non-Salesy Entrepreneur
June 02, 2015
It just happened again. Someone asked you about your business and once again, you didn’t have a compelling answer for them. We’ve all been there.
-
Curt Fowler on What is Good Strategy?
June 01, 2015
This series of posts is a primer on business strategy inspired by Richard Rumelt's book titled "Good Strategy / Bad Strategy" combined with my personal experiences. This series will give you a solid knowledge base so you can set a good strategy for your organization and avoid the bad strategies that plague far too many organizations today.
-
2016 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition is in Full Swing, Applicants Welcome
May 26, 2015
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber is calling all qualified small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to apply for the 2016 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition.
-
Q&A With GDEcD Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Kevin Langston
May 22, 2015
In the second of our series with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, deputy commissioner for tourism division Kevin Langston discusses growing agritourism, the film industry in the state, traveler demographics, and his love of economic development.
-
Citizens Graduate from Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation
May 20, 2015
Twenty-six local citizens graduated from the 6th annual Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation, at a ceremony on May 11th. The six-week program, an initiative of the Valdosta Mayor and City Council, attracted one high school student and her mother, a few married couples and college students, educators, bankers, clergy and citizens from other walks of life who wanted to learn more about the programs and services of their city government.
-
VSU, Southern Crescent Tech Form Pathways Program Partnership
May 19, 2015
Valdosta State University signed articulation agreements with Southern Crescent Technical College on Monday, simplifying student transition between the two institutions of higher education.
-
Wiregrass Foundation Hosted Fifth Annual Corks and Forks Fundraiser
May 14, 2015
April came to a close with the fifth annual Corks and Forks fundraiser for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. In partnership with the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, over 100 guests enjoyed the food and wine pairing along with the Spring into Art exhibition.
-
DCA Visits Valdosta for Board Meeting & Community Tour
May 13, 2015
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs will visit the City of Valdosta on May 13-14 to hold their quarterly board meeting. The two-day visit will bring in approximately 31 community-building board members and staff professionals to conduct the business of the board.
-
Leadership Training vs Leadership Development - Is There a Difference?
May 13, 2015
In the past 10 years, The Leadership Institute at Columbus State has worked with more than 80 organizations and thousands of individuals in leadership development/training. Along the way, we found something important that we really weren’t looking for; we discovered an important distinction between leadership training and leadership development. Rather than being a semantic debate, this distinction is a paradigm changer.
-
Chamber Choice Awards Puts Spotlight on Community Leaders, Businesses
May 11, 2015
Valdosta business community gathered for the 6th Annual Chamber Choice Awards Thursdaynight at the Rainwater Conference Center. The event spotlights the city’s best and brightest, with awards given in five categories: Small Business of the Year, Members’ Choice, Young Professional of the Year, Ambassador of the Year and the BIG Thinker.
-
Ed Farley: Do You Have The Right Customers?
May 08, 2015
The phrase…”the customer is always right” may be wrong. One of the biggest challenges for business is to determine who their customers should be. Too often we do not realize that may of our customers cost us profit.
-
Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series Returns
May 07, 2015
The popular lunch-time concert series is back! The Main Street Office will host the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series in Downtown Valdosta, Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15.
-
Nexxtep Awards Second Second Annual Scholarship to VSU CIS Student
May 06, 2015
Nexxtep and Valdosta State University recently partnered to recognize senior Christopher Rich as this year’s recipient of the Nexxtep Scholarship for Outstanding Student in Computer Information Systems.
-
Georgia's Tourism Industry Generated Record Impact of $57.1B
May 05, 2015
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism division announced that the state’s tourism industry generated $57.1 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact in 2014, up 6.7 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. The tourism industry supports employment across many industry sectors, employing an estimated 425,000 Georgians statewide.
-
Winners in the Workplace Breakfast Promises to Ignite Your Morning
May 01, 2015
A free breakfast is always good, but a free breakfast with a motivational message is even better. The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber along with sponsors First State Bank and Trust, Fresh Beginnings and ELEAD1ONE are hosting the Winners in the Workplace breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5th at the Rainwater Conference Center.
-
SGMC Hosts Regional Conference for Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Nursing
April 30, 2015
South Georgia Medical Center’s Dasher Memorial Heart Center will host a regional conference for Georgia emergency medical services and emergency nursing professionals on May 20-21 at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College.
-
Tickle Your Funny Bone: 20 Desk Toys for the Office
April 29, 2015
-
Stacy Bush Discusses 529 College Savings Plans
April 27, 2015
Section 529 college savings plans are tax-advantaged college savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for college today. Much like the way 401(k) plans changed the world of retirement savings a few decades ago, 529 college savings plans have changed the world of college savings. Valdosta's Stacy Bush of Bush Wealth Management goes through the 529 plan and its advantages.
-
AGL Resources Moves the Natural Gas Industry and the Economy Forward
April 23, 2015
Hank Linginfelter, Executive Vice President, Distribution Operations, articulates with ease the activities of AGL Resources, headquartered in Atlanta since 1856. “Every year we’re running pipes to new areas of the state. We want to serve customers reliably and safely. We want to keep costs low,” he says.
-
Curt Fowler on More Time in Meetings, Less Time at Work
April 22, 2015
How could you possibly spend one more minute in meetings and get more accomplished in your work? Here’s how meetings allow you to accomplish more in less time.
-
Valdosta Celebrates Georgia Cities Week
April 20, 2015
The City of Valdosta will join other cities across Georgia in celebrating Georgia Cities Week, April 19-25, to recognize the many services city governments provide for the quality of life of citizens. The theme this year is “Destination Downtown”and will feature how Valdosta Main Street is a gathering spot for people throughout our region and an economic development hot spot.
-
Wiregrass Foundation Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign with $50,000 Endowment Gift
April 17, 2015
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Foundation South got a jump start on its annual fundraising campaign with a very generous gift of $50,000 from a special friend of the college, Clarence Smith.
-
New Chamber Director of Business Development Cachet Prescott Discusses Helping Businesses Succeed
April 16, 2015
Helping business owners find entrepreneurial success is Cachet Prescott’s passion. As the new director of Business Development for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, the Bridgeport, Conn., native is excited to help current, and future business owners achieve success.
-
Q&A With GDEcD Director of Global Commerce Annie Baxter
April 14, 2015
In the first of a monthly series with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Director of Global Commerce for Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Annie Baxter discusses important transportation projects, innovations in logistics, and the economic development climate in Georgia.
-
Are Your Employees Getting Enough Sleep? (And if Not, Why Do You Care?)
April 13, 2015
It’s no secret to any harried entrepreneur that getting too little sleep has plenty of ill effects. But did you ever stop to think about the effect lack of sleep might be having on your employees. And, by extension, how that could be affecting your business?