Features
-
State of Georgia Ports: GPA Adds Cargo, Customers in FY2013
September 16, 2013
In his State of the Port address, Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz reported record cargo volumes, an influx of new business, and more than 1 million square feet of distribution center space leased or developed.
-
GDECD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey Leaving Post to Join Southern Power
September 13, 2013
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that he has nominated U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s chief of staff, Chris Carr, to succeed Chris Cummiskey as the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Cummiskey will join Southern Co. as chief commercial officer of Southern Power.
-
Doug Robinson: Great Salespeople Aren’t Born…They’re Good Storytellers
September 11, 2013
When your employees sell your products and services, do they jump into a presentation of nuts and bolts to explain how it works, or do they tell success stories?
-
Nexxtep Hosts 4th Annual Partner Conference
September 10, 2013
State Senator Tim Golden will discuss the recent Invest Georgia legislation and other upcoming legislation that will impact business owners in South Georgia at Nexxtep's fourth annual Partner Conference on Thursday, September 12th at the Rainwater Conference Center. Nexxtep holds the conference each year for its clients and regional business leaders.
-
Why, When, What and How to Outsource Tasks
September 09, 2013
Is it a good idea for a small business to outsource some tasks? Contrary to what many small business entrepreneurs think, it is often a great idea to outsource certain tasks to others. But, before you make any decisions to outsource, here are a few things you need to think about.
-
Commentary: Georgia's Senate Race: Who'll Win?
September 06, 2013
Who’s going to win? It doesn’t matter the race really. The question is almost the political equivalent of commenting on the weather. It is an entry into picking the brains of other politicos to compare notes and strategies for an upcoming campaign season. And yet, for this election cycle in Georgia, it is the wrong question at this time.
-
VSU’s SIFE celebrates 20 Years of Changing Lives
September 05, 2013
Twenty years ago, Dr. Wayne Plumly recruited nine students to begin Valdosta State University’s chapter of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). At the time, Plumly had no idea that this group would grow into an organization of more than 150 students, competing annually for national championships.
-
Artesian Contracting Supports Georgia's Military Bases
September 04, 2013
For the past 25 years, Artesian Contracting has renovated, remediated and improved base facilities at military installations across Georgia. The firm is based in Albany near the Marine Corps Logistics Base and also has satellite offices at Moody AFB and Robins AFB. Approximately 80 percent of the firm's work is in Georgia and government projects represent about 75 percent of its completed projects.
-
Learn How To Acquire New Businesses: Review of Successful Acquisitions
September 03, 2013
Business acquisitions are announced in the Wall Street Journal almost everyday and are glamourized in movies such as Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.” But most small business are not public. So most owners only have imagined what an acquisition process entails — or they just have cliched Gordon Gekko quotes to go on.
-
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.