Features
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Stacy Bush Answers: How Secure Is Social Security?
June 13, 2013
If you're retired or close to retiring, then you've probably got nothing to worry about--your Social Security benefits will likely be paid to you in the amount you've planned on (at least that's what most of the politicians say). But what about the rest of us? Stacy Bush shares some insight.
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CJB Industries' Manufacturing Expertise Boosts Local Economy
June 12, 2013
With three locations in Valdosta, CJB Industries, Inc. brings valuable manufacturing expertise to the area that helps build a strong, balanced local economy. Founded in 1997, the company provides chemical manufacturing services including formulating, processing, filling and packaging liquids and solid products for customers in the agricultural, automotive, industrial and other industries.
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The Internship: A Lighthearted Movie About Google and The Changing Business World
June 11, 2013
”The Internship‘ is a new movie that follows two laid-off salesmen as they attempt to start over in their careers through an unpaid internship at Google. It comes across as a feel-good movie with special relevance for anyone interested in the inside workings of Google.
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Your Attitude in Life Determines Your Altitude in Life
June 10, 2013
Your attitude is how you look at life and the way it looks back at you. Doug Robinson this month relates a story to the sales process, and gives a take away to help you and your team share the same outlook and optimism.
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Dr. Tina Anderson to be the Next President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
June 07, 2013
Commissioner Ron Jackson informed the state board that oversees the Technical College System of Georgia that Dr. Tina Anderson, who is currently the president of Moultrie Technical College, is his choice to become the next president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College in Valdosta.
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Commentary: Why Japan’s Currency Devaluation Is Worrisome
June 06, 2013
Japan has been in an economic funk since the 1990s. It was at that time that many speculated that they would overtake the U.S. as the global economic superpower, rather than China. However, a poorly regulated financial system led to a housing crisis that they have yet to recover from.
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Franchise Ownership: When Can You Expect The Payoff?
June 05, 2013
In most cases, the payoff is not instant. Once in a while, it comes faster than expected but, on average, not fast enough. And, in a few rare occasions, it never happens. I’d like for you to avoid that.
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7 Tips for Your Business or Lawn Sign
June 03, 2013
Do you have a retail storefront? Are you a contractor that is supplying services at someones house or place of business? You should be using a business sign, like a sandwich board or a lawn sign, to draw in traffic or build awareness for you business. Signage is an excellent way to help generate sales leads for your company. We visit 7 tips that will help you generate a higher percentage of sales leads thru signage.
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How Would Your Hospitality Rate?
May 31, 2013
Your brand goes far beyond a name and logo. It is your entire image and the way you are perceived. It’s your reputation, and the emotions and attitudes that are associated with everything you do and all that you stand for. Rita Suiter with FiveStar Customer Service Strategies gives some ideas and examples on how to make sure your hospitality exceeds your customers expectations.
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How to Use Knowledge to Connect to Your Customer
May 29, 2013
Knowledge is dead. Have you heard this? Any question can be answered with a quick web search. We don’t have to know anything, we can Google it. Well, I’m here with good news for you. Knowledge isn’t dead. Knowledge isn’t even sick. What knowledge is, however, is fundamentally misunderstood.
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CooperCraft Communication Continues Growth With Select-Tel Merger
May 28, 2013
On May 23rd, CooperCraft Communications, which specializes in the installation and upgrades of security systems, telecommunication systems and cabling infrastructure, completed a merger with network specialists, Select-Tel Systems. The combined company, called CooperCraft Communications, has approximately 45 employees and offices in Albany and Tifton.
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Lt. Gov. Cagle and Sen. Golden Honored at Small Business Breakfast
May 24, 2013
Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Senator Tim Golden were honored Thursday as the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber’s 2013 “Champions of Business” during the Small Business Breakfast at the Rainwater Conference Center inValdosta.
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U.S. Entrepreneurship Rates Reach Highest Level In More Than A Decade
May 23, 2013
U.S. entrepreneurship rates climbed to the highest level in more than a decade according to the 2012 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor U.S. Report by Babson College and Baruch College. In 2012, the average Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity rate increased to nearly 13 percent, an all-time high since GEM first began tracking entrepreneurship rates in 1999.
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Commentary: Let’s Amend, Not End, Capitalism
May 22, 2013
The United States prides itself as being the “land of opportunity”. With the U.S. being a favored destination for immigrants across the world, that distinction still has merit. However, there are disturbing trends where many are questioning the value of capitalism due to its contribution to income inequality. Even so, we must acknowledge the role that capitalism played in lifting not only Americans out of poverty and into prosperity.
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Facing the Firing Squad: Speaking Before a Group
May 20, 2013
Jerry Seinfeld once said, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Does that seem right? That means to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” If you make your living as a salesperson, you will eventually reach the place where you need to speak before groups, either in boardrooms or ballrooms. So let’s wake up and smell the coffee in preparation for that fateful day.
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Checking Email at Night, on Weekends & Holidays the New Norm for U.S. Workforce
May 17, 2013
The conventional, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., five-day work week is a thing of the past for the overwhelming majority of workers at small to mid-sized businesses, according to a new survey on work-related email habits. Due to the widespread availability and use of smartphones and tablets, email is more accessible than ever and, as a result, it has become deeply embedded in the daily workplace and personal lives of most employees.
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Stacy Bush on Key Estate Planning Documents You Need
May 16, 2013
Valdosta Financial Advisor Stacy Bush shares information on the five estate planning documents you need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth.
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Lake Louise Improvements Create More Research Opportunities for VSU
May 15, 2013
Valdosta State University students with an interest in biology or environmental geosciences now have access to more hands-on research and learning with the recent improvements totaling $230,000 to the Lake Louise Field Station.
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What If the U.S. Economy Operated Like NFL?
May 14, 2013
On one hand, we have the U.S. economy where President Obama and Congress draft laws and regulations to oversee economic activity. Then there is the National Football League (NFL) and the English Premier League (EPL), who each have administrations that develop policies and rules to regulate their respective brands of football or ‘futbol’, as known by my soccer aficionados. When looking at the U.S. economy, one could argue that the U.S. government has more closely reflected EPL over the last couple of decades, rather than the NFL. Is that ideal or should they look to the NFL as a better model for governance?
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First State Bank Assumes Deposits of Valdosta Branch of Sunrise Bank
May 13, 2013
On Friday, the FDIC closed Sunrise Bank, and selected Synovus to assume the $54M in Deposits of the branches in Valdosta, Atlanta, and Jeffersonville.
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4 R’s Boost Engagement: Respect, Respond, Relate, Recognize
May 10, 2013
So much of our success in business and life depends on our ability to be a “people person” and our likeability factor. We spend a great deal of time interacting and dealing with people in person and equally online now. Not everyone is a people person, or cut out to be a social butterfly. But it is an important skill that impacts our success.
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Governor Deal Inks Ethics Overhaul Aimed at Lobbyists
May 08, 2013
Gov. Nathan Deal signed two pieces of ethics legislation Monday that will bolster Georgians’ confidence in their state government.
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Wiregrass Working to Help Local Industries Close the Skills Gap
May 07, 2013
A recent survey on hiring trends reports that 33 percent of employers have unfilled job openings due to a lack of a qualified workforce. That workforce they are looking for is one with the knowledge of a skilled trade. And yet, there are fewer and fewer people seeking training in a skilled trade field. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is looking for ways to reverse this trend and to provide a skilled workforce in the areas of skilled trades.
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How to Build Employee Engagement: Open-Plan Offices
May 06, 2013
With the latest unemployment numbers showing that U.S. businesses are steadily adding new jobs and the Dow Jones breaking records, the economic outlook in much of the country is brighter than it’s been in years. As a small business owner, it’s essential to take advantage of these economic indicators to expand your operations and keep your business growing. And study after study shows that, by simply increasing employee engagement, business owners can improve nearly every area of their performance.
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How To Set Up and Structure Multiple Businesses
May 03, 2013
Today’s small business owners often earn income through a variety of ventures. For example, a restaurateur may open a wine shop or a caterer may also double as a part-time copy editor. If you’re running multiple business projects, you’ve probably wondered what’s the best way to structure all these ventures. Should you form one corporation to cover them all? Should you form an LLC for each one?