Features
-
Three Ways to Cut Costs for Your Small Business
May 13, 2014
Even with the economy on the rise, it’s general good practice to keep a check on your business costs and see if there’s any room for improvement when it comes to savings. As the old adage goes, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Here are a few ways you might be able to cut costs and save your small business some money in the long run.
-
President McKinney Presents State of Valdosta State Address
May 12, 2014
As Valdosta State University concludes another academic year, President William J. McKinney presented the State of Valdosta State address to faculty, staff, students, and members of the community..
-
What's Happening With Your IRA? Stacy Bush Says Time for a Checkup
May 09, 2014
Given changes in tax laws that have occurred during the past few years, a retirement readiness review could be a good idea if you have an individual retirement account (IRA).
-
Georgia's Tourism Industry Impact Hits Record High With $53.6B
May 08, 2014
Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced Thursday that tourism demand generated $53.6 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact in 2013, up 4.5 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.
-
Self Employment Continues to Decline, Despite the Recovery
May 07, 2014
The recently released Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (KIEA) shows that pace of entry into self-employment declined last year. The media has put a positive slant on the news. Because many people go into business for themselves out of necessity when the economy is doing poorly and they have few employment alternatives, this decline is okay, the reporters say. It means that the jobs market is doing better.
-
Curt Fowler on How GE Uses Lean Innovation
May 06, 2014
Lean innovation is not just for startups. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article by Brad Powers, GE is implementing lean innovation principles into its appliance division as it attempts to prove that it can bring manufacturing back to the US and compete successfully.
-
Top Stories: Minimum Wage Increase Defeated, Internet Explorer Fixed
May 05, 2014
Top stories for small business owners this week involved the fate of a contentious minimum wage bill and the repair of a major Web security issue. The Small Business Trends editorial team has you covered with this important news and more. Just follow our roundup.
-
Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series Returns Next Week to Downtown Valdosta
May 02, 2014
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 5 through Friday, May 9.
-
SunTrust Finds Business Leaders Rank Companies Stronger Than Economy
May 01, 2014
Business owners and top decision-makers are more optimistic about their own businesses in 2014 than they are about the overall U.S. economy, according to an annual survey sponsored by SunTrust Banks, Inc.
-
Talk to the Hand, Cause the Face Ain’t Listenin’
May 01, 2014
When I was in the fourth grade, I had a crush on Jill. It was a one-sided relationship, but as Valentine’s Day came closer I decided the best way to wow her was to walk to Lintner’s Drugstore and buy her a heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates. It took about 6 weeks allowance to be able to afford that purchase, but to me Jill was worth it.
-
AT&T Commits to Georgia’s Future
April 30, 2014
AT&T made a significant investment in both serving Georgia customers and employing more Georgians in 2013 through the communication company’s Project Velocity IP. Georgia CEO spoke to AT&T Media Relations Manager Ann Elsas on the impact AT&T is having on the state.
-
Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition Accepting Applications
April 28, 2014
The 2015 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition will be accepting applications for the opportunity to win $10,000 in start-up capital until Friday, June 13.
-
5 Possible Outcomes in Franchise Ownership
April 25, 2014
It always helps to have a goal or two in mind when pursuing something big, like becoming the owner of a franchise business – any business. Do you have a specific goal in mind? Do you have your “end game” visualized? Have you thought about some of the possible outcomes? Or, are you thinking about becoming the owner of a franchise business just to escape a lousy career-related situation? We look at some possible long-term outcomes that can happen as the result of becoming the owner of a franchise business.
-
Research Shows How Retirees Strengthen Georgia’s Economy
April 24, 2014
The State of Georgia can bolster its economy by attracting more retirees, according to new research from the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.
-
Batson-Cook Construction: Building Partnerships First
April 23, 2014
From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century in West Point, Ga., Batson-Cook Construction has always operated on the philosophy of building relationships with clients and partnerships with its owners, architects and subcontractors on every building project.
-
Alarion Bank Agrees to Merge with HeritageBank of the South
April 22, 2014
HeritageBank of the South, the banking subsidiary of Heritage Financial Group, Inc., and Alarion Bank, the banking subsidiary of Alarion Financial Services, Inc. today jointly announced a merger in which Alarion Bank will merge with and into HeritageBank, and Heritage will acquire all of the common stock of Alarion in a stock transaction valued at approximately $22.1 million.
-
U.S. Rep. Austin Scott Announces New Possibility for Moody
April 21, 2014
The South Georgia Military Affairs Council hosted U.S. Representative Austin Scott for a press conference at the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber on Thursday to discuss Moody Air Force Base.
-
Strengthening Your Small Business With Subcontractors
April 18, 2014
Dealing with the ebb and flow of workloads can be challenging for small businesses. How do you address those extra busy times without adding regular employees? And what happens when things slow down again Subcontractors can often help provide a great solution. Below are some benefits of using subcontractors and considerations for bringing subcontractors on board.
-
Q&A with Georgia DOL’s Business Service Unit Director
April 17, 2014
As the Georgia Department of Labor approaches the first anniversary of their Business Service Unit, we chatted with Director Linda Manis about their progress in year one and what lies ahead for the BSU.
-
How Do You Optimize Your Facebook And Twitter Accounts?
April 16, 2014
Whether you need to promote your brand, share event pictures, connect with your clients or create a buzz, social media marketing is a necessity and not an option any more. An optimized social media profile shows your strong social media presence. But how do you elevate your social media profile to establish a strong connection with your fans? Let’s explore two of the most popular social media platforms and how you can optimize them.
-
Curt Fowler: The #1, Best Exercise To Do With Your Team
April 14, 2014
One of the hardest things about building trust in work environments is that there can always be ulterior motives to any good deed we do. We need each other at work. So, how can we do good for someone at work without expecting anything in return?
-
On the Job with Saft's Fred Hapiak – Manufacturing Appreciation Week
April 14, 2014
This week is Georgia’s 20th annual Manufacturing Appreciation Week. Developed by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to recognize nearly 9500 manufacturing facilities located in Georgia providing jobs for approximately 350,000 Georgians.
-
How Do You Feel About Raising the Minimum Wage?
April 11, 2014
President Obama’s efforts to encourage Congress to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 have received a lot of press. The Small Business Majority polled (PDF) small business owners to see how they feel about this controversial issue and found that—well, actually, they found that there’s a lot less controversy than the news media might lead you to expect.
-
Mercer University Beats Duke; Prepares for Continued Growth
April 10, 2014
The past few years have been all about growth for Mercer University—especially in the medical sector--with a continued effort to double the number of medical students by adding more programs for aspiring medical professionals, such as their Ph.D. in Clinical Medical Psychology degree and a four-year program added at the Savannah campus. The Mercer Health Sciences Center, which opened in 2012, is another piece to help "address the shortage of healthcare access in our region," President Underwood says.
-
Valdosta Celebrates Georgia Cities Week, April 13-19
April 10, 2014
The City of Valdosta will join other cities across Georgia in celebrating Georgia Cities Week, April 13-19, to recognize the many services city governments provide and their contribution to a better quality of life in Georgia. The theme this year is “Georgia Cities: People, Place, Purpose.”