Features
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Technical Colleges to Expand Science and Technology Focus
September 26, 2012
This story is one in a series of stories on the state of education in and around Valdosta. In this story, Dr. Ray Perren, president of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) shares his views on the future of technical colleges and the initiatives under way at WGTC.
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Georgia TV & Movie Productions Generate $3.1B in FY2012
September 25, 2012
The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that Georgia-lensed productions generated an economic impact of $3.1 billion in the state during FY12, a 29% increase from FY11.
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Big Bank Lending Drops While Small Bank Lending Increases
September 24, 2012
Small companies pursuing capital during the month of August found mixed results from lenders. In a month where the overall volume of loan applications increased by 4.3%, my company’s Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index, a monthly analysis of 1,000 loan applications, revealed that approval rates increased at small banks and alternative lenders, but big banks and credit union approvals dropped in August 2012.
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Social Media Tips for Small Business
September 21, 2012
You’ve recently setup the obligatory Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ profile pages for your small business and you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” If you’re new to the game and wondering what to do next, we share 5 social media tips to send you and your business off in the right direction to achieve social media success:
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SunTrust Global Trade Forum: Cordele Inland Port Provides Another Boost for Area
September 20, 2012
In the second part of this two-part series, you’ll hear from Bruce C. Drennan, Executive Director, Cordele Crips Industrial Development Council. Mr. Brennan is responsible for much of the vision behind Cordele’s inland port and their amazing movement into global trade.
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SunTrust Global Trade Forum: How Global Trade & Strategic Ports Bring Economic Gain to Georgia
September 19, 2012
In part one of a two part series, regional business leaders gather for the SunTrust Bank Global Trade Forum. Local experts discuss the importance of global trade and answer the question, “How will state ports bring economic gain to Georgia?
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Chamber Fights for Business in D.C.
September 18, 2012
The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber Government Affairs Council traveled to the U.S. Capitol last week to advocate for federal issues that impact the Valdosta-Lowndes County business community.
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How To Train Your Team And Make It Connect
September 17, 2012
Staff training is an on going part of business. You can’t just toss people in and expect them to swim. That works for a hand full of all-stars, but if you want to increase the success rate and the consistency in how the team does what it does, then effective training is important.
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Project Management For Profit
September 14, 2012
The book "Project Management For Profit: A Failsafe Guide to Keeping Projects On Track and On Budget" is making a timely appearance in business culture today. Moreover, authors Joe Knight, Roger Thomas, and Brad Angus know it, as they note that the future has arrived and why projects are the result.
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Rising Labor Costs Not the Sole Factor Influencing Potential U.S. Manufacturing Resurgence
September 13, 2012
Consensus views on a U.S. manufacturing resurgence have largely centered on rising labor costs in markets such as China as the key driver of re-shoring back to the U.S. However, a new report reveals that while rising labor costs are part of the story, a range of factors—could drive a sustained manufacturing renaissance in the U.S. beyond any cyclical recovery, potentially improving investment, employment, production output and research & development (R&D).
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Valdosta Shared Office Space Nurtures Area Start-Ups
September 12, 2012
Economizing on operating expenses and maximizing flexibility are critical for new business start-ups. Choosing to lease from a shared office space provider can mean more flexible lease terms that include many amenities. Gino Fina, owner of Valdosta Shared Office Space, shares his story.
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Valdosta State Continues to be Growing Economic Force
September 11, 2012
Valdosta State University continues to be a major economic contributor for the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), with more than $451.2 million generated through direct spending and the multiplier effect in 2010-11.
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Budgeting From The Ground Up: This Budget Actually Means Something
September 10, 2012
Most small businesses seem to have a strong dislike for budgeting. The feeling is that budgets are just a time wasting distraction from the things that really need to get done. You probably have similar feelings toward budgeting. And you’re right. Budgeting is a waste of time if you do it the way most small business owners do it.
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Business Owners and Their Succession Plans
September 07, 2012
Many business owners find their wealth is mostly tied up in their businesses, which provides well for them and their families. When it comes to protecting their business, however, business owners often have not quantified how they would replace their income when the time comes for them to exit or sell their business and retire.
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VSU Student Creates Textbook Trading Platform for Students
September 06, 2012
Valdosta State University international business student Jebidiah Light has created a trading platform for students to buy and sell their used textbooks online. Established in 2011, Jebbles.com is accessible to students who attend colleges and universities throughout the nation. Through the site, a student can identify the institution he or she attends and find used textbooks that are for sale by other students.
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Azalea Health Innovations Brings Cloud-Based Technologies to South Georgia
September 05, 2012
Digital patient records hold the promise of improved quality of care and lower health care costs. Rules published by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Healthcare IT require that hospitals, clinics and private physician offices be able to share patient information electronically with other unaffiliated facilities by 2016 or be faced with lower Medicare reimbursement money and face penalties.
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LinkedIn: The Professional Playground For Professional Connections
September 04, 2012
There are so many tangible examples of how online networking, especially LinkedIn can, has and does open doors and connections, not only for me but many others I know who are using it with very good results. Very good results come from not only understanding how it works technically, but why it works. LinkedIn is a professional platform — not a social platform. That’s important to know so you use it right and get the best results.
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Increased Approvals of Small Business Loans by Big Banks Are a Good Sign for Entrepreneurs
August 31, 2012
Lending at big banks (classified as banks with $10B+ in assets) are rising, thanks to increased activity by mid-sized institutions within this category. This is welcome, positive news for small business owners.
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Health Care Reform: Deadlines Every Georgia Employer Needs to Know
August 29, 2012
In the wake of the Health Care reform, many employers are experiencing anxiety over how the Health Care reform will impact their individual businesses, whether it is confusion over compliance requirements or uncertainty as to how the reform will affect their costs. Valdosta Attorney with Coleman Talley Emily Macheski-Preston shares some deadlines every employer needs to know.
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The Terms of Business: How to Negotiate a Partnership Agreement
August 27, 2012
Finding a partner who wants to play ball with you seems like a difficult task, but when you take a look at the process, it’s negotiating the terms of a partnership agreement that requires true business savvy. Like Ben Hogan’s legendary golf swing, follow-through is the key, consistent element to make sure the terms of partnership are mutually beneficial.
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Ask Yourself These Questions Before Going for Funding
August 24, 2012
Need extra cash to move your business forward? Maybe you want to hire new people, buy a building, expand your inventory, or take your business to the next level, whatever that may be. Word on the street is that banks have money to lend. We look at five questions you should consider before you begin the funding process:
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Advanced Manufacturing Training Now Available Through Wiregrass Georgia Tech
August 22, 2012
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has been named an exclusive regional provider for Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Controller training. The next closest training sites are in Tampa, Fla. and Charlotte, N.C. WGTC can also help businesses realize state-tax savings through retraining tax credits. The state program offers tax credits for businesses implementing new technologies or equipment that require worker training.
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The Value In Sales Reports
August 20, 2012
When you are a sales rep who works for a large company, you have a sales manager. That sales manager most likely has you filling out reports on your activity. And if you are like most sales reps, you probably dislike this process and think it is busy work.
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7 Ways to Foster Loyalty in the Consumer
August 17, 2012
Building relationships takes time but growing and maintaining them long term takes perseverance, energy and purpose. We live in seriously disposable times. People outgrow their use for things and each other, sadly rather quickly. So how do you build a long term following, loyalty, and community? How do you win in the minds of the consumer?
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SunTrust Sees Strong Deposit Growth in South Georgia
August 15, 2012
Within SunTrust Bank, the southern Georgia region is at the top of the company in new deposit growth, according to Jay Montgomery, President of SunTrust Bank, South Georgia. Deposit growth has come mostly from new clients, primarily small businesses and municipalities.