Features
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Mediacom/Raycom Negotiations Part of High-Stakes Industry Dynamic
July 03, 2013
On June 21st, Mediacom Communications Corporation and Raycom Media, Inc., owner of WALB TV, reached agreement on a contract that had been the subject of several messages broadcast to WALB viewers. For weeks, WALB warned Mediacom cable customers they could lose access to the station if an agreement wasn't reached by June 30th, the expiration date of the existing contract.
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Local Residents Called to Contribute to Historic Cancer Research Effort
July 02, 2013
Residents of Valdosta-Lowndes County have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations.
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6 IT Security Issues Every Business Owner Should Know About
July 01, 2013
Hackers. Thieves. Disgruntled employees. These are the folks who keep business owners like you awake at night. So how can you reduce the worry and keep your business locked down and secured? We hear from 3 Nexxtep engineers and managers on what precautions you should take.
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How to Select the Right Name for Your New Business
June 27, 2013
While the right name can make your business popular within a short time, the wrong one can doom your prospects. The right name can create a unique business identity, but the wrong one can mar it, along with your chances of success.
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A New Look for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority
June 26, 2013
With the 2012 opening of three industrial parks with 485 shovel-ready acres, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority began a marketing campaign featuring a new look and feel for the organization. The campaign and property signage includes a new logo for the Industrial Authority and a new slogan – "Building a Ground-Breaking Community."
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Commentary: If Bernanke’s Superman, Then…
June 24, 2013
The U.S. economy is his kryptonite. On the other hand, Al Lewis of MarketWatch apparently believes that Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke is the “Man of Steel”. Darton State College Economics Professor Aaron Johnson examines Ben Bernanke's performance.
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6 Steps to Help You Get Started in Exporting
June 21, 2013
Are you interested in growing your business in a global economy? Today, nearly 96 percent of consumers and over two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power reside outside the United States. Small businesses now constitute 34 percent of total export dollars, and comprise approximately 97.8 percent of all exporters. If you’re considering exporting as a way to expand and grow your business in new markets, where should you start?
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Commentary: Time for Deal on Immigration
June 20, 2013
The remaining political oxygen for a debate leading up to Congress's summer recess will be used to fuel the debate on immigration. While it seems like the "debate" over this issue has gone on forever, it really hasn't. The knowledge that America has a huge number of people living and working here illegally has been with us for decades, and many have used the issue to fuel political campaigns and other talking points. Debate on how to actually fix the problem, however, has been sorely lacking -- until now.
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16th Annual DRUGS DON’T WORK in South Georgia Seminar Addresses Benefits of Random Drug Testing
June 19, 2013
The 16th Annual DRUGS DON’T WORK (DDW) in South Georgia breakfast seminar was held on June 13 at the Drury Inn & Suites. The seminar was sponsored by Peaceway Counseling & Mediation Services and Peaceway DUI School.
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How the IRS Scandal Might Benefit Small Business
June 17, 2013
A few weeks ago, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) admitted that some of its employees improperly subjected to disproportionate scrutiny to conservative groups seeking to set up non-profit status. While you might think that the scandal has little to do with small business, in the strange world of Washington — where everything influences everything else — the scandal has the potential to benefit small business owners in several ways.
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Top Small Business Stories for June
June 14, 2013
Smaller smartphones, cheaper tablets, and Vine for Android — they’re all top stories for small businesses this week. You’ll also learn about a new acquisition by sales and CRM software giant Salesforce.com that adds email marketing and marketing communications to the company’s offerings. As always, the editorial team gives you the news important to small businesses — and puts it into context for what it means to you.
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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.