Features
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How One Decision Can Solve 3 Problems for Your Small Business
February 26, 2012
Small business owners and their HR staffs are all too familiar with the arduous challenges of balancing business and employee needs. Rising costs, particularly related to health care/medical insurance, are central to business concerns.
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Nexxtep Technology Services Helps Local Businesses Decipher Cloud Computing
February 21, 2012
Ryan Williams, Vice President for Nexxtep Technology in Valdosta, talks about the company and its recent growth, and how having an online presence for your business is essential in todays world.
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Let Customers Serve Your Small Business
February 19, 2012
It may sound like the opposite of conventional wisdom, but as businesses strive to serve their customers better, owners should also think about how the customer is the one supporting your business. It’s an interesting perspective to consider.
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International Trade in Georgia Booms in 2011
February 16, 2012
Georgia’s international trade in 2011 continued its upward trajectory of the past several years, with both exports and imports growing in numbers and value, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics released last week. For the first time in Georgia’s history, Asia was the top destination for the state’s exporters.
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Solving the Small Business Credit Mess
February 14, 2012
The U.S. federal government said the Great Recession was over in June 2009. Unfortunately, it’s at least year three and counting of a very difficult economic climate for many people . It’s not just the protesters at Occupy Wall Street or in your local community; it’s every small business owner. Why are they so mad?
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Pros and Cons of Buying A Franchise
February 12, 2012
As with anything in life, there are pros and cons involved and it’s important to consider every aspect of them. In this piece, we’re going to take a look at the pros and cons of buying a franchise as a way of getting into your own business.
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Need to Do More With Less? How Research Can Steer You in the Right Direction
February 09, 2012
Organizations everywhere are being asked to do more with fewer resources. So why is now the ideal time to spend resources on research? With budgets shrinking it is more important than ever to be sure that you are spending your money in the right areas in order to have the most impact.
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Unemployment Rate Drops, Conspiracy Theories Rise, Economy Improves
February 07, 2012
Last Friday’s unemployment report was met with cheers and skepticism, and all because of the annual pre-announced and well-telegraphed statistical adjustments made by the Bureau of Labor Statistics were both large and confusing. Dr. Joe Webb breaks it all down.
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Sixth Annual Leadership Symposium Scheduled at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
February 05, 2012
On March 1st, the sixth annual Gathering of Eagles will be held at Brooks Hall Conference Center on the Valdosta campus of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. This year the Gathering of Eagles is expanding with a special half-day symposium specifically for agricultural leaders scheduled for February 29th.
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Are You Ready to Make the Jump into Small Business Ownership?
February 05, 2012
There are two types of entrepreneurs: those that jump into a new business headfirst, and those that dip their toes in the water. In Making the Jump into Small Business Ownership, authors David Nilssen and Jeff Levy guide readers into the water, so to speak. They dissect what it takes to become a business owner into easy-to-digest chapters peppered with real-world examples.
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You’ve Started A Business: Is Your Brand Protected?
February 02, 2012
Nothing represents your company and brand more than your business name. It’s the cornerstone of your business and shapes everything that follows – from marketing tone to a customer’s first impressions. Have you protected this valuable asset?
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State Seeking Georgia Companies for Upcoming International Trade Missions
January 31, 2012
Do you run a small or medium-sized Georgia business interested in growing its exports? By exhibiting with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, your company can take advantage of reduced exhibit fees, co-branded marketing opportunities, market intelligence, and local business contacts.
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Why Online Reputation Matters to Small Business
January 29, 2012
You’re a small business owner. Most of your customers are the people who live within 25 miles of your storefront. Why does it even matter what the Internet has to say about your brand? That has no impact on your bottom line. Right? No. Dangerously wrong.
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The New Economy and Small Business
January 24, 2012
Things have changed. And judging the landscape that we presently operate on, and have operated on for the last 4-10 years, things will continue to change. That’s the nature of this economy. But the ability to be relevant in a changing economy can work for the savvy business owner.
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11 Tips for Building and Managing a Team
January 22, 2012
If you’ve gotten to the point where you’re hiring employees for your business, give yourself a pat on the back. This is a major milestone for any company – and one that millions of entrepreneurs never achieve. Now your challenge is finding the right employee and putting them to work in a way that will help propel your company’s continued growth.
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The Overwhelmed Small Business Owner’s Guide to Simplicity
January 19, 2012
We have more ideas and responsibilities than we have time in a day. Plus, every piece of success seems to come with new challenges. If being overwhelmed is your issue, then start with one thing at a time.
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5 Trends to Shape Your Business This Year
January 18, 2012
Trendwatching firm, JWTIntelligence, recently released its seventh annual trend forecast, JWT 10 Trends for 2012. Which of the 10 are most likely to affect small business going forward? We share our picks.
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Get Your Business Structure Fit For 2012
January 17, 2012
While well-intentioned Americans focus on getting more physically fit, how fit is your business when it comes to its legal business structure? To help you assess what’s right for your business, here’s a run-down of the most common business structures in the United States.
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3 Ways to Improve Your Mobile Website
January 16, 2012
John Foley, CEO of Grow Socially, talks about the continued rise in mobile website traffic, and gives 3 important ways to improve your mobile website.
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Learn From the Experts: Top Biz Tips for 2012
January 12, 2012
You can learn a lot from small business owners who have been there before you. Sure, every small business is different, but there’s a clear advantage to getting tips from the experts. We’ve gathered some of the best and most varied of this advice for the beginning of 2012.
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One Simple Secret to a More Successful Business
January 11, 2012
Want to make your business more financially successful? A more diverse work force could be the key. A new study found that diversity in the workplace leads to happier workers, which leads, in turn, to greater loyalty and productivity, ultimately enhancing a company’s bottom line.
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Promote Your Business Without Being Pushy
January 10, 2012
Can you promote your business without being pushy? And if so how? With so many people “allergic to the pushy sales person,” understanding the customers needs and having a platform to fill those needs becomes critical.
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Hot or Not: Sales and Marketing Trends in 2012
January 09, 2012
The techniques that are effective to keep and get new customers continues to radically change. In 2012, they will evolve even more. Here is what’s going to be hot (and what’s not) in the year to come.
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How Social Media Helps Your Small Business
January 08, 2012
Social media is just one of the tools that can help you build a successful small business, but it is an important one. In this small business roundup, we look at what a recent survey says about the ability of social media to drive your business.
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More Investment in Your Small Business
December 15, 2011
Small business owners must invest in the businesses they create. This investment may take many forms. It may include cash infusions or simply the way you treat employees. How do you invest in your small business? Our small business roundup has more.