Features
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Commentary: Immigration Enhances Local Economies
April 04, 2013
Immigration is a divisive topic. Whenever a new segment of workers enter the market, it causes apprehension and distrust. While Arizona, Georgia, and Alabama are passing laws to restrict immigration, cities like St. Louis are openly courting immigrants in order to stem a steady loss of population.
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Decisiveness: Three Steps To Making a Decision
April 03, 2013
Making a decision can be tough, especially when it’s a business decision. You face an almost infinite range of things that you could be doing in your business at any particular moment.
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VSU Presidential Inauguration This Week Celebrating "Engaged Innovation"
April 01, 2013
Steeped in academic tradition, the official inauguration of a university president is an opportunity for an institution to celebrate its history and chart a new course for its future. The the theme of “Engaged Innovation,” events are scheduled for April 1-6, 2013. The formal investiture ceremony of Dr. William J. McKinney will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, April 5 on the Front Lawn of West Hall. University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank M. Huckaby will administer the symbolic conferring of authority to McKinney as VSU’s ninth president.
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Top Honors Presented at Annual Chamber Choice Awards Ceremony
March 29, 2013
Approximately 400 business professionals and community members gathered Thursday evening at the Rainwater Conference Center for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber’s 4th annual Chamber Choice Awards, presented by Citizens Community Bank, to recognize outstanding businesses and professionals from 2012.
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Film & Music Day at the Capitol Spotlights Industry's Impact on Georgia
March 28, 2013
The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today celebrated the 40th anniversary of film and television productions in Georgia during Film & Music Day at the Capitol. Gov. Nathan Deal, Speaker David Ralston and Rep. Ron Stephens headlined the celebration, an annual recognition of the film and music industry’s importance to Georgia’s economy.
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Founders of Fresh Beginnings/eLEAD1ONE Win BIG Thinker Award, Plan For Expansion
March 27, 2013
On March 21, Judy and Hugh Hathcock of Fresh Beginnings, Inc./eLEAD1ONE were awarded the BIG Thinker Award by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber presents the award each year to a self-made, visionary and successful entrepreneur who cares and gives back to his or her community.
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Mayor and Council Address Recent Wastewater Issues
March 25, 2013
The Valdosta Mayor and City Council are committed to providing quality municipal services that meet the expectations of the citizens of Valdosta. Recently, citizens have been inundated with information about the current state of the city’s wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system, as well as the decisions made during the recent flood event.
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The Smallest Businesses Face the Biggest Cyber Risks
March 22, 2013
While many of us long for the days when people had real-life conversations rather than truncated text chats, the reality is that the Internet is here to stay. And in the Internet Age, data is king. As a small business owner, you collect customer data every day. And if you’re using the Internet, that data – along with all of your company’s sensitive information – is vulnerable to attacks.
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The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia Fights Cancer Here at Home
March 21, 2013
Cancer is at home in South Georgia. In many counties in the region, the incidence rate of cancer is higher than both the state average and the U.S. average. The Cancer Coalition of South Georgia is the only local collaborative cancer organization focused on preventing cancer and increasing survival among the people of South Georgia.
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Stacy Bush on Teaching Your Children Basic Financial Education
March 14, 2013
Even before your children can count, they already know something about money: it's what you have to give the ice cream man to get a cone, or put in the slot to ride the rocket ship at the grocery store. So, as soon as your children begin to handle money, start teaching them how to handle it wisely.
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JL Concepts Gets Creative With Promotional Products
March 13, 2013
"Having a good product or service won't get you anywhere if customers don't know your name." According to Joyce Aigen, MAS, owner of JL Concepts, successful business owners and managers know the power of having their name out there.
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VSU Students Make Valuable Investments at Financial Trading Center
March 12, 2013
Valdosta State University's Financial Trading Center, located in Thaxton Hall on North Campus, is the only one on a university campus in the state that allows students to use real money for trading. It is also one of a few trading centers located in the southern region of the United States. There, students learn the language of investing money smarter.
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4 Lessons The Shifting Legal Sector Can Teach Small Business Owners
March 11, 2013
There was a recent report highlighting the fact that the legal sector will never return to its pre-recession heyday. The report was jointly produced by the Center for the Study of the Legal Profession at Georgetown University Law Center and Thomson Reuters Peer Monitor.
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Finding the Right Sustainability Initiatives for Your Business
March 08, 2013
It’s easy to feel intimidated with sustainability. Once you address the basics—installing energy-efficient light bulbs and stationing recycle bins around the office—you may not know how to proceed. How do you determine which sustainability measures will ultimately pay for themselves and be the best investment for your business?
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Having Trouble Coaching “Sherlock the Sales Rep”?
March 07, 2013
This month local sales trainer and author Doug Robinson offers some comments to help you better manage Sherlock, your omnipresent sales guy. Certainly you are thankful for this senior, albeit anal, member on your sales team. You know who I’m talking about.
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With Perfection Landscape Management Delivers Curb Appeal
March 06, 2013
Most business owners and managers realize that an attractive storefront or office entrance sends an important message to current and prospective customers. According to David Blackwell, owner of With Perfection Landscape Management, that message actually starts at ground level.
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Chamber Presents State Legislative Agenda in Atlanta
March 05, 2013
The Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber Government Affairs Council (GAC) met with state elected officials Wednesday at the Georgia Capitol to discuss current legislation that could potentially impact the business community in Valdosta-Lowndes County.
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Raising The Minimum Wage Will Hurt Job Creation, Research Shows
March 04, 2013
President Obama's State of the Union Address proposal to raise minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $9, with annual increases for inflation, has fired up both sides of the issue with proponents arguing that all workers should earn a good living and opponents saying the increase will cost jobs. Research at Texas A&M University shows that raising the minimum wage will reduce job creation, but not affect employee turnover or layoffs.
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7 Reasons You Should Switch to Google Apps
February 28, 2013
Late last year, Google Apps for Businesseliminated its free version. The reason? Many business users tended to outgrow the basic version too quickly and personal users were left waiting on updated features that had to become business ready before launching. But even with the new price tag, Google remains a viable option for small business.
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CTSI Outsourcing Partners with Clients on IT Support
February 26, 2013
CTSI Outsourcing provides businesses with an IT support team that is familiar with their business, their servers and applications. In the company's IT Timeshare Service, every client is assigned a technician and a back-up technician who visit weekly and are accessible by cell phone at any time.
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Commentary: About These Rumors of Pending Senate Campaign Announcements…
February 25, 2013
Charlie Harper of Peach Pundit dives into the upcoming Georgia Senate race - the rumors, the motivations, and why there hasn't been any official word about who is running for Senator Chambliss' seat in 2014.
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Take a Business Trip Without Missing a Beat on Productivity
February 21, 2013
Ever return from a business trip feeling like you’re five steps behind on everything? (Come on, be honest, I won’t tell). Instead of ending up with a pile of work waiting for you when you get back, check out these productivity tips from my own travels and some my favorite road warriors on how to keep everything from your workouts to your inbox in check.
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Colson Printing Adapts to a Changing Industry
February 20, 2013
New buying trends in the printing industry are driving Colson Printing to launch an extension of its website to enable 24/7 click ‘n print functionality for its clients. Expected to go live in the first half of 2013, the new website capabilities will enable Colson to broaden its market nationally and appeal to locals who prefer to order online.
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Georgia's International Trade Posts Another Record Year
February 19, 2013
The state of Georgia experienced its fourth consecutive record year in international trade during 2012, exceeding the previous year’s milestones in both imports and exports. Georgia’s exports were up 3.2 percent—a $1.1 billion increase—compared to 2011, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics released this month.
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Wiregrass Gathering of Eagles Leadership Symposium Approaching Feb. 21st
February 15, 2013
The annual Wiregrass Gathering of Eagles Business and Leadership Symposium is back. This year’s theme is “Make Your Business Stand Out.” Once again the college is teaming up with premier sponsor Valdosta State University to bring you an outstanding day of learning. The event’s committee members recruited well known national speaker Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation.