Features
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Voters to Decide T-SPLOST Referendum
July 11, 2012
On July 31, Georgia voters will decide if investments in the transportation infrastructure within their region of the state justify a new one-cent sales tax. The Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, known as T-SPLOST, would be used to fund a defined list of projects in each of 12 regions and provide discretionary funds to local governments for transportation purposes including maintenance, operations or other capital projects.
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Small Businesses Pay More For Health Care Coverage
July 09, 2012
In a 2009 study by the White House, small businesses pay 18% more in premiums for health coverage than their big box competitors per employee. As a small business owner are you surprised by this statistic? Of course you’re not. Small business owners have been living the health benefit nightmare for many years now, perpetually caught between a rock and health coverage.
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The Number One Reason Employees Stay in a Small Business, According to Employers
July 03, 2012
If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve invested a sizable chunk of your company’s time and money into recruiting, onboarding, and training employees. But the question on the minds of small business owners like me is, what exactly does it take to attract and retain good employees today? And can small employers compete with large employers able to offer bigger financial packages?
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It’s Half-Time!
July 02, 2012
Congratulations. You’ve made it through the first half of 2012 and I’m sure you are more than 50% complete on all the goals you set for 2012…right? If you are like me you might be surprised to find out that the year is half way done! Curt Fowler examines some ways for you to help see your goals through the rest of 2012.
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Have You Reinvented Your Business Lately?
June 29, 2012
What has it taken to keep your small business thriving—or even just surviving—for the past four years since the U.S. economy crashed? For my business, it’s been an ongoing process of reinvention.
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Experiencing Valdosta Thru the Valdosta Tourism Authority
June 27, 2012
Residents may think they know all there is to do in and around Valdosta but Tyra Howard, director of tourism at the Valdosta Tourism Authority., says there is much more.
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Measuring Your Financial Progress
June 25, 2012
Many times people measure their financial progress by how much money they make, the things they acquire, or their ability to pay off debt. Although all three of these measures can contribute to a person’s financial progress, none is an accurate measure to actually determine if progress is truly being made.
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U.S. Presidential Candidates And Their Small Business Records
June 22, 2012
Focus on small business has been growing more intense as the U.S. Presidential election heats up, with each candidate stressing what they can do for the that sector. But attention to small business in U.S. policy and abroad seems heightened, too. Here’s a look at the debate over the kinds of policies that affect small businesses the most.
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How to Use Background Checks When Making Hiring Decisions Without Discriminating Under the EEOC’s New Guidelines
June 20, 2012
Many employers use some sort of criminal background check or screening before hiring new employees. On April 25, 2012, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidelines regarding the use of criminal background checks in hiring decisions.
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Love Works at Wild Adventures Theme Park
June 18, 2012
Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta will host a special guest on Wednesday, June 20 – Joel Manby, president and chief executive officer of Herschend Family Entertainment, the owner and operator of the theme park. Manby is promoting his newly published book titled "Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders," which details the HFE framework for leadership.
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7 Ways to Make Your Small Business Stand Out Online
June 15, 2012
Fighting for mindshare in a crowded market? You’ve been fighting against your local competitors for years, trying to convince customers that your business can better serve them and that you meet their needs better than that other guy. But then the Web and social media came along and now it feels harder than ever. Whether you’re just starting out or you’d like to increase your presence in your market, we talk about seven tips to help your small business stand out on the Web.
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Southwest Georgia Bank Leverages Full-Service Advantage
June 13, 2012
High unemployment and low economic growth is nothing new in rural southern Georgia, according to President and CEO of Southwest Georgia Bank DeWitt Drew. Yet the bank continues to grow, reaching $320 million in assets and 127 employees in 2012.
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Building a Team of Professionals for Independent Business Owners
June 11, 2012
When was the last time you met with your team of professionals to help you with a key business decision? If you're like many independent business owners, you may be thinking “What team of professionals?” As a business owner, you probably handle the running of the business yourself. Valdosta New York Life Agent Lee McArthur highlights 4 key players to help you as a small business owner.
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Deadline Extended for $15,000 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition
June 08, 2012
The 2012 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition deadline has been extended until Friday, June 15. Aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up companies that have not filed a full year’s tax return may register. This year’s competition winner will receive $15,000 in start-up capital along with in-kind products and services provided by local Chamber members.
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Valdosta State University Receives Funds to Increase College Success
June 06, 2012
To support Governor Nathan Deal’s Complete College Georgia plan, which is designed to produce these additional college graduates, Valdosta State University will receive approximately $2.5 million to develop programs and initiatives that will increase student retention and overall college success.
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Does Flextime Benefit You More Than Your Employees?
June 04, 2012
Are you resisting offering employees at your small business flexible working hours because you think it’ll give them an excuse to slack off? Well, some new research should convince you otherwise. It seems flextime may actually be less flexible than a regular schedule.
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Is it Time to Sell Your Business or Buy a New One?
June 01, 2012
Have you delayed retirement because the recession was preventing you from getting a fair price for the business you worked so hard to build? Have you been contemplating buying another business, but couldn’t find the financing? Small business owners in both of these situations have a lot to be hopeful about.
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Key Employee Protection: Preserving the Life of Your Business
May 30, 2012
As a business owner, you recognize the importance of insuring your building, inventory, and equipment. These assets are vital to the success of your company. But have you considered what would happen if a key employee died unexpectedly or became disabled?
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The “Half of All Workers Don't Pay Taxes” Mantra is Starting to Get Taxing
May 25, 2012
One of my concerns over the past year or so is the continued use of the phrase “half of all workers don't pay taxes.” It's one of those ideas that needs some context, and it's probably not the kind of context you've read about anywhere else.
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Mediacom Delivers Positive First Quarter
May 23, 2012
Mediacom, one of the leading cable operators focused on serving smaller cities and towns in the United States, posted its best first-quarter results in Georgia in four years, according to Mediacom Senior Marketing Manager for Georgia, Melanie Hannasch. Mediacom serves all of southwestern Georgia, passing about 300,000 homes.
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Georgia Ports Support More Than 350,000 Jobs Across State
May 21, 2012
According to the UGA Terry College of Business, Georgia ports now account for 8.3 percent of total state employment, or one out of 12 jobs. The total impact of Georgia’s deepwater ports on the state’s economy was $66.9 billion, or 9.5 percent of Georgia’s output in FY11, and some of those jobs and money flow into South Georgia.
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Small Businesses Drive Job Creation
May 18, 2012
Two and a half years following the end of Great Recession, hiring rates are still very low, but the number of people separating from their jobs -- quitting or being fired -- is even lower. However, Small businesses exhibit job churn at three times the rate of larger businesses.
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New Georgia Legislation Encourages Job Growth in State
May 17, 2012
Georgia citizens should soon see new job opportunities in the state thanks to aggressive measures passed this year by the Georgia legislature. Business-friendly bills signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal will benefit manufacturers, the film industry, technology and other start-up companies, the life sciences sector and businesses large and small in many other industries.
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Celebrating National Small Business Week in Valdosta
May 16, 2012
The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce is celebrating National Small Business Week from May 20 to 26 with a full slate of networking, educational and fun activities for area small business leaders.
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Do You Need a Will?
May 14, 2012
A will is one of the most important documents you can create in your lifetime. Think of a will as the financial blueprint of the distribution of your assets after your death. Lee McArthur of New York Life in Valdosta answers the question: Do You Need a Will?