August 2012 Features

  • Sheriff Kevin Sproul Shares Tips to Guard Against Financial Deception Against Seniors

    August 31, 2012

    Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul talks about how in the last year year, the Investigation Division has seen a rise in the number cases involving fraud or financial deception against senior adults, along with a nationwide increase. He shares some tips to protect yourself and your senior love ones against financial theft.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • Drawdy Roofing Finds Success Despite Recession

    August 22, 2012

    Drawdy Roofing realized some of its highest revenues during the recent recession, booking more than $20 million in roofing sales alone over the past five years. Owner and Leesburg, Ga. resident Ken Drawdy attributes the success to the company's strong reputation.

  • This Is How We Do It: 7 Things You Can Learn from Sam Shugart & the Georgia Throwdown

    August 20, 2012

    When Sam Shugart speaks about Georgia Throwdown he sounds like an evangelist. He has a message. He believes it. He wants you to believe it too. He isn’t sure about every detail - after all this is the first time a music festival on this scale has come to Albany - but the organizer is confident about his vision.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • How Google’s Recent Moves Matter to Business

    August 13, 2012

    We have seen a lot of coverage of the Olympics and now, some tech stories have recently received a lot of coverage as well. The Apple versus Samsung court fight, the Mars rover, and breaking info about the iPhone 5 seemed to have dominated, but one player has been making some headlines that are rather significant - That would be Google.

  • The Days of Not Collecting Internet Sales Tax Could Be Ending

    August 10, 2012

    One of the many benefits of buying online is that often the seller does not collect sales tax on the transaction (unless the seller does business in the consumer’s state). In essence, it’s as if the cost of buying something is lower when no sales tax is collected, especially on big ticket items. This however seems to be coming to an end.

  • Hardy Sets Priorities for Albany Area Chamber of Commerce

    August 08, 2012

    Leadership development, membership engagement and public relations have emerged as top priorities for Chris Hardy in his first three months as president and chief operating officer of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce. Hardy spent much of his time since he began work on April 30 meeting with members and staff to get their feedback on the Chamber's effectiveness.

  • Is Your Retirement Plan Protected?

    August 06, 2012

    Planning for retirement is probably a top priority for you. Do you know how much money you need to retire? Are you concerned that you may outlive your money? Are you concerned about the burden a chronic health care need could have on your family and finances? Your retirement is the dream for you and your family’s future. Proper planning and protection of that dream are crucial to help make it a reality.

  • 10 Things Yoga Teaches Us About Running a Business

    August 03, 2012

    It’s funny where you pull life lessons from, isn’t it? One never would think lessons on running a business will come from a yoga mat. You’d be surprised at the connections.

  • Equinox Seeks the Best Opportunities for Growth

    August 01, 2012

    Mark Grimaldi, president of Equinox Chemicals LLC, advises local business leaders to "look outside of the local market for growth." The strategy has worked well for Equinox, which is on pace to double its sales for the third year in a row.