February 2013 Features

  • 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.

  • Albany Economic Outlook: Local Economy Stable, Still Facing Challenges

    February 26, 2013

    When reviewing the economic prospects for the Albany area in 2013, they can be described as stable, but highly susceptible to market shocks. Darton College Economics Professor Aaron Johnson digs deeper and gives some insight into Albany's economy for the coming year.

  • 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.

  • Albany SBDC Offers GrowSmart Program for Area Business Leaders

    February 21, 2013

    From March 7 to April 19, the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Albany will offer GrowSmart, a program for business owners and senior managers that provides tools and strategies to meet the needs of growing businesses. It's the third year that the Albany SBDC has offered GrowSmart.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Scott Hunter on Understanding the Fiduciary Role for Retirement Plans

    February 14, 2013

    Serving as a trustee of an Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)-sponsored retirement plan or as part of an investment committee that acts as a fiduciary is an important responsibility. Wells Fargo Advisor Scott Hunter answers the important questions regarding Fiduciary Role.

  • CTSI Outsourcing Partners with Clients on IT Support

    February 12, 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.

  • USPS Rate Increases, No Saturday Delivery Could Lead to Changes for Many Small Businesses

    February 11, 2013

    The United States Postal Service recently enacted some higher shipping rates for both domestic and international mail. It has also offered some new rules and shipping options that might have an impact on the way many small businesses send mail and shipments, on top of the just announced no mail delivery for Saturday.

  • Doug Robinson on How to Start Dreaming Again in Business

    February 07, 2013

    Albany CEO Contributor, sales trainer, and author Doug Robinson has another excerpt to share from his book “ Sell is NOT a Four Letter Word”. Just for grins and giggles, stop thinking with your brain and start thinking with your heart... right now. Whether you call this using your imagination or just dreaming, this is the inspiration for winning, and can show measurable results in just 30 days!

  • Build a Better Albany: Aaron Blair’s Plan for Downtown Revitalization and Albany’s Future

    February 05, 2013

    Albany business leaders aren’t the only ones asking these questions. A quick Internet search reveals dozens of mid-size cities and small towns working to attract and retain this important group of people. Aaron Blair, Albany’s Downtown Manager, says large companies need qualified people to be successful and that need has created a business trend seen throughout the United States. Today, corporations increasingly follow the young professional.

  • Delegate and Know When to Let Go of Business Operations

    February 04, 2013

    As a business owner, you are the parent of your company. Planning for the business, getting it off the ground, and making sure it survives and thrives is taxing, time-consuming, and can be incredibly rewarding. Once the business begins thriving on its own, you need to delegate those responsibilities to other employees so that you can focus on higher-level tasks and because, frankly, you are probably not the best person for every job.

  • Commentary: South Georgia's Diminishing Political Clout

    February 01, 2013

    South Georgia remains an integral and important part of the state, from the largest portion of the state’s economy (agriculture) to the thriving and growing ports. Yet, politically, change has come rapidly to the region.