June 2014 Features

  • Education Leaders Schedule Albany-Dougherty Education Summit

    June 30, 2014

    To expand collaborative efforts of K-16 institutions in Albany-Dougherty County, the presidents of Albany State University, Darton State College, Albany Technical College and the Dougherty County School System superintendent, will host the first ever Albany-Dougherty County Education Summit from 6:30 – 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 1at the Monroe Comprehensive High School Cafeteria located at 900 Lippitt Drive.

  • Balance of Social & Economic Strengths is Key to Attracting Talent to Cities

    June 27, 2014

    Today's urban professionals want to live in cities with strong reputations for developing intellectual capital and innovation, as well as high marks for employment prospects and quality of life, according to a new study--Cities of Opportunity 6: We, the urban people--released today by PwC US. The study focuses on urban demographics and includes findings from a global survey of 15,000 PwC staff in 30 cities, providing an in-depth look at what matters most to working professionals in the cities where they live.

  • Aflac-Backed Communicorp Gives Customers FORTUNE 500 Stability

    June 26, 2014

    The seeds of Communicorp, Inc. started over fifty years ago as a vehicle to provide Aflac headquarters and field force offices with business cards, letterhead, and brochures. The concept quickly grew to an internal print shop chartered in 1981 to the Georgia-based corporation it is today with locations in Columbus and Atlanta, with a presence throughout Georgia.

  • Darton Receives Reaffirmation of Accreditation

    June 25, 2014

    Darton State College announced that it has received notification from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaffirming the institution’s accreditation for another 10 years.

  • Georgia Ranked 10th Friendliest State for Small Businesses in Nationwide Survey

    June 24, 2014

    Thumbtack.com, in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, today released new data showing that Georgia has won praise as one of the top ten states for small businesses. Jon Lieber, Chief Economist of Thumbtack.com, said “Creating a business climate that is welcoming to small, dynamic businesses is more important than ever, and Georgia's friendliness towards small business is helping to make that happen.”

  • The 5 Game Changing Benefits of Networking

    June 23, 2014

    We live, work and play in two worlds today – in person and online. They are equally important, inter-dependent and mutually beneficial. The importance of consistent, qualified, dedicated networking can never be stressed enough as a requirement, not an option today.

  • The Role of Entrepreneurship in Rising Income Inequality

    June 20, 2014

    Income inequality is growing in America, and it has much of the chattering class in an uproar.

  • 13 Best Practices for Building Solid Small Business Operations

    June 19, 2014

    Running and scaling a business will always be challenging. But having a solid foundation of smoothly operating practices underlying your company can make it much easier. To find out how successful entrepreneurs were building their operations, we asked 13 founders from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question: “As a business owner, what do you feel is most important when it comes to building solid small business operations?”

  • Business is on the Move at Albany Travel

    June 18, 2014

    People are on the move again, according to Cheryl Haley of Albany Travel Agency, shedding the cautious stance they took during the recession. And they are moving back to traditional travel agencies from online agencies. As a result, Albany Travel is experiencing strong volume in 2014.

  • 5 Ways to Boost Your Retail Sales This Summer

    June 18, 2014

    For many retailers, summer isn’t exactly the high season. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a bust. With summer about to go into full swing, have you thought about how you’ll boost business for your retail store this season?

  • Al Newton on the Personal Liability of an Executor for the Decedent's Taxes

    June 16, 2014

    A recent ruling of a Maryland federal court, although ultimately containing facts not sympathetic to the defendants, highlights the minefield of risks facing a personal representative appointed to settle the estate of a loved one. Attorney Al Newton with Watson Spence gives us some commentary on the matter.

  • 4 Steps to Facing the Challenge in Strategy

    June 13, 2014

    Strategy is a way through a difficulty, an approach to overcoming an obstacle, a response to a challenge. If the challenge is not defined, it is difficult or impossible to overcome it.

  • Blanchard Leadership Forum Brings Big Names to Georgia

    June 12, 2014

    The Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum consistently hosts some of the biggest names in business during this annual event on August 25th and 26th, and this year’s event lives up to its expectations. The 2014 line-up is headlined by Entrepreneur Mark Cuban and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.

  • Wayne Jones Joins Clear Channel Media & Entertainment in Albany

    June 11, 2014

    Since joining Clear Channel Media and Entertainment in Albany in early April as general sales manager, Wayne Jones has been learning the ropes of a new market, new company and new community. He moved here from a larger market, Dallas, Texas, where he worked for a much smaller, privately held company.

  • Is the USDOJ Trying to Shut Down Businesses it Doesn’t Like?

    June 09, 2014

    What if government officials suddenly decided they didn’t like your business? Then they went to your bank and warned them you were a bad risk and that the government had its eye on you? Suppose the government brought so much pressure to bear that before long, your bank closed down your account or refused to open new ones in your name or the name of your business. Apparently, this is exactly what is happening with the U.S. Department of Justice initiative called “Operation Choke Point.”

  • Justin Strickland Approved as ADEDC President

    June 06, 2014

    The Board of Directors of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission approved interim president Justin Strickland as the agency’s permanent chief.

  • Deductions, Tax Credits, & Government Subsidies for Health Care

    June 05, 2014

    What does it all mean? Judging from comments on previous items, there is much confusion about this terminology and how it impacts health coverage for small business owners.

  • 9 Things You Shouldn’t Overlook When Planning Your Next Event

    June 04, 2014

    Business events are a great way to build relationships with potential partners, meet investors and network. But making sure your event goes well requires a lot of forethought and planning. There’s nothing worse than a lousy event. From location to food, there’s much to consider when picking the perfect venue for your event.

  • Georgia Manufacturing Activity Continues Growth in May

    June 03, 2014

    Georgia manufacturing activity remained strong for May, even as new orders fell from its high April reading, according to the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released today by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.

  • SASCO Chemical Receives Presidential Award for Exports

    June 02, 2014

    U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today presented SASCO Chemical Group with the President’s “E” Award for Exports at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The “E” Awards are the highest recognition any U.S. entity may receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.