Features

• University of Georgia Offers Accelerated JD and MBA Program 

  July 20, 2016

  To help meet the growing demand for lawyers with business acumen, the University of Georgia now provides an opportunity for students to graduate with both a law degree (JD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in only three years.

• 4 Ways to Capitalize on Consumers’ Desire to Support Local Business

  July 18, 2016

  Good news for small retailers (and, indeed, for all small businesses): Consumers prefer local businesses to national chains, according to a new study by GoDigital. How can you capitalize on this preference, and more effectively market your retail store to local customers in a way that appeals to their natural preference for shopping local? Here’s what the report had to say.

• Chehaw: Nature’s Playground in Albany

  July 11, 2016

  Get outside and enjoy nature’s playground in Albany. Dedicated to affordable family adventure, Chehaw is a rare gem among today’s modern attractions, and it truly ranks high among Georgia’s “can’t-miss-this” list. The main event is an amazing zoo experience, but Chehaw’s adventure doesn’t end there. The park also features overnight accommodations, an 18-basket disc golf course, and over 10 miles of mountain biking trails.

• Aaron Johnson: Georgia Must Brace Itself for Brexit

  July 07, 2016

  On Thursday, June 23rd, the United Kingdom voted to rescind their membership to the European Union. News media has commonly referred to this as Brexit, meaning that the UK will be exiting the EU. Predictably, global markets reacted unfavorably as this act will create uncertainty that will impact the flow of goods and services throughout Europe. However, should Georgia economic officials be concerned?

• Sheriff Kevin Sproul: Educate Rather Than Incarcerate

  July 06, 2016

  My law enforcement career spans over more than three decades. During that time, I have witnessed many people turn their lives around. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed many people who seem to be stuck in a dreadful cycle of bad choices, followed by jail and prison. In fact, the last recidivism study conducted at the jail showed that over 76% of the inmates had been in jail at least three times. We needed to find out why.

• Communicorp: Key Benefits of Innovative Fulfillment Solutions

  June 30, 2016

  Finding creative ways to manage all of your marketing assets can be a challenge for any organization. Most marketers have various tools they only use for consumer engagement initiatives, and an entirely different suite of solutions for employee activities. Over time, marketers realize these materials must be continuously created, printed, packaged and stored in an organized way to facilitate access upon request, or to quickly ship when needed. Fortunately, there are innovative fulfillment solutions available in the marketplace to help address this pressing need.

• Luke Flatt Installed as Board Member of the Georgia Bankers Association

  June 28, 2016

  James L. (Luke) Flatt, president and CEO of AB&T National Bank, Albany, has been elected by his peers to serve a two year term as an At Large member on the board of directors of the Georgia Bankers Association.

• Colony Bank Opens Unique Office in Historic Tifton Location

  June 22, 2016

  Tifton is known in most circles as a rural South Georgia town, but Bill Marsh, Market President for the Tifton-based Colony Bank office, says the town sees a lot of activity. “Tifton is a great community,” he adds. “We have the advantage of having two major highways, US 82 and I-75, running through the town so it brings a lot of activity nearby, but it still has that small town feel. We’re known as a friendly city with a very diverse community and economy.”

• 10 Tips for Better Internal and External Business Communication

  June 22, 2016

  Communication is an essential part of running a business. You need to be able to communicate effectively with members of your own team and those outside of your business. Members of the small business community have plenty of knowledge to share about effective communication. Check out some of their top tips below.

• Growth of Family Residency Programs Benefits the Health of SWGA

  June 21, 2016

  On July 1st, three new physician residents will be the first to train with both Phoebe Family Medicine Residency and Colquitt Regional Medical Center in a collaborative effort to fulfill a critical need to bring more physicians to Southwest Georgia.

• Self-Quiz: What Kind of Business Risk Taker Are You?

  June 16, 2016

  Few endeavors — scaling Mt. Everest or swimming with sharks might qualify — demand greater courage than the act of starting (or running) a small business. And with courage comes the willingness to take risks. Whether borrowing money to grow your business, launching a new product or hiring more employees — accepting risk and protecting yourself with liability insurance is critical to business success.

• Regional Leadership Application Process Open for Locate South GeorgiaLEADS

  June 14, 2016

  Locate South Georgia announces the launch of its 21-county regional leadership development program for South Georgia with applications for participation going out June 4. A partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development at the University of Georgia, Locate South GeorgiaLEADS is the result of an 18-month strategic planning process looking at challenges, priorities and gaps in leadership across the region.

• Communicorp: Make it Personal with Innovative Print Solutions (SECONDARY)

  June 13, 2016

  There’s no denying that we live in a digital world that is always competing for our attention – from downloading the latest app to watching videos and engaging in online chat sessions. While many of these digital platforms have infiltrated the marketing industry, some experts advise us to retain the power of traditional print to help you make a creative impact in the marketplace.

• SunTrust Survey Indicates Growth in Small and Middle-Market Businesses

  June 09, 2016

  A recent national survey indicated a significant shift in how middle market and small businesses view expansion in the next five years. The Business Pulse Survey, which is conducted annually by SunTrust Bank, states that 36 percent of middle market companies with annual revenues of $10 – 150 million are exploring mergers and acquisitions, up from 25 percent in 2015.

• Watson Spence: U.S. Department of Labor Makes Major Modification to the FLSA "White Collar Exemption"

  June 08, 2016

  "In the first year, the Department estimates that 4.6 million workers exempt under the current regulations who earn at least the current weekly salary level of $455 but less than the proposed salary level of $921 would, without some intervening action by their employers, become newly entitled to overtime protection under the FLSA."

• 9 Ways You May Be Missing Opportunities to Build Your Brand

  June 02, 2016

  Chances are that your business has a logo, or at least an awesome name for which you are working to gain recognition every chance you get. You may already be promoting your business in obvious places like store signage, business cards or print ads, but there are numerous other fun and unique ways you can help build credibility, recognition and a connection with your desired customers:

• Communicorp: Simply Manage Your Creative Assets Using OnDemand Technologies

  May 25, 2016

  With all of your graphic design elements in place, you may be wondering how to manage these creative assets throughout your entire organization. Well, technology is a great solution to your dilemma. To help you understand the various solutions that come into play and how they work, let’s walk through a real-world scenario.

• Are Exhausted Employees Destroying Your Business?

  May 24, 2016

  Very few entrepreneurs get enough sleep, and the “sleep shortage” is affecting employees too. Seven out of 10 workers in a recent survey (PDF) by Accountemps/Robert Half report they are frequently tired on the job — which could be putting your business at risk.

• Southwest Georgia District Extension Director Embraces New Job

  May 23, 2016

  Tim Varnedore’s 28-year experience working in University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, not to mention his youth as a 4-H’er spent on his family’s farm, has prepared him for his newest Extension position: Southwest District director.

• Synovus Launches “Here Matters” Community Outreach Program

  May 19, 2016

  Synovus has introduced Here Matters, the company’s refreshed community outreach program for the 28 locally-branded banks it operates across its five-state footprint. Here Matters will focus Synovus’ and its team members’ outreach efforts on three areas of local community service: education, needs-based opportunities, and health and wellness.

• Lt. Gov. Cagle Launches Georgia Consortium for Advanced Technical Training

  May 17, 2016

  Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle launched the Georgia Consortium of Advanced Technical Training (GA CATT) Program, the first of its kind in the United States, with the Central Educational Center, Coweta County’s College and Career Academy. Beginning in the 10th grade, high school students will now have the opportunity to complete their education with a high school diploma, German apprenticeship certificate and an associate degree in Industrial Mechanics through West Georgia Technical College.

• Georgia 2030: The Chamber's GPS Device to Reach State's Business and Economic Future

  May 16, 2016

  A hundred years ago, the then-newly formed Georgia Chamber of Commerce wisely initiated a road map with the intention of planning the future of business in the Peach State. Today, one year into the second century of the Chamber, President and CEO, Chris Clark and the Chamber Board are instead utilizing modern GPS tracking and other digital tools to explore and research emerging commerce trends, needs and resources for Georgia’s future. This initiative is entitled “Georgia 2030.”

• Phoebe Putney Health System Generates $1.2 Billion for Local and State Economy

  May 04, 2016

  Phoebe Putney Health System generated more than $1.2 billion in revenue for the local and state economy in 2014 according to a recent report by the Georgia Hospital Association, the state’s largest hospital trade association. The report also found that, during the same period, the health system provided nearly $60 million in community benefit while supporting over 10,000 full-time jobs throughout Southwest Georgia and across the state.

• Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Celebrates “Small Business Week” in Big Way with Entire Community

  May 02, 2016

  Many diverse groups and individuals in Georgia may celebrate later this week on the fifth of May, but the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce “Celebrate Small Business Week” festivities will run the entire week through Thursday, climaxing that evening with naming the winner of the “Small Business of the Year” at a Cinco de Mayo fiesta.

• Polymer Solutions Group Acquires Sasco Chemical Group, Inc.

  April 29, 2016

  Arsenal Capital Partners announced Thursday that its specialty polymers and additives platform, Polymer Solutions Group, acquired Sasco Chemical Group, Inc., a manufacturer of specialty chemicals for the rubber, wood, consumer and medical industries.

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