Features
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Artesian Contracting Builds Albany
September 04, 2013
Artesian Contracting could be described as a federal, commercial and industrial construction company based in Albany with 80 percent of its business in Georgia, 25 percent in Albany. Co-owner Glenn Singfield Sr. would prefer people think of the firm as a committed community partner.
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Learn How To Acquire New Businesses: Review of Successful Acquisitions
September 03, 2013
Business acquisitions are announced in the Wall Street Journal almost everyday and are glamourized in movies such as Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.” But most small business are not public. So most owners only have imagined what an acquisition process entails — or they just have cliched Gordon Gekko quotes to go on.
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Big Business Tactics Your Businesses Can Use
August 30, 2013
Don’t buy into the idea that as a small business, you’re limited to your personal capabilities. Software is getting more affordable. And DIY is “in” right now in a major way. The lines blur between “big” and “small” business when it comes to tools and techniques like these.
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49% of Workers Do Not Negotiate Job Offers
August 29, 2013
A failure to negotiate a job offer means many workers are leaving money on the table. A new CareerBuilder survey finds that even though 45 percent of employers are willing – and expect – to negotiate salaries for initial job offers, almost half (49 percent) of workers accept the first offer given to them.
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Synovus Exits TARP; SB&T Sharpens Focus on Hometown Businesses
August 28, 2013
On July 26th, Synovus announced its exit from the Troubled Asset Relief Program or TARP, the 2008 federal government program designed to curb the financial crisis. The Columbus, Ga.-based financial services company redeemed $968 million of preferred stock held by the U.S. Treasury. According to Synovus Regional CEO and SB&T CEO Mark Lane, the TARP exit is good news for the company's shareholders and represents a journey to return Synovus to a position of strength.
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Chris Hardy Shares About Upcoming Chamber Membership Campaign
August 26, 2013
The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce (AACoC) sets goals to make our business community a viable and growing entity in southwest Georgia. We include these goals in strategic plans, committee and division reports, board of directors meetings and any other opportunity that presents itself. Often times we are asked, “What does the Chamber do?” My answer to that is “we do the things that most people think just happens.”
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Phoebe Putney Health System Announces Settlement with FTC
August 23, 2013
Phoebe Putney Health System, Inc. announced it and the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County have reached a settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission to address issues stemming from the acquisition of Palmyra Park Hospital. Under the terms of the settlement, the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County will retain ownership of, and Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital will continue to operate, the Phoebe north campus.
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Scott Hunter on Income Strategies for Retirement
August 22, 2013
Will I have enough money in retirement? It’s a question more and more Americans are asking. Baby boomers in particular wonder if they’ll be able to live comfortably and securely when they leave the workaday world. The good news is that you may be able to retire with confidence and enough assets — if you get organized.
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Raymond James Aims to Stand Out at its New Pointe North Location
August 21, 2013
On July 29, the local Raymond James & Associates branch moved into a new office building at 624 Pointe North Blvd. As a single-occupant building, the new location gives Raymond James a higher profile in the community than its previous location on Old Dawson Road.
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What You Need to Know About Business Licenses and Permits
August 20, 2013
If you’re launching a business, you’ve probably already looked into the option of incorporating or forming an LLC for your new company. This act registers your business with the state, and you should be all set to legally operate your business, right? Not so fast. Incorporating or forming an LLC creates a legal entity for your business, but there are most likely other permits and licenses that you’ll need to obtain.
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Georgia Currently 23rd in the Nation for Solar Power
August 16, 2013
Today, Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center released Lighting the Way, a new report highlighting a solar energy boom across the country. The report outlines the twelve states that have made a considerable contribution to the nation’s rise in solar power. Georgia, however, missed the cut and ranks 23rd in the nation for per capita solar installations. But, Georgia should not be written off yet, in the past year the Georgia Public Service Commission has voted to expand Georgia’s solar market by over 700 MW.
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“Jobs” Movie Chronicles the Life of a Creative Entrepreneur
August 15, 2013
Jobs, the indie biopic about Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is set to release tomorrow. The movie chronicles Jobs’s journey from college dropout to successful creative entrepreneur, taking place roughly from 1971 to 1991. Though the movie is specifically about the beginnings of Apple and, more specifically, Jobs’ rise as an innovator, entrepreneurs may find things that will inspire them in their own journey.
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Walker Bros. Heating and Air Conditioning Takes Pride in "Small"
August 13, 2013
According to Grant Walker, Walker Bros. Heating and Air Conditioning Co. takes pride in its family name, its business and in keeping its “small business” operating as efficiently as possible. Grant represents the third generation to work in the family-owned and operated business.
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How Do Your Employee Benefits Stack Up?
August 12, 2013
Are you worried about retaining your key employees as the economy heats up? Or do you need to attract new workers to help with growing demand for your product or service, or to expand your business? In either case, employee benefits are an important factor in whether employees choose to join your company, stay with your business for the long haul or jump ship. How do you know if your employee benefits measure up?
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Doug Robinson: Perfect Practice Makes Perfect
August 09, 2013
Salespeople continually hear the mantra, practice makes perfect, but that’s not really true. As the title above emphasizes, it’s perfect practice that makes perfect, underscoring the fact that not just any practice will do.
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Albany-Dougherty EDC's New Brand Campaign to "Get the Message Out On Albany"
August 07, 2013
On August 1st, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (EDC) began work with Lattimer Communications, a minority-owned advertising agency based in Atlanta, on a new brand campaign for Albany-Dougherty County. The Atlanta office of JWT, a global ad agency, has been working with the Albany-Dougherty EDC on a pro bono basis and recommended Lattimer to research and develop the brand strategy.
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Sheriff Kevin Sproul Talks About "Stand Your Ground"
August 05, 2013
It seems as though everyone has been following the case against George Zimmerman and the shooting death of young Travon Martin. Since that case hit the national airwaves last year, many people have voiced their personal opinions or interpretations of the ”stand your ground” law, I have also crossed paths with several individuals who wanted to know the similarities or differences with Georgia’s “stand your ground” law in comparison to Florida’s law. Georgia is a “stand your ground” state also; and I feel that it is important that everyone has a clear understanding of exactly what rights that allows (and what it does not allow).
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5 Ways Your Business Can Beat the Summer Slump
August 01, 2013
It’s the dog days of summer, and your small business might be starting to feel like a ghost town. Everybody seems to be working shorter days, or on vacation, or just not ready to shift gears from browsing to buying. You may be thinking of throwing in the towel, but your business doesn’t have to suffer from a summer slowdown.
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Society of Human Resource Management Offers Support for Managing Personnel Issues
July 31, 2013
If you're responsible for Human Resources strategic initiatives or personnel issues in your company and would like to meet others who share those responsibilities, then the Southwest Georgia chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Albany might be just the place for you. With 55 active members from local businesses and organizations, the chapter has monthly meetings that feature speakers, panel discussions or round table discussions.
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No Ifs, Ands or Butts: Get Your Employees Fit!
July 29, 2013
Are your employees sitting at their desks all day? If so, chances are they’re not maximizing their productivity—and they could be racking up your health insurance costs. If you’re looking to build a healthier workforce (one that won’t have as many accidents and illnesses, and saves you money on health insurance and workers’ comp), consider ways to make yourself and your team more active at work.
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How Are Your Road Warriors Spending the Company Dime?
July 26, 2013
Concur Analysis of $50 Billion in Business Expenses Reveals Small Business Travelers are More Active on the Road, Resulting in Higher Spend than Enterprise Counterparts.
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Billion Dollar Baby: U.S. Chamber is First to Hit $1B Lobbying Milestone
July 24, 2013
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has made big news with the filing of a simple quarterly report. When the behemoth business trade group reported its lobbying numbers for the second quarter of 2013 on Monday, it set a new record: The Chamber became the first organization to report total lobbying expenditures of more than $1 billion, according to OpenSecrets.org. What has that gotten them? Not as much as they would like.
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LRA Constructors Sees Uptick in Construction Activity
July 23, 2013
Industrial and commercial construction activity in Southwest Georgia became a bit more active in second quarter 2013, according to Jake Reese of LRA Constructors. Business has for the most part remained the same for much of 2012 and early 2013.
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7 Ways Savvy Businesses Use Mobile
July 22, 2013
It’s exciting to see small businesses jumping on the mobile revolution. I think it’s more noticeable with small businesses, because we’ve been conditioned to expect “old style” low tech ways of conducting business from smaller vendors. But today that’s simply no longer true.
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How to Take a Summer Vacation From Your Business
July 19, 2013
Summer is a popular time for Americans to set off to their favorite vacation destinations. But for small business owners, taking time off can lead to missed opportunities and missed income.