Features
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Merrill Lynch Scorecard Shows Productivity Tied to Employees’ Financial Well-Being
July 17, 2014
Merrill Lynch recently released their 401(k) Wellness Scorecard for the second quarter, with results showing a positive increase in financial habits from plan participants. We spoke with James Wallace and Deborah Howard, Managing Directors – Wealth Management, Global Corporate & Institutional Advisory Services, to get their take on the results of the scorecard and why more companies need to become invested in the financial well-being of their employees.
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There's Only One Albany Campaign Launches Today
July 14, 2014
Expect to see a familiar faces talking about the good things in Albany, as the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission launches its There's Only One Albany marketing campaign today.
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Women Who Make A Difference: BJ Fletcher
July 11, 2014
Albany CEO and Mom's Morning Coffee have partnered together to spotlight women in Albany and the Southwest Georgia Community that are making a difference in the area. This week we look at businesswoman and commissioner BJ Fletcher.
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3 Classic Recipes in Case Your Brand Ever Gets Grilled
July 10, 2014
Yes, it’s true. The Paula Deen Network is launching in September. The celebrity cook, whose career was nearly burnt, is cooking up something new – and digital. Just in case your brand ever gets grilled, we look at three fast and easy tips inspired by the digital rebranding of Paula Deen.
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Adams Exterminators Helps Keep Albany Pest-Free
July 08, 2014
From dehumidifiers to backyard mosquito treatments, Adams Exterminators offers the latest in pest control services. Established in 1971, the business serves all of southwest Georgia with employees across the region. It’s a family-owned and operated business run by Jeff Sinyard and his sons Bridges and Stuart.
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Do Customers Buy Because of Your Core Values?
July 07, 2014
As we've discussed in previous posts, customers buy brands and they pay more for brands that they want to be associated with. But, it's not just your logo and advertising that creates your brand.
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15 LinkedIn Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid
July 02, 2014
Are you a B2B professional who wants to make a standout impression with your expertise and build your personal brand? Want to meet and engage with other quality professionals in your industry? Want to stay up to date on interesting information shared by peers in your field? Then LinkedIn is the professional party you should attend when it comes to your social media mix.
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Sheriff Kevin Sproul: Thoughts for the Fourth of July
July 01, 2014
As the July 4th Holidays approach, Dougherty County Sheriff Sproul offers a few thoughts in this months "Sheriff Speaks."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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?”
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.