Features

• What You Can Learn from Family Businesses

  January 21, 2014

  For a while, the spread of corporate monopolies seemed destined to wipe out mom-and-pop shops for good. But family businesses demonstrated their resilience during the economic downturn, and now they’re stronger than ever. In fact, family-owned companies make up 90% of U.S. businesses. They are responsible for 80% of new jobs and 60% of all jobs in America.

• Should You Consider an Accountability Partner?

  January 17, 2014

  When people, especially salespeople, are left to their own devices, they lack consistency and succumb to their own emotional performance roller coaster, operating more by default than by design. Hence, consider bringing in an accountability partner.

• No Sign of Real Recovery in Small Business Numbers

  January 15, 2014

  Small-business optimism ended the year slightly up from November at 93.9, but below the previous 3 mid-year readings of over 94 and 6 points below the pre-recession average, according to the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB’s) latest index. On the positive front, reports of capital spending rose significantly in December, increasing by 9 points from November and job creation among NFIB firms was the best since February 2006.

• The Era of Declining Self-Employment

  January 13, 2014

  The number of employed Americans rose from 144,144,000 in October 2013 to 144,775,000 in November 2013, an increase of 631,000, according to Federal government data. That’s good news. More people going back to work is something that everyone – left, right and center – agrees is good for the country.

• Is Your Business a Talent Attractor?

  January 10, 2014

  Only an elite group of businesses earn the title “talent attractor.” What is a talent attractor you may ask? A talent attractor is a company that is best in class when it comes to benefits packaging and delivery. The human resources departments at these companies are more likely to believe that overall employee health is important to workforce productivity.

• 35 of Georgia’s Brightest Come Together as Young Gamechangers

  January 08, 2014

  GeorgiaForward kicks off its second annual Young Gamechangers program on Thursday, January 9th convening 35 of the state’s most promising young leaders in Dublin, with the goal of revisioning the area as a vibrant 21st century community.

• Starting a Business in 2014? Here Is Your Startup Checklist

  January 07, 2014

  Each year, the number of new businesses spikes in January as the start of a new year seems like the most natural time to begin a new venture. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned entrepreneur, run through this startup checklist to better understand the steps needed to make your business legit.

• 2013 Georgia Job Creation Hits Record High

  January 06, 2014

  Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development produced a 10 percent increase in job creation during the state’s most recent fiscal year. Statistics from the department show its 389 company expansion or location announcements generated 31,656 jobs and $6.07 billion in investment. These statistics indicate a continued trend of growth since the state’s 2009 fiscal year.

• Small Business Optimism Sees Slight Bump

  December 17, 2013

  November ushered in the holiday season, but it did not translate into enthusiasm among small-business owners, whose optimism increased, but only slightly—under a point (0.9)—for a total reading of 92.5, according to NFIB’s monthly Index. Of note in November is the positive trend, albeit sluggish reality, of job growth.

• Scott Hunter on What You Should Know About Market Corrections

  December 16, 2013

  There is no way around it – markets generally move in cycles! Although the past is no guarantee of the future, historically, the stock market has spent more time on bullish advances than on bearish retreats – which is why stocks have been considered a good investment over the years – the market also tends to retrench more than the average investor would like to think about.

• Poll: Georgians Concerned About Effects of Obamacare

  December 13, 2013

  Healthcare Georgia Foundation today released the results of a statewide public opinion poll to gauge how Georgians perceive the cost and quality of their healthcare. According to the poll, Georgians rate the quality of healthcare in the state a modest 7.26/10, with ten being excellent and one being poor. Georgians were also surveyed about their perceptions about what the government is doing about healthcare today.

• Economic Forecast: Georgia’s Economy Will Rise More than the National Average Next Year

  December 12, 2013

  Buoyed by rising home prices, smart economic policies and new jobs, Georgia's economy will rise more than the national average next year. That was the message delivered by Charles B. Knapp, interim dean of the Terry College of Business and president emeritus of the University of Georgia, at the Georgia Economic Outlook luncheon held Dec. 11 in Atlanta.

• Don’t Let That Business Plan Collect Dust on a Shelf

  December 10, 2013

  Small business owners rank creating a business plan right up there with writing the dreaded high school term paper, college thesis, and bar exam rolled into one, says Tim Berry.

• Lawmakers To Consider State Level Healthcare Reforms

  December 09, 2013

  With the holiday season upon us, the thoughts of most will turn away from politics and on to things that actually matter. And yet, when the presents have been opened and the calendar turns to 2014, there will be less than 2 weeks before the start of Georgia’s General Assembly session. Thus, while most of us are celebrating and spending time with loved ones, some have already been preparing for what will likely be a short and speedy session of making laws.

• Doug Robinson on “Making Your List and Checking it Twice”

  December 06, 2013

  As your humble monthly contributor, I would like to suggest a great Christmas or holiday gift that would be very relevant and appreciated by your salespeople, customer service reps, or technicians/installers. For ten years, while facilitating workshops and training classes for sales and customer service reps and sales managers, I repeatedly heard many of the participants encourage me to put my thoughts on paper and publish a book. After hearing this mantra regularly for several years, I decided to go for it, and listed, “write a book” on my bucket list.

• Many Americans Leaving Unused Vacation Days on the Table

  December 04, 2013

  Expedia.com, released the results of the 2013 Vacation Deprivation study, an annual analysis of vacation habits among 8,535 employed adults across 24 countries and five continents. Americans are now treating vacations as a luxury rather than a right: Over the past year, typical Americans could have taken 14 days of vacation and took 10, leaving four days on the table, twice as many as the year prior.

• HeritageBank of the South Thrives in Challenged Banking Industry

  December 03, 2013

  Where other banks see challenges, Heritage Financial Group sees opportunities. As interest rates ticked up in 2013 and mortgage-refinancing volumes dropped, big banks such as Bank of America and Wells Fargo have cut hundreds of jobs in their mortgage units. HeritageBank of the South, a subsidiary of Heritage Financial Group, is hiring.

• Georgia-Filmed Productions Generate $3.3B in FY13

  December 02, 2013

  The Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced today that Georgia-lensed feature films and television productions generated an economic impact of $3.3 billion in the state during FY13.

• AAA: 43.4M Americans to Travel for Thanksgiving, a Slight Decline from Last Year

  November 22, 2013

  AAA projects 43.4 million Americans will journey 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, a decrease of 1.5 percent from the 44 million people who traveled last year. This decrease falls just shy of last Thanksgiving's four-year peak since the recession-driven declines in 2008-2009 when Thanksgiving travel fell by 25 percent. The Thanksgiving holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Sunday, Dec. 1.

• Dr. Art Dunning Named Albany State University Interim President

  November 21, 2013

  University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Hank Huckaby has named Dr. Arthur N. Dunning as interim president at Albany State University. He will begin his new assignment on December 2, taking over from Kimberly Ballard-Washington, who served temporarily as interim president since November 1, following the departure of former president Everette J. Freeman.

• Government Shutdown Causes Small Business Loan Approval Rates to Fall in October

  November 20, 2013

  The U.S. government shutdown in October had a significant negative impact on small business lending, according to the Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index. Meanwhile, alternative lenders seized the opportunity and picked up the slack in small business lending.

• Do Men and Women Have Different Small Business Outlooks?

  November 18, 2013

  How are men and women entrepreneurs feeling about their businesses’ prospects for the coming year? The 5th in a series of studies by Hiscox Small Business, the DNA of an Entrepreneur (PDF), found that while both men and women small business owners are optimistic about their futures, there are some important differences in how they run their businesses.

• Second Georgia Gives Day Yields Big Wins for State's Nonprofits

  November 15, 2013

  As the clock struck midnight, the tally stood at $1,448,233. Today, nonprofits across Georgia celebrate the virtual outpouring of support from 11,257 Georgians who came together for the second annual Georgia Gives Day to show their support for 1,720 participating organizations across the state.

• Doug Robinson Asks: “What Do You Do?”

  November 14, 2013

  As you make the daily rounds in your profession I’m sure you are used to hearing this question regularly. You really ought to think about how you should respond, knowing that you will only have a very narrow time window to highlight your business to others.

• United Way of SWGA Delivers Strong ROI For Donors

  November 13, 2013

  The United Way of Southwest Georgia is about halfway through its 2013 campaign and making good progress. According to LaKisha Bryant Bruce, chief executive officer of United Way of SWGA, interest in the campaign is high.

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