March 2015 Features

  • Matthew Michael: A How-To Guide for Establishing Your Company’s Voice

    March 30, 2015

    “Everyone has a story.” We’ve all heard that before and can easily relate to the truth of the statement. All of the events throughout our life interconnect in unique and unpredictable ways to form our story. They make us who we are. Matthew Michael from M&R Marketing tells us how the same is true for a business.

  • Casino Gambling Legalization Introduced; Projections Suggest $250M For HOPE

    March 26, 2015

    Georgia legislators have toyed around with the idea of allowing horse racing at a new small scale race track. Yesterday, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers has dropped bills that would pave the way for Georgia to aim higher and assert itself into the major leagues of casino gambling. Charlie Harper of Peach Pundit writes that supporters of HR 807 and HB 677 tout a potential payoff of 10,000 construction jobs, 10,000 permanent jobs, and – perhaps most importantly – $250 Million dollars added to HOPE’s dwindling coffers every year.

  • Navicent Health’s Cancer Program Among Top 15% in U.S.

    March 25, 2015

    The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has granted its 2014 Outstanding Achievement Award to a select group of 75 accredited cancer programs throughout the United States. Medical Center, Navicent Health is one of the 75 national cancer programs awarded, and is one of only 25 cancer programs to achieve this award for the second consecutive survey period.

  • Tips On Effective Ways to Market to Millennials

    March 23, 2015

    The millennial generation has grown to be one of the largest populations in the United States, even outnumbering the baby boomer generation. And now, not only are they the largest group in America, but they are also the most financially influential group, representing more than $1.3 trillion in consumer spending power, according to the Hartman Group. Communicorp's Amanda Bass gives us some tips on marketing to this growing generation.

  • Rob Betzel: Going Old School for at Least One Thing in 2015

    March 20, 2015

    President & CEO of Infinity Network Solutions Rob Betzel talks about reviewing past goals and setting new goals for 2015, and the many things that can pop up along the way.

  • Ed Farley: What Do Your Customers Think?

    March 20, 2015

    How many times do you hear companies brag that they are…world-class ….have top-rated products! How often do we hear the claims of an incredible sales force! The best customer service! Are these claims true? How do they know? How do you know?

  • It’s Official: Middle Georgia to Become a State University on July 1st

    March 19, 2015

    Fulfilling a longtime dream of many graduates, students, faculty, benefactors and regional leaders, Middle Georgia State College is on the brink of officially becoming a university.

  • Pellicano Construction Sees Development Uptick, Growth for Georgia

    March 17, 2015

    The construction industry in Georgia has made some great strides since the economic downturn, inching back closer to the robust times of late 90s and early 2000s. Pellicano COO Stephen Dew points out some great indicators for 2015 that looks to keep development in the state strong.

  • The University of Georgia SBDC’s StartSmart Program Returns to Middle Georgia

    March 16, 2015

    Georgia is home to 962,085 small businesses. Owning your own business is the American dream, but building it to withstand the test of time takes a unique set of tools – and a lot of hard work. The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s StartSmart 2015 program will help you launch a business built for today’s challenging times.

  • Jim Blanchard on Changing the Leadership Culture

    March 12, 2015

    When former Chairman & CEO of Synovus Jim Blanchard retired, his agenda didn’t fill with days dedicated to front-porch sitting. He desired to perpetuate and expand the influence of what he calls “servant leadership.” He proposed the concept of a leadership forum to his successor, who, understanding the value, eagerly agreed to sponsor the program. That was 10 years ago. The 10th annual Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum will roll out later this year in August.

  • The Brokery Brings Unique Real Estate Expertise to Middle Georgia

    March 11, 2015

    About two months ago, George Emami opened The Brokery, an independent boutique real-estate firm serving commercial, higher-end residential, and historically significant properties. He brings 15 years of real-estate experience to Middle Georgia, having worked as a real estate agent, builder, and developer.

  • Schedule of Events Announced for the 2015 Cherry Blossom Festival

    March 10, 2015

    The International Cherry Blossom Festival is excited to announce the schedule of events for the 33rd annual Festival taking place throughout Macon, Georgia, from March 19th through April 4th.

  • GEICO Employees Exceed $1.1M Campaign Goal for United Way of Central Georgia

    March 09, 2015

    Local residents, community leaders and GEICO associates attended a thank-you event at the GEICO office in Macon as the company and its associates were named United Way of Central Georgia’s top contributor for the 11th year in a row, pledging $1,140,169 during the 2014 United Way campaign.

  • Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Kicks Off Year-Round Community Cleanup Initiative

    March 06, 2015

    The Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission kicked off a year round community clean up initiative on Thursday, in Third Street Park as part of the Great American Cleanup. The importance of having clean streets and neighborhoods, as well as how important it is for everyone to take park in the effort, was discussed by Executive Director Dr. Pam Carswell, Litter Prevention Committee Chair Ron Foster, and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert.

  • From The Floor Up – Georgia's Shaw Industries Invests In People

    March 05, 2015

    Vance Bell, CEO of Shaw Industries, headquartered in Dalton, maintains that there are few businesses for which people aren’t the company’s greatest asset. That is why Shaw’s mission —“Great People. Great Products. Great Service. Always.”—begins with people.

  • Mercer, SVdP, Macon-Bibb & United Way of Central Georgia to Host Poverty Action Summit

    March 04, 2015

    Mercer University, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia, the Macon-Bibb Commission, and United Way of Central Georgia will co-sponsor a Poverty Action Summit, today from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., on Mercer's Macon campus.

  • State Bank and Trust Company Creates Insurance Division With Acquisition

    March 03, 2015

    State Bank and Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Bank Financial Corporation , announced today that it has launched an insurance division to offer State Bank customers a full range of personal and commercial insurance products.

  • Cox Introduces the Next Generation in Home Security, Automation to Middle Georgia

    March 02, 2015

    Adding to its comprehensive portfolio of communications services including high speed Internet, cable TV and digital telephone, Cox Communications announced today the launch of Cox Homelife to customers in the Middle Georgia market. Cox first piloted the home security and automation product in Arizona in 2011 and has since rolled out the service across its other markets over the past several years.