June 2014 Features

• Middle Georgia State Outlines Vision for Becoming a State University

  June 30, 2014

  Middle Georgia State College has crafted a new, bold vision and embraced a set of core values to help reshape the institution into Georgia’s newest state university.

• 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.

• 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.

• 3 Surefire Ways You Can Achieve Public Relations Success

  June 25, 2014

  The lines between advertising, marketing and public relations have always been a little blurred, with many firms providing a combination of two or more of the services. But the Internet has almost removed the lines completely, as advertisers reach out to customers on social media and press releases begin to make appearances in search engine rankings. Here we are going to show you three surefire ways to find PR success.

• 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.”

• MGSC Collaborates with South Korean Universities on Information Technology

  June 23, 2014

  Students studying information technology at two South Korean universities will soon spend an academic year at Middle Georgia State College, and faculty members at all three institutions will begin collaborating on research projects.

• Confucius Institute at Wesleyan College

  June 20, 2014

  When Wesleyan College in Macon was first approached about hosting a Confucius Institute in 2011, they knew a Chinese cultural center would have a positive impact on the college and the Middle Georgia community, but they recognized that it wouldn’t be easy.

• TAG Middle Georgia Presents the State of the Industry 2014

  June 19, 2014

  The Technology Association of Georgia's Middle Georgia presentation of the State of the Industry Report: Technology In Georgia. TAG President/CEO, Tino Mantella will present the key findings of the report today followed by a brief Q&A session with the Warner Robins audience. The event is presented by TAG and the TAG Middle Georgia Chapter.

• Prospecting Activity Hits Multi-Year High at Macon EDC

  June 18, 2014

  Economic development prospect activity in Macon is at the highest level since 2007, according to Patrick Topping, CEcD, senior vice president of the Macon Economic Development Commission (EDC). Many existing companies in the area are also considering significant expansions and that means all hands on deck at the Macon EDC.

• Small Business Sentiment Improving But No Sign of Surge

  June 17, 2014

  NFIB Optimism Index rose 1.4 points in May to 96.6, the highest reading since September 2007. However, while May is the third up month in a row, the Index is still far below readings that have normally accompanied an expansion and there have been similar gains in the past that haven’t panned out in this recovery period. Five Index components improved, one was unchanged and four fell, although not by much.

• 12 Tips for Training Your Summer Interns

  June 16, 2014

  Summer interns can be an invaluable resource for a small business. But although these bright young college kids are ready to tackle challenges, they’re likely inexperienced in the business world and won’t automatically integrate with your team. We look at how other entrepreneurs were successfully training their interns for the summer.

• 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.

• 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.

• There are Times When Business is Personal and Not Just Business

  June 11, 2014

  Some people believe one needs to make decisions based upon the bottom line 100% of the time. If it benefits you, great. Otherwise, discard the idea. Emotional decisions in business benefit no one. On the other hand it is said, what you put out into the atmosphere will be received back many times over.

• 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.”

• Are You Hiring for the Right Traits?

  June 06, 2014

  There’s lots of talk lately about the talent shortage – how employers, especially small ones, can’t find workers with the skills and experience they are seeking. But maybe the problem is that small business owners are putting too much emphasis on the wrong things.

• 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.

• 9 Things You Shouldn’t Overlook When Planning Your Next Event

  June 04, 2014

  Business events are a great way to build relationships with potential partners, meet investors and network. But making sure your event goes well requires a lot of forethought and planning. There’s nothing worse than a lousy event. From location to food, there’s much to consider when picking the perfect venue for your event.

• Georgia Manufacturing Activity Continues Growth in May

  June 03, 2014

  Georgia manufacturing activity remained strong for May, even as new orders fell from its high April reading, according to the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) released today by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.

• Five Health Insurance Tips that Can Make Your Workforce Appreciate You

  June 02, 2014

  Over the past several months, small businesses may have grappled to understand the many changes and regulations to the evolving health care landscape. In developing compliant strategies, employers have made, and continue to make, key benefits decisions that will impact the personal and financial well-being of their workers for years to come.