May 2015 Features

• $50+ Million Mixed Use Development Planned for Downtown Macon

  May 29, 2015

  MMI Capital, LLC and Thornton Realty Company announced a major new development planned for Downtown Macon. The development will include a significant portion of the block located between 1st and 2nd Streets and Poplar and Plum Streets, and is to include a hotel, residences, retail space, a restaurant and a parking structure.

• Walthall Oil Company Helps Fuel a Growing Community

  May 27, 2015

  Industries run on fuel and lubricants. From the factory floor to the loading dock to the construction site, fuels and lubricants power equipment in every industry including construction, pulp and paper, general manufacturing and trucking. By understanding how fuel and lubricants impact operations, Walthall Oil Company can help clients increase productivity and reduce both unscheduled downtime and total cost of ownership.

• Pete Tosh on Giving Good Signals But Not Getting a Good Reception with Employees

  May 26, 2015

  Managers recognize the benefits of developing their teams through daily coaching supported by more formal performance appraisals. And we want to assume that most do their best to apply the coaching techniques they have learned on-the-job or acquired through training. But research shows that far too many times coaching messages don’t ‘stick’.

• Q&A With GDEcD Deputy Commissioner of Tourism Kevin Langston

  May 22, 2015

  In the second of our series with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, deputy commissioner for tourism division Kevin Langston discusses growing agritourism, the film industry in the state, traveler demographics, and his love of economic development.

• State Bank Names Bruce Leicht Market President in Bibb County

  May 21, 2015

  State Bank and Trust Company announced that Bruce Leicht has been named Market President in Bibb County. Leicht will lead the team responsible for growing the State Bank commercial and personal banking lines of business in Macon-Bibb.

• Mercer on Mission to Deploy Largest-Ever Cohort to 12 Sites Around the Globe

  May 20, 2015

  Mercer On Mission – the University’s unique initiative blending study abroad, research and service – is set to send its largest cohort of students to a dozen locations around the globe.

• M&R Marketing Group Designs Forward Together Strategic Plan for Macon-Bibb County

  May 19, 2015

  M&R Marketing Group was proud to be selected to design and print Macon-Bibb County’s 2015 Forward Together Strategic Plan overview. The 16-page booklet presents the first Strategic Plan of the newly consolidated government which will guide the work of Macon-Bibb’s leaders in setting priorities, delivering more efficient services, and identifying and completing projects that will improve the entire community.

• 10 Things to Look For When Considering an Acquisition

  May 14, 2015

  A smart acquisition can give your small company the boost it needs to become big. However, just because you can acquire another company doesn’t mean you should. To learn how to know if it’s a good idea, we asked 10 small business owners what they look at when considering an acquisition.

• Leadership Training vs Leadership Development - Is There a Difference?

  May 13, 2015

  In the past 10 years, The Leadership Institute at Columbus State has worked with more than 80 organizations and thousands of individuals in leadership development/training. Along the way, we found something important that we really weren’t looking for; we discovered an important distinction between leadership training and leadership development. Rather than being a semantic debate, this distinction is a paradigm changer.

• Michael Chalmers: Where Can You Find Great Job Candidates?

  May 12, 2015

  Over the past several years, when many organizations downsized their workforce, internal recruiting teams shrunk or disappeared altogether, leaving companies in the dark about trends in recruitment. With limited knowledge of the landscape, searching for the talent needed to grow again can be especially challenging.

• Geico to Add 200 New Workers in Macon

  May 11, 2015

  After a banner year for hiring in 2014, GEICO's office in Macon is once again bringing career opportunities to Central Georgia residents by adding 200 new positions in 2015. In addition to new positions in sales, service, centralized services and claims, GEICO is also hiring for new part-time roles in its growing Emergency Roadside Service (ERS) unit.

• Ed Farley: Do You Have The Right Customers?

  May 08, 2015

  The phrase…”the customer is always right” may be wrong. One of the biggest challenges for business is to determine who their customers should be. Too often we do not realize that may of our customers cost us profit.

• Mercer Commencements in Macon, Atlanta, Savannah to Include More Than 1,800 Students

  May 07, 2015

  More than 1,800 students will graduate in five Mercer University commencements during May in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah. The University will confer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as one honorary degree.

• Jessica Bailey Named Acting President of Fort Valley State University

  May 05, 2015

  University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby has named Dr. Jessica Bailey as acting president of Fort Valley State University. Bailey currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Fort Valley State.

• TAG Seeks Nominees from Middle Georgia for 2015 STEM Education Award

  May 04, 2015

  The Technology Association of Georgia and the TAG Education Collaborative are excited to announce the 4th Annual STEM Education Awards, an event that will once again recognize and honor schools, programs and organizations for their outstanding effort and achievement in supporting and promoting STEM Education in Georgia.

• GEICO Names Don Robinson Regional VP of Midwest Operations

  May 01, 2015

  Don Robinson has been promoted to regional vice president of GEICO’s Midwest operations located in Macon, Ga. Robinson previously served as assistant vice president of underwriting in Lakeland, Fla.