Features
-
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.
-
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Take in Investors
December 05, 2013
So I was brainstorming with a couple of my partners for a start up venture we’re about to launch. They seemed genuinely shocked when I said I didn’t want to take in any investors. I know the trendy thing today is creating a pitch that attracts VC firms. But as a rule, I usually don’t want them. Their job is to find investments they can grow and cash out. And that sometimes clashes with the best long-term objectives for a business.
-
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.
-
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.
-
2014 Salary Increases to Reach Highest Levels Since 2008
November 19, 2013
Research from Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc, reveals salary increases for U.S. workers in 2014 are expected to reach their highest levels in six years. Still, average increases are projected to remain modest, as employers strive to reserve the majority of their compensation budgets for merit increases and performance-based awards for high-performing workers.
-
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.
-
How to Protect Your Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights in Overseas Markets
November 13, 2013
Are you thinking of taking your business global this year? Whether you are a service-based business or hoping to export your products, it’s critical that you take steps to protect your trademarks, copyrights and patents overseas.
-
Keep Your Best Employees With Better Benefits
November 12, 2013
To maintain the best employees for your business, it’s imperative for business owners to take necessary steps to keep current top-tier employees satisfied in today’s economy. So what can small businesses do to make sure their key players stick around instead of window shopping for new opportunities? One way to retain current personnel and attract superior applicants is by offering strong benefits packages.
-
Study Suggests That Privately Owned Companies are Better Innovators
November 07, 2013
It’s easy to believe that large publicly funded companies are more innovative than their privately owned counterparts, including small businesses. But one study from researchers at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and international business school INSEAD suggests this may not always be so.
-
10 Creative Ways Businesses Can Give Back
November 06, 2013
Being part of the startup community means giving back — not only to other entrepreneurs, but to causes you feel strongly about supporting.
-
Georgia Named #1 State in U.S. for Business
November 05, 2013
Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia’s business climate has been named No. 1 in the nation by Site Selection magazine, one of the nation’s top economic development trade publications.
-
Mobile Payments are Exploding: What You Need to Know
November 04, 2013
Accepting payments via mobile device is becoming more and more mainstream. Right now, we are in the midst of a growth spurt that will see mobile payments in the U.S. hit $90 billion by 2017, according to a Forrester Research report released earlier this year. That’s up from $12.8 billion spent in 2012, the report states. It’s also easier than ever to join the party, and retailers have an almost overwhelming number of options.
-
UGA, DOJ to Study How Much Consumers Will Pay for Internet
November 01, 2013
Researchers from the University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Justice were awarded $530,000 over three years by the National Science Foundation and CableLabs to study demand for residential Internet service.
-
How to Cut Down on Your Startup Costs
October 29, 2013
A snazzy office, the latest equipment, smart employees and the option to complete a project on your time, and perhaps at the beach – many new entrepreneurs dream big when they plan their first venture. The only problem is that a new business is much more about hard work, sincere efforts and reduction of costs than the way they picture it.
-
Benefits of Having a Small Business Mentor
October 28, 2013
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. And whether you’re busy trying to establish your business or developing a growth strategy for your existing operation, it can be valuable to get an expert opinion from a mentor.
-
How Health Care Reform Changes Impact the Small Business Owner
October 25, 2013
As an employer, you may find yourself thinking that you have yet to address health care reform requirements for your business. Some of you may be asking: Why should I rush to meet guidelines and deadlines that seem to be constantly changing and being pushed back? Well I have an answer — you should take action for your employees.
-
Big Questions Every Business Plan Should Answer
October 24, 2013
Every small business needs a business plan. It’s an essential document that’s not just for start-ups and expansions – because a great business plan can serve as a road map for your company and help you make the right adjustments when things go wrong. Your business plan should be a living, breathing portfolio that evolves along with your company.
-
5 Tips for Competing as a Little Guy in a Big, Busy Space
October 22, 2013
Chances are, if you and your company are doing something right, you’ve attracted the attention of a giant. That could mean you’ve spent years perfecting your product or service only for Google, Amazon or Microsoft to step in and launch their take on your idea. Then other companies catch onto the trend, too
-
Majority of U.S. Entrepreneurs Start Their Businesses at Home
October 21, 2013
If you operate your business from home, you’re not alone. A recent survey of U.S. businesses indicates the majority of entrepreneurs do the same. And that’s not just in the startup phase either.