June 2014 Features

  • A New Era for Butler-Wooten Law Firm

    June 30, 2014

    A retirement, a return and a promotion have prompted plaintiffs firm Butler Wooten & Fryhofer to change its name to Butler Wooten Cheeley & Peak.

  • Charles Little on Measuring the Cost of Turnover

    June 27, 2014

    The hidden cost of turnover can be the difference in companies being competitive or even staying in business. In my 16 years of experience at the corporate level in Human Resources I have been exposed to numerous companies throughout the United States that do not have a clue as to what their cost of turnover really is. In fact, turnover cost comes directly off the company’s bottom line.

  • 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.

  • TSYS CEO Phil Tomlinson Announces Retirement

    June 24, 2014

    TSYS announced that Philip W. Tomlinson has decided to retire as chief executive officer, and that M. Troy Woods has been elected by the TSYS board of directors as president and chief executive officer, effective July 31, 2014. Tomlinson will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board of TSYS until the 2015 Annual Shareholders' Meeting.

  • The 5 Game Changing Benefits of Networking

    June 23, 2014

    We live, work and play in two worlds today – in person and online. They are equally important, inter-dependent and mutually beneficial. The importance of consistent, qualified, dedicated networking can never be stressed enough as a requirement, not an option today.

  • The Role of Entrepreneurship in Rising Income Inequality

    June 20, 2014

    Income inequality is growing in America, and it has much of the chattering class in an uproar.

  • 13 Best Practices for Building Solid Small Business Operations

    June 19, 2014

    Running and scaling a business will always be challenging. But having a solid foundation of smoothly operating practices underlying your company can make it much easier. To find out how successful entrepreneurs were building their operations, we asked 13 founders from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question: “As a business owner, what do you feel is most important when it comes to building solid small business operations?”

  • 5 Ways to Boost Your Retail Sales This Summer

    June 18, 2014

    For many retailers, summer isn’t exactly the high season. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a bust. With summer about to go into full swing, have you thought about how you’ll boost business for your retail store this season?

  • 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.

  • Columbus Regional Health CEO Chuck Stark Resigns

    June 16, 2014

    Columbus Regional Health announced that Chuck Stark, Chief Executive Officer, has resigned. The board of directors appointed Scott Hill, Chief Operating Officer, as interim CEO. This appointment is effective immediately. Hill will continue as COO.

  • 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 Columbus

    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.

  • Questionable Digital Advertising Tactics & More with Overhead Door Company of Columbus CEO Edward J. Gaffney III

    June 11, 2014

    Automated Door Ways is the exclusive carrier of the Overhead Door brand in the Columbus, Georgia area. His company offers residential and commercial automated door solutions, but being able to get the Overhead Door line has been both one of his greatest achievements and one of his biggest pain points. He shares about the ups, downs, and his unique set of problems.

  • 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.