July 2014 Features

  • Columbus Area Companies Urged to Apply for TAG 2014 Excalibur Awards

    July 31, 2014

    The Technology Association of Georgia in collaboration with the Business and Technology Alliance of TAG , today issued its final call for applications and nominations for the 2014 TAG Excalibur Awards. Columbus Area companies are urged to apply.

  • The Grand Columbus Whitewater Paddle on August 9th

    July 30, 2014

    On August 9th, the Georgia Conservancy and partners Uptown Columbus and Whitewater Express are putting a GRAND on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia. To commemorate last year’s opening of the world’s largest stretch of urban whitewater and to celebrate the Chattahoochee’s reemergence in Columbus, join 1,000 adventurers on the river for a day of whitewater rafting.

  • The Valley Partnership Puts the Best Regional Foot Forward

    July 29, 2014

    Founded more than 20 years ago as a tool for regional economic development, The Valley Partnership continues to put the area's best foot forward in terms of retaining existing industries and attracting new development. Through its relationships with Columbus-Muscogee County, the city of West Point, and the Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Talbot and Russell (AL) counties, the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce promotes the region's economic development assets through the Valley Partnership in the Greater Columbus, Ga. region brand.

  • The Hidden Costs of an Unreliable Internet Connection

    July 28, 2014

    In business, an unreliable Internet connection costs dollars and cents. It’s that simple. Let’s break down the real issues and what they could cost you, to measure how important your Internet connection is.

  • Does Self-Employment Really Rise in Recessions?

    July 25, 2014

    Some observers argue that self-employment is counter-cyclical. Focusing on people’s decisions to go into business for themselves, these researchers argue that some of the people who lose their jobs when the economy contracts enter into self-employment, rather than becoming unemployed or exiting the labor force.

  • 7 Reasons Printer Ink Costs More Than Champagne

    July 24, 2014

    Printer ink costs a lot of money. But have you ever taken the time to figure out why?

  • Common Entrepreneurial Advice That You Need to Ignore

    July 23, 2014

    Entrepreneurs get advice every day from their professional advisors and information they read. A lot of it needs to be ignored. Pay close attention to disregarding these platitudes and what to do instead.

  • Kinetic Credit Union Always in Motion

    July 22, 2014

    Since its founding in 1956, Kinetic Credit Union has continually evolved to expand its membership and better meet member needs. From serving first civilians and then the military at Fort Benning, the credit union then known as TIC added companies in the early 1980s and the community in 2005. In early 2014, the name changed to Kinetic Credit Union.

  • How to Improve Your Self Control – It’s the Key to Your Success

    July 21, 2014

    If you’re tired of reading self help books and seemingly never getting anywhere, you may be interested in a study that found a single factor — self-control — to be one of the primary keys to success.

  • Manage Your Future – Building your personal brand...

    July 18, 2014

    Have you ever wondered why certain people always appear to be in te right place at the right time? You know the ones I’m talking about; they always seem to get the next great opportunity; the promotion, the new job, the big order. In a world with so much noise and so many choices, how do we set ourselves apart and actually differentiate who we are? How do we become this sought-after person?

  • Merrill Lynch Scorecard Shows Productivity Tied to Employees’ Financial Well-Being

    July 17, 2014

    Merrill Lynch recently released their 401(k) Wellness Scorecard for the second quarter, with results showing a positive increase in financial habits from plan participants. We spoke with James Wallace and Deborah Howard, Managing Directors – Wealth Management, Global Corporate & Institutional Advisory Services, to get their take on the results of the scorecard and why more companies need to become invested in the financial well-being of their employees.

  • Study: Yes, There Are Benefits of Offering Free WiFi

    July 16, 2014

    It’s gotten much more common today to find businesses that offer complimentary WiFi for their patrons, especially in cities. Still, there are many places outside of Big-City-America where free WiFi is the exception and not the rule.

  • Columbus State Announces Complete Baseball Stadium Renovation

    July 15, 2014

    Columbus State is planning a major overhaul of its 44-year old baseball stadium that dramatically changes the look and feel for fans and players.

  • 10 Ways to Use the BBB to Grow Your Business

    July 14, 2014

    If you own a business, you already know about the Better Business Bureau and the importance of its ratings. But that isn’t all the BBB has to offer. We discuss some of the lesser-known features of the BBB and how they might be able to boost your business growth.

  • Should You Ever Make a Counter Offer to an Employee?

    July 11, 2014

    It’s no secret that competition for experienced employees is heating up. Despite the economy’s ups and downs, the news continues to be filled with reports that businesses seeking to hire can’t find qualified workers. So if you have qualified workers on board, how far should you go to retain them? When a key employee gets a job offer, should you consider making a counter offer?

  • 3 Classic Recipes in Case Your Brand Ever Gets Grilled

    July 10, 2014

    Yes, it’s true. The Paula Deen Network is launching in September. The celebrity cook, whose career was nearly burnt, is cooking up something new – and digital. Just in case your brand ever gets grilled, we look at three fast and easy tips inspired by the digital rebranding of Paula Deen.

  • 3 Ways to Keep Your Small Business Growing & Gaining Ground

    July 09, 2014

    As many business leaders spent the last year focused on cutting costs and staying competitive, small-business employers specifically took measures to hold fast – making careful choices about hiring, compensation and employee benefits options.

  • Will Your Next Business Suit Be an Executive Hoodie?

    July 08, 2014

    Whoever thinks that hoodies don’t belong in the workplace has probably never seen the Executive Pinstripe Hoodie from Betabrand. The Executive Hoodie is made from suit fabric and retails for $168. Mark Zuckerberg provided the inspiration behind the hoodie, and its launch coincided with the social media giant’s IPO.

  • Aflac Co-founder Paul S. Amos Passes Away

    July 07, 2014

    Paul S. Amos, who with his two brothers founded Aflac Incorporated nearly six decades ago, passed away late Wednesday night after a lengthy illness. He was 88 years old.

  • 15 LinkedIn Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

    July 02, 2014

    Are you a B2B professional who wants to make a standout impression with your expertise and build your personal brand? Want to meet and engage with other quality professionals in your industry? Want to stay up to date on interesting information shared by peers in your field? Then LinkedIn is the professional party you should attend when it comes to your social media mix.

  • How to Handle a BBB Complaint Against Your Company

    July 01, 2014

    When your business receives a complaint through the Better Business Bureau, it can really harm your reputation. Complaints are not only publicly available, but they also impact your overall rating.