January 2015 Features

  • Metro Columbus’ Unemployment Rate Falls to 7.2% in December

    January 29, 2015

    The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Metro Columbus’ unemployment rate for December was 7.2 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from 7.3 percent in November. The rate in December 2013 was 7.6 percent.

  • Columbus State Offers the SHRM Essentials of HR Management Course

    January 28, 2015

    Human resource issues impact every company in some way. That’s why it’s important to understand the fundamental issues surrounding HR today. The SHRM Essentials of HR Management Course at Columbus State can help you face these fundamental issues.

  • Chris Clark Discusses The Georgia Chamber's 2015 Initiatives, 100th Anniversary

    January 27, 2015

    2015 marks the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s centennial year. Lucy Adams, Senior Editor, spoke with Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Chris Clark, about the Chamber’s plans to expand Georgia2Georgia, remain active in the political sphere, promote leadership in Georgia’s communities and commemorate its 100 year milestone.

  • Calkain Companies Sells Georgia Military College Columbus Campus for $4.72M

    January 26, 2015

    Calkain Companies recently brokered the sale of The Georgia Military College, Columbus campus building for $4,723,224. The Georgia Military College is a liberal arts junior college with nine satellite campuses all of which are publicly funded by the State of Georgia.

  • Synovus Announces Enhanced Mobile Banking App

    January 23, 2015

    Synovus Bank recently launched a new Mobile Banking App which offers Mobile Deposit, a service that allows customers to make deposits with their smartphones; Pay People, an on-the-go service that allows mobile customers to send money to individuals via an email address or cell number; and Instant Balances, which gives customers the ability to check account balances without logging into their account.

  • How to Craft an Employee Feedback Survey (to Get Useful Answers)

    January 22, 2015

    Employee satisfaction surveys are important for keeping your team happy and productive. In general, you should run an employee feedback survey at least once per year to find out how happy your employees are and what they might change about your workplace culture.

  • Franchise Businesses Continue Rapid Growth Despite Concerns

    January 20, 2015

    Franchise businesses are growing at a rate faster than any other sector of the economy. And they’re creating jobs at a faster clip, too. For the fifth consecutive year, 2015 is expected to see another big expansion, according to projections from the International Franchise Association.

  • Stan Hickson Named President of Northside Medical Center

    January 19, 2015

    Stan Hickson, MHA, FACHE, joins Columbus Regional Health Jan. 21st as President of Northside Medical Center. He comes to Columbus Regional Health following leadership positions in Washington, D.C., South Carolina and Virginia.

  • Aflac Recognized for Diversity

    January 16, 2015

    Aflac, the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site in the United States, announced today that the company has been recognized by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity. It is the ninth time that Aflac has appeared on this prestigious list.

  • UGA SBDC Launches Digital Marketing Boot Camp in Columbus

    January 15, 2015

    The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is launching Digital Marketing Boot Camp in Columbus February 5th, followed by more Digital Boot Camps scheduled throughout the state, providing the latest marketing strategies for business. Digital Marketing Boot Camp is designed specifically for business owners and organizations who want to strategically develop marketing technologies to build loyal customers and increase profits.

  • Georgia Chamber “Eggs & Issues” - Education, Transportation Initiatives Key to Georgia Maintaining Competitive Edge, Top Business Ranking

    January 14, 2015

    The state’s top three executives--Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston--stayed on message and virtually read from the same page at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast” held yesterday at the Georgia World Congress Center. An attendance of nearly 2,000 executives, business owners, elected officials and Chamber of Commerce members celebrated the organization’s 100th anniversary while warmly welcoming the pro-business remarks of the state’s leadership.

  • Hans Gant Joins Batson-Cook as VP of Business Development

    January 13, 2015

    Batson-Cook Construction has recently hired Hans Gant as Vice President of Business Development – Manufacturing and Industrial. A veteran economic developer with vast senior-level experience, Gant will work with existing clients and new businesses to determine partnership possibilities and business opportunities throughout the state and southeast region.

  • Spending Money on Social Media: What is Worth it?

    January 12, 2015

    When it comes to finances, business owners are always talking about paid search and SEO and all of the various costs that go along with both. However, as your business begins to grow, you’ll find that looking at your online marketing in even smaller sections is a great way to keep your finances in order. This brings up social media.

  • Don’t Expect To Sell Your Business To Fund That Golden Retirement

    January 09, 2015

    Business owners who are expecting to sell their companies to fund their golden retirement years may be in for a surprise. They simply may not be able to sell their businesses when they want to, or get the amount they want from the sales.

  • Georgia’s Global Gateway Staged to Grow in 2015

    January 08, 2015

    Curtis Foltz, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority, looks forward to another year of record growth in 2015, which is slated to ring in with the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project and a continued focus on efficiency.

  • Tomlinson, Flournoy 2015 BGCCV Hall of Fame Inductees

    January 07, 2015

    At a ceremony to be held at the National Infantry Museum on February 19, 2015, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Chattahoochee Valley (BGCCV) will honor two community leaders whose contributions and successes have had a significant impact on the development, evolution and growth of the organization as well as the community - John F. Flournoy and Philip (Phil) W. Tomlinson.

  • Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Engages Search Firm to Find New President & CEO

    January 06, 2015

    The Board of Directors of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is beginning its search for the Chamber’s next President & Chief Executive Officer, retaining Waverly Partners, LLC as its executive search firm.

  • Is Your Business Ready to Rock and Roll in the New Year?

    January 05, 2015

    Let’s say your business has been chugging right along for several years now. You formed an LLC or incorporated in order to establish a solid legal foundation for your company. But what loose ends do you still need to tie up as you move into the new year?