Features
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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?”
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How to Use Twitter for Customer Service
May 30, 2014
In order to provide the best possible customer service, smart small business owners learn from the big companies’ best practices. One tactic more and more big corporations are using is providing customer service on Twitter.
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Georgia Credit Unions Impact Their Members, Their Communities & Beyond
May 29, 2014
Georgia credit unions are committed to helping their members afford their lives. But the impact of credit unions reaches far beyond the branch walls. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions contribute their resources to the greater good of their communities. They live out the values of working together to accomplish more, and the difference they make is felt across Georgia every day.
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Behind the Scenes at Medient's $700 Million Georgia StudioPlex
May 28, 2014
“Georgia’s film industry is booming,” touted Governor Nathan Deal in last week’s video address to the Savannah Economic Development Authority’s (SEDA) annual luncheon, and rightfully so. Employment, tax revenue and new construction are rising steadily throughout the state. However, one proposed development in Effingham County near Savannah should be a warning to all counties in Georgia. This is the story of how a proposed $700 million “Disneyland meets Googleplex” development has created high hopes for one Georgia community only to be at risk by the players involved.
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Working Flextime? According to New Research, Bosses Prefer Early Birds to Night Owls
May 27, 2014
In a new study of flexible work policies, researchers at the University of Washington Foster School of Business have found that people who elect to work an early shift are perceived by their bosses to be better employees than those who work a later shift.
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Your Brand Equals Higher Profits
May 23, 2014
It's proven. Strong brands drive higher profits. In fact, most of the value of some of the biggest corporations in the world are their brand, not their buildings or the equipment.
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Momentum is Building in Uptown Columbus
May 22, 2014
As W.C. Bradley Co. Real Estate LLC nears completion of its renovations at the Mill #1 and Machine Shop buildings in uptown Columbus, interest in the new apartment units is running high. According to W.C. Bradley Co. Real Estate President and COO Mat Swift, 26 of the 29 apartment units in Mill #1 are already pre-leased.
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Georgia Primaries Bring Expected Congressional Runoffs
May 21, 2014
Tuesday’s primary election results brought runoffs for candidates for both houses of Congress.
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Underdog Businesses Must Work Harder
May 20, 2014
Small business owners are almost always underdogs. They deal with competition from companies with much larger budgets and more resources at their disposal. So how can David compete with Goliath? In a recent sit-down with Inc.’s Issie Lapowski, author Malcolm Gladwell explained.
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How to Keep Your Family Business All in the Family
May 19, 2014
Is your small business family-owned? Family business owners are feeling optimistic about the short term, but pessimistic about the long-term outlook for their companies, says a recent survey by The Alternative Board. The good news? If your family business is on the wrong track, there are some simple steps you can take to right it before it’s too late.
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Leadership Columbus Program Now Accepting Applications
May 16, 2014
Leadership Columbus is an official program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The program is designed to expose highly talented and motivated leaders to issues which will determine the future direction of the area.
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Allegra Design-Marketing-Print Helps Businesses Implement Multi-channel Communications
May 15, 2014
Businesses can improve the return on their marketing investments by implementing multi-channel communications, according to Fran Hargarten, owner of Allegra Design-Marketing-Print, a locally owned and operated Columbus marketing services firm.
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CooperCraft, Now ISNetworld Certified and Ready for Continued Growth
May 14, 2014
CooperCraft made the move from Sylvester to Tifton December 2011, and the transition has treated the company well. The easy access to I-75, continued growth of Tifton, and larger office space have all led to increased productivity and volume for the statewide company ran by childhood friends Jerry Cooper and Darrell Powell, who lived three houses apart since elementary school while growing up in Sylvester.