April 2014 Features

  • AT&T Commits to Georgia’s Future

    April 30, 2014

    AT&T made a significant investment in both serving Georgia customers and employing more Georgians in 2013 through the communication company’s Project Velocity IP. Georgia CEO spoke to AT&T Media Relations Manager Ann Elsas on the impact AT&T is having on the state.

  • Talk About Bad Company: The True Cost of a Bad Hire

    April 29, 2014

    Hiring the wrong person for a position is an expensive mistake for a company to make. In a recent Career Builder survey 42% of companies reported that a bad hire cost them at least $25,000 in the past year, and 25% reported a loss of at least $50,000. But for small companies, where every employee often juggles many important responsibilities, the cost of a bad hire can be even more devastating – up to $190,000 according to a report by Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

  • Lessons Learned From Your 2013 Tax Return

    April 28, 2014

    With another tax filing deadline in the rearview mirror, most people don’t think about taxes until the next year. However, take a few moments to review your return before you stock it away. This year’s return can provide valuable information on the financial health of your business, as well as show you ways to improve your tax situation in time for next year’s filing.

  • 5 Possible Outcomes in Franchise Ownership

    April 25, 2014

    It always helps to have a goal or two in mind when pursuing something big, like becoming the owner of a franchise business – any business. Do you have a specific goal in mind? Do you have your “end game” visualized? Have you thought about some of the possible outcomes? Or, are you thinking about becoming the owner of a franchise business just to escape a lousy career-related situation? We look at some possible long-term outcomes that can happen as the result of becoming the owner of a franchise business.

  • Research Shows How Retirees Strengthen Georgia’s Economy

    April 24, 2014

    The State of Georgia can bolster its economy by attracting more retirees, according to new research from the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.

  • Batson-Cook Construction: Building Partnerships First

    April 23, 2014

    From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century in West Point, Ga., Batson-Cook Construction has always operated on the philosophy of building relationships with clients and partnerships with its owners, architects and subcontractors on every building project.

  • Using Retirement Accounts to Fund a Business Startup Draws IRS Scrutiny

    April 22, 2014

    The IRS is increasing scrutiny into a complex practice for using retirement accounts to fund a business. The practice may trip up business owners who take advantage of it. In the end, it could cost them not only their retirement nest eggs, but open them up to paying back taxes and large penalties to the IRS.

  • Yes, Top Performing Businesses Pay More in Taxes

    April 21, 2014

    Do businesses pay their fair share of taxes? Should they pay more in taxes and are they paying considerably less than everyone else? Many consumers seem to believe they’re held more accountable for their income taxes than businesses, especially around tax time.

  • Strengthening Your Small Business With Subcontractors

    April 18, 2014

    Dealing with the ebb and flow of workloads can be challenging for small businesses. How do you address those extra busy times without adding regular employees? And what happens when things slow down again Subcontractors can often help provide a great solution. Below are some benefits of using subcontractors and considerations for bringing subcontractors on board.

  • Q&A with Georgia DOL’s Business Service Unit Director

    April 17, 2014

    As the Georgia Department of Labor approaches the first anniversary of their Business Service Unit, we chatted with Director Linda Manis about their progress in year one and what lies ahead for the BSU.

  • How Do You Optimize Your Facebook And Twitter Accounts?

    April 16, 2014

    Whether you need to promote your brand, share event pictures, connect with your clients or create a buzz, social media marketing is a necessity and not an option any more. An optimized social media profile shows your strong social media presence. But how do you elevate your social media profile to establish a strong connection with your fans? Let’s explore two of the most popular social media platforms and how you can optimize them.

  • An Update on the Greater Opportunities for Small Business Act

    April 15, 2014

    Government contracts for small businesses were discussed last week on Capitol Hill. The Greater Opportunities for Small Business Act of 2014 was written to give small businesses more opportunities to compete for federal government contract work.

  • The #1, Best Exercise To Do With Your Team

    April 14, 2014

    One of the hardest things about building trust in work environments is that there can always be ulterior motives to any good deed we do. We need each other at work. So, how can we do good for someone at work without expecting anything in return?

  • How Do You Feel About Raising the Minimum Wage?

    April 11, 2014

    President Obama’s efforts to encourage Congress to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 have received a lot of press. The Small Business Majority polled (PDF) small business owners to see how they feel about this controversial issue and found that—well, actually, they found that there’s a lot less controversy than the news media might lead you to expect.

  • Mercer University Beats Duke; Prepares for Continued Growth

    April 10, 2014

    The past few years have been all about growth for Mercer University—especially in the medical sector--with a continued effort to double the number of medical students by adding more programs for aspiring medical professionals, such as their Ph.D. in Clinical Medical Psychology degree and a four-year program added at the Savannah campus. The Mercer Health Sciences Center, which opened in 2012, is another piece to help "address the shortage of healthcare access in our region," President Underwood says.

  • Savannah Author & Social Media Professional Debuts at #1 on Amazon in Category

    April 10, 2014

    Savannah writer and social media professional Shawndra Russell released a new ebook yesterday filled with tips for how business owners can step up their social media game.

  • Newly Sworn SBA Chief Must Deal With Lending Defaults

    April 10, 2014

    Newly sworn-in Small Business Administration Chief Maria Contreras-Sweet may want to give small businesses access to more loans. But a bigger challenge may be adding some oversight to the administration’s current troubled loan guarantee program. Critics like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) say the program is already costing taxpayers billions. And that’s bad for everyone, small businesses included.

  • Is 100% Customer Satisfaction Achievable? For This Company, Yes

    April 09, 2014

    Simplicity Sofas is a furniture manufacturer in High Point, NC. and an eCommerce retailer specializing in furniture for small spaces. After more than six years in business and $4 million in sales, the company has never received a negative review on their website – not one. We share 10 Tips For Achieving 100% Customer Satisfaction.

  • The $7,000 a Month Intern: How Can Your Company Compete?

    April 08, 2014

    Spring is here and summer’s not far behind—which means businesses that use interns are starting to think about their summer needs. Qualified interns can be tough to find, and now the competition is getting even stiffer.

  • Business Ethics 101: Care, Deliver and Do The Right Thing

    April 07, 2014

    This starts with our personal fundamentals, values and ethics. This is the foundation for a solid brand and reputation in the business space. If you want to be respected, taken seriously, referred and enjoy long term success, high business ethics must be our priority. Ethics are the values, company morals and culture in all your interactions and relationships. It’s your moral compass.

  • Finding Manufacturing, Logistics Sites in Georgia Just Got Easier

    April 04, 2014

    The Georgia Ports Authority has updated its search engine for manufacturing and logistics sites to make it more comprehensive and easier to access. The GPA’s web-based Commercial Corridors Tool now works on all platforms, including mobile devices.

  • Georgia Manufacturing Activity Records Strong Increase, Outpaces National Activity

    April 03, 2014

    Georgia manufacturing activity continued to improve in March as the lingering effects of a harsh winter dissipated and new orders and production experienced significant jumps, according to the Purchasing Managers Index released Tuesday by Kennesaw State University’s Econometric Center in the Michael J. Coles College of Business.

  • Why the IRS and BLS Disagree on Self-Employment Trends

    April 02, 2014

    Are more or fewer Americans engaged in self-employment than a decade ago? While you might think that this is a simple factual question, its answer depends on which federal government agency’s numbers you look at.

  • How the New Overtime Law Changes Will Affect Small Businesses

    April 01, 2014

    President Obama recently signed an executive order calling for new rules on overtime pay. Currently, salaried workers in executive, administrative and professional positions aren’t eligible for overtime pay if they make over $455 per week. The President suggested $600 or $640 as the new threshold – the current standards for New York and California.