August 2014 Features

  • UGA Breaks Ground on State-of-the-Art Science Facility

    August 29, 2014

    In a ceremony that included remarks by state and university leaders, the University of Georgia broke ground on its newest state-of-the-art learning facility, the 122,500-square-foot Science Learning Center.

  • Looking at Your Personal Financial Health; Buzz Law, President of Creative Financial Group

    August 28, 2014

    For Buzz Law, president of Creative Financial Group, it was love at first sight. “I’ve spent my entire 30-year career at Creative Financial Group,” Buzz says. With childhood memories of his father working alongside his own financial planner, and having studied business with a focus on finance at the University of Georgia, Buzz knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

  • Infinity Network Solutions Brings Strategic IT to Small Businesses

    August 27, 2014

    Security. The cloud. Mobile access. Many small businesses struggle with these IT-related issues and are looking for the right software, hardware or integrated solution. Rob Betzel, CEO of Infinity Network Solutions, believes that before a business leader buys any IT solution, they first need to define their business strategy.

  • How to Stop Corporations from Fleeing U.S. Tax Laws

    August 26, 2014

    Recently, there has been a surge of corporate expatriation transactions in which a U.S.-resident multinational corporation combines with a smaller foreign business to become a foreign-based company. Examples include Mylan Laboratories (MYL), Medtronic (MDT), and AbbVie (AABV).

  • What Makes a Small Business Influencer? Experts Weigh In

    August 25, 2014

    What makes an influencer? Specifically, who influences the small business community? It turns out, on one level that’s an easy answer. But on another level, it is much more nuanced and hard to define. That’s according to several people we reached out to, for their definitions. See if you agree with these seven experts.

  • Venture Capitalists Now Search Crowdfunding Sites for Opportunities

    August 22, 2014

    When crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo began taking off, some thought they would make venture capitalists obsolete. That has not been the case so far. And crowdfunding sites have actually served as an opportunity for professional investors to easily find new startups to fund.

  • Q&A with Gretchen Corbin, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs

    August 21, 2014

    On August 1st, Commissioner Corbin celebrated her 1-year anniversary of being at the helm of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. While she feels that a lot was accomplished in her first year, she has no plans of slowing down and is dedicated to making an even bigger splash—with the help of her great team—in year two. We chatted with Ms. Corbin about adjusting to her role and what else she has up her sleeve for Georgia’s economic development.

  • Nostalgia Makes People Spend More, Study Finds

    August 20, 2014

    A recent study shows something marketers and business owners have believed all along. Nostalgia is not only persuasive in a marketing message, it actually makes customers willing to spend more.

  • Oconee County Chamber of Commerce Makes an Art Form Out of Involving Businesses and the General Community

    August 19, 2014

    Ask Kay Keller, President of the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, the secret to the success of her organization, and she’ll tell you that, in many ways, it’s practically an art trying to get everyone on the same song sheet. “However, our secret is our great volunteer effort in Oconee County. We have Chamber members and a citizenry that believe in the greater good of our community. We have a collaborative group of individuals that complete each other’s strengths.”

  • How Good-Natured Humor Can Enhance Your Personal Brand

    August 18, 2014

    You should have humor as part of your personal branding – but make sure your humor fits the situation. Choose the right time and place to use suitable, relevant, and brief wittiness. Still, if in doubt, go for it. Good people will be grateful for your attempt to put them at ease.

  • 8 Business Expenses You Should Stop Paying For?

    August 15, 2014

    In the excitement of starting up, it can be tempting to invest in things you don’t really need. When was the last time you took a step back, examined your business expenses and figured out where your money could best be used? We asked eight entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneurs - “What’s one business expense that your company decided to stop paying for recently and why?”

  • First Rule of Employee Feedback: Don’t Expect Them to Be Mind Readers

    August 14, 2014

    The business case for employee feedback is that it helps people know whether they are on track or not. As leaders, how we provide feedback can either serve our businesses well — or provide no value at all.

  • Georgians, Some Unconventional Health Advice: Maybe You Need a Vacation

    August 13, 2014

    Is a vacation good for your mental health? And if so, is that a good enough reason to take one? Most people enjoy out-of-town excursions. Lots of people take them annually. But as another summer begins to fade, many workers may be wondering if a vacation is worth the trouble and expense — especially in a time of high gas prices and airfares.

  • University of North Georgia Recognized as Oconee County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Quarter

    August 12, 2014

    The enterprise that the Oconee Chamber of Commerce named “Business of the Quarter” recently wasn’t a retailer or manufacturer, but an educational institution: The University of North Georgia. So, it made business sense to interview the Acting CEO of UNG’s Oconee Campus, Dr. Eric Skipper, to learn how a college could earn that unique recognition.

  • How Has the Financial Condition of Private Companies Changed in Recent Years?

    August 11, 2014

    As you might have expected, the financial condition of private companies have changed substantially over the past twelve years, as the country experienced the end of a housing boom; a financial crisis that nearly took down Wall Street; the deepest economic downturn since the Great Depression; and five years of one of the country’s weakest economic recoveries. But you might be surprised to learn how those financials have shifted. The changes aren’t all as one might have predicted.

  • 8 Things to Ask Your Employees Before They Leave for Vacation

    August 07, 2014

    Summer vacations are a great time for employees to relax and recharge. However, it does leave your team in the office short staffed. Luckily, with the right systems in place your office can continue to run just as smoothly in their absence.

  • Outlook for Oconee Good States Rusty Haygood, Economic Development Director for the County

    August 05, 2014

    As the economy shows signs of improvement, AthensCEO decided to ask Rusty Haygood, Economic Development Director for Oconee County, about how the surrounding area of Athens fared during the recession, how the business community has rebounded and what plans they’ve developed to sustain that momentum.

  • Time of Change and Crisis in the Hospital World

    August 04, 2014

    The financial turmoil rocking Georgia’s hospitals shows no signs of fading. Just this past week, Emory-Adventist Hospital announced it would close by the end of October. By doing so, the Smyrna hospital would become the fifth Georgia hospital to close within the past two years. And unlike the previous four, it is in the affluent Atlanta suburbs, not a struggling rural area.