Features

• 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.

• Curt Fowler on 2 Keys to Effective Resolutions

  March 31, 2014

  What are some of your resolutions or big goals that you hope to accomplish in 2014? Considering your track record of goal accomplishment, how likely are you to achieve them?

• Is America in the Midst of a High Tech Entrepreneurship Boom?

  March 28, 2014

  If you read the business press, you probably think the answer is yes. The popular media is full of stories about start-ups like Facebook, Groupon, Instagram, Linkedin, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp, Yelp, and Zinga. American entrepreneurs are starting high tech companies at a feverish pace, the media experts say.

• You Should Question Assumptions When You Are Successful

  March 26, 2014

  It’s easy for small business owners to question assumptions and themselves when they are failing. But at that point, it may be too late to fundamentally make changes that can turn their company around. The success rate goes up if the owner questions assumptions when things are going well.

• Remain at Home Healthcare Treats Golden Years with Golden Rule

  March 25, 2014

  Who will take care of us when we can no longer take full care of ourselves? Unfortunately, this universal fear is often the prize we win for surviving into our elder years. The good news is that Brian Carrigan, Founder of Remain at Home Senior Care (RAH), is proving that we can transform our current senior care model into one that guarantees comfort, dignity, and immediate, skilled medical companion care to complement longevity.

• Employees to Employers: Mind Your Own Business

  March 24, 2014

  How much can employers inquire about employees or have a say in their actions on and off the job? The staff of a small business can easily grow into a family of sorts, but this doesn’t give the employer the right to act as the patriarch. The trend, as evidenced by laws, court decisions and administrative rulings, seems to be toward less involvement of employers in the lives of their workers.

• 15 Things That Could Cause Small Business Failure

  March 21, 2014

  It’s sad. 8 out of 10 businesses fail. And many of the causes can be prevented. This list can help you put together a plan to make sure your business is around next year. If you are guilty of any of these, make the necessary changes to get your small business going in the right direction.

• Don’t Bet on IRS Budget Cuts Lowering Small Business Audit Rates

  March 20, 2014

  After several years of increases, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) small businesses audit rate declined in 2013, data released recently by the tax authority reveal.

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