Features
-
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.
-
Innovative New Senior Living Community is Underway in Athens
July 31, 2014
Atlanta-based Thrive Senior Living has broken ground this week at The Village at Athens, an innovate new Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Athens, GA. The 70 unit project is a joint venture with Paragon Real Estate, a Chicago-based developer, and Summit Healthcare REIT, a real estate investment trust specializing in healthcare properties.
-
Should You Demand a Return on Investment From Business Travel?
July 30, 2014
How do you choose when to travel, and when not to, for your business? The smart business owner expects a return on investment from business travel. That means having a plan for your trip, and then following through on the plan after the trip.
-
Piedmont Construction Group Faces the Opportunity & Challenge of Growth
July 29, 2014
Business at Piedmont Construction Group has been "wide open in the first half of 2014 and will remain busy," according to Vice President of Pre-Construction Christy Kovac. Piedmont is a multi-specialty construction firm founded in 1995 by brothers Scott and David Thompson. It has offices in Macon and Athens.
-
Athens Chamber Focusing on Members & Partnerships in 2014
July 28, 2014
Christy Terrell, external affairs manager for Georgia Power, and chair of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors, gives us her take on chamber initiatives for the rest of 2014.
-
St. Mary’s Hospital Places on Quality Honor Roll
July 25, 2014
St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens has been named to the Georgia Hospital Association’s Partnership for Health and Accountability Core Measures Honor Roll. St. Mary’s is one of 26 hospitals in Georgia to be placed in the Trustee category, the second-highest on the list.
-
7 Reasons Printer Ink Costs More Than Champagne
July 24, 2014
Printer ink costs a lot of money. But have you ever taken the time to figure out why?
-
Common Entrepreneurial Advice That You Need to Ignore
July 23, 2014
Entrepreneurs get advice every day from their professional advisors and information they read. A lot of it needs to be ignored. Pay close attention to disregarding these platitudes and what to do instead.
-
Top Banking Institutions in Athens
July 22, 2014
Most successful businesses have a strong local relationship with a bank. Recently, we highlighted some of the top law firms and accounting firms in the area. In this feature, we provide a quick snapshot of the top banks in the Athens area.
-
How to Improve Your Self Control – It’s the Key to Your Success
July 21, 2014
If you’re tired of reading self help books and seemingly never getting anywhere, you may be interested in a study that found a single factor — self-control — to be one of the primary keys to success.