Features

• Piedmont Newnan Hospital Receives Achievement Award

  June 20, 2016

  Piedmont Newnan Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: Stroke Honor RollSM Elite Plus.

• Self-Quiz: What Kind of Business Risk Taker Are You?

  June 16, 2016

  Few endeavors — scaling Mt. Everest or swimming with sharks might qualify — demand greater courage than the act of starting (or running) a small business. And with courage comes the willingness to take risks. Whether borrowing money to grow your business, launching a new product or hiring more employees — accepting risk and protecting yourself with liability insurance is critical to business success.

• Communicorp: Make it Personal with Innovative Print Solutions

  June 13, 2016

  There’s no denying that we live in a digital world that is always competing for our attention – from downloading the latest app to watching videos and engaging in online chat sessions. While many of these digital platforms have infiltrated the marketing industry, some experts advise us to retain the power of traditional print to help you make a creative impact in the marketplace.

• GE to Launch Global Digital Operations Center in Atlanta

  June 10, 2016

  Gov. Nathan Deal announced that GE Digital will establish its first global Digital Operations Center in Atlanta. This project will create 250 jobs and represents an investment of approximately $3 million in the local community.

• How Do You Take a Working Vacation and Still Catch a Break?

  June 09, 2016

  When you’re standing at the helm of a thriving small business, stepping away for a quick vacation often seems impossible. As a result, less than half of small business owners opt to take any time off work at all. Yet even those bold enough to get out of the office every so often grab an average of just five days’ vacation per year. Believe it or not, that inability to switch off is hurting your business — not helping.

• Kellie Pickler to Headline WGTC 15th Anniversary Black Tie and Boots

  June 08, 2016

  The West Georgia Technical College Foundation has announced that Kellie Pickler will headline its 15th anniversary Black Tie & Boots concert at the WGTC Murphy Campus in Waco on August 6.

• Stand Out from the Competition with These 10 Tips

  June 03, 2016

  With so many different businesses out there, it can be easy for your company to just blend in. But you need to stand out in some way if you want to gain the attention of your target customers. There are several different strategies you can use to make your business stand out. Members of the online small business community shared some of their favorite tips.

• AT&T Expands Fast 4G Network in Urban and Rural Communities Across Georgia

  May 27, 2016

  AT&T has enhanced high-speed connectivity for businesses and residents in communities across Georgia through its 4G network. Already in 2016, the company has completed more than 240 projects in Georgia.

• Communicorp: Simply Manage Your Creative Assets Using OnDemand Technologies

  May 25, 2016

  With all of your graphic design elements in place, you may be wondering how to manage these creative assets throughout your entire organization. Well, technology is a great solution to your dilemma. To help you understand the various solutions that come into play and how they work, let’s walk through a real-world scenario.

• Are Exhausted Employees Destroying Your Business?

  May 24, 2016

  Very few entrepreneurs get enough sleep, and the “sleep shortage” is affecting employees too. Seven out of 10 workers in a recent survey (PDF) by Accountemps/Robert Half report they are frequently tired on the job — which could be putting your business at risk.

• AAMCO Franchise Celebrates Successful First Anniversary of Newnan's AAMCO University

  May 19, 2016

  AAMCO Franchise, the world’s largest chain of transmission specialists and leader in total car care, announced it is celebrating its first anniversary of AAMCO University. The specialized training facility, which opened in Newnan during the first quarter of 2015, is part of AAMCO’s long-term strategy to drive operational excellence and growth systemwide.

• Lt. Gov. Cagle Launches Georgia Consortium for Advanced Technical Training in Newnan

  May 17, 2016

  Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle launched the Georgia Consortium of Advanced Technical Training (GA CATT) Program, the first of its kind in the United States, with the Central Educational Center, Coweta County’s College and Career Academy. The program unites the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern U.S., Inc. with the Technical College System of Georgia and eight Coweta County manufacturing companies.

• Georgia 2030: The Chamber's GPS Device to Reach State's Business and Economic Future

  May 16, 2016

  A hundred years ago, the then-newly formed Georgia Chamber of Commerce wisely initiated a road map with the intention of planning the future of business in the Peach State. Today, one year into the second century of the Chamber, President and CEO, Chris Clark and the Chamber Board are instead utilizing modern GPS tracking and other digital tools to explore and research emerging commerce trends, needs and resources for Georgia’s future. This initiative is entitled “Georgia 2030.”

• UWG Announces New Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

  May 09, 2016

  The University of West Georgia will offer a new and unique online bachelor of science degree in organizational leadership, thanks to its membership in the University System of Georgia’s eMajor program.

• 10 Ways to Answer A Flood of Emails in One Day

  May 04, 2016

  Most small business owners are buried in email. This is discouraging since they don’t always get to answer the important ones. Business etiquette suggests that each email should be replied to within 24 hours.

• UWG, WGTC Sign Transfer Articulation Agreement for Nursing Students

  May 03, 2016

  West Georgia Technical College students who complete the associate degree in nursing (ADN) can now transfer to the University of West Georgia’s bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) without losing any course credits thanks to a Transfer Articulation Agreement signed by both institutions.

• How to Turn a Passion for Community into a Thriving Business

  April 28, 2016

  From accountant to CMO, small business owners are used to wearing a number of different hats and juggling myriad tasks. It’s easy to become so immersed in the minutia of business that you forget about your surrounding community. Don’t let this happen to you! It takes a village to run a successful business, and it takes passion for community to make a business successful.

• Center of Innovation for Manufacturing: Developing Partnerships to Grow Georgia’s Industries

  April 27, 2016

  In an increasingly competitive global environment, Georgia’s manufacturing industry is using cutting-edge technology to develop new products for commercialization and increase the number of manufacturing-related jobs throughout the state. The Center of Innovation for Manufacturing, a program of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is using university-led research to help the manufacturing industry throughout Georgia develop new products and processes.

• Eclectic Energy Experts Paint Bright Green Future for Georgia's Sustainable Resources

  April 20, 2016

  A diverse panel of experts from solar, electric vehicle, natural gas and biomass industries, among others, participating in the 3rd annual roundtable meeting to discuss Georgia’s future energy needs, suggested a bright picture ahead in renewable resources for the state. Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols emceed the April 12th “Brunch and Learn” session, hosted by Attorney Greg Chafee, Partner for the Energy Group of the Thompson Hine law firm.

• AT&T Brings New Virtual Reality Simulator to Newnan High School

  April 15, 2016

  Representatives from Newnan High School welcomed AT&T and the It Can Wait campaign to campus today to address a dangerous practice—smartphone driving distractions. Research shows that 7-in-10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving. It’s no longer safe to assume that people are just texting from behind the wheel.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.5%

  April 14, 2016

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 5.5 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 5.4 percent in February. The rate was 6.2 percent in March 2015.

• How to Use a Stay Interview to Keep Good Employees

  April 13, 2016

  Employee retention may not be what the 50s crooner Frankie Valli had in mind when he sang that iconic line from the song “Stay,” but it is a topic of concern for every employer who fears losing top-tier talent. That is particularly the case for small businesses where the loss of a single employee may represent an entire job function or department. Add to that the strain involved in recruiting, hiring, and training a replacement — it’s a headache no employer wants.

• Taking Care of Your Business Means Taking Care of Yourself

  April 11, 2016

  Growing up, everyone is told there’s no room for selfishness in corporate America. If you want to be successful, then you have to be a team player. Unfortunately, over the years, many of us have confused the notion of being a “team player” with the idea that you can’t do anything for yourself. This often manifests itself in unhealthy habits that aren’t healthy or productive. As a busy entrepreneur who’s grown accustomed to selflessly serving everyone’s needs but your own, here are a handful of things you to start focusing on.

• Whose Fault Is It When Employees Fail?

  April 08, 2016

  I recently read a book that every small business owner and entrepreneur should read. “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win” is written by former U.S. Navy SEAL and current management consultants Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. I generally don’t look to martial or sports resources for today’s modern business problems, quite frankly because many of them are outdated and ineffective. These two professionals, however, provide experience from both their military and civilian background that every manager of people should have in their toolbox.

• Lessons to Learn on Great, Terrible Customer Service

  April 07, 2016

  There’s a lesson to be learned from everything — even from horrible customer service experiences. What can your small business learn about providing better customer service from the worst customer service mistakes other businesses make? The 2016 24/7 Customer Engagement Index has some answers.

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