Features

• Rep. Lynn Westmoreland: MetLife Ruling a Devastating Blow to Dodd-Frank Bureaucratic Nightmare

  April 05, 2016

  Washington bureaucrats, overreaching regulations, and unsubstantiated labels: that’s been Dodd-Frank’s M.O. for the last six years. These truths were reinforced by U.S. District Judge Rosemary Collyer’s two-page order this week in the case of MetLife Inc. v. Financial Stability Oversight Council. Judge Collyer’s ruling in favor of MetLife delivered a devastating blow to Dodd-Frank’s “too big to fail” designation process.

• How to Increase Employee Engagement to Boost Your Bottom Line

  April 01, 2016

  In America, only 32 percent of employees are engaged at work, and it’s costing businesses billions of dollars a year in lost revenue, from the cost of employee turnover to lost productivity and poor customer satisfaction ratings. The answer: If you want to increase profits, keep your team happy.

• Still Climbing Out of the Recession? 8 Tips to Consider

  March 25, 2016

  Eight years after the recession, as many as 93 percent of U.S. counties are still feeling the effects. Only 1 in 5 small businesses have completely recovered. While the economy slowly improves, small businesses have sung the same tune of sluggish recovery for almost a decade.But it’s a new year. In a world of political and international uncertainty, 77 percent of small business owners feel confident about the upcoming year, and many are positioned to hire new employees and make strategic investments.

• Georgia Technology Summit Speakers Envision Innovation on Land, at Sea and in the Air

  March 22, 2016

  At the recent 12th Annual Georgia Technology Summit held in Atlanta by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), three keynote speakers envisioned their respective spheres of influence where future technological innovation will flourish: within the growth of cities (such as Atlanta); in the air (The Weather Company); and, at sea (the U.S. Navy).

• 5 Simple Reasons You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Selling

  March 16, 2016

  Many entrepreneurs are afraid of selling. It’s a pretty common fear. While there are many reasons to fear selling, there are also great reasons why entrepreneurs shouldn’t be afraid of selling. That’s what this article is about.

• Can Your Customers Be Even More Valuable to Your Small Business?

  March 14, 2016

  There are no new ideas under the sun, really? So what can you do to help your small business stand out in the marketplace?

• Charlie Harper: Transit Support Growing While Funding Still Elusive

  March 09, 2016

  The direct tie of MARTA rail to economic development has transformed the conversation regarding MARTA expansion into one that can be had even in Republican circles. Discussion is relatively easy. Legislation, specifically ones that identify and appropriate sources of funds, are a bit harder.

• Georgia’s Aerospace Industry Reaching New Heights

  March 08, 2016

  The Centers of Innovation, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is focused on helping industries and small businesses connect, compete, and grow globally. This is the first in a series of articles focused on the Georgia Department of Economic Development Centers of Innovation, which has six centers located throughout the state: Aerospace, Agribusiness, Energy Technology, Information Technology, Logistics, and Manufacturing.

• AMC to Acquire Carmike CInemas in $1.1B Deal, Become Largest Movie Theatre Chain in World

  March 04, 2016

  AMC Theatres and Carmike Cinemas, Inc. announced today they have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which AMC will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Carmike for $30.00 per share in cash. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.1 billion, including the assumption of Carmike net indebtedness. The purchase price per screen is approximately $376,000, and the per share purchase price represents an approximate 19.47% premium to Carmike’s March 3rd closing stock price.

• The Right and Wrong Reasons to Incorporate or Form an LLC

  February 26, 2016

  Picking a business structure is usually the first big decision for any new business owner. My own companies have helped tens of thousands small businesses get started with an LLC or corporation — and as such, I’ve heard countless reasons why business owners think they should (or shouldn’t) incorporate. There are some common misconceptions associated with incorporation, often related to trying to avoid state taxes or any liability.

• Former Columbus Chamber President Mike Gaymon Pens Book "A View from the Backhoe"

  February 22, 2016

  It has been more than a year since Mike Gaymon retired from the Greater Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce where he was known as a bold and effective leader that helped transform the Columbus community. Gaymon traded in the boardrooms and business meetings for a backhoe and a quieter life in the country where he has spent time reflecting on his decades-long career as a Chamber executive. It was this new view from atop a backhoe that inspired his book, aptly tilted, A View from the Backhoe.

• Former Columbus Chamber President Mike Gaymon Pens Book "A View from the Backhoe"

  February 22, 2016

  It has been more than a year since Mike Gaymon retired from the Greater Columbus, GA Chamber of Commerce where he was known as a bold and effective leader that helped transform the Columbus community. Gaymon traded in the boardrooms and business meetings for a backhoe and a quieter life in the country where he has spent time reflecting on his decades-long career as a Chamber executive. It was this new view from atop a backhoe that inspired his book, aptly tilted, A View from the Backhoe.

• Newnan-Built Yahama YXZ1000R, Wolverine SE Models Revealed for 2016

  February 18, 2016

  Yamaha Motor Corp., USA, is introducing two new Special Edition models to its growing line of side-by-side vehicles. Yamaha’s YXZ1000R, the world’s first and only pure sport side-by-side, and Wolverine, a new standard in off-road capability and comfort in a side-by-side, both receive new SE versions for 2016.

• Southwest Georgia Shines During 28th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt

  February 11, 2016

  Albany and Southwest Georgia welcomed a record number of guests this week to the 28th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt. Nearly 30 site location consultants as well as recruitment and expansion prospects arrived in Southwest Georgia this week to learn about doing business in Georgia while enjoying the traditional quail hunting experience.

• Should You Hire Overqualified Employees?

  February 04, 2016

  When hiring, have you ever thrown away a resume from a candidate who sounded far too overqualified? According to some new research, you may have made a big mistake. A study from the Journal of Applied Psychology followed job candidates who were hired for roles they were overqualified for, either by experience or education. Turns out, the overqualified employees performed better at their jobs than the average employee.

• UGA Law Students Gain Valuable Work Experience in the Atlanta Market

  January 25, 2016

  Students at the University of Georgia School of Law can now earn full-time professional experience in the Atlanta market while continuing to work toward a degree from the state’s flagship institution. The Georgia Law Atlanta campus is located at the Terry College of Business Executive Education Center, across from the Lenox Square Mall in Buckhead.

• Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast” Draws Over 2,000 Business Leaders to World Congress Center

  January 14, 2016

  An agenda featuring Georgia’s senior government officials—U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, Governor Nathan Deal, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Dennis Ralston—drew over 2,000 business and community leaders to the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce “Eggs and Issues Breakfast on Tuesday.

• Will 2016 Usher In “5G” Mobile Internet Technology? AT&T Expert Weighs in

  January 04, 2016

  The year 2015 brought us everything from the "hover board" to widespread use of "wearable" devices and "connected cars." Will 2016 also ring in the already well-publicized and much-buzzed about "5G" mobile Internet speeds? AT&T's Tom Keathley, Senior Vice President, Wireless Network Architecture & Design, breaks down the facts vs myths of 5G, where we are now - and where we still need to go before the new standard of "fast" really takes hold.

• Small Town, Big Opportunity: Where Do Startups Fare Best?

  December 08, 2015

  When it comes to small business startups, location is a key component of success. When choosing which town might be best for your business, factors like economic health, annual income, unemployment, and cost of living should be considered. As it turns out, major cities like New York and San Francisco are not high on the list for reasons like high taxes and strict regulations that can hinder growth. Interestingly, small businesses actually tend to perform best in small towns.

• Carvana Revs its Technology Engines, Revolutionizes Pre-Owned Car Market in Georgia and Nationwide

  December 04, 2015

  Carvana, the first 360° online pre-owned car buying experience, is certifiably not your father’s used car dealer. According to co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Ryan Keeton, Carvana’s technology has allowed the two-and-a-half year old firm to make the secondary car market buying process totally transparent.

• Kia Motors, Blue Bird Bus Corp. Executives Steer "Georgia Manufacturing Summit" in New Directions

  November 20, 2015

  Executives of the Blue Bird Bus Corporation and Kia Motors addressed over 300 attendees at the inaugural “Georgia Manufacturing Summit” held recently at the Cobb Galleria Centre, calling for collaborative thinking, as well as intra-state, inter-company commerce among local manufacturers.

• 2015 Transportation Summit: Blueprint for Future Projects in Georgia

  November 17, 2015

  Over 700 Georgia engineering, transportation and public policy leaders gathered at the Georgia World Congress Center recently to lay out a blueprint for the state’s future strategic projects and their economic effect.

• Newnan-Coweta Chamber Recognized as National “Chamber of the Year’

  November 11, 2015

  The Newnan-Coweta Chamber was recognized as the 2015 Chamber of Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, at the annual conference in Montreal, Canada.

• Georgia Ranked No. 1 State in U.S. for Business for 3rd Year in A Row

  November 03, 2015

  Gov. Nathan Deal announced yesterday that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business for the third consecutive year by Site Selection magazine, a leading economic development trade publication.

• 7 Things Successful People Do Before Every Presentation

  November 02, 2015

  Presentations are your chance to make an impression. Whether you’re standing before 100 important company leaders or just a handful of people you know, the content and delivery of your presentation has the power to make or break you.

Older Newer