May 2014 Features

  • How to Use Twitter for Customer Service

    May 30, 2014

    In order to provide the best possible customer service, smart small business owners learn from the big companies’ best practices. One tactic more and more big corporations are using is providing customer service on Twitter.

  • Georgia Credit Unions Impact Their Members, Their Communities & Beyond

    May 29, 2014

    Georgia credit unions are committed to helping their members afford their lives. But the impact of credit unions reaches far beyond the branch walls. As not-for-profit institutions, credit unions contribute their resources to the greater good of their communities. They live out the values of working together to accomplish more, and the difference they make is felt across Georgia every day.

  • Behind the Scenes at Medient's $700 Million Georgia StudioPlex

    May 28, 2014

    “Georgia’s film industry is booming,” touted Governor Nathan Deal in last week’s video address to the Savannah Economic Development Authority’s (SEDA) annual luncheon, and rightfully so. Employment, tax revenue and new construction are rising steadily throughout the state. However, one proposed development in Effingham County near Savannah should be a warning to all counties in Georgia. This is the story of how a proposed $700 million “Disneyland meets Googleplex” development has created high hopes for one Georgia community only to be at risk by the players involved.

  • Working Flextime? According to New Research, Bosses Prefer Early Birds to Night Owls

    May 27, 2014

    In a new study of flexible work policies, researchers at the University of Washington Foster School of Business have found that people who elect to work an early shift are perceived by their bosses to be better employees than those who work a later shift.

  • TAG Mobilizes Metro Techies to Aid the Atlanta Community Food Bank

    May 23, 2014

    The Technology Association of Georgia is mobilizing Atlanta's technology community on behalf of the Atlanta Community Food Bank as part of a weekend of great ideas and giving back to the community.

  • Secondary Self-Employment in Decline

    May 22, 2014

    Fewer Americans are working for themselves than did at the turn of the 21st century. That’s true for both people’s primary and secondary jobs, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicate.

  • Georgia Primaries Bring Expected Congressional Runoffs

    May 21, 2014

    Tuesday’s primary election results brought runoffs for candidates for both houses of Congress.

  • Underdog Businesses Must Work Harder

    May 20, 2014

    Small business owners are almost always underdogs. They deal with competition from companies with much larger budgets and more resources at their disposal. So how can David compete with Goliath? In a recent sit-down with Inc.’s Issie Lapowski, author Malcolm Gladwell explained.

  • How to Keep Your Family Business All in the Family

    May 19, 2014

    Is your small business family-owned? Family business owners are feeling optimistic about the short term, but pessimistic about the long-term outlook for their companies, says a recent survey by The Alternative Board. The good news? If your family business is on the wrong track, there are some simple steps you can take to right it before it’s too late.

  • Operation HOPE Founder to Serve as Atlanta Technical College Commencement Speaker

    May 16, 2014

    John Hope Bryant, Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization, will address the Atlanta Technical College class of 2014 at its commencement exercises today at 11am. The ceremony will be held at the Atlanta Civic Center.

  • Atlanta Among Best Cities to Start a Business, National Study Says

    May 15, 2014

    For most entrepreneurs, there are countless dynamics that factor into the decision to start a new business. Funding, economic trends, hiring pools, affordability and other variables can strongly influence the growth and success of a startup business. A recent report from SCORE ranks Atlanta #6.

  • CooperCraft, Now ISNetworld Certified and Ready for Continued Growth

    May 14, 2014

    CooperCraft made the move from Sylvester to Tifton December 2011, and the transition has treated the company well. The easy access to I-75, continued growth of Tifton, and larger office space have all led to increased productivity and volume for the statewide company ran by childhood friends Jerry Cooper and Darrell Powell, who lived three houses apart since elementary school while growing up in Sylvester.

  • Three Ways to Cut Costs for Your Small Business

    May 13, 2014

    Even with the economy on the rise, it’s general good practice to keep a check on your business costs and see if there’s any room for improvement when it comes to savings. As the old adage goes, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Here are a few ways you might be able to cut costs and save your small business some money in the long run.

  • When the Boss Calls After Hours

    May 12, 2014

    We shouldn’t laugh too hard about the agreement announced last month in France that sought to protect employees from after-hours texts and emails but confused a lot of people. Here in the United States, where we are known for our relentless work ethic, we are ignoring this issue and letting confusion govern what is expected from employees after they leave work.

  • No Such Thing As Bad Publicity? Apparently There Is

    May 09, 2014

    Think all that matters is how much people are talking about your brand online? Think again. A recent study finds sentiment is more important than volume of online conversations when it comes to driving sales.

  • Georgia's Tourism Industry Impact Hits Record High With $53.6B

    May 08, 2014

    Georgia Tourism, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced Thursday that tourism demand generated $53.6 billion in business sales including direct, indirect and induced impact in 2013, up 4.5 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

  • Self Employment Continues to Decline, Despite the Recovery

    May 07, 2014

    The recently released Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (KIEA) shows that pace of entry into self-employment declined last year. The media has put a positive slant on the news. Because many people go into business for themselves out of necessity when the economy is doing poorly and they have few employment alternatives, this decline is okay, the reporters say. It means that the jobs market is doing better.

  • Curt Fowler on How GE Uses Lean Innovation

    May 06, 2014

    Lean innovation is not just for startups. According to a recent Harvard Business Review article by Brad Powers, GE is implementing lean innovation principles into its appliance division as it attempts to prove that it can bring manufacturing back to the US and compete successfully.

  • Top Stories: Minimum Wage Increase Defeated, Internet Explorer Fixed

    May 05, 2014

    Top stories for small business owners this week involved the fate of a contentious minimum wage bill and the repair of a major Web security issue. The Small Business Trends editorial team has you covered with this important news and more. Just follow our roundup.

  • Did You Know That Wrong Conversations Rule Workplace Communication?

    May 02, 2014

    There’s a new concept, The 4 Workplace Conversations, which came out of a recent client case study from facilitating a training session to help a senior leadership team of a clients confront issues directly in a way that reduced workplace conflict.

  • SunTrust Finds Business Leaders Rank Companies Stronger Than Economy

    May 01, 2014

    Business owners and top decision-makers are more optimistic about their own businesses in 2014 than they are about the overall U.S. economy, according to an annual survey sponsored by SunTrust Banks, Inc.

  • Talk to the Hand, Cause the Face Ain’t Listenin’

    May 01, 2014

    When I was in the fourth grade, I had a crush on Jill. It was a one-sided relationship, but as Valentine’s Day came closer I decided the best way to wow her was to walk to Lintner’s Drugstore and buy her a heart-shaped box of Russell Stover chocolates. It took about 6 weeks allowance to be able to afford that purchase, but to me Jill was worth it.