July 2014 Features

  • Should Your Small Business Just Ignore These 7 Technologies?

    July 31, 2014

    New technologies are released every day. For those small business owners that have shiny object syndromes (SOS), they can be hard to resist. Many are pushed to thinking that in order to have a competitive edge, they need to offer their customers the latest technology. However, for the good of your company, here are seven that you may need to ignore for now.

  • 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.

  • Small Business Loans Reach Post-Recession High

    July 29, 2014

    It isn’t quite the golden days of pre-recession financing. But small business lending has reached a post-recession high. That’s the unvarnished optimistic conclusion of the June 2014 Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index.

  • The Hidden Costs of an Unreliable Internet Connection

    July 28, 2014

    In business, an unreliable Internet connection costs dollars and cents. It’s that simple. Let’s break down the real issues and what they could cost you, to measure how important your Internet connection is.

  • Does Self-Employment Really Rise in Recessions?

    July 25, 2014

    Some observers argue that self-employment is counter-cyclical. Focusing on people’s decisions to go into business for themselves, these researchers argue that some of the people who lose their jobs when the economy contracts enter into self-employment, rather than becoming unemployed or exiting the labor force.

  • 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.

  • Mayor Reed Appoints Geisler to Lead City of Atlanta Operations

    July 21, 2014

    Mayor Kasim Reed announced Friday the appointment of Michael J. Geisler, a proven business leader with exceptional experience as a senior manager in the financial sector, as Chief Operating Officer for the City of Atlanta. Geisler has been acting as Interim COO since February 2014.

  • Former Jamestown Colleagues Announce New Adaptive Reuse and Urban Infill Development Firm

    July 18, 2014

    Hank Farmer and Pierce Lancaster, former Jamestown colleagues who built their careers working on high-profile urban infill and adaptive-reuse projects, have formed Third & Urban. The new firm will focus on the development of similar projects in the Southeast, eyeing markets from Virginia to Louisiana that exhibit a high quality of life, a strong workforce and consistent job growth. Third & Urban will also serve as a consultant to other developers.

  • Merrill Lynch Scorecard Shows Productivity Tied to Employees’ Financial Well-Being

    July 17, 2014

    Merrill Lynch recently released their 401(k) Wellness Scorecard for the second quarter, with results showing a positive increase in financial habits from plan participants. We spoke with James Wallace and Deborah Howard, Managing Directors – Wealth Management, Global Corporate & Institutional Advisory Services, to get their take on the results of the scorecard and why more companies need to become invested in the financial well-being of their employees.

  • Broadstone Invests $10 Million on Georgia Houses

    July 16, 2014

    Broadtree Homes, a private real estate investment company managed by Broadstone Real Estate, LLC, has acquired 127 single-family rental homes from The Dominion Group for a total purchase price of approximately $10 million.

  • When is the Best Time to Trademark Your Company Name?

    July 15, 2014

    For the new business that is just starting out, a common question is, “When is the right time to file a trademark application?” Should business owners bother registering before their product or service is ready, or just wait until they’re ready to officially launch to the marketplace?

  • Meritage Homes Puts Regional HQ in Atlanta

    July 14, 2014

    Meritage Homes Corporation, a leading U.S. homebuilder, announced that the company has created a new South Region to be based in Atlanta.

  • Should You Ever Make a Counter Offer to an Employee?

    July 11, 2014

    It’s no secret that competition for experienced employees is heating up. Despite the economy’s ups and downs, the news continues to be filled with reports that businesses seeking to hire can’t find qualified workers. So if you have qualified workers on board, how far should you go to retain them? When a key employee gets a job offer, should you consider making a counter offer?

  • 3 Classic Recipes in Case Your Brand Ever Gets Grilled

    July 10, 2014

    Yes, it’s true. The Paula Deen Network is launching in September. The celebrity cook, whose career was nearly burnt, is cooking up something new – and digital. Just in case your brand ever gets grilled, we look at three fast and easy tips inspired by the digital rebranding of Paula Deen.

  • 3 Ways to Keep Your Small Business Growing & Gaining Ground

    July 09, 2014

    As many business leaders spent the last year focused on cutting costs and staying competitive, small-business employers specifically took measures to hold fast – making careful choices about hiring, compensation and employee benefits options.

  • Will Your Next Business Suit Be an Executive Hoodie?

    July 08, 2014

    Whoever thinks that hoodies don’t belong in the workplace has probably never seen the Executive Pinstripe Hoodie from Betabrand. The Executive Hoodie is made from suit fabric and retails for $168. Mark Zuckerberg provided the inspiration behind the hoodie, and its launch coincided with the social media giant’s IPO.

  • Do Customers Buy Because of Your Core Values?

    July 07, 2014

    As we've discussed in previous posts, customers buy brands and they pay more for brands that they want to be associated with. But, it's not just your logo and advertising that creates your brand.

  • 15 LinkedIn Mistakes You Can Easily Avoid

    July 02, 2014

    Are you a B2B professional who wants to make a standout impression with your expertise and build your personal brand? Want to meet and engage with other quality professionals in your industry? Want to stay up to date on interesting information shared by peers in your field? Then LinkedIn is the professional party you should attend when it comes to your social media mix.

  • Key Collaborations Bolster Venture Atlanta’s Ongoing Success

    July 01, 2014

    Since its earliest days, beginning in 2002 as ION Venture Forum, the annual Venture Atlanta conference has left an indelible mark on innovation and technology in Georgia. Twelve years and $1.3 billion investment dollars later, it continues to support local entrepreneurism by bringing the most promising tech companies together with the country’s top-tier investors.