December 2013 Buzz on Bizz by John Robeson

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DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER 2013 ISSUE • THE CSRA’S ONLY BUSINESS MONTHLY PUBLICATION

Service, relaxed atmosphere and fine coffee earn national kudos.

Augusta’s Buona Caffe Gains NAtional Attention Fodor’s Travel Names it to Top 15 By Gary Kauffman

or the past five months, Augustans have been discovering that Buona Caffe is a relaxing place to get a great cup of coffee. Now the rest of America is on the secret as well. Fodor’s Travel recently named the aptly named Buona Caffe (Italian for good coffee) as one of its Top 15 Best Indie Coffee Shops in America on its website. Most of the other 15 are located in

major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Seattle, New York and Chicago. John Curry, owner of Buona Caffe Artisan Roasted Coffee, Inc., said he was unaware the prestigious travel guide was planning to list them. “The first clue I had was when someone from Random House (Fodor’s parent company) asked for photos,” Curry said. “We’re very excited and very humbled being in the company of these other coffee places.” It is heady stuff, considering Curry and his wife, Pat, only

opened the doors of their coffee bar at 1858 Central Avenue on June 13. “There’s nothing like us in Augusta,” Curry said. “We roast our own beans and everything is really fresh.” Enjoying a cup of coffee at Buona Caffe almost forces a person to relax. The coffee is brewed one cup at a time by hand, a process that takes 3-½ minutes. “That gives us time to talk to the customers and engage them,”

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New in this Issue:

Career Section Pages 21-32

DECEMBER 2013

Are Parking Meters Back On The Table? These opinions are those of THOMAS Scott Hudson and not necessarily those of Buzz on Biz Newspaper or its staff.

Article by Thomas Scott Hudson

t seems that every few years the issue of placing parking meters downtown is raised. In the past, the issue upset many of the people who live and work

downtown. Recently, during a workshop discussing the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget shortfall, Mayor Deke Copenhaver again raised the possibility of charging for parking. His reason for bringing it up caused the others in the room to scratch their heads. Does the Mayor really think an $8 million dollar shortfall can be whittled down one quarter at a time? Sure, plenty of large cities charge for parking. If you go to Atlanta, you can expect to pay $5 to $20 for the privilege of getting out of your car. The problem is that Augusta is not Atlanta. There are certain attractions and government buildings that are unique to Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s urban area and if you want to visit them you can either pay to park or pay to ride MARTA. Augusta is different. Aside from the Augusta Museum and the Olmstead Exhibit Hall, the outer areas feature

plenty of entertainment options with free parking. Also, fewer people have business to do at the Municipal Building than the ones visiting the State Capitol Building. The last time the issue of parking meters was brought up, the suggestions were made by Margaret Woodard of the Downtown Development Authority. Her reasons for wanting meters was not revenue, but rather traffic control. Woodard said at the time that too many prime spaces were being filled all day by people employed downtown, which hampered retail and restaurant traffic. Her rationale was that if people had to pay to park the employees would seek out free spaces that were off the main drag. Downtown business owners thought otherwise. Having meters would certainly open up spaces but they would curb traffic because a lot of people would not want to pay to run into the book store for five minutes. The business owners also pointed out that there really was no terrible shortage of parking and that people who came downtown expected to walk a couple of city blocks to get to their

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DECEMBER 2013

PRIVATIZING VS. IN-HOUSE SOLUTIONS NEIL GORDON | President, Buzz on Biz LLC

his isn’t exactly a story about the City of Augusta deciding to have in-house legal counsel or use expensive outside attorneys. However, this story affects our brand and I believe the growth of Buzz on Biz, LLC for years to come. For the last few years the Buzz on Biz has had virtual offices spread across the CSRA to ensure that the editing, layout, design and writing of our newspapers was done in a flexible and efficient manner. Like with anything else, there were pluses and minuses to this arrangement. The freedom of freelancers to juggle life and other clients has been a great plus for all involved. No one involved ever punched a “9 to 5” clock and ever complained about late hours. This newspaper and Verge were largely conceived and completed within two-three weeks each month – with the final days resembling collegians crashing on term papers in different dorm rooms to get er’ done! Mistakes were kept to a minimum, but stress levels were sometimes at a maximum. It’s been a bonding experience with the E35 Media design\layout team of Jeff Brotherton and John Robeson and the editing\writing of Jennifer Pruett and Chris Selmek. Each will still be involved in our company – but with far less responsibility or

stress! E35 will help us on our side marketing projects. Former newspaper\web editor Jennifer Pruett will continue to write several stories each month while juggling home schooling and extra curriculars of three thriving children. Selmek, a twentysomething bachelor, is ready to see the world as he plans a cross-country odyssey and hopefully chronicles his travels for the readers of our “artsy” Verge publication. These are big shoes to fill. I am excited to welcome Gary Kauffman to our team. He’ll get started on Day One each month to oversee all aspects of the content, design, and photography of our newspapers and our www.buzzon.biz site. Gary understands your entrepreneurial spirit. For the last 17 years he ran his own graphic design and writing business in Indiana, which included the production of several business directories. He has 33 years of experience in the writing, editing, design and photography for magazines and newspapers. Kauffman has a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana State University (he attended at the same time as basketball legend Larry Bird). This Hoosier is champing at the bit to meet CSRA business leaders and write about the lessons learned to help your company grow. Thanks again to my “virtual friends” for their hard work. It’s time to bring it inhouse.

T H E C S R A ’ S O N L Y B US I N E SS M O N T H L Y P U B L I C A T I O N

BUZZ ON BIZ • INDUSTRY EXPERTS • WATERCOOLER STORIES • BUSINESS ADVICE • TRENDS

The Buzz on Biz mission: to act as an inspirational tool for those in the workplace and those who are entrepreneurs and to provide useful, practical information to help increase companies’ bottom lines. To submit editorial content or to order a 12-month subscription mailed to your home or office for $12, mail a check to the address below. Neil R. Gordon: Publisher\Sales Manager (706) 589-6727 Gary Kauffman: Editor in Chief E35 Media: Design and Layout Kyle W. Evans: Sales(706) 288-9957 Christopher Selmek: Senior Writer Erin Campbell: Special Projects Coordinator Melissa Gordon: www.sofiacolton.com, Photography S.C. Contributors: Stephen Delaney Hale Opinions expressed by the writers herein are their own and their respective institutions. Neither the Buzz on Biz LLC, or its agents or its employees take any responsibility for the accuracy of submitted information, which is presented for informational purposes only.

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DECEMBER 2013

Preparation for a business sale prevents an unexpected blow up Kim Romaner | Business Broker

he sale of a business has a lot of moving parts. To get you safely through the closing process without it blowing up in your face, make sure you work closely with your broker, attorney and accountant to prepare for a successful closing. The following list is by no means comprehensive, but it does capture some of the issues that have killed or postponed deals in the final hours. Tell your landlord that you’re planning to sell. Even if you’re on a month-to-month lease, the landlord needs to know your plans.

Kim Romaner This is a sponsored article. Kim Romaner is president of Transworld Business Advisors of Augusta, a business brokerage that helps people buy and sell businesses, and also enter into the franchise world. With over 70 locations in the U.S. and abroad, Transworld has sold many thousands of businesses. If you’d like to talk to Kim about selling or valuing your business, buying a franchise or turning your existing business into a franchise operation, please call 706-383-2994, or email her at kromaner@tworld.com.

You need to know whether the landlord will allow a new owner to assume your lease, or assign a new one, and what is required in either case. A business owner I know, deep in the selling process, shared her plans with the landlord only to be told that the landlord was demolishing the building when her lease was up. Oops. There goes the sale. The sale price is not the only money changing hands. In a recent closing, the seller owed commissions for the closing month in the month following the closing. Luckily, he’d worked through this issue before the close with his broker, and agreed to calculate those commissions and pay them at closing. Your closing may include prorated rent, insurance, taxes and more. Be prepared in advance with these calculations. Note that the business broker gets paid in full at the closing table, too. Do the closing in the morning. Need to talk to the licensing office? Buyer needs another unexpected certified check? Hold the closing during a time of day that gives you plenty of time to handle last-minute changes and surprises. And hold the closing on the last day of the month, quarter, or pay period to simplify who owes what to whom. Bring all titles, leases, contracts and agreements that will be transferred or

Collections—You’re Scrooged! J.EDWARD ENOCH, J.D. | Business Attorney

o you finished a big job and now it’s time to collect. All of a sudden your client is not as responsive to your calls as he once was. In fact, you have not gotten a return call since you sent the invoice for your work. Sound familiar? I hope not, because the story does not get better from here. I have clients call regularly, hopping mad, ready to sue because they have not been paid. Unfortunately, I rarely have good news for them. Claims of less than $15,000 can be brought in Magistrate Court. This court is relatively user-friendly for the lay person, so I frequently suggest the client handle the claim themselves. For a small collection matter it is hard to justify paying legal fees to try and collect the debt. Let’s say you file a claim in Magistrate Court. If the person you sued files an answer, then you have to go to court to prove your case (a minimum of a couple of hours). Generally the judge will not give a decision on the spot, you will get a decision in a week or so. You open the letter from the Magistrate Court. Woo Hoo! You won – you got a judgment against your deadbeat client!

Guess what is not in the envelope? A check from your deadbeat client. That’s right. After all that work, what you have is a piece of paper from the judge saying you are right, that person owes you money and here is how much. Now, the situation is not hopeless. The judgment does give you weapons to deploy to try and pry the money loose, such are freezing the deadbeat’s bank account with a garnishment or sending the sheriff to confiscate property and sell it at auction to get you paid. However, all of these processes are long, slow and expensive. The moral of my story? Keep a close watch on your accounts receivable. Don’t let any client get too far in your pocket before you collect or stop working. These are much more effective methods of protecting your resources that trying to chase the deadbeat. Happy Holidays and Bah Humbug!

J. Edward (ed) enoch This is a sponsored Law Talk article. Ed Enoch’s practice focuses on business, employment and real estate law. He is a 1992 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Washington and Lee School of Law. He has served in many leadership roles for SHRM, Rotary, the Family Y and the United Way. Reach him at 706.738.4141 or jenoch@enochlaw.com.

assumed. If the van is going with the business, the title must be transferred. If the copier leases will be assumed, if supplier contracts will remain in place, all must be prepared in advance for transfer or assumption. Count the inventory carefully. Inventory will be counted just prior to the closing by both the buyer and seller. Keep in mind that if you’re marketing your business with $100,000 of inventory included, and at closing there’s only $50,000 in inventory because you’ve been selling it down, $50,000 will be deducted from the selling price of the

business at the close. That’s a big gulp if you’re not prepared for it in advance. Prepare a detailed furniture, fixtures and equipment list. This list will be filed as part of the tax returns of both the buyer and seller on IRS form 8594, and should include fair market value and any amount attributed to goodwill. Bring the keys! And the alarm codes, and the combination to the safe, etc. The new owners of your business are eager to open the doors to what is now their business. Make sure they can do it!

DECEMBER 2013

Buona Caffe

Continued from Page 1

Buona Caffe’s coffee is hand-poured for the freshest, richest flavor.

Curry said. “We get into good conversations about coffee.” Although the coffee shop is still in its infancy, the Currys have been in the coffee roasting business since 2010. “We’ve sold it by the bag for a long time,” Curry said. “Most of the restaurants in town serve our coffee. They buy organic and fair trade coffee from a variety of sources, including Central America, South America, Indonesia and Africa. They recently purchased some of the elite Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Buona Caffe’s success means more than simply a larger bottom line for the business. The company also donates a portion of its profits to Children’s Safe Drinking Water, an organization that helps developing nations obtain drinkable water. Unsafe drinking water is the leading cause of childhood death in many of those nations. “We wanted the company to be more than about

Fodor’s Travel 15 Best Indie Coffee Shops Intelligentsia Chicago* Blue Bottle Coffee Oakland, Calif.* George Howell Coffee Newtonville, Mass. Stumptown Coffee Roasters Portland, Ore.* Brooklyn Roasting Co. Brooklyn, N.Y. Colectivo Coffee Milwaukee, Wisc.* Daylight Mind Coffee Co. Kona, Hawaii Zoka Coffee Roasters Seattle* Victrola Coffee Roasters Seattle Panther Coffee Miami Madcap Coffee Co. Grand Rapids, Mich.* Handsome Coffee Roasters Los Angeles Coffee By Design Portland, Maine Parisi Artisan Coffee Kansas City, Mo. Buona Caffe Augusta *Started there, locations in multiple cities

making a profit for us,” Curry explained. “We wanted it to be bigger than that.” Clean water seemed to be a natural fit for Buona Caffe. “Water is not only essential for life, but also for good coffee,” he said.

In addition to coffee, Buona Caffe also offers some food items. The coffee bar recently entered into a partnership with Edgar’s Grille to serve their pastries. For more information about the Children’s Safe Drinking Water program, visit CSDW.org.

DECEMBER 2013

Take time now to learn from 2013 Gary Kauffman | Editor

Taking time to review now can save future headaches

ith the end of 2013 just a month away (and even closer if you plan to take the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off), now is a good time to do a little year-end review of your business. While the Internet is chock-full of advice on maximizing tax strategies at the end of the year, your annual review should include more than just finances. Here are a few things to consider:

Take an honest look at 2013. Look back over the past 11 months and consider what happened in your business. What good things happened? What bad things happened? Those will probably be fairly easy to determine, but dig deeper – why did they happen? What caused the good things and can you repeat them in 2014? What were the underlying reasons for the bad things and what steps can you take to ensure they won’t happen again? Assess your core. If you’ve ever worked with a fitness trainer, you know they emphasize working on your core muscles. These give the entire body strength and stability. The same is true with your business. Your business is built around a core activity or set of activities, aimed at a specific market. Take a look at what those are in your business. Are you focused enough? Do you still do what you’ve set out to do and do well, or have you let peripheral activities dilute your core? Now is a good time to determine how you can return your focus to the things you do well.

Examine your products or services. During the normal ebb and flow of business, some products or services gain more value to your customers while others wane. Which products or services were in highest demand in 2013? Do you project that demand to continue in 2014? If so, now is the time to examine whether those products or services were priced to provide the maximum profit. If not, what can you do to increase that? In the same light, examine which products or services performed poorly. Do you see a rebound for them in 2014? If not, are they worth keeping as part of your business? Before cutting them completely, consider whether the declining product still creates value to key customers who buy other products and services, and how eliminating that product would affect their standing with you. And just because a product or service no longer fits into your future doesn’t mean it won’t have value to another business. So instead of simply eliminating it, consider selling the rights to it to another business. The customer is always right. Whether you’re selling retail, wholesale or providing businessto-business service, your business’ success depends on customers. In the daily grind of producing products, tending to bottom lines and dealing with employee issues, it can be easy to forget the needs of the customer. Now is the time to review how your company served its customers in 2013. Did you receive a lot of customer complaints? Or, better but more rare, did you receive a lot praise from customers? In either case, what were the underlying issues?

Step around your desk and consider things from your customers’ point of view. If you were a customer, what would make you want to do business with your company? What would make you not want to conduct business with you? In most cases, customer service will be the key to repeat business and continued profitability. Consider your employees. Even if you’re a hands-on boss, your employees are still probably toting a large percentage of the load in production or rendering services. That makes them a key asset – or liability – in the success of your business. Year-end reviews are not pleasant for employee or boss. Before talking to employees individually, assess your overall staff. Do you have the right people in the right jobs? Are there certain employees who have had an unusual number of complaints from customers or co-workers? Just as importantly, are you providing the right working conditions to make your employees productive? Safety is a critical concern, of course. But the right emotional environment can also make a difference. Employees who feel unappreciated, or who feel a supervisor is overcritical, can also suffer a reduction in productivity. Review your sales and marketing strategies. Creating a high-quality product or service does little good if no one knows about it. Is your advertising reaching the right audience? Are the ads and sales tools you used of a quality that presents your business in the right light? If you have a sales team, are they representing your business the way you would yourself? If one member of the sales team seems particularly successful, find out why and see how

that can translate to the rest of the staff. Look at the bottom line. Yes, finances are important. It’s been said that if you aren’t making a profit in your business then you’re engaging in a very expensive hobby. Obviously, you should be examining your finances on an ongoing basis, but the end of the year is a good time to put things in perspective. When were your high and low months? Were they expected, and if not, what caused them? You’ll want to compare the numbers to the budget you set up at the beginning of the year. Did you hit your numbers? Why or why not? Examine your cash flow, your expenses and any unpaid bills, especially those that have lingered for more than 30 days. Look at the profit you’re making. Have you optimized it to make the most you can while still offering your product or service at a competitive rate? Taxing concerns. The end of the year always brings up concerns about taxes – how much you’ll have to pay, how to avoid them and how to become better organized for the coming year. One thing to avoid is to start spending a lot of money before the end of the year in hopes of lower taxes. While higher expenses do help, the tradeoff is not even. Every $1 in expense may yield only 60 cents in tax savings – or a whole lot less. You could be spending more in hopes of saving a few bucks than you would just paying the higher taxes. Talk to your tax consultant before doing any rash year-end spending. All of this may seem like a lot of extra headaches around the holidays, but taking a few hours now to honestly examine your business will save you a lot more headaches in the future.

DECEMBER 2013

AUGUSTA MARRIOTT A BIG HIT IN THE SOUTH

Last-minute strategies for tax savings Christine Hall, CPA | Hall, Hall, & Associates P.C

e are already in the last quarter of the year and if you own a small business, now is the time to do some tax planning to keep your 2013 tax liability to a minimum. Here is a summary on some of the best strategies. New Equipment Businesses should take advantage of Section 179 expensing this year for a couple of reasons. The first is that in 2013 businesses can elect to expense the entire cost of most new equipment up to a maximum of $500,000 for the first $2 million of property placed in service by Dec. 31, 2013. Also in 2013, businesses can take advantage of an accelerated first-year bonus depreciation of 50 percent of the purchase price of new equipment and software placed in service by Dec. 31, 2013, that exceeds the threshold amount of $2 million. Bonus Accrual Businesses can accrue bonuses to employees (not owners) and deduct the bonuses on their 2013 income tax return as long as the bonuses are paid by the due date of the return, not including extensions. For S corporations this due date is March 15, 2014. For C corporations that date is 2-1/2 months after their fiscal year end. Almost all tax planning must be done before Dec. 31 or the last day of a company’s fiscal year. Accruing bonuses is one of the few strategies a business can take advantage of after year end. Once a financial statement is compiled and the net income for the year is known, the bonus accrual can be decided upon and paid. Simplified Employee Pension Another strategy you can take advantage of after year-end is a contribution to a Simplified Employee Pension plan (SEP). These plans are very flexible.

Contributions are based on a percentage of an employee’s salary and can be accrued and deducted on an income tax return as long as the contribution is made by the due date of the return, including extensions. The maximum amount that can be contributed for 2013 is 25 percent of salary up to $51,000. SEP contributions do not have to be made every year like other plans. Business owners can decide from year to year if they would like to make a contribution and if so, how much. The qualifications are fairly simple: The employee must at least 21 years of age, have made at least $550 in 2013 and have worked for you for at least three consecutive years. The same percentage must be made for each employee. Basis in Entity Partners or S corporation shareholders in entities that have a loss for 2013 can deduct that loss only up to their basis in the entity. However, they can take steps to increase their basis to allow a larger deduction. Basis in the entity can be increased by lending the entity money or making a capital contribution by the end of the entity’s tax year. These are just a few of the year-end planning tax moves that could make a substantial difference in your tax bill for 2013. But the best advice we can give you is to give us a call. We’ll sit down with you, discuss your specific tax and financial needs, and develop a plan that works for your business.

Hall, Hall, & Associates P.C This is a sponsored Employment article. Hall and Hall Associates P.C. is a full-service public accounting firm established in 1979. They have a staff of experienced professionals that stand ready to meet all of your accounting, tax and general business needs. For a complimentary consultation call 706-8557733 or visit hallassociatescpa.com.

The Augusta Marriott is a top choice of Southern event planners, according to votes cast with ConventionSouth magazine. The Marriott was recently given one of the magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, a distinguished honor by group of people who know a thing or two about meeting places. More than 6,500 Southern event planners and meeting professionals cast their votes for the 500 nominees, with 150 winners emerging. The Augusta Marriott was one of the 150, and one of 20 Georgia sites selected. The award is given for high standards of professionalism and quality of service. In addition to the Readers’ Choice Award, the Augusta Marriott also was given one of ConventionSouth’s Top 50 New or Renovated Meeting Site Awards. The hotel’s connection with the new 55,000-square-foot Olmstead Exhibit Hall, combined with its own banquet facilities and meeting rooms, gives it about 100,000 square feet of meeting space. Winning the award is nothing new for the Augusta Marriott. This is the third time it has received a Readers’ Choice Award. ConventionSouth will honor the hotel in its December issue. The magazine reaches about 18,000 meeting professionals each month.

DECEMBER 2013

Chamber stays busy beyond the ribbon cutting R

ibbon cuttings probably are the Columbia County Chamber’s most visible program. We celebrate business openings and expansions with fanfare and crowds. It’s the ceremonial beginning of a milestone. But we’re a lot more than just ribboncutters. Our overall mission as an organization it to be an advocate for economic growth in the Greater Augusta area. Not just Columbia County, but the entire CSRA. Every day, almost 1,500 Columbia County residents drive across the river to the Savannah River Site to work. And another 2,850 head to work at Georgia Regents University in Augusta. Neighboring Fort Gordon employs more than 30,000 military and non-military personnel. What happens in those places matters greatly to all of us. That’s why economic growth must be regional. So, how do we that? Advocacy Last month the Chamber sponsored the annual Pre-Legislative Breakfast. There the members of our local state Legislative Delegation all spoke about the upcoming session – sort of a sneak peak of those 40 days in Atlanta. Speaker of the House David Ralston, the keynote speaker, touted the legislature’s pro-business policies which are bringing jobs to Georgia – so much so that Site Selection Magazine had ranked Georgia the state with the best climate for business in 2013. The Chamber is an advocate for that pro-business agenda. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee keeps a close eye on state and federal legislation and policies and how it could impact us in the CSRA, especially involving the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and healthcare legislation. Legislators are well-acquainted with the Chamber’s legislative agenda which pushes for pro-business policies that will be the driver for economic development. In May, after the session, the Chamber will sponsor a Post-Legislative Breakfast. There our local legislators will report back to the community what happened during the session. Chamber members will travel to Atlanta during the session to meet with lawmakers and policy makers – making sure they get that all-important one-onone time with the people making the decisions. Members also will travel to Washington, D.C., in May to get that similar “face time” with national leaders. The State-of-the-Community Address brings top officials from the County, Grovetown, Harlem, the School Board, Sheriff’s Office and Fort Gordon together to share the plans they have for the future. Last year, the Chamber was a driving force behind passage of TSPLOST, a one-cent sales tax for road

Georgia Iron Works Human Resources Director Gary Holley, left, explains how the plant operates to automotive and metals teachers. Photo credit: Julie Kenny/Columbia County School District

improvements. Infrastructure is crucial for our economic development, and without this money many vital projects planned now would not be done. By advocating on our member’s behalf from a strong, respected position, the Chamber helps keep our industries – from the fort to the nuclear industry – thriving. This brings you customers. Workforce and Education A qualified, eager workforce is critical for business growth. Business needs change – technology changes and our

Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston. Photo credit: Jennifer Miller/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce

schools change. Business leaders struggle to find workers with the skills they need and the motivation to work. Educators struggle with the demands of teaching and staying abreast of what local businesses need. All the brick and mortar plants and retail are worthless without a quality workforce. The Chamber is working to bridge those gaps through several innovative projects. Teachers in Business puts career pathways teachers into local businesses that utilize skills these teachers teach. Principal for a Day pairs a school principal with a business executive for a day so the executive can see first-hand the challenges of running a large school.

PROSpeak is a speakers bureau that gives teachers access to local speakers with expertise in the subject matter being taught. Chamber members also serve on Advisory Boards for the various career pathways programs in Columbia County. These boards help shape curriculum for these classes. Community Leadership Building and maintaining a strong community takes good leadership and the Chamber takes an active role in developing our future leaders. Leadership Columbia County is a 10-month program of the Columbia County Chamber designed to expose business and community leaders to the opportunities and challenges facing our community while honing their leadership skills. Youth Leadership Columbia County is an 8-month program that educates a select group of high school students through experiences and motivation to enable them to take an active role in their community to influence a positive and progressive community. We also encourage leadership with our involvement in the community. We help bring groups together – whether it be government or business or community service. The Chamber recently moved into new office space with the Development Authority of Columbia County and the Columbia County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The new office, called the Center for Trade and Tourism, allows these three organizations with different, but complementary, missions and goals. I serve on several boards involved with economic development and education, and many of those group’s leaders serve on Chamber boards and committees.

Promoting local business Sometimes we hear a newer member complain that the Chamber didn’t bring them any new business in the past year. True, we didn’t bring a busload to your store for a Saturday afternoon shopping spree. But we did give you multiple opportunities to network and get your name and your business’ name out. Programs such as Chamber After Hours, Chamber Before Hours, Networking for Leads, Professional Development Luncheons, the annual golf tournament and more are designed to bring people together to network in a fun, yet professional setting. And it works. We encourage members to utilize other members when they do business, through programs like the Buy Local Campaign with WAGT 26. We keep up-to-date directories of member businesses online and in print. Even our publications put members in front of other members to grow their businesses. We celebrate local businesses through events like our Chairman’s Circle event, the Annual Banquet and the SuCCessful Superwoman’s Brunch. But let’s not forget the ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings. That’s where we all get to celebrate and share in the joy of our strong local economy. An investment in your chamber is an investment in your future.

TAMMY SHEPHERD is the president/ CEO of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. She can be contacted at (706) 651-0018 or tammy@ columbiacountychamber.com.

DECEMBER 2013

A Hummingbird that packs a punch: A new way of searching the web JEFF ASSELIN | Powerserve, Director of Sales and Marketing

hat do a Panda, Penguin and Hummingbird have in common? They’re all code names used in Google’s search engine algorithms. Webster defines an algorithm as “a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process.” Google has been around for 15 years and programmers have made several thousand changes to the algorithms that determine how they rank search engine results. In late September of this year, Google made one of its most significant changes to its algorithm: Hummingbird. Much like a real life Hummingbird, Google’s latest change to the algorithm is fast and precise. According to Google, Hummingbird is paying more attention to each word in a search query, ensuring that the whole query – the whole sentence, conversation or meaning – is taken into account, rather than just keywords. In essence, the goal is that pages matching the meaning of a particular search query will perform better, rather than pages that just match a few

keywords. Google makes no secret about trying to become less dependent on keywords (which will affect many businesses’ search engine optimization (SEO) strategies) and more about the informative nature of the content on a website. This change makes it more of a challenge for those who’ve been using shady tactics to get improved search page results. While Google has always been secretive about the science behind its search engine algorithms, web developers and those who specialize in SEOs can learn a lot from one another (and from Google) about how to provide more relevant content in order to appear higher in search results. In fact, those who have focused on a content marketing strategy for their websites will be in better shape than those who’ve strictly focused on loading their website with specific keywords. Google’s new changes are meant to have better integration with voice controls. With the rapid growth in smartphones and mobile devices, more of us are speaking commands such as “How tall is the Washington Monument” and “Show me pictures of the Washington Monument.”

In both cases, Google is returning relevant search engine results based upon the entire search query as opposed to simply returning results with keywords only. These changes are designed to make our lives, as searchers, easier. So now what? Companies need to be sure they have relevant content on their websites written in a way that better answers searchers’ queries. Keep the content fresh and change it often. Mobile-friendly websites will perform better when searches are being done from a mobile device. Relevant linking relationships to and from a company’s website will continue to be important. Many SEO experts are excited about the recent changes. But a note of

caution: Beware of shady link farms and scammers. Always check with a reputable website developer and SEO expert to see how you can improve your website in this ever-changing search engine results space. Jeff Asselin is Director of Sales & Marketing for Powerserve, a web development company that focuses on Websites, Custom Business Software, Search Engine Optimization, Graphic Design and Social Media Marketing. Let Jeff put his more than 16 years of advertising and marketing experience to work for you helping grow your business. Click (www.powerserve.net), Email (jeff.asselin@powerserve.net), Visit (961 Broad St, Augusta) or Call (c: 706-691-7189, o: 706826-1506, Ext 122). This is a sponsored article.

DECEMBER 2013

Papa John’s Gets It DON MACNEIL |

Crown Point Communications at Windsor Jewelers

uestion: Is there any greater proof that some of us are born to perform in front of cameras and some of us aren’t than the Papa John’s Pizza commercials with Peyton Manning and CEO John Schnatter? While Peyton has repeatedly proven himself an absolute natural, the good pizza maker just as often makes us want to crawl under the family room couch in discomfort when he appears on screen. And it’s no great leap to think that Mr. Schnatter is surrounded by yes-guys unwilling to lay this truth before him. But to his credit, he gets everything else right. Meaning? He or the marketers around him have figured out that football is America’s last gathering place, and especially for his product, the perfect setting. Think about it: Name any other activity likely to bring Baby Boomers, GenXers and Millenniums together in one room, in front of one screen. College. Pro. If it’s football, it’s where your ad dollars will be well spent for the balance of the season. “What about audience targeting?” you may protest. Save “targeting” for radio, publications, direct mail and perhaps a few web sites. Televised football releases you from targeting’s mantra and tells your story to the world at large. If someone outside your target learns of you and gifts a member of your target with your product, your ad just paid for itself. And never forget you have an obligation to the future of your business to raise your next generation

of customers. Football will do this. Need more evidence? - Football is watched overwhelmingly “live”, suggesting there’ll be no fastforwarding through your spot. - By the time you read this, commercial slots in the Super Bowl (at nearly $4 million a pop) will be sold out. - Women are avid football watchers now, too. - Football is the one sport people will watch even when not emotionally invested in either team. If by now my little halftime speech has you ready to run through a wall and put your TV spot on the next game, hang on. You have to run at least two spots per game or you’re wasting your money. This harkens back to a theme we’ve discussed repeatedly in this space – no one is hanging on your every word. You have to pound ‘em, again and again. At a minimum, this means one commercial in each half. Instruct your TV sales rep or ad person to avoid halftime slots. Unless you’re covered over in budget, hand select games with elevated local and regional interest. And if your name isn’t Peyton Manning, think long and hard about appearing in your own commercials. Consider the possibility that if you do, we might end up spending your spot under the couch. Next time: Your Customer’s Shoes

DON MACNEIL is a traditional media expert, having spent more than 30 years on-air and behind the scenes in Media and Marketing. If you have any comments or questions, email Don at windsorway@ comcast.net

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DECEMBER 2013

Why Terminal Leasing is Bad Business Jimmy McCollum |

VP of Service Operations for Credit Card Payment Systems

few things in life warrant leasing, like maybe a commercial dishwasher. But it’s a pretty exclusive club. Among items to never lease, a credit card terminal is No. 1. We hear merchants say “I can’t go anywhere else because I’m in a *#>% lease!” Well, that isn’t necessarily so. Card processing companies create separate leasing companies. If merchants change processors, the monthly leasing obligations won’t be interrupted. Below is a perfect example of a horrible deal. The owner of a tire store, just to the north of San Diego, was complaining to one of our agents, Rick, about his card processing costs. Rick pored over his monthly statement and asked “What is this $178 charge?” Shawn had no idea, called his processor’s number and his terminal lease was explained. Rick asked how long they had used that terminal and heard, “Since we opened seven years ago.” So $15,000 had been paid for a $150 terminal – and it still belonged to the processor! The 48-month lease

automatically renewed every 12 months. Luckily, his 12 months were about to roll over again and he was able to get out at that time. Egregious? Yes. Legal? Totally. A couple of years ago, my partner, Mark, was interviewing a woman for an agent position. She had experience in the industry and began the conversation with “Unless you can match the $8,000 I made on eight leases last month, there’s nothing to discuss.” The fact that we don’t lease is on our business cards. There was nothing to discuss. Merchants need to own their terminals. Often terminals are furnished to merchants at no charge, as long as there is sufficient volume to warrant it. Unfortunately, there are too many stories of business owners paying upwards of $1,500 for a simple countertop terminal. This is not what I mean by owning. Card processing is a secretive industry – on purpose. We try to educate our merchants as much as possible. Terminals aren’t that expensive and can be purchased either from us or from companies who only sell equipment and don’t try to get merchants into contracts. Some refurbished dial models can be had for as little as $100, while new IP units are in the $300 range. New wireless

units can go from there to $700 or so. They last for years. We often provide merchants with contact info on where to buy the terminals. If you’ve ever been in a lease, then I’m preaching to the choir. If you haven’t, terminal leasing is by no means a rite of passage. Most are between $35 and $60 per month. Do the math. Reason can prevail over a sales pitch. I mentioned above about a lease not necessarily keeping one from changing processors. We have merchants who are counting the days until their current leases are behind them. Saving enough on processing to take care of remaining payments makes it a

bit more palatable. Now, merchants know they can always do better, and can do no worse, than a lease. Spread the word. The more educated the merchant, the easier it is to recognize value. If you have any questions, please call Mark at 706-799-9213. Jimmy McCollum is the VP of Service Operations for Credit Card Payment Systems and Mark Hofilena is the President. The company was formed in 2006 after the two longtime friends worked for other credit card companies. For more information, visit ccpaymentsystems.com or call Mark at 706.799.2913

DECEMBER 2013

Sure you can…Not…… Well Maybe by Russell T. Head | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT CONSULTANT

PARKING METERS

Continued from Page 2

destination. In the end, Woodard backed down and the issue quietly went back to sleep. Now, enter the mayor, who seems to think that paid parking can be a revenue source for the city. The income from the meters wouldn’t make a dent in the city budget. In fact, it would likely cost the city money in the long term. Hardly anyone carries coins anymore, so the system put in place would have to be a high-tech system that could accept debit and credit cards. It would take years of nickel and diming before the system even paid for itself. Also, enforcement is always an issue with parking matters, paid or not. Trying to enforce the two-hour parking limit on Broad Street has always been tough. How much manpower would be wasted to collect a $30 fine? With the amount of crime already happening, does the city really want to put that much of the Sheriff’s resources toward enforcing paid parking? Under Woodard’s plan, the meters would only be used during the daytime. Broad Street is not close to a high traffic area during the sunlight hours. During most days only a trickle of people shop downtown and most only stay a few minutes. The only “high traffic” time might be during the lunch hour, but again, lunch

for most people is only an hour so the meter is not going to collect more than a buck or two. If the city charges more than that, then people will figure $7 for lunch plus a tip and a parking fee makes lunch too expensive and will opt to go elsewhere – to places that offer free parking. The city faces a real battle every year to find a way to balance the budget. Unlike the federal government, the city of Augusta does not have an unlimited credit card. The current $8 million shortfall must be balanced out. Rather than proposing parking meters, the mayor would be better served trying to entice a large grocery chain to take a chance on the downtown. Right now, many who live in Downtown, Oldetown and the Harrisburg area routinely go to North Augusta to shop for food since the closest grocery store without vagrants and panhandlers is across the river. Instead of solving the budget shortfall by grabbing a dollar here and there from drivers, the city should look at ways of driving more sales and therefore more sales tax revenue in the downtown area.

Thomas scott hudson is a reporter for WGAC News. For comments or story ideas email scott@wgac.com

his has been without a doubt the most chaotic open enrollment season of my 20plus years in the benefit business. Never before has there been so much change in the last three months of a year with such great emphasis on what will happen in the healthcare benefits arena of the future. By now you know that 3.5 million individuals across the country are having their private individual policies cancelled effective January 1, 2014. Many small companies (fewer than 10 employees) are simply saying they can’t afford to pay outrageous premiums anymore – thus they are dropping their group health insurance plans. “When I say if you have your plan and you like it, or you have a doctor and you like your doctor, that you don’t have to change plans, what I’m saying is the government is not going to make you change plans under health reform,” said the President in August 2009. Well, not exactly. Did the insurance carrier or HMO have a choice in cancelling or renewing these individual private policies? Perhaps they could have kept their current policies intact by offering an early renewal. Some insurance carriers are allowing their insured to keep their current policy with a sizable rate increase. Yes you can keep it – if you can afford to pay for it. Maybe they just chose to nonrenew their insured considering the policy benefits were outside of ACA compliance and they would eventually go away anyway. Most private comprehensive major medical plans are not considered “substandard” or “cut-rate” as our President suggested. Just because a private individual plan doesn’t include maternity, pediatric dental or pediatric vision benefits doesn’t mean it’s substandard. We see different interpretations from different insurance carriers all over the country. Yes, some people are being

non-renewed and offered new ACA compliant plans. What does it all mean? On November 14 at a Thursday morning press conference, our President unilaterally changed the rules to allow those insured in the individual and small group market who received ACA cancellation letters from their current insurance carrier a potential opportunity to keep their plan for another year. Obviously bowing to political pressure, he single-handedly created more chaos in the health insurance world. We will have winners and we will have losers…in the end. And what I mean by end is, by the end of 2014 we will truly have a greater understanding of healthcare reform’s impact. Almost seven weeks into the opening of the healthcare.gov website, the media, late night TV and comics everywhere have caught on to sharing the current enrollment debacle on a daily basis. HHS initial insurance enrollment numbers released this week through healthcare.gov were pathetic at best as less than 27,000 have enrolled in 36 states. They only missed their mark by a few hundred thousand! Can it get any worse? Dec. 1-15 may be the most important two weeks for “Obamacare”. The website is critical for millions of people across the country that may be eligible for premium tax credits and cost sharing subsidies. “Yes you can” means that Healthcare. gov must be fully operational and functional to see if the expected millions will sign up for Medicaid and subsidized private individual policies in the Federal Marketplace. We’ll let you know how it looks in the weeks to come. For further explanation of the ACA/ PPACA provisions outlined in this article, please refer to the following resources: www.hhs.gov; www.irs.gov www.healthcare.gov; www.cms.gov Russell T. Head is a Partner and Chief Visionary Architect with Group & Benefits Consultants, Inc., Augusta’s largest, privately held employee benefits consulting firm. He can be reached at 706-733-3459 or rthead@ gandbc.com. Visit Group & Benefits Consultants at www.groupandbenefits.com.

DECEMBER 2013

School Days Supply Closing Its Doors

School days will soon be over for good, at least at one of the area’s long-time teacher supply stores. School Days Supply Company announced recently that it is closing at year end after 38 years in the former Village Square Shopping Center. The Chaplins purchased the company from another husband-and-wife ownership team in 1995 and closed the South Augusta store several years ago, choosing to focus on the current Washington Road location. According to their announcement to their customers, School Days’ last day of operation will be Dec. 31. Until then, they will offer 50 percent off on most of their remaining stock. They will not be ordering new merchandise or taking special orders.

The store will have new hours to better serve its customers during the final month, 9:30am-8pm Monday-Saturday, and 1-6pm on Sunday. In an August story for Buzz on Biz, owner Audrey Chaplin said her store has been a big supporter of area educators. “Instead of adopting a school, we adopt all the new teachers in 10 counties and 14 private schools,” Chaplin said. “Supporting local educators is very important to us. Teachers spend a lot of their own money, so we try to give as much as we can back to them.” With 38 years behind them, it also has been a place that knows what teachers want. “We’re the place with the experience,” she said. “It’s great that we have employees that have been here for many years, who know the products and can walk the customers around the store and help them find what they are looking for.”

DECEMBER 2013

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DECEMBER 2013 Martinez business wins national award

A local business owner who makes his living cleaning up recently also “cleaned up” at a national convention. Michael Rucker, owner of Fish Window Cleaning in Martinez, received the Top Sales Award at the annual Fish Window Cleaning Convention in St. Louis. Rucker received the award for adding more than 500 accounts to his customer base in the previous year. “We had a great year,” Rucker said. “This success is the result of my entire team’s hard work and dedication to topnotch quality in all we do.” Rucker is also part of the Pinnacle Club, which recognizes owners who reach $100,000 or more in production over their previous year’s totals.

“Mike’s hard work and determination to grow his franchise has made him extremely successful,” said Nathan Merrick, vice president of franchise development for Fish Window Cleaning. “His accomplishments reflect his hard work and dedication. I see a bright future ahead of him.” Rucker opened the business at 4159 Wheeler Road, Martinez, in 2011. His office provides service to commercial and residential customers in Augusta, North Augusta, Martinez, Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Belvedere, Beach Island and throughout Columbia and Richmond counties. In addition to cleaning windows, Fish Window Cleaning also offers a service to remove scratches from glass that leaves no distortion.

DECEMBER 2013

Anatomy of a Group Cruise Article by Bob Centers

hat better way to say thank you to clients than to take them on a cruise? That’s what Ameriprise Financial of Evans did at the beginning of November, taking 40 of their clients and friends on a cruise of the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas. The idea of planning a cruise may seem daunting, but it just takes a little bit of forethought and picking the right locations. THE IDEA This was Ameriprise’s eighth cruise since beginning in 2005. They had previously cruised to the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean, the Western Caribbean, Alaska, Honduras, Belize and Key West. THE PLANNING Ameriprise decided on this trip in June 2012, just after a cruise out of Tampa. First there were the basics to plan: How long would the cruise be, where would it go to and who would be going. It was decided that a seven-day cruise out of Charleston in November 2013 would work out well for several reasons: 1. The ease of traveling to the Port of Charleston – a three-hour bus trip, no meals during the journey and no hotel stay needed, plus lower transportation costs. 2. Over 95 percent of the guests had not traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands, just south of the Bahamas islands chain. 3. Only three ports of call, which meant extra sea days and a more ‘relaxing’ trip. 4. Traveling in November usually means dodging the “school crowd” (kids and college students), as well as ‘dodging’ the brunt of hurricane season. Also, fares usually are a good value during this time. THE MARKETING Step one was to simply send

an email to all past guests, which amounted to an email “blast” of about 150 households. It provided the broad strokes of the trip – which cruise line, which port, the date and the costs. We picked Carnival because they sail out of Charleston, the closest port-ofcall, which made it a good value for our clients The costs were based on either an inside or outside cabin although there were some balcony cabins available by calling and checking on availability. The fact sheet included a package cost which included the cruise fare itself, transportation costs and insurance. The insurance is optional so a guest could simply subtract that amount for a bottom line figure. A refundable deposit was requested of $250 per person. Several emails were sent out reminding of travel documents needed, tips for packing and other communications. THE AMENITIES Attempting to provide “extras” for the group certainly enhances the overall experience. Upon arriving at the Wal-Mart parking lot on Bobby Jones Expressway, guests saw several young porters available to handle their luggage and stow on the bus for them. Thanks to what we learned about “partnering” from Neil Gordon, we had two estate-planning attorneys, Brandon Elijah and Daniel Burroughs of Burroughs Elijah LLC provide the bon voyage presents Saturday morning. They had several joint clients with Ameriprise Financial. Mimosas and coffee (complete with a shot of Caribbean rum if needed!) were provided. Each couple and single person traveling received a gift bag upon boarding the bus in Augusta, which included several sundries, bottled water, a brochure of the layout of the ship and a bottle of wine. There were also several best-selling books that were given away by raffle on the trip down as well as a couple of the groups’ ‘coveted’ embroidered throws.

For those requiring a little extra time in boarding the bus, seat assignments up front were provided to aid with easier boarding. EMBARKATION Many thanks to owner and driver Wayne Fetner of Fetner Charters in Augusta for his expertise in negotiating the narrow and winding streets of Charleston on a market-busy Saturday morning – not to mention the 2,052 passengers trying to get out of Charleston or the 2,052 arriving. Fetner Charters is our charter company of choice since we began our group charters in 2005. He provides exceptional service at a great value and is known for his clean motor coaches and his innate ability for a joke for every occasion. He’s always early to arrive and has been most everywhere twice! Basically, when arriving by tour bus, you drop off the luggage at point A (10 minutes tops) and then proceed to be dropped off curbside at the terminal. Upon entering the terminal you wait your turn for an agent, who takes your passport and photo for the cruise card, a room key, charge card and ID card all in one. Then your credit card is swiped for incidental expenses and it’s time to board. DAYS AT SEA Our first full day was spent steaming to Nassau. As is our custom we had a group event (trivia) for our guests. We planned other activities for our clients throughout the cruise. Weused several local professionals to help with printing, prizes, transportation and ideas – it’s always great to have local people you know and trust to work with. The first full day is a good time to make the rounds to see how everyone has settled in, fix any dining room issues and generally get a feel for the group. PORTS OF CALL On this particular cruise we were expecting to dock at Nassau, Bahamas, and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, then anchor off Half Moon Cay, Carnival’s Private Island. Due to high winds we did not make Half Moon Cay

Bob Centers is a longtime financial planner with Ameriprise in Evans. He has been offering discounted group cruises for his clients for many years. Here is his account of a November cruise.

and instead had another sea day. Even though we sailed at the end of hurricane season and there were no storms around, we did encounter uncomfortably high winds on a couple of days sailing During the first day or so of the cruises clients ask for ideas for shore excursions so it’s always good to be prepared – one great way is to speak to the shore excursion desk on embarkation day to find out what is being recommended. Also, it’s always good to know the duty-free maximums regarding tobacco, liquor and gifts. Knowing interesting facts also helps. For example, Grand Turk is that it was the location near where the astronaut John Glenn’s Mercury capsule splashed down after his historic flight. They have a full-size replica of it. In the final analysis, Nassau is always fun, especially the Straw Market; a private island is a great way to just relax in the Bahamas; and Grand Turk has great history and pretty beaches. DEBARKATION DAY Be proactive on the final day. Make sure everyone gets the “word,” which means they all have their luggage tags, and all know to have their cruise card, passport and customs declaration card in hand while leaving the ship. Have your cell phone on for any issues that may arise and be the first one out so that you can direct your folks to the bus or holding area. Then have some fun on the bus ride back, enjoying your guests interacting with new friends and new stories.

DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER JUNE 2012 2013

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SPECIAL CAREER SECTION

25 BOOTHS RESERVED AND 15 TO GO! NEIL GORDON | President, Buzz on Biz LLC

’m soooo excited about our first-ever Career Expo in February at The Legends Club. Our premiere business partnerships are sold out. Troy University came on board in November, joining Augusta Staffing\Job Shop, Teleperformance and News 12. We’ve recently received

commitments from some really unique exhibitors at our Expo, including a few from the financial world like First Command Financial and Modern Woodmen of America. We’re also welcoming Home Depot, The Richmond County Board of Education Transportation Department, Morgan Smith Realty and the Advanced Marketing Institute. The AMI’s president, Mike Pirtle, will deliver our keynote talk at

the conclusion of our Expo. He’ll help all in attendance follow their dreams to reality! Prior to Mike’s talk, Isaac Kelly of Augusta Staffing\Job Shop will lead three unique breakout sessions to help you with resume formatting, online applications, and interview follow-ups. Isaac’s brother, Robert, has our feature article in this month’s special edition. He talks about how employers can invest in a 4-1-1k

“knowledge account.” Please check out other helpful articles and tips and help wanted ads in this section. Be sure to call Erin Campbell with any exhibitor or advertising questions.Her number is 706.589.2033 Augusta Linen Service and Rentals will be providing tables and tablecloths and Pipeline will take care of our work uniforms and some promotional help for the Expo.

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DECEMBER 2013

Successful Day at Hiring Our Heroes Erin Campbell

Special Projects Coordinator for Buzz on Biz, LLC

ne of the biggest challenges for U.S. military veterans is returning to civilian life. Among the issues they face is translating their work experience in the military in a way that prospective employers will understand. To help bridge the gap between veterans and businesses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation presented Hiring Our Heroes on Nov. 12 at Savannah Rapids. The daylong event started with an employment workshop and continued with a hiring fair. Ernie Lombardi, regional associate for the Southeastern Region, said veterans are sometimes overlooked because a human resources professional doesn’t know how the military experience would apply to his or her company. One of the ways the U.S. Chamber of Commerce helps is by assisting veterans with their resumes. They also give them opportunities to meet with prospective employers face to face. At the November event at Savannah Rapids, 53 vendors set up booths to talk to veterans. Katherine Hyer, warrior advocate for the Augusta Warrior Project, was impressed with the quality of the vendors . “There are a lot of really good

employers here: Bridgestone, State Department, E-Z-GO, big hitters that are here to hire veterans,” she said. About 220 veterans attended, with about 50 attending the morning’s employment workshop and more staying for assistance with their resumes. More than 600 Hiring Our Heroes

events are conducted throughout the country, including one in Columbia County this November. Lombardi is planning the 2014 schedule of Hiring Our Heroes events and said the level of interest shown in November has him considering Augusta for another event. The National Chamber Foundation

and Capital One have teamed up to sponsor Hiring 500,000 Heroes, which works with businesses to commit to hiring a half-million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. Veterans can build their resume at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.uschamber.com/ hiringourheroes.

DECEMBER 2013

How to invest in your employees’ 4-1-1k Robert Kelly

| Augusta Staffing

o, that’s not a misprint, nor is this an article forcing you to match or even start a 401k savings at your company. All people, especially your employees have what I like to call a 4-1-1k, or a knowledge bank account. As a follow up to last month’s article regarding the cost of attracting and meeting a small number of qualified candidates for a position, I’d like to focus on an ongoing process that follows the hire. Most, if not all, employees get some sort of training/orientation of what their responsibilities entail from a high level overview of where he or she fits into the company. That’s the infant stage of understanding in their journey with you, and sadly it’s where some are left. Here are some ongoing training and development pointers for your team that I hope will birth new ideas of your own to incorporate into your normal business practices. All of these help with retention, employee engagement, motivation, burn-out syndrome, and preparations for promotion – in other words, their 4-1-1k. Of course, I ask that you keep as many of these activities voluntary as that will help you and the management staff down the road with employeerelated decisions. Job shadowing. At its core, you’re pairing up one employee with another employee far from each other’s responsibilities. It helps them to understand and appreciate the different functions more completely, and how it fits into the company’s mission. Certifications and schooling. Probably the first thing you think of on the subject of employee knowledge. Education reimbursements, or paybacks, when a certification is achieved are wonderful. You can also contribute to the 4-11k without cost by simply allowing employees some time during the work week for learning, or letting them leave an hour early one day a week to allow for classes or study groups. This always raises the personal and professional image for your employee. Work book club. Not for fiction necessarily, but to allow open/rankless conversations regarding books that contribute to and inspire both personal and professional development. Books that you would recommend on LinkedIn

to imply your expertise or level of care for your customer would be ideal to include. Set up a meeting during lunch or even break into groups made up of different departments. This is also a great way to introduce new business ideas that your employees will buy into. Self-driven training tools. The most well-known and flexible is online media. Online training is often available in pre-packaged videos or e-books, so you don’t necessarily have to make your own. Other tools can include a collection of case-studies, or industry specific literature. Research and exploration days. These are half or whole days set aside for each employee to simply research an area in your industry, or explore new ideas on how to conduct business, instead of working on regular everyday tasks. Industry expos or conferences. This is the overload of training saved for one time of the year. If they have an expo for comics, there is one for your industry! Find one and urge your employees to attend. To see that much industryspecific information and strategies in one shot is invigorating and refreshing. Don’t forget to go over what was learned and how you can transfer the new knowledge into the workforce. There is one final – and most important – phase of this 4-1-1k investing: Allow your employees to share what was learned through discussion with management. Encourage them to share how it can improve internal operations and, most importantly, increase customer satisfaction to the next level. Make the decision today to start offering training and development opportunities or improve your current training for your team. Even the smallest changes will be noticed by your staff, and it will be appreciated.

Robert Kelly has worked a “full desk” for 10+ years at the trio of employment experts, Job Shop, Inc., Augusta Staffing, and Aiken Staffing. He specializes in the Clerical, Professional, and IT staffing services for Augusta Staffing in the Augusta GA office. Augusta Staffing exists to give its clients the most flexibility in their hiring process, saving time and money to meet the right people. If you’d like to speak to Robert about free interviews for your company, please contact him at 706.860.4820, or robert@ augustastaffing.com.

DECEMBER 2013

DID YOU KNOW… 

That we have civilian students who also attend?



We accept students who have earned a GED?



No SAT or ACT test scores are required?



We offer small class sizes and free tutoring?



We use a book rental program?



We offer a dual enrollment program?

Start Here. Go Anywhere. www.gmcaugusta.com Campus Locations: 115 Davis Rd Martinez, GA (706) 993-1123 741 Barnes Avenue Ft Gordon, GA (706) 793-8577

DECEMBER 2013

How Will You Stand Out?

Advertorial by: Telepreformance

o doubt you’ve been on the receiving end of lousy customer service a time or two. You’ve called a company with questions only to be told by a sterile voice to press this or click that until you arrive full circle to your starting place with no help at all. Or worse, you’ve reached some bored customer service representative who calls you by name, but delivers only the infamous phrase, “I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do.” If you’re a business owner or you manage a department, you want your customers to be happy, to come back for more products or services, and to tell others wonderful things about your company. How do you ensure you have the best of the best answering your customers phone calls? Teleperformance’s business strategy success is correlated to the satisfaction of its employees. Our unique focus on people, backed by our experienced and committed management team, ensures we meet our clients’ requirements and their customers’ needs. Our People Strategy states, “Happy employees make happy customers, which makes happy clients, and happy shareholders.” In the highly competitive employment market, getting the best of the best is very difficult at times, but when sourcing candidates do we really want the best

of the best or do we want candidates that can be trained to be the best? The answer is both. If you’re a job applicant, how will you stand out to be the best of the best that companies desire? It’s important that you understand you are being “interviewed” the minute you walk in the door – the way you speak to the receptionist, the way you engage others in the lobby and the way you are dressed – are all being reviewed the minute you open that door. Are you giving off the right message when it comes to finding your next job opportunity? Are you looking to simply pay the bills or are you looking for a long-term career opportunity? Many times individuals seeking employment see a customer contact center as a last resort to finding a job without realizing the career opportunity is right there. Customer Contact centers incorporate so much more than an agent taking phones calls. Think about areas like Recruiting Department – Receptionist, Recruiters, Recruiting Manager; Human Resources Department – HR Coordinators, Regional HR Coordinators; Benefits Department – Benefits Administrators; Payroll/Accounting Department – Clerks; Accounts Payable/Receivables, Auditors; Operations – Supervisors,

Assistant Call Center Managers, Call Center Managers, Directors; Training – Trainers, Training Managers, Quality Assurance, IT, Telephony, Software and so much more. When in the job hunt there are some basic behaviors that you should follow at all times no matter the position you are applying for: • Updated and clean resume (no one wants to see a resume that is two years old with a coffee stain). • Dress for success – it doesn’t matter the position you are applying for, think professionalism. • Be on time if not early for interview – no excuses. If you are not going to be able to make a scheduled interview,

call the employer and let them know. A no-call, no show now may mean no job down the road. • Bring a pen and paper – if you need or want to take notes you should be prepared to do so. Ask questions during your interview – an interested applicant is a good sign. • Clean up your social media – it’s a new day, don’t think for one moment that employers are not searching out your social media pages to see who you “really” are. The important thing to keep in mind when searching for employment is that there are 20 or more right behind you looking for the same job. So how will you stand out?

DECEMBER 2013

Employee/Employer Relationships: Almost Like Marriage!

LARRY RUDWICK | The Buzz Business Coach

n many ways, having a job is like being married, or being with a significant other. And looking for a job or an employee is like dating! If you are looking to hire someone, or looking for a job, here are some similarities to think about that may help you through the process. They are both really important. For many people, two of the most important things in life are having a good job and having a good relationship with a life partner. If you don’t have both of them, you probably won’t feel fulfilled and you may just be plain miserable. You need to really work at it. Finding a job (or a life partner) takes effort. If you are unemployed and serious about finding a job, consider your job search as a full-time job. In this economy, a good job is not likely to just come to you on its own. LARRY RUDWICK This is a sponsored Business-Talk article. A lot more about this can be found on the www.BusinessTuneUps.com website. To do an Executive Assessment requires a Word Document entitled Ten Questions That Can Improve Your Life. I would be happy to email one to you; you may request it from me at Rudwick@cox.net or calling 571-331-6102.

If you have a job you like and want to keep, cherish it and do your best to keep your employer happy. Your employer should treat his or her employees with respect as well. Looking for a job is like dating. If you want to become attractive and desirable for employers (or a possible life partner), it is best to first know who you are – what are you good at and what do you like to do. Also, where are you weak and what do you prefer not to do. Second, don’t embellish or exaggerate. When looking for a job or a date, come across with confidence and not arrogance. Be very interested in the other party. Third, do some research before the interview. Ask appropriate questions and be willing to learn and grow. Be articulate, open, honest and helpful. Finally, have a good attitude, even if you have some baggage (who doesn’t?) It’s not just about your technical skills. How well you communicate and get along with people is often much more important than your technical ability. Working for a business, like being in a marriage, means you must know how to communicate, negotiate and help solve all types of challenges.

Don’t sell yourself short. Some people tend to take the easy way out. Some people accept marriage proposals because they don’t think they can attract someone better for them. In the same way, they might take the first job offer that they’re offered, even though the job isn’t a good fit. Seek professional assistance. Whether you are looking to hire someone, or looking to find a good job, there are

professionals who can help. Make appropriate use of them. Doing some role playing with them can make a big difference! Want some personalized help? There is no charge for an initial consultation. Feel free to contact me! Look over my website, sign up for my free newsletter, give me a call, or email me. Larry Rudwick 571-331-6102. Rudwick@cox.net

I help people do better... in their Businesses,

Careers and... Personal Lives Call for a Free Consultation: 571-331-6102 Larry Rudwick, Business & Relationship Coach

www.BusinessTune-Ups.com

Bill Woodward, CPA/AVB, CVA Office Managing Shareholder

Elliott Davis advises businesses on how to run efficiently, grow wisely, and be more profitable. Our team provides everything from audit and tax solutions to highly specialized advisory services across the spectrum of industries.

Georgia • North Carolina • South Carolina • Virginia www.elliottdavis.com

DECEMBER 2013

Stuff Santa's Sleigh December 14th 10am-4pm Evans Walmart

DECEMBER 2013

LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NOT A JOB

IT’S A WAY OF LIFE

Advertorial by: Troy University

It’s About a Spirit: Choosing the right university for you.

hether you are attending col¬lege for the first time, returning to complete your education, or pursuing a specialized degree, there are opportunities that ac¬commodate just about every learning style and scheduling preference imaginable. As a re¬sult, the search for the right ed¬ucational fit can be an over¬whelming task. So why not start at the beginning – the foundation of the university? Every university has a mis¬sion on which it was found¬ed, a set of core beliefs that define its educational phi¬losophy. Some universities emphasize social or athletic strengths, some center around a particular teaching meth¬odology, while others foster a culture based upon religious or social mores. Alabama’s public Troy University believes that its founding principles continue to shape its students today. Founded in 1887, with the motto “Educate the mind to think, the heart to feel, and the body to act,” the University sees its continuing mission as one of pre¬paring future leaders through teaching the importance of service to the community. Ac¬cording to Troy Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., “Troy is not trying to be all things to all people, but what we promise in preparing tomorrow’s leaders through service, ethics and patriotism, we do very well.” As universities have grown and extended their learning options through remote teach¬ing locations and even online learning, it is important to make sure that their founding principles remain steadfast whether on cam¬pus in a dorm or taking classes online thou¬sands of miles away. “At Troy University, we saw the need to provide distance learning options to our students in the military more than 60 years ago, so we committed to de¬veloping programs that maintained the same quality

and the same spirit of an education obtained on the Troy, Alabama campus in a traditional classroom,” said Dr. Hawkins, who is a Marine Corps veteran himself. “Today as we teach more than 22,000 students in teach¬ing sites and online across the globe, the importance of maintaining our servant lead¬ership principles, academic excellence and reputation is paramount to the Troy prom¬ise to each student.” University district director Philip Rousch, based out of Troy’s Augusta location, reiterates the Chancellor’s mes¬sage. “From our curriculum, to our professors, to our student services, the Troy promise is alive and well. A Criminal Justice degree obtained in Augusta through Troy carries the same promise of quality and em¬phasis on service and leadership as a degree obtained on the Troy, Alabama campus. A Troy degree is a Troy degree, with all the same rights, privileges and honors regard¬less of where it is earned.” In addition, Troy’s programs con¬tinue to stay current and forward thinking in order to best prepare students for the opportunities ahead. With programs in fields like business, education, nursing, computer science, nursing, and criminal justice – some of the world’s most in-demand career fields – students can pur¬sue an education in professions with predict¬ed job growth. At a time when job security is a concern for many, knowing that your educa¬tion is and will be relevant in the future justi¬fies the pursuit of the degree. It appears that Troy University is doing something right, as accolades from the na¬tion’s top financial and educational publica¬tions validate the university’s core mission. Recognized by the Princeton Review as “one of the best in the Southeast,” by U.S. News & World Report as “one of the top universities in the South,” and by Military Times as “a top university for troops,” the Troy promise to students is quality. To find out more about Troy University’s Augusta location with inclass and online degree programs, visit troy.edu/augusta or call 1-800–473-0975 today.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE CYBERSECURITY HOMELAND SECURITY

APPLY NOW Criminal Justice is not just a job... It’s a way of life. TROY understands this commitment, and invites you to take it to the next level. A great education is the key to a successful career. At TROY, you’ll find academic programs that will put you on the road to success, faculty who are great mentors, and flexible in class and online study options to make getting a quality degree possible. When you’re ready to choose the university you’ll proudly call your alma mater, TROY is all you need to know.

ASK ABOUT FAST TRACK Contact us today: troy.edu/augusta 706-210-3800

In class • Online • Within reach • www.troy.edu • 800-473-0975

Educate the mind to think, the heart to feel, the body to act.

Expo sponsor.indd 1

TROY Motto 1887

11/26/13 9:25 AM

DECEMBER 2013

Doing What Is Right, Because It’s The Right Thing To Do Missie B. Usry ~ with contributions from Professor James Brady |

elevision shows like What Would You Do, hosted by John Quinones, demonstrate that people react to different situations in different ways. Some ignore that anything is wrong; others do what they feel is right because they hope someone would stand up or help them if the tables were turned. We teach our kids to “be good” with the hope that they’ll do the right thing when no one is watching or when we can’t be around to supervise. In corporate America, companies publish codes of conduct and of corporate responsibility that hold employees responsible. The goal is to keep their companies

Missie Usry is Enrollment Manager, holding an MBA in Marketing, and heads up Georgia Military College’s Augusta campus Admissions department. The Admissions department is responsible for enrollment, marketing, public relations and recruiting activities. James Brady is a Communications professor at both Georgia Military College and Georgia Regents University. He is a graduate of Duquesne University, and is personally committed to character development in young people. For questions about how to enroll in Georgia Military College’s degree programs, please call (706) 993-1123, email musry@gmc. cc.ga.us, or visit www.gmcaugusta.com.

protected from incidents that turn into bad press and lawsuits. However, if an individual has never had formal ethics training, how do we know that they understand the concept of maintaining integrity? Not everyone will do what is right because it is the right thing to do or understand what is expected. That’s why Georgia Military College not only incorporates an ethical code of conduct in its student handbook, but also incorporates formal study of ethics into the freshman-required courses College Success and Critical Thinking and Character Development. In these courses, students are exposed to concepts of character development, good citizenship, and developing virtues that are essential to everyday life. Ethics is also included in student activities such as our debate team, which competes several times a year in ethics bowls. Further promoting ethical standards among young people, the school also hosts the CSRA High School Ethics Bowl at the Augusta campus. Students who participate in these competitions research ethical case studies involving public policy, politics, military affairs, international affairs, medical issues, environmental concerns, family law, education, and personal responsibility. Student teams

Enrollment Manager

will present and defend their proposed solutions to other competing teams and to a panel of expert judges during the competition. Participating in these competitions exposes students to opportunities for ethics training, learning good citizenship and leadership development. The competitions sharpen students’ critical thinking, research, and communication skills while reinforcing character, ethics, values, and personal responsibility. Georgia Military College aims to prepare students for the workplace so that they are never involved in ethical scandals in the headlines.

Augusta Christan AD

ON SITE OR ONLINE.

CLASSES FORMING SOON. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Master of Business Administration

Learn more at swu.edu.

swu.edu/northaugusta | 803.426.7981

DECEMBER 2013 SWU offers MBA program for adults

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to advance your career, Southern Wesleyan University in North Augusta has the course for you. Beginning after the first of the year, SWU will offer a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program designed for busy professionals. An MBA could allow you to advance in your company, or enter an entirely new field. The class will be held one night a week at the North Augusta campus, or can be taken online. For more information and to register, call 803-426-7981.

Aspiring and new entrepreneurs in Augusta learn how to “StartSmart”

Fifteen budding entrepreneurs are now armed with the knowledge and tools they need to launch their local businesses, thanks to the Georgia Small Business Development Center’s StartSmart program. StartSmart is an eight-week small business educational program that helps students learn how to write a business plan, market their business and manage day-to-day operations, just to name a few examples. Augusta has had five StartSmart classes to date with 85 graduates. The fall 2013 class graduates on Tuesday. Tracy Conlon Melvin is one of the graduating students. She signed up for the program to learn how to make her new health insurance business a success. “Before StartSmart, the words ‘business plan’ were very scary to me,” said Melvin. But she said the program gave her the support she needed to write a good business plan that will help her succeed. “The handholding was very reassuring to me.” John Curry took the StartSmart class in 2011. He and his wife are coowners of Buona Caffe on Central Avenue in Augusta. They have done coffee roasting on the side for a few years, but now it’s a full-time job. They opened the café in June. “The StartSmart program helped me to think outside of the box when it comes to marketing,” said Curry. “We didn’t need to spend all our money on advertising – we learned that word of mouth is the best way to earn business.” And to spread the word, Curry works to build relationships with local companies, by purchasing supplies from vendors nearby, supporting Augusta area non-profits and selling coffee beans through local stores and farmers markets. And as Curry continues with his business, he will focus on running the business more efficiently. “StartSmart taught us that we should continually and regularly look at our processes and make them more efficient,” he said. “The lessons that I learned through StartSmart definitely contributed to our success.” Wells Fargo is a statewide sponsor of the program and has supported it since 2008. With Wells Fargo’s financial support, more than 600 students have graduated from the program in cities across Georgia. In all, Wells Fargo has given $190,000 to StartSmart programs in Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon and Savannah. Wells Fargo’s donations go towards the cost of the class, making StartSmart very affordable. Augusta StartSmart has received $28,000 over the years. “This program would not be the success it is without Wells Fargo,” said Susan Caldwell, Area Director of the SBDC in Augusta. “And they have contributed so much more than just financial support. These business owners have a permanent resource for financial advice from Wells Fargo in Augusta.” Susan Hunnicutt, Wells Fargo’s market president in Augusta, has attended every graduation in Augusta to wish the students well and to encourage them on in their business endeavors. “Starting a business can be extremely overwhelming and most people don’t know where to start,” said Hunnicutt. “StartSmart does a great job of giving our small business owners the boost they need to get their businesses started off on the right foot.” About Georgia SBDC The mission of the SBDC is to enhance the economic well-being of Georgians by providing a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2012, the Georgia SBDC conducted over 322 training programs, including the StartSmart program. Over the last five years, SBDC clients have generated $6.5 billion in sales, created 9,050 new jobs and started 1,427 new businesses. $299 million in capital has also been raised through loans and equity financing. To learn about StartSmart and how you can apply to be a part of a future program, please visit www.georgiasbdc.org.

106

DECEMBER 2013

Preventable chronic diseases are associated with decreased productivity and increased medical costs, disability, absenteeism, and turnover. From National Business Group on Health, 2011 (website)

Preventive health services . . .

Preventable chronic diseases are associated with decreased productivity and increased medical costs, disability, absenteeism, and turnover.

✓ Good for you ☐ ✓ Good for your family ☐ ✓ Good for your business ☐

CPC-South 706-798-1700 CPC-Evans 706-650-7563

From National Business Group on Health, 2011 (website)

Preventive health services . . .

✓ Good for you ☐ ✓ Good for your family ☐ ✓ Good for your business ☐

CPC-South 706-798-1700 CPC-Evans 706-650-7563 CPC-Aiken 803-649-6941

CPC-Gateway 706-922-1600

Center For Primary Care Your Prevention SPecialiStS

CPC-Central 706-868-7380 CPC-Crossroads 706-922-6600 CPC-North Augusta 803-279-6800

CPC-Aiken 803-649-6941

CPC-Gateway 706-922-1600

Center For Primary Care Your Prevention SPecialiStS

CPC-Central 706-868-7380 CPC-Crossroads 706-922-6600 CPC-North Augusta 803-279-6800

DECEMBER 2013

JC’s Seafood expands to include Oyster Roast Catering

Making your Pinterest dreams come true Lelia Williams | Geez Louise Special Events

f you are anything like me, the first thing you do when planning your next party is go to Pinterest for inspiration. Pinterest is a wonderful tool for finding creative, do-it-yourself projects to take an upcoming get-together to the next level. I can pin party ideas for hours but the problem comes when it is time to make these Pinterest dreams come to life. The actual act of completing your Pinterest project can be a bit overwhelming. I have put a couple of tips together to make your Pinterest dreams come true. Each pin on Pinterest should be a link to a website with a how-to or a place to purchase the pin. Some of the tutorials are better than others. Be sure to pick a pin that provides detailed instructions on how to complete a project. If you are starting a project without clear directions, you are only asking for trouble. Be sure that you have all of your supplies before you start. Some Pinterest projects can be time consuming and very detailed. I usually make a supply list before I visit my local craft store to ensure that I have all of the supplies that I need before I start the project. Nothing is more frustrating than starting a project only to have to stop to get more supplies. It is also important to remember that your Pinterest project doesn’t

necessarily have to mirror the pin. Make it your own! The great thing about Pinterest is that it should spark your creativity. You want your project to represent your personal style. A great example would be Christmas. I am a traditional greenand-red Christmas person, but if I find a pin featuring blues and pinks, I can change it to represent my personal style. Don’t get overwhelmed! I have found that the world is full of noncrafty people that are truly impressed more by your effort than your finished project. Not every Pinterest project is going to work out perfectly but it may be perfect for you! Don’t give up. I’ve learned that many people have hundreds of ideas sitting in cyber space on a Pinterest board, but they don’t have the determination to make them happen. Don’t let your pins sit there! Try something new! But if you do find yourself a little overwhelmed with your Pinterest party ideas, Geez Louise offers a Pinterest party package. We understand that not everyone is crafty – you pick the pins and we bring them to life! Lelia Williams Geez Louise specializes in all events from corporate fundraisers and weddings to the popular Pinterest party! Call us today for a free consultation (912) 3120866 or online at geezlouiseevents.com Lelia Sakata Williams is co-owner of Geez Louise Special Events. She uses any free time being mom to her busy 8-year-old son, Bobby and watching Wheel of Fortune with her fiance, Kevin.

JC’s Seafood, 3189 Whiskey Road, Aiken, will soon expand its operation to include Oyster Roast Catering. The business began five-and-a-half years ago as a fatherson partnership between John and Chris Hyder, based around their mutual love of fresh seafood. Since then it has grown into a successful business where quality, value and customer service are paramount. Their Low Country Boil, or Beaufort Stew, has become wellknown as a southern favorite in the CSRA. After offering it as only a take-out dinner, the Hyders decided to cater their signature dish due to the request of persistent customers. JC’s Seafood has catered several large and local events such as the Red Cross-Aiken Chapter “Roast & Toast” fundraiser, Aiken Young Professionals Christmas party and the Aiken Regional Hospital Women Enlightened fundraiser. These and other events have grown over the years to include oysters. Expanding in that direction was a natural fit. Their motto, “You Invite the Guests, We Take Care of the Rest,” means that they supply everything one might need for an oyster roast, including steaming the oysters on-site and taking the empty shells with them. They sell the widest range of fresh seafood in the area as evidence of having a customer base that reaches from August to Lexington, S.C. Whether it’s a small group of 30 friends or a large corporate event, JC’s Seafood offers excellent quality seafood and customer service. For more information visit their facebook page or call 803-648-6303.

The Gun Rack of Aiken is moving The Gun Rack, which has been located at 213 Richland Avenue West in downtown Aiken since 1971, will be moving to an indoor range and store at 1563 Edgefield Highway in early 2014. Current owners Chuck and Stephanie Scott have been involved with Aiken Downtown since they acquired the business five years ago. They are purchasing a warehouse that will include a 10-lane, 25-yard distance range with a classroom in the building for those studying to obtain a concealed weapon permit. “We are expanding the retail area by double and will have a larger workshop for our gunsmith,” Chuck Scott said. Scott said the range’s backstop is made of granulated rubber that causes little disruption to the body of the bullet. This design also reduces noise and creates less lead dust. The new facility is under construction now, and the existing store will remain open through Christmas season as they clear out many years of old inventory. For more information, call 803-648-7100.

www.

DECEMBER 2013 JAN. 10 –FEB. 6, 2013

SOUTH CAROLINA BUSINESS

29 27 31 33 37 23

SECTION D

Hitchcock Woods Project

Clemson forming Urban Ecology Center in Aiken StePHen Delaney Hale

Center’s new technology could bring more jobs to Aiken area

ould you like to change the world and maybe create a company that earns billions as you do it? Clemson University professor and Aiken resident Gene Eidson, Ph.D., suggests you come to Aiken, learn the technology his team is inventing and go for it! Research being done in downtown Aiken and its adjacent protected forest has resulted in a monitoring technology with possible applications throughout almost any industry. It demonstrates again Aiken’s mastery of the public/ private partnership approach to innovation that stretches over many decades. Just announced last month, The Urban Ecology Center will bring Clemson into partnerships with Aiken,

| Freelance Writer

Aiken County, Aiken Technical College and the University of South Carolina Aiken, as well as other public-private partnerships and grants for research, education and outreach. Eidson explained the program to about 100 members of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce in early November. Eidson and about 15 fellow professors are creating a virtual classroom and conference center in office space provided in the chamber to establish the Urban Ecology Center for its first two years. Most of the other researchers will reside primarily at their own current locations at the university and satellite campuses, and exchange their research results in virtual meetings coordinated by the center. One of the goals of the Center is to transform Aiken into an urban technology corridor. Center Grows from Current Hitchcock Woods Project This nascent research center is an

outgrowth of a five-year collaborative project still underway between Eidson and his investigators and the City of Aiken, which has installed an advanced Green Infrastructure system throughout Aiken’s downtown parkways and streets. The system now in place diverts torrents of storm water overflow from city streets. In the past, storm water caused severe erosion in the town’s treasured Hitchcock Woods, which at 2,100 acres is often referred to as the largest urban forest in the United States. “Hitchcock Woods is more than a big city park to the people of Aiken,” said Eidson in explaining the need five years ago to try to find a way to stop the damage being suffered immediately after every heavy rain. “The Woods has a visceral identity for longtime Aikenites. Since the 1890s, The Woods have been considered almost sacred to the many people who daily enjoy its beauty to walk, jog or ride their horses.

“There was a civic will to stop the damage and coincidentally it was in the right place and time for our research.” Eidson and his team built an extensive system of swales, temporary collection areas, water-soaking vegetation, pavement pervious to water and other mechanisms across a wide swath of the downtown that slowed the runoff to a manageable level. Just as important scientifically, his researchers developed a tiny computer that could be placed in dozens of sites in the green infrastructure system to monitor the water as it was falling, as it was moving into and above the ground and as it was reaching the woods. Great progress has been made in stemming the erosion at no cost to locals and the monitoring system has proven its “real-time” value. Small Equipment Brings Huge Results As equipment was being moved into CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

DECEMBER 2013

Urban Ecology Center in Aiken

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

the center’s new two-year temporary digs at the Chamber building on Richland Avenue in mid-November, Eidson displayed a small piece of electronic equipment, about the size of a Rubic’s Cube, that can monitor thousands of sensors at a time. It is the centerpiece of the research the center will carry out from Aiken and the main product of their work with the Green Infrastructure project. “It is a technology platform that can be used to read what is going on right now in storm sewers, in the Savannah River, in Hitchcock Woods, on Clemson’s Blackville Experimental Farm. Right now it will transmit data in milliseconds over a 30-mile radius.” It took about five years and about $5 million to develop this system that can transform data collection, analysis and decision making. Eidson said it has many different functions. “It will monitor the stress on bridges, buildings and farms, among many other things,” he explained. “And, it runs on a 9-volt battery. Anything comparable to this is many times larger, requires a much larger power source and cannot be placed in many of the places that are accessible to us.” Eidson added that his 15-scientist team have separate areas of expertise and will take the information systems they are developing and use them in their own disciplines. Technology Could Turn Savannah into Intelligent River His personal fascination and focus of research is the management of water systems. His current goal is to develop the world’s first “automated river.” His plan is to instantaneously monitor every section of the Savannah River, making it possible to arrive at decisions and take appropriate actions based on what is happening at that instant along the entire course of the Savannah. He calls that research project his Intelligent River System. “I want to engage every stretch of the Savannah River – and that includes all the stakeholders who all have different needs, from bass fishermen to nuclear reactors,” Eidson said with the zeal of a visionary. “How do you manage all of these competing needs for water? You must have real-time data, at most minutes old. Observations taken in a swamp two weeks ago are of no use to us. We are way beyond the point where humans can manage a river without technology. Eidson said everyone who needs water must be taken into account, from hydropower in the upstate, to Plant Vogtle and the Savannah River Site, to the port of Savannah and the need to keep the river’s estuaries at sustainable levels. “This technology has already

New technology from the Urban Ecology Center could turn the Savannah into an Intelligent River.

transformed decision making on data that is two weeks old to data that was transmitted in 12 milliseconds,” he said. “From any point on the river our computers can interpret and manage conditions within two seconds. Take that capability from one river to several river systems, to the ways cities, states and nations manage all of their water supplies. Then take that to the way every system is managed.” Eidson said the Intelligent River technology is a highly efficient and cost-effective. Municipal and water resource managers will benefit from this instantaneous data, and it can also be applied to manage farms and forests. New Tech Will Create Spinoff Applications In Aiken’s Urban Ecology Center, the technology will be developed in its next application, as the Intelligent City. This will enable entire cities to utilize sophisticated, computerized operational models and decision-making tools to manage urban infrastructure – roads, bridges, water systems, buildings, utilities, energy and green spaces – as conditions are happening at that moment. “The center will foster technology spinoff companies that can lead to highly skilled and rewarding jobs for South Carolina and across the river,” Eidson said. “Part of the beauty of the partnership for Aiken and Aiken County, is that each will reap the benefits,” he explained. “Some of those benefits are obvious but most are probably not even conceived of.” Neither the city nor the county had to pay for the funding, but they will become beneficiaries of all these partnerships and research. “By our locating here,” Edison said, “Aiken will, by necessity, become an economic development center. We know this is difficult for non-scientists to appreciate and public support and cooperation are vital to any project of this scope. To that end, we will hold a series of public seminars, workshops – for laymen and scientists alike. It is so important that the public understand

and be involved.” He added that in the near future the area will see many developments, although it is impossible to know just what they might be. But Eidson has some ideas. “I can tell you some right now,” he said as he held one of his tiny computers. “First, our devices need to be manufactured in large quantities by someone. That might be a new company based here in Aiken that spins off from this technology. The devices need to be installed by someone else and monitored, probably by someone else. Eidson believes each of those are businesses or whole new industries that could follow. Along with local businesses, those initiatives could involve Aiken Technical College, the University of South Carolina Aiken, Orangeburg Technical College and even area high schools. Center’s Success Could Revolutionize Many Industries Eidson said when a company comes to town and has success with the technology, others will notice and join in. “We see the potential as analogous to how Silicon Valley erupted with technology,” he said. “Aiken can become a technology corridor. Success happens in clusters.” A perfect example is Clemson’s ICAR 250-acre automotive technology research campus between the university and Greenville that has brought in BMW, Michelin and most of the leading names in the automobile industry. “You have to have a seed before you have the cluster and we are trying to be that seed here in Aiken,” Eidson said. “We are ready to be commercialized. We have workable technology now. Now is the time for people to come and see the capabilities.” There are some parts of this analogy that Dr. Edison said he wouldn’t want people to associate with his project – like the 2008 economic crash – but for help in understanding what his team is doing, he suggested people think of the financial industry as a model.

“Just a couple of decades ago, stock trades were done by hand, scribbled with a pencil. Now trading stocks and all manner of other financial vehicles are done in milliseconds. “The ability to collect data instantly can revolutionize any industry. It has done it with the financial industry, it has done it in communications with the internet and everybody’s own smart phone. “We are going to do it with environmental stewardship but it can also be done with transportation infrastructure and vehicles, with weather prediction and with so many other parts of our lives.” Coveted Grant Makes Center Appealing to Scientists Eidson said the importance of the science to be produced at the center might be hard to translate to the regular citizen, but he says he has a tipoff from which other researchers will stand up and take notice. “Among our many partners in the center, we recently were awarded a Major Research Instrumentation Award from the National Science Foundation to deploy our intelligent river instrument along the 312 miles of the Savannah River – from the headwaters in North Carolina to the port in Savannah.” There are several funding sources, but Eidson said none are local governments. When other scientists see that a significant amount of funding comes from the National Science Foundation, he believes they’ll take notice. “The NSF employs the most exhaustive criteria,” he said. “Out of 800 applicants for this one award, we were chosen. That is the gold standard for scientists that this has real value.” Along with the city, county and local higher education entities, other partners in the Urban Ecology Center are The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service and Smart State S.C. Centers of Economic Excellence.

DECEMBER 2013

Christmas at the Lake Thursday, december 12 • 6 p.m. Around the Lake on the ARMC Campus

Host: WJBF News Channel 6 Anchorman Brad Means Celebrate the season with an evening of holiday songs performed by local Aiken children’s choirs along with the Aiken High School marching band – featuring special guest, Santa Claus! Hot apple cider, hot chocolate, cookies and refreshments will be served.

Donate A New Toy Bring along a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to our local Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Drive. Toys stay right here in Aiken!

DECEMBER 2013

Open s 24 Hour

4361 Washington Road Evans, GA 706-364-2095

3125 Peach Orchard Road Augusta, GA 706-364-6147

DECEMBER JUNE 2012 2013

www.

LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY

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Ben Hogan Jack Fleck

Harry Vardon

Get a grip on off-season training Drew Belt | Assistant Golf Professional at West Lake County Club

hen the weather starts to cool down and the days become shorter, it is a great time to revisit and retool your swing. The first and most important lesson would be on learning how to hold onto the club. In Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons, he thought the grip was so important that he devoted the first 18 pages to this lesson. He also wrote in caps “GOOD GOLF BEGINS WITH A GOOD GRIP.” What is so important about the grip? The grip is important because

it is the only connection between you and the club. The grip also allows you to create speed, stabilize the club, and control the clubface. How do I grip the club? The most important thing that you can understand about gripping the club is every player’s grip looks very different. Although the look is very different, there are similarities in each player. The left hand is mainly responsible for the starting direction control and speed of the golf ball. The right hand is responsible for what type of curve you would like to put on the ball. Because golfers play with different ball flights, their grips are going to look different. Beginning with the

left hand, all players make sure the grip goes through their fingers and exits above the heel pad. This allows for a hinging of the club and lets you create speed in the golf club. The left hand also insures that your hands don’t slip off the club which helps to stabilize the club throughout the swing. It is amazing how hard it is to palm a golf club while swinging, and still hold on to the club! When you place your right hand next to your left you may connect the right pinky and left first finger any way you would like. Much like the left hand, make sure the grip is in the fingers of the right hand. Lastly, hook your first finger away

and down from your right hand and form a “V” between the thumb and right first finger. (See pictures) Remember that the golf grip is very personal to each player. Don’t be afraid to move your hands around on the club until your new grip gives you the ball flight you are looking for!

Drew Belt This is a sponsored Golf article. Drew is an Assistant Golf Professional at West Lake County Club. A PGA of America Class A Member, Drew has been teaching golf to all levels of players for over 10 years. For comments or story ideas email drewbelt@westlakecountryclub.com

DECEMBER 2013

Holiday Stress relief Owner, Team Fit C ED REID |

an you believe the holiday season is already upon us? The day after Halloween, red and green items were stocked – there were no pumpkins to be seen! Whether you are rushing to complete year-end tasks at work, or trying to be on top of your holiday game at home, here are a few tips that might help: Start your day the night before – If you normally start your morning in a tizzy, change that by planning the night before. Set out your attire, pack your meals and workout clothes, then put everything is an accessible place. Make your to-do list (there are apps for that!) with tasks you can accomplish. Go to bed early, so you won’t need to hit the snooze button a million times before finally getting up. Schedule your day – Use that to-do list as an aid to help navigate your day. You may find that some tasks can be grouped for timely execution. Other tasks may need to be put on your schedule to complete

later in the week. Scheduling is a great way to stay focused and minimize stress. Make time for exercise – We all know the healthy benefits of exercise. The key here is that exercise has a positive effect on how we manage stress. A walk or ride in the park, a fitness class or even a personalized training session are all great ideas to stay healthy. Celebrate your successes – Checking items off your todo list gives you a sense of accomplishment. Be proud of what you achieved and use that as fuel to push you forward. Relax, enjoy the holidays and don’t forget to take care of yourself!

ED REID This is a sponsored Fitness article. Ed is a Certified Personal Trainer and leading fitness expert in the CSRA. He is Retired US Navy with over 15 years experience in the health and wellness industry. Ed owns Team Fit Personal Training located at 4460 Columbia Road, Suite 10. For more information, call Ed at 706.877.0556 or e-mail him: getfit@ teamfitaugusta.com.

Healthcare 4

WHAT DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW THAT YOU DON’T?

gru.edu/spine Job # 1271GRM13 • Job Title: Spine_BuzzOnBiz Publication: Buzz On Bizz • Colors (include spots if used): CMYK Trim: 9.5 x 2.9 Date due to Pub: • Run Date:

DECEMBER 2013

Mellow out at Mellow Mushroom Nola Bon Viveur | Fun-Loving Foodie

owntown Augusta offers many great spots for Powerhour business lunches, and I am working my way through giving each of them a try. In past articles I’ve reviewed several restaurants along Broad Street. I hope to eventually review them all. With such a large population of professional offices and hospitals/ medical clinics in the downtown area, it is a great asset to have good, convenient dining options for working lunches. This month I just needed to plan a quick and simple lunch where my colleague and I could meet to swap some paperwork and discuss some contracts. I chose Mellow Mushroom. I have dined at Mellow Mushroom enough times to know that there are busy times of day and times when they experience lulls – the calms before the lunchtime/dinnertime storms. I purposely set my meeting during one such lull, because I knew we would be seated with little or no wait time, would have more time to eat and more time to take care of our business. It’s said that “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Mellow Mushroom passed this test. The hostess who greeted us when we arrived was friendly and accommodating. She sat us promptly and made sure our server got with us right away. Because our “lunch hour” was actually limited to only an hour, we tried to look quickly through the menu. All of the pizzas, calzones, etc., at Mellow are made fresh when you order them; therefore, being familiar with the menu and ordering as soon as possible after being seated, always helps to keep meetings within the time constraints. I chose a “build-your-own” calzone with ricotta, grilled chicken, spinach and portabella mushrooms. The vegetables were very fresh, and the chicken was grilled perfectly. The crust, in my opinion, is the best crust in town – great flavor and texture. My colleague ordered a Greek salad and it looked wonderful. I secretly wanted to reach across the table and sneak a bite, but my better judgment told me that would be a little inappropriate. The Greek salad is piled high with Romaine and iceberg lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, onion, cucumbers, green peppers, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, Roma tomatoes, pepperoncini and banana peppers. It must have been tasty

Mellow Mushroom Greek Salad

because he finished every bite. The atmosphere at Mellow Mushroom is fantastic. The décor is very eclectic, and the noise level is not too high. Mellow Mushroom also has an outside seating area (on the Broad Street side), which I am sure would be a great spot for a meeting as well. Our service at Mellow Mushroom was fast and friendly. We made it out the door within an hour, as we planned. I ran into many other business people, so it was great to have extra business cards to share. The “networking” potential is certainly there. If you need to schedule a Powerhour, and your office is convenient to Downtown Augusta, you should certainly give Mellow Mushroom a try!

Nola Bon Viveur the “Fun-Loving Foodie,” is on the quest to find the best local hotspots for business power lunches. Nola is a regular contributor for Buzz on Biz. She is a native of Augusta, and is well acquainted with the local food scene.

LOCATION SERVICE NETWORKING Noise LEVEL

DECEMBER 2013

Home Purchase Negotiations Bill Boatman | Meybohm Realtors

E-Z-Go and Pebble Beach renew contract

E-Z-Go of Augusta has renewed its agreement with Pebble Beach Company to remain its exclusive supplier of golf car and utility vehicles. Under the new agreement, the E-Z-Go RXV electric golf car will be the vehicle servicing all four of the company’s golf courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, The Links at Spanish Bay and Del Monte Golf Course. At any given time, about 450 RXV golf cars are in use, with another 140 E-Z-Go hospitality, commercial and industrial vehicles used at the resorts. E-Z-Go has been affiliated with Pebble Beach for more than 30 years. “Everything Pebble Beach does is first class, so naturally we’re thrilled to once again be associated with one of the world’s best, and best-known, golfing destinations,” said Mike Parkhurst, vice president, golf, for E-Z-Go. “Our RXV golf car is second to none, offering both high-quality craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.” The RXV electric golf car features an innovative AC drive and full-time regenerative braking that provides savings and safety. Since its introduction in 2008, the RXV has been placed into service in tens of thousands of golf courses and resorts around the world. For more information, visit ezgo.com.

hen it comes to home purchase negotiations, we often think in terms of selling price. But there are a lot of other things to consider. The obvious point of negotiation, for most of us, is the sales price. We want the lowest price or what we perceive as the best deal. Yes, the purchase price is important and a good place to start, but I would suggest we not wear out the seller on this one issue. There are other items of the transaction that are important as well: Who will pay closing costs, will the seller perform any repairs that may be found in an inspection, when will we close, and when can I take possession? These can be some of the stressful parts of a residential real estate transaction. First, what are closing costs? They are fees and charges that occur when you purchase a home and obtain financing for the purchase. They can vary depending on the lender, type of loan product, and the amount of the loan. Typically closing costs will total around 3 percent of the loan amount. The lender you choose will give you a close estimate of these. Many times this can be negotiated into the sales price so that the seller will pay a portion or all of these costs. This is a good strategy for a buyer, allowing him to put his available investment all against the principal of the sales price as opposed to fees and miscellaneous charges associated with the loan and closing.

Second, who will be responsible for any concerns that might arise from the home inspection? Well, this typically is a point of negotiation. If you have pushed hard on the sales price, the seller may not be willing to make the repairs you’ve requested. His mindset may become, You beat me up on the price so you take care of the repairs. In addition to closing cost and inspection repairs, closing dates can be critical to both purchasers and sellers. Many arrangements have to be made for closing, vacating, or moving into a home, including where is the seller going to or when is the buyer has to move from a home he just sold or a lease that was terminated. This can be a very stressful time. Third, closing does not always mean possession. In some cases, a purchaser negotiates for an early move-in date or the seller negotiates for staying in the home after closing. Both can be done but need to be approached with extreme care. Many times it is well worth paying a little more on the sales price in order to get all the other particulars you need to make a smooth transaction. How do you navigate this choppy water? Always use the services of a professional full time realtor. Not only do they have the experience and knowledge you need, they also will be your trusted advisor through this sometimes challenging process.

Bill Boatman is President of Meybohm Realtors and was the 2012 President of the 26,000 member Georgia Association of Realtors. He has over 30 years experience in residential real estate.

DECEMBER 2013

Dealing with Retail Rude Miss Bossy Pants | Humorous thoughts on the workplace

Nora Blithe | Freelance Writer

ow’s the new job going,” I asked my friend Jennifer. She was recently forced to take a dramatic step back in her career. Though she had years of experience and education, a bad economy meant the only job she could find was part time at a coffee shop. She groaned. “I forgot how rude people can be.” “What do you mean? You deal with rude people every day,” I replied. “Yeah but there’s rude and then there’s retail rude,” she explained. I didn’t follow. “Retail rude?” “Retail rude,” she repeated. “It’s when little, powerless people feel justified dumping on someone they view as beneath them, someone who works in retail.” “Okay,” I said slowly. “I’ll explain,” Jennifer said. “Imagine a guy, we’ll call him Jack. Jack gets up in the morning and his wife yells at him. Jack goes to work and his boss yells at him. Jack hates his home life. Jack hates his job. Jack doesn’t even like his dog very much so Jack looks for an escape. Jack finds it in an 850-calorie drink called white chocolate mocha. Jack comes to my store to buy the happiness his life lacks. But there’s a problem.” “Uh oh,” I said. “Uh oh is right. Our delivery truck didn’t come and we have no white chocolate syrup. I politely explain this to Jack and suggest another drink instead. Jack, who has no control over his life, decides to claim authority over white chocolate.”

“You mean he yells at you.” “Boy does he. He screamed at me over a coffee drink. It would have been funny if it wasn’t so rude. It was as if I woke up that morning and thought to myself, ‘A stranger named Jack is going to come into the shop today. How can I ruin his life? I know! I’ll hijack the delivery truck and steal all the white chocolate.’” She laughed diabolically. “You sound like a cartoon villain,” I laughed. “Jack should have thanked me for saving him all those empty calories.” I glanced guiltily at the donut on the plate next to the phone. I slid it away. “The sad part is that when I was the head of a company there were real things that went wrong,” Jennifer said. “No one, absolutely no one, spoke to me that way even though they might have been justified. It just goes to show, we live in a society where we think it’s ok to dump on people at the bottom.” “Well, the perceived bottom,” I interjected. “Jack looked at you and he saw a barista. He doesn’t know that you were the head of a company or that you will be again as soon as you find another job.” Now she gave a real diabolical laugh. “Jack better hope that when I’m the head of a company again it isn’t the one he works at.” Yikes, I thought. If anyone who worked for Jennifer was “Retail Rude,” absent white chocolate would be the least of their problems! nora blithe is an Augusta native, an entrepreneur and a syndicated humor columnist. She lives in Greenville, SC with her husband Brian and their pets. Read her syndicated humor column Life Face First in Verge or find her online at doorinface. com or email her directly at norablithe@gmail.com.

DECEMBER 2013