Business Coaching

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about risk management practices. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Being in business, even just starting a business, always carries risks. That requires some way to manage them. So how does one assess and manage those risks? Rick: Risk management is important in business because you can never think of everything. So you identify the potential risks that can undermine

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the importance of maintaining a marketing presence even during hard economic times. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: Some economists still think we’ll be heading into a recession this year, and we’re going to talk about the importance of maintaining your marketing during that. But first, explain what is meant by the term marketing. Rick: A lot of people

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about a local version of Shark Tank. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: This year you plan to again be part of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts’ J-Tank program. First of all, what is the Jessye Norman School of the Arts? Rick: The Jessye Norman School is a gem of the CSRA. Jessye Norman was a world-renowned opera

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week he talks about the benefits of having a Small Business Development Center office in Augusta. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: The CSRA has an active Small Business Development Center, under the auspices of the University of Georgia. What is its history and purpose? Rick: They’ve been around since 1977. Dr. William Flewellan, the dean of the UGA school of business at

During many years leading organizations of various sizes, I learned how much folks enjoy receiving thank you notes—especially those which come from their boss or their boss’s boss. Being fully retired, it is great fun sending off handwritten notes to thank people or to congratulate them for a special accomplishment. These notes are sent to the home address of the individual. This prevents them from being intercepted by an executive assistant or another staff member. Even the most well-known people do not get many notes at their home addresses. One of the best

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the relationship between business success and whom you hang out with. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: A common business saying is that to be successful, you have to be around other successful people. How does this help someone be successful in business? Rick: A lot of it has to do with learning. You can learn how other people

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about the quality of education available at the College of Business. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: The CSRA is fortunate to have a strong business school in the area. What are the educational aspects of it, both for undergraduate students and for those who are already in the professional business world? Rick: We give all undergraduates a core education

The Damar Hamlin story has been an inspiration to millions of people in America and beyond. One week after his heart stopped, he left the hospital in Cincinnati and returned to Buffalo. Danny Killington, the assistant trainer for the Buffalo Bills, is credited for saving Damar’s life but many others assisted. The power of prayer may well have played a role. One aspect of the Hamlin story needs to be emphasized. At age 24, Hamlin had already established a foundation to lend aid to children in his hometown. Just think about

While it’s too late to make any changes that would affect your 2022 individual and business tax returns, David Ussery has practical advice for preparing for your 2023 returns. Ussery, a certified public accountant and partner with SME CPAs, will be the guest speaker for this month’s special edition Third Thursday Business Builder, hosted by the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Chamber Conference Room. His presentation will be titled “Take Control of Your Taxes in 2023.” “One of

  Dr. Rick Franza, Dean of the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he talks about good business resources and how to get the most out of them. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: The start of a new year is a good time for business professionals to do a little self-education, either through books or other sources. What are some benefits of taking the time for self-education? Rick: It widens your perspective. The people