Financial/Investing

A few weeks ago, I suggested a few succession planning options that senior business owners could consider as they are approaching their retirement age. One of those options was having a professional manager or CEO run your business. Giving your throne and position to a professional CEO could be challenging, especially for business owners who have founded their firm since its inception and have a deep emotional attachment with their business. My own research suggests that businesses run by founder CEOs tend to perform better than professional CEOs. These findings

All businesses claim to value their employees and to be committed to a culture that recognizes and rewards employee achievements. But success in this effort may be elusive, particularly if employers only half-heartedly embrace an “employee-centric” culture. By contrast, businesses that actively pursue this goal often find that they retain valued workers longer and that their recruiting efforts for new hires benefit from a culture of employee recognition. Here are ways you can build your own culture of recognition and demonstrate how much you appreciate the efforts of your team

This photo was taken at the ABD Business Expo, which was held at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center on May 27. Pictured from left are Hollis Bush, senior director of programs and services for ForcesUnited, Faith Edmondson, ABD publisher Neil Gordon, and Ashley Ashe. Gateway Grant Services helps nonprofits like ForcesUnited receive funding. (Photo taken from Faith Edmondson’s LinkedIn profile) Faith Edmondson and Ashley Ashe primarily help nonprofits receive funding through grant writing and virtual fundraising, but they have now branched out to help small businesses succeed. Edmondson and

Dinesh Hasija, Ph.D. (photo courtesy of AU Hull College of Business) Like many U.S. cities, Augusta is experiencing an aging population. This trend impacts local businesses in several ways, from hiring a qualified workforce to business owners’ succession planning. This article will focus on how business owners can successfully navigate their succession planning. Retirement can be an emotional stage for business owners who have built a socio-economic wealth throughout their time. However, when business owners are planning their retirement, the majority of focus is on economic wealth, and less on

There are many types of cryptocurrencies available, and the most popular are Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Dogecoin. (Photo taken from the MarketWatch website) Kurt Mueller understands the risks associated with investing in cryptocurrency as both a financial planner and individual investor. Mueller, a wealth management advisor for Apollon Wealth Management in Augusta, says you must do your research before choosing any type of investment, whether it be gold, real estate, oil, or stocks. Unlike stocks, “There really isn’t any insider information,” he explains. “It’s speculative, high-risk, and volatile,” so it’s certainly