B2B Stories

Awards/Celebrations

Local financial planner smokes his way into the national BBQ spotlight

Editor’s note: I’ve written hundreds of stories over the years, but I will never forget when I interviewed Kurt Mueller, prior to his speaking at the ABD Expo in October 2022. The subject was financial planning for Apollon Wealth Management. At one point, I asked him what he was passionate about, and his reply was my family, helping people with their finances, and barbecue. That threw me for a loop, but here’s the rest of the story. There’s no doubt you’re passionate about barbecuing when you travel 2,000 miles from

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B2B Podcasting

When a bonu$ is a bonus for business

Employee recruitment and retention is a hot topic for every business. At ABD’s Business EXPO in May, Robin Baxley, co-owner of Best Office Solutions, shared how bonuses have helped retain top talent.

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B2B Podcasting

Lights, camera, NO ACTION in the CSRA!

The Hollywood strike has finally trickled into the CSRA and local movie-making production has come to a standstill. Mike Petchenik has the latest in the Georgia Business Minute.

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B2B Stories

Mondays with Rick: Happy employees stick with a company

Dr. Rick Franza, Professor of Management at the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he advises employers on how they can retain employees and keep them productive. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: We’ve been in a tight labor market for several years. What does it look like now? Rick: It’s getting a little looser, but generally speaking, it’s still tight. It seems to be more industry-dependent, but overall, it’s still tight. There are some

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B2B Podcasting

Simon Medcalfe: How is inflation impacting the hiring process as a whole in the local area?

It’s on the minds of many! We’re looking back at May’s Employment Recruitment & Retention Panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo, as Augusta University professor and author of ABD’s Simon Says column, Simon Medcalfe, discusses the potential of using technology to help with recruitment and possible cautions to have as well.

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B2B Stories

Aviation Commission approves 2024 budget, updates on construction

Finances and construction project updates dominated the Aviation Commission meeting at Augusta Regional Airport on July 27. The approval of the 2024 operating budget was a large subject of discussion. The operating revenues are anticipated at almost $24.8 million, with total operating expenses of $23.5 million. The 2023 budget is just under $20.5 million in operating revenues and $20.8 million in operating expenses. “I asked them (Commission members) to look at it from the lens of programs and activities. So, we’re going to be putting more money into our Masters’

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B2B Stories

Renovations to the Bell Auditorium are now underway

Augusta will soon see a new entertainment hub as the first phase of a multi-million-dollar project is in the works on Telfair Street. Work to renovate and upgrade the Bell Auditorium is easy to spot from the street with a construction crane and new steel girders around the building. This is one part of a three-step project, which also includes the construction of a new James Brown Arena and a concourse to connect the two buildings. “In July, we were able to complete our concrete slab upgrade and start going

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Business Coaching

Coach Darin: Employee Experience Design: If you build it, they will come

A new employment trend has emerged over the last few years that is substantially changing the way businesses interact with and inspire their employees. In response to the pandemic-induced disengaged workforce, business owners had to rethink their approach to employee acquisition, engagement, and retention. As labor dynamics like The Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting made headlines and rattled businesses, many organizations recognized the need to do things differently to attract and retain the talent they need. The time was right to embrace Employee Experience (EX) Design. EX design is the

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B2B Podcasting

Simon Medcalfe: Discussing current employment statistics

Statistically speaking, everyone could have a job or two. We’re looking back at May’s Employment Recruitment & Retention Panel discussion from ABD’s Conference and Expo, as Augusta University professor and author of ABD’s Simon Says column, Simon Medcalfe explains the unemployment rate.

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