B2B Stories

B2B Stories

CSRA middle schoolers to experience life as entrepreneurs and adults

In addition to traditional school studies, area middle schoolers will soon be building a business and supporting a family. It’s all part of a new Junior Achievement center designed to teach the business and financial skills needed in the real world. In partnership with Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Columbia County School District and Richmond County School System approved a plan to build a JA Discovery Center in the CSRA. The Center, which is projected to open in fall 2023, will be built in the CCSD’s Support Department Complex on

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B2B Stories

Don’t let news headlines dictate your investment strategy, the local financial planner says

Kurt Mueller’s personal investment strategy hasn’t changed a bit since Russia invaded Ukraine, and he has helped his clients avoid panicking about the current uncertainty surrounding the stock market. Mueller, the certified financial planner for Apollon Wealth Management’s Augusta office, called each client to discuss the situation and ease their anxiety. His advice on investment strategy varies based on a client’s age, risk tolerance, and financial goals, among other factors. “Some investors make major changes based on news headlines,” he said. “I’m not sure that’s the correct approach.” In the

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Ex-Major Leaguer makes pitch to help CSRA businesses save on health benefits costs

Drive, hard work and asking questions propelled Tom Mastny to a three-year Major League baseball career. Now, he’s using those same attributes to help CSRA businesses contain health care costs. Mastny is CEO of The Pennant Group, a health benefits company that helps employers dig deeper to discover the reasons for high health costs and then find ways to reduce or contain those costs. “It’s the ‘hidden paycheck,’” Mastny said about the health care costs. “Most employees don’t understand all the things taken out of their check, and if you

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B2B Stories

Simon Says: War is not good for the economy, here or abroad

I have been asked over the past 10 days to provide an opinion on the impact of the Russia invasion of Ukraine on the local economy. I have struggled to say anything but the blindingly obvious: Oil prices will go up, and so therefore will gas prices! With a little reflection, here are my more considered thoughts: War is not good for the economy! Anyone who has seen the physical destruction in Ukraine, or followed the depreciation of the ruble, and subsequent hike in Russian interest rates, could not fail

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Businesswomen to discuss mentoring and coaching next generation leaders

Behind every successful business leader, there’s a mentor who provided guidance, motivation and advice. Female professionals will have the opportunity to learn from local mentors at the next Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Program on Tuesday, March 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Enterprise Mill Events Center on Greene Street. Three businesswomen will discuss mentoring and coaching the next generation of leaders in a panel discussion called “Leadership & Legacy.” The panelists are Dr. Patrice Jackson, founder and facilitator of EduCare Training & Consulting,

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CSRA Heart Walk promotes better employee health for local businesses

The first step to better health can literally mean taking the first step. Local residents have a chance to do just that with the American Heart Association’s CSRA Heart Walk at 8 a.m. Saturday at SRP Park in North Augusta. The Heart Walk is a time to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, raise funds and encourage physical activity. “The past year has shown us that no matter where we are, we can come together for a common cause,” said Dr. Philip Coule, Chief Medical Officer at Augusta University Health, who

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Your Ad Pro As Bench Coach

  Don MacNeil is the former Marketing Director of Windsor Jewelers and long-time on-air radio professional.   Is it just me, or… Your Ad Pro As Bench Coach Baseball invented the bench coach as a way of acknowledging the fallibility of single-decision-maker decision making. Medicine calls it the second opinion. Napoleon and Hitler could have used one when contemplating Russia. Things just seem to get smarter with a second viewpoint. You and your marketing are no different. To demonstrate, let’s meet Mark. Mark owns a modest electronics store and fervently

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Local business consultant to discuss improving your company’s situation

It’s hard to pin down Michael Scott’s leadership style on The Office, but for better or for worse, many business owners and CEOs adopt one style and stick with it. Others subscribe to the Situational Leadership model, a flexible leadership approach developed in the 1960s by Ken Blanchard and Paul Hershey that involves adapting to ever-changing workplace situations. Katie Wynn, founder and President of Dynamik Consulting of Augusta, will discuss this model at the next Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Luncheon Series event on Wednesday, March 16 from 11:30

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Mondays with Rick: Too much money, supply chain issues causing high inflation

  Dr. Rick Franza, is the Dean of the Hull College of Business who discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, take a look at the impact of the highest inflation in four decades. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact. ABD: The inflation rate is currently nearly 7.5 percent, the highest it’s been in 40 years. What is causing that? Rick: I’m not an economist, I’ll start with that caveat, but much of what’s caused the inflation is cheap money. We

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