2012 NOVEMBER ISSUE • THE CSRA’S ONLY BUSINESS MONTHLY PUBLICATION

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My foray into the world of ownership of a retail store lasted less than two

years, but provided a lifetime’s worth of education. The moment that I handed over the keys to our new owners was very bittersweet. I was glad to finally be rid of the mindless state bureaucracies and their draconian mandates, but at the same time I will miss the freedom that comes with being the boss. I will also miss the sense of pride that comes with offering jobs to people who really need them.

The reason my brother and I opened Cheers Wine and Beverage was that we wanted to make money. We knew it would take several years and we also knew it would be labor intensive on our part. Running a liquor store comes with a heck of a lot of responsibility. The pitfalls are steep, you have to make sure your customer is of age and not already intoxicated when they purchase product. The operator always has to be mindful of shoplifters because one high-end bottle going missing can cut deeply into the average 25 percent profit margin. Craft beer is not pasteurized, and allowing an out-of-date six-pack out of the store might mean the loss of a loyal customer. And then there is dealing with the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Failure to pay state sales tax on time has driven more than a few ventures out of business. We knew going in that getting behind on the sales tax payments

could result in the license to operate being revoked, so we paid them early each month. What we didn’t know was that we were subject to being fined for mistakes made by the state!

Georgia has hiccupped into the computer age when it comes to sales tax collection. What seems to be a simple process of doing a little math and then cutting a check was turned into nightmare of navigating web pages. However, we had a very competent bookkeeper who rolled with the punches every time the state decided to “upgrade” their systems.

Early last summer, some little bubble-head named Tabitha appeared in the store with a badge and a document in hand. She informed me that the store did not pay sales tax for the months of October and December of the previous year. Immediately, I got the bookkeeper on the line and verified that we did indeed pay what was owed to the government. Tabitha stated that her records did not reflect that and we needed to settle up. After she left, I examined the document. It said, and I am not joking, we owed $0.00.

I called the state office to verify the

zero amount and they told me it was a computer glitch - their records showed we paid on time and to disregard Tabitha’s moronic document. So imagine my surprise and horror when barely a week later we received a letter stating we Guest Column by Scott HudSon, Former Co-Owner of “Cheers”

Three Cheers - IT’s Over! AnATOmy Of sellIng A BusIness

continued on Page 9

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:SEctIon AMain Business News

SEctIon BEmployment & Education

SEctIon cReal Estate Special

SEctIon dSouth Carolina Biz

SEctIon ELeisure & Hospitality

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photo by John Robeson

I know Turkey Day is fast approaching

on November 22nd and it IS a time to give thanks to your spouse, children, relatives, friends, church, charities, and

so much more!It’s also a time to reflect on a little

business as well. In this issue, we introduce a new sponsored writer on page 4, Ken Kehr who’s a big believer that business people should give thanks by volunteering. We also bring back a “golden oldie” from Ed Enoch on Page 12. When Ed’s not running his City of Augusta commissioner campaign, he’s a pretty darn impressive business attorney. He’s also a centered volunteer in the community and gives thanks and kudos to the cause in this issue.

On Page 14, we celebrate the thousands of students who Mae Guinn has helped over the years at Lakeside High School and celebrate the 5th anniversary of her Education Center.

If anyone should be on David Letterman’s Top Ten List it would be the

dynamic duo at Best Office. On Page 19, they show us 10 different ways to give thanks to our customers.

On Page 30, another dynamic duo team of Bob and Margaret Walters are thankful for working together and safety when we hop in the car.

Yours truly has a lot to be thankful for---growing exponentially in revenue (and hopefully soon, profits!) with the addition of new 2012 employees Matt Plocha and Buddy Miller---and the addition of Verge Newspaper and new writers/editors to our family---along with new ala carte direct mail and web services.

Buzz on Biz, LLc has a lot to be thankful for, including you the reader and our faithful advertisers.

Neil GordoN is President of Buzz on Biz, LLC and produces a daily tv segment on News 12 This Morning, a daily radio show on WRDW 1630 AM, and two hyper-local, niche publications, “Buzz on Biz” and “Verge”. To learn more, visit www.buzzon.biz or email neil@buzzon.biz

2 NOVEMBER 2012

nEIL GoRdon | President, Buzz on Biz LLCgIvIng ThAnKs In BusIness TOO!

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The holidays are almost upon

us and while we prepare to enjoy the season, we need to remember those people who are not as fortunate. As our

community continues to grow, so do the needs of our sick, elderly and poor.

Volunteering in our community is fun and rewarding. Volunteering with charities and service organizations has changed my life and it can change your life too. If it isn’t enough that there are many people within our community that need help, here are some other reasons to step forward and offer your help:

1. When you volunteer you meet others that donate their time to help where help is needed. You get to work side by side with other socially conscious neighbors in various programs that help people that need some assistance. You get to know the people that you work with and you get to know the people you help. When I need goods and services, I can go to those new friends because I know that they are honest, caring people.

2. You are able to see how my community plans for the needs of

people as our population continues to grow. The needs for the people who live and work here are significant. I enjoy being included in meetings where the Chamber, business people and citizens discuss matters of great importance to all of us.

3. When you get involved helping on projects that are being implemented, you see first-hand what is being done and, perhaps more importantly, what still needs to be done. Since some charities and service organizations work will resonate with you more than others, you will be able to invest your time and resources on the projects that you feel most strongly about helping.

4. Volunteering provides you the opportunity to explore areas of your life that you may have had an interest in when you were younger. Perhaps you considered being a teacher? You could work with groups that help others learn. Maybe you thought about working in the medical profession? You can give some of your time to work with clinics or hospitals in our community, helping provide some aspect of assistance to people that live in your area.

5. You will get tremendous satisfaction by know that you are helping people less fortunate, in their

time of need. Most of us know the feeling of reaching out for some kind of help in our lives at one time or another. It simply feels good to be able to give back.

6. If you still need one more reason to volunteer, perhaps the most important reason was explained to us by Jesus in the gospel of Matthew. “For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

All of the great charities and service organizations started with just a few people wanting to serve others and having the courage and the vision to step forward and get started. Look for opportunities that have a particular need that you can fill. Reach out and ask if you can help. Enjoy the welcome that you will receive as you join others who are committed to working to keep

our community the community that we expect and indeed deserve. And one last thing to think about, if you are unable to donate your time to the many worthy causes, please donate some of your money because every single dollar helps those in need.

Ken Kehr has 4 children and lives in North Augusta. He is a member of American Legion Post 71, a Rotarian, volunteers at Mercy Ministries and Megiddo Dream Station, is a Chamber member in Aiken, North Augusta, Augusta and Columbia County, serves on the Columbia County Chamber’s Workforce & Education Committee, is a North Augusta Chamber Ambassador and will serve on the 2013 Board.

Ken has a management degree from USC and 37 years in the business information management systems industry. He started WYNID Management Resources, LLC in 2011 to help small to medium sized businesses. In January 2012, he purchased The Growth Coach® franchise to bring business/sales coaching services to the CSRA. Ken is committed to making a positive difference in our community.

Ken Kehr | Management Consultant hey BIZ leADer: IT’s TIme TO gIve BACK!

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For years, Victoria’s Secret has held off any of the long list of

pretenders to her throne---some a bit more risqué and others lower-priced competitors. The buzz is her reign of dominance in the CSRA may be in question for the first time in a long time. Soma Intimates is set to open in time for Valentine’s Day 2013 in the Augusta Mall. That’s right, its mano y mano…err lady vs. lady, for the right to rake in big bucks on bras,

panties, swimwear, sleepwear, and clothing. Recently, Soma began advertising for a store manager for the new location. More information can be found at www.soma.com, where Soma models strut their stuff ala Victoria’s Secret. The product line and upper-end pricing is a good match for Victoria. Soma has 190 intimate apparel stores in the United States and is part of the Chico’s chain.

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Millions of Americans

have hobbies such as sewing, woodworking, fishing and gardening, but when that hobby starts to turn a

profit, it might just be considered a business by the IRS. The IRS defines a hobby as an activity that is not pursued for profit. A business, on the other hand, is an activity that is carried out with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit. The tax considerations are different for each activity so it’s important for taxpayers to determine whether an activity is engaged-in for profit as a business or is just a hobby for personal enjoyment. Of course, you must report and pay tax on income from almost all sources, including hobbies. However, when it comes to deductions such as expenses and losses, the two activities differ in their tax implications.

If you’re not sure whether you’re running a business or simply enjoying a hobby, here are some of the factors you should consider:

• Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?

• Do you depend on income from the activity?

• Do you have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?

• Have you made a profit in similar activities in the past?

• Does the activity make a profit in some years?

• Do you expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity?

An activity is presumed to be for-profit if it makes a profit in at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year (or at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training, or racing horses). The IRS says that it looks at all facts when determining whether a hobby is for pleasure or business, but the profit test is the primary one. If the activity does not meet the profit test, the IRS will take an individualized look at the facts of your activity using the list of questions above to determine whether it’s a business or a hobby. (It should be noted that this list is not all-inclusive.)

BuSInESS ActIVItY: If the activity is determined to be a business, you can deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for the operation of the business on a Schedule C or C-EZ on

your Form 1040, without considerations for percentage limitations. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business. A necessary expense is one that is appropriate for your business.

HoBBY: If an activity is a hobby, not for-profit, losses from that activity may not be used to offset other income. You can only deduct expenses up to the amount of income earned from the hobby. These expenses, with other miscellaneous expenses, are itemized on Schedule A and must also meet the 2 percent limitation of your adjusted gross income in order to be deducted.

If your hobby is regularly generating

income, it could make tax sense for you to consider it a business because you might be able to lower your taxes and take certain deductions. Still wondering whether your hobby is actually a business? Give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.

Hall, 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 706-855-7733 or visit hallassociatescpa.com.

6

Christine hall, CPA | Hall, Hall, & Associates P.C

sOmeTImes A hOBBy leADs TO BusIness, sOmeTImes IT shOulD Be A hOBBy

NOVEMBER 2012NOVEMBER 2012

7

don MAcnEIL | Crown Point Communications at Windsor Jewelers

It’s an iconic Hollywood

scene. In 1967’s The Graduate, a business executive leans into Dustin Hoffman’s face for dramatic effect with what he’s sure is

life-changing career advice, and stage whispers, ”One word…plastics.”

Allow me to do the same to you, only my word is, “Football.”

Imagine the smile on my face as, through the month leading up to making this case to you, our country is consumed with, not Afghanistan, not unemployment, not even the presidential race, but NFL referees. Even the president goes public with his, ‘gee, ain’t-I-an-average-guy’ outrage at the strike’s most infamous call.

College. Pro. Football. And if you can afford it, it’s were your ad dollars need to be for at least 4 months out of every year.

We’re not just talking popularity here. We’re talking killer solution to at least two of today’s greatest marketing challenges: the expanding tendency among TV viewers to grab the remote and fast-forward through your commercial when watching traditional programming, (which is not going to happen in a live game) and that rare instance when impossible-to-reach 20-somethings are actually (gasp!) doing something together!

This is where I’m supposed to buttress my case with convincing stats, like the fact that the Patriots/Ravens game crushed the Emmys telecast several Sunday nights ago, or that as of mid-September the Super Bowl’s ad slots were 90% sold, despite a record-setting $3.8 million a pop, but I’m guessing you’re on board with this already.

Oh, and for some time now women have been hanging on every play, too. And football is the one sport viewers will watch even when they’re not cheering for either team. Just gets better and better, doesn’t it? Advertising columnists are noticing that (at least nationally) economies of scale have reduced Sunday Night Football cost-per-thousand-sets of eyeballs to $25, and Monday Night Football’s CPM to $24.

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’s hanging on your every word. You have to pound ‘em, again and again - minimum, one commercial in each half. Instruct your TV sales rep or ad person to avoid halftime slots; and unless you’re covered over in budget, hand select games with local and regional interest.

Finally, all of this good news notwithstanding, don’t bet your marketing rent on football alone. We all know militant football non-believers, and for them you have to cast a wider net. The local morning information wakeup shows, for example, or the 6:00pm and 11:00pm news.

Good luck! See you at the game!

next time: Your Marketing Resolutions for the New Year

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

One WOrD…AnD IT’s nOT “PlAsTICs”

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 on the bottom of the page

Neil R. Gordon: President/Editor/Sales (706) 261-9981Matt Plocha: Group Publisher/Sales (706) 261-9981

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Stacie McGahee: Copy Editor

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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8

Designing a logo is one the most

challenging parts of a designer’s job, and one task that is certainly not to be taken lightly. The designer and client enter into a

relationship that is often times very personal, with many opportunities for pitfalls. It is of the utmost importance that both parties understand each other’s goals for the project. It is often a very exciting and nerve-wracking time for a company and it is crucial to seize the opportunity to create a distinct, meaningful logo, which will serve the company for well into the future.

When a designer is asked to develop a logo for a new business, or to update an existing business’s logo, clients often expect to see numerous logo choices. In many cases this process almost always leads to the tendency to pick different parts of each design to develop a sort of hybrid monster logo (see Parks and Rec’s episode titled “The Camel”). The truth is, designing an excessive number of logos results in a final product of much lesser

quality. Think of it this way - you could buy six pairs of really cheap pants that don’t make it more than a few times through the wash or you could spend a little more on one really nice pair of pants that will last for years. When it comes to logo design, quality always trumps quantity.

The most important part of logo development happens before ever breaking out the tools of the trade. Research is what will always set your logo apart from the competition. It is often difficult for a client to understand why their clean, simple logo took so much time and budget. While some companies scan stock photography sites and slap your name on the image with most resemblance to your business, those solutions often lead to frustration for both the client and designer and won’t last in the long run. Insist on having your designer take the time to speak with you, getting to know your company culture and, most importantly, your competition. In working through the process of building this relationship, they will be able to understand the essentials of you and your brand. Be sure your designer spends time researching your industry locally and around the world to ensure

your logo design will stand apart from the competition. If you look just like the rest of the players in the field, how do you expect to stand out?

Only when the designer is completely certain that your goals and company culture are well understood, should he/she hit the drawing board. This process is extensive and involves everything from word-mapping to hundreds of little sketches. Finally, be sure to have your designer narrow down your choices to one or two logos that they know will best represent your company and achieve branding goals. The final options are shown at a design presentation, where your designer will explain all of the thought and meaning behind your new logo.

Essentially, there are two ways to approach logo design. The first option involves your designer delving into his online library of stock images and picking the trendiest look and

using design gimmicks to create numerous sub-par logos for you to piece together. The second option involves a professional designer who uses research and strategy to ensure a timeless and meaningful logo design that will be the face of your company for the foreseeable future.

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: 706-826-1506, Ext 122). This is a sponsored article.

JEFF ASSELIn | Powerserve, Director of Sales and Marketing

lOgO DesIgn: The gOOD, The BAD AnD The ClIP ArT

NOVEMBER 2012NOVEMBER 2012NOVEMBER 2012NOVEMBER 2012

were being fined $1300 for non-payment of $0.00. Once again, the folks in Atlanta told me to disregard the letter. I did and a few weeks later received a letter telling me I had to appear at a hearing in Atlanta on the matter or that I would lose my license to operate.

This time I got Tabitha on the telephone and she scolded me for talking with the people in Atlanta! So, I asked to speak with her supervisor who said basically the same thing.

“The people in Atlanta do not know what is going on down here, we make the decisions locally,” this customer no-service robot with a badge babbled. So I then told her if she was in control, then she could simply not fine me for paying my tax on time. No, she continued to try and explain how a filing error on her part was my fault.

Cue up the circus music! After beating our heads against the wall, we simply paid the fine to make the idiots go away. Incredibly, after we verified that the situation had been handled, I received yet another bill fining me for $500 for the same month that we had just paid!

This time when I called the brainiac supervisor I listened patiently as she vomited out her same mess about following procedure. After she was finished, I said to her “You keep calling me Thomas, and that is my name, but

most people call me by my middle name which is Scott.”

“Yes, Mr. Scott, or Thomas.”“No, it’s Mr. Scott Hudson, ever heard

that name?”Silence. Then, as if she were paddling like a

mad woman to avoid being swept over a dam, she began begging me not to print anything about the local office. Suddenly it became the fault of the people in Atlanta!

Having a decade of being in the broadcast and print media here certainly helped me tame that tiger, but I thought of all of the other small business owners who do not have name recognition as a media figure and are treated in the same manner I was until I threatened to expose them. How many others run into that brick wall and have to cut a check just to make the insanity stop? As it turns out, there are plenty.

So, next time you feel the need to complain about the high price of liquor, you can take that complaint to the Revenue Office located on Davis Road. That $1300 was someone’s salary and new product that could have been ordered. That $1300 was the power bill and part of the rent. That $1300 was ripped out of my bank account at the whim of some mindless government employee that can only justify her existence by stealing from people who work hard and call the theft a “fine.”

In the end, our reason for selling Cheers had nothing to do with the Revenue Office, it was a family decision.

Yes, we were doing just fine financially, but we understood that we had to cut back on our labor hours or we were never going to make a real profit. For the business to be a true success, I needed to be able to commit to a 60 hour work week, as most small business owners are forced to do. In my situation, it was something I could not do. After a lengthy custody battle, I was given primary physical custody of my 7 year old daughter and that spelled the end to my ownership of Cheers. The way we looked at it, I will have plenty of chances to make money in this life, but I will only get one chance to be a dad.

I decided to be a dad.Three men have purchased Cheers

and I know they are going to do very well. All three are former military and they have spent the past ten years doing contract work in Iraq. Buying Cheers is a family decision for them as well. They saved and pooled their money to buy the store and it ensures that they can remain here in Augusta with their families. These guys are wise and very friendly and will continue with customer service being the top priority of Cheers.

And you better believe that I have warned them about Tabitha.

9

Cheers Continued from page 1

Cheers is under new ownership on Washington Road in West Augusta.

Bill Woodward, CPA/ABV, CVAOffice Managing Shareholder

For 87 years, Elliott Davis has advised businesses

on how to run efficiently, grow wisely, be more

profitable. Our team provides audit, tax, advisory

solutions, and accounting resources that

include financial reporting, payroll and software

implementation across the spectrum of industries.

fully engaged for you

© 2012 Elliott Davis LLC © 2012 Elliott Davis PLLC

Georgia • South Carolina • North Carolina • Virginiawww.elliottdavis.com

One 10th Street • Suite 400 • Augusta, GA 30901706.722.9090

We’ve helped businesses succeed through the Great Depression, the recent recession and every

market in between.

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According to a recent analysis

by the National Women’s Law Center, over 18 million women live in poverty while 4 out of 10 women head

households in America. Employment and career advancement is the single most important connection between economic growth and poverty reduction. Today, while more than half of all women are working, many are not able to advance in the workforce.

Low-income women are less likely than men to have a career plan. They are more likely to accept low income positions, with limited opportunity for advancement, in order to provide immediate relief to their families. Frequently, they do not have the support to help juggle transportation, childcare, providing a home, and providing nutritious meals to their families.

Because of this balancing act, these women find themselves accepting low-wage positions that often do not have benefits such as health care, family leave, or paid sick time. Women accept positions based on meeting the immediate needs of the family versus having a focus on career advancement. These women find themselves in a cycle of accepting a series of part-time, low-income positions to try to make ends meet.

Women need assistance with identifying the skills-gap that prevents them from moving into career advancement opportunities. They need to be connected to services that enable them to develop skills, engage in training opportunities, and obtain employment that leads to higher wage opportunities and career advancement.

Goodwill’s Job ConnectionSM centers can help bridge this skills-gap by providing career planning, job placement and education services, temporary work through Goodwill

Staffing Services, and assisting people with identifying and overcoming the barriers that prevent them from finding employment.

For those who are unemployed or under employed, the Job ConnectionSM is the first step towards a career. The free Job ConnectionSM services include: computers for education and career development use; career counseling and enrichment workshops; resume development assistance; instructional videos and audio tapes; pre-screening and referral of qualified job applicants; on-site-employee recruitment; job postings; retention assistance; customized training; Good Samaritan clothing vouchers to qualified job seekers; and career fairs.

The free weekly classes offered at the Job ConnectionSM include: GED Class; Introduction to Computers Class; Introduction to Job Search; Resume and Cover Letter Workshop; The Key to Getting an Interview; Get a Job/Keep a Job; Money

Smart (budgeting and financial planning); Dress for Success; and Conversational English. All CSRA Job Connections offer bilingual staff and services.

Visit any of the local Goodwill Job ConnectionsSM for a complete list of classes and services offered. Go online to www.goodwillworks.org/JobConnection to find the locations and hours of operation. This comprehensive approach to service delivery helps Goodwill move women, and all job seekers, out of poverty and onto the road to career advancement.

susaN everitt is the Director of Communications for Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia and the CSRA and holds a B. A. from Sewanee: The University of the South. Goodwill helps people discover and develop their God-given gifts through education, work, and career development services. www.goodwillworks.org

CreATIng gOODWIll AnD hIrIng CAPABle WOmenAdvertorial by Susan Everitt

12

Editor’s Note: This article is reprinted from the December 2011 issue of “Buzz on Biz”

I’ve been writing this column for the

Buzz on Biz a couple of years now. So I hope my editor (and you readers) will indulge me as I stray off topic. My wish this holiday season is that our world be more like the YMCA.

Specifically I wish for our world to be more like my experience at the Wilson Family Y. For many years now I have been working out very early in the morning at our Y.

Here is my observation. At our Y there are people from all different demographics of age, race, and national origin. Some are blessed with earthly riches, others are on scholarship to afford to be there. There are elected officials, stay-at-home parents, business owners, teachers, preachers, firemen, pharmacists and doctors.

But it is not the diversity of demographics that impresses me about this group. It is their spirit. People speak to each other. If you come a few times regular attendees will introduce themselves to you. The front desk staff greets each person, not with a

mandated corporate greeting, but personally as an individual. Casual acquaintances become close friends who pray for you when you need it.

The Y is not utopia. There are disagreements and hurt feelings. But in my experience disputes are quickly resolved and forgiveness freely given. Only the best of intentions are assumed.

All too often our society is about dividing people into groups and then telling those groups why they should not get along with each other or work

together My friends at the Y only have one thing in common--a desire to live a healthy life. With nothing more than this and the resolve to get up and do it while other are still snug in their beds, they have formed a community that proves the pundits wrong and flies in the face of the naysayers and dividers.

So my prayer for this holiday season is that our world, and specifically our community, be more like the Y.

DISCLAIMER: In the interest of full disclosure I must inform our readers I serve on the Wilson Family Y board

of directors, teach classes there and represent the Family Y as their attorney.

J. edward (ed) eNocH This is a sponsored Law Talk article. His practice focuses on business, employment, and real estate law. He is a 1992 Magna Cum Laude law school grad from Washington and Lee School of Law. He’s 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

my hOlIDAy WIsh Is A sImPle OneJ.EdWARd EnocH, J.d. | Business Attorney

NOVEMBER 2012

Consider this situation: you

are hiring for a sales position at your company; you have two equally impressive contenders; both candidates had identical GPAs in college; both have sales experience at a major company; both candidates were friendly and

professional during their interviews - who do you hire?

This is where data and analytics come in. Big Data, as it is being called, is new to HR, but companies like Xerox, Lowe’s and ARAMARK are openly embracing a concrete approach to hiring and managing employees. Companies that use data in hiring decisions take time to compile statistics for turnover, performance, and employee assessment results. This data is used to find trends that indicate which types of people will be successful at which types of jobs.

Companies traditionally make hiring decisions based on skills listed on a resume, experience and intuition. This approach can and has worked, but there is no clear right or wrong answer. Although hiring decisions are supposed to be unbiased, life experiences and perceptions create natural biases. The cost of hiring and training employees today is too high for employers not to get it right the first time.

Xerox had some commonly held misconceptions about hiring in their call centers. They used to focus on hiring employees who had previous call center experience. They weren’t happy with their results so they contracted with an outside company to assist. Using tests and performance tracking tools,

Xerox found that creative people tend to stay at call center jobs. Inquisitive people do not. After using this data in selecting employees, Xerox’s turnover rate dropped 20 percent.

Data can be used to make decisions with incredible financial returns but too often it is used very poorly. What is the right way to use HR data? Use factors related to behaviors, personality, aptitudes, work style, fit for the position and technical skills.

Data is transforming the way companies hire. It can make the hiring field much more level for employees. Not every employee can afford to attend big name schools, but that does not mean they are not competent. Proper data collection lets them stand out on the basis of factors that actually matter to the position. Employers also benefit as good data removes much of the guessing from hiring decisions, allowing companies to hire smarter.

The use of Big Data calls for a reliable method to gather the data! If you don’t have a reliable tool, get one. You need essential data to make smart hiring decisions based on how well an individual fits a specific job at your company.

BreNt & KellY MalleK This is a sponsored Employment article from their company, Talent Focus Consulting. Brent has over 20 years of Human Resources experience as a proven leader, coach, and teacher. His practical yet strategic approach to human capital issues provides great value to the businesses with which he works. Kelly’s successful track record spans 25 years working in sales, customer service, and business operations. Her practical approach puts others at ease while assisting others in driving their business results. Visit their website at www.talentfocusconsulting.com or call 706.945.1592 for a free consultation.

BRENT & KELLY MALLEK | Talent Focus ConsultinggO BIg Or gO hOme

13NOVEMBER 2012

One thing that recent college

graduate Sarah Frazier learned is that it’s never too late to go back to school. Sarah graduated from high school in 1995,

and spent almost ten years working in the restaurant industry before deciding to get a college education. Like many working-age adults, she was apprehensive about this decision.

“When I started college, I was nervous about being 26 years old,”

Sarah said. “I felt like I would not fit in and was at a disadvantage.”

Despite her fears, Sarah jumped in head first and started classes. “Right off the bat, I gained confidence by working hard and getting help from faculty and staff,” she said.

College Statistics was the class that Sarah was most hesitant to take. “When I was in high school I hated math,” she said, “but the small class sizes and individual attention helped me succeed and earn an ‘A’.”

“There are several teachers here who are very passionate about their courses, and that was contagious,” Sarah said. “You can’t help but have a good time and be excited about it, even though it’s challenging material.”

The foundation she received at GMC helped Sarah prepare for

more advanced science classes, like pathophysiology, when she moved on to Georgia Health Sciences University to complete her bachelor’s in nursing.

Sarah made the choice to become a nurse after a personal tragedy- her husband was in and out of the hospital and eventually passed away in 2004.

“My experience with illness and loss gives me an advantage in my work environment because I can understand what my patients and their families go through,” Sarah said. “I think that part can’t be taught at school, that heart element.”

Balancing life as a non-traditional student wasn’t easy. “Going to school, having children, and trying to work all at the same time can be challenging,” Sarah said. “I just never accepted the fact that it wasn’t going to happen. I had to think positive and it worked out for me.”

Georgia Military College is a two-year liberal arts junior college located in Martinez, GA. They are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

HaileY riBeiro is the Admissions Manager/Recruiter at Georgia Military College in Martinez, GA. For questions about Georgia Military College, please call 706.993.1123 or visit our website at www.gmcaugusta.com.

HAILEY RIBEIRo | Georgia Military College Admissions

gmC grAD TAlKs ABOuT eDuCATIOn As A nOn-TrADITIOnAl sTuDenT

14

Mae Guinn loves her work! As she prepared for retirement after

20 years asa guidance counselor in Columbia County, Guinn wanted to continue to put herskills to use. She decided to create a solution to a problem that she hadbeen hearing about for years. While at Lakeside High School, Guinn oftennoted that families were looking for outside help for their students, butthere was nowhere for them to turn. She knew she had the experience,resources and relationships needed to fill that void.

With a cadre of proven, elite teachers to provide excellent tutoring and teaching services, and her own expertise in SAT prep and college advising, she launched Multi-Area Education Services in the fall of 2007. MAES was born. When looking for a location, she quickly found the shopping center on the corner of Blue Ridge Drive and Evans to Locks Road. “I never really paid it much attention, and I drove to and from work every day passing it along the way. It was the perfect area for our tutoring center.” The space was renovated to create 4 private tutoring rooms, a computer lab, office space,

and two large classrooms. Now celebrating their fifth year in

business, MAES Education Center looks forward to the future. They currently have a team of 25 teachers who help tutor, advise, and teach group classes. “Kids enjoy coming here. It’s a welcoming, comfortable, and happy space.” MAES Education Center is unique because it is private. They do not use a “canned” curriculum. Instead they follow each student’s classroom curriculum and work with them at their own pace. The goal at MAES is to focus students on achieving success on the next test or exam, in the classroom, and in their family and social lives.

“We give them the confidence to move on,” says Guinn, “to be successful, and to achieve even more.” The center helps students from kindergarten through high school with private tutoring, group tutoring, and standardized test prep classes. Students can learn how to be prepared for the SAT, ACT, CRCT, GRE, GED, ASVAB, and other standardized tests. MAES helps high school students with senior project support, college admissions counseling and scholarship essay reviews. They help college students

with college-to-career coaching, job interviewing practice, and resume critique. “It brings me so much joy to see students achieve their goals,” says Guinn. “Over the years, I’ve been able to able to help students get into their own dream schools, from small discipline-specific schools to UGA, UVA, Mercer, and Clemson and even

Stanford, Harvard and West Point. I know what it takes. Especially in this economy, you have to stand out. We can help you do just that.”

The center offers support to home school and home bound students to make sure that they are getting a well rounded education. MAES teaches

students how to be organized for school allowing them to be more productive and focused. They also have a testing service which can help parents and teachers assess a student’s achievement level. Every student is unique, and MAES is committed to finding the best way to teach each student so that they are learning and retaining new material.

For more information or to schedule an appointment at MAES Education Center call (706) 860.8585. You can find MAES online at www.maeseducationcenter.com or on Facebook.

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loyd DeFoor began working with John D. Eubank in 1973 to help him buy and sell small and large acreage tracts in the northern end of Columbia County and

the surrounding area, leading to the official formation of DEW Land Development Company in 1977. By 1980, Lloyd realized that there was a demand for re-sales for the properties that they had originally sold to individuals and then formed what is now DeFoor Realty.

Today DeFoor Realty has expanded to 10 real estate professionals and specializes in property throughout the CSRA. Our concentrations include residential homes, acreage tracts, large recreational tracts and timber tracts, and we are still one of the dominant players in Clarks Hill Lake real estate.

Results are in, and during the month of September, home prices increased state-wide and home sales increased nationally.

For the state of Georgia, the median sales price rose 20.4% to $115,000. Nationally, September saw an increase in home sales by 5.7% over last month and over 27% since September 2011, yet another indication that the housing market is trying to find its footing.

Read the full article at www.DeFoorRealty.com or scan the QR code for more information.

Call or email one of the agents below if you would like for them to email you a list of properties for sale.

D1

Lloyd DeFoor706.825.9501

Lloyd@DeFoorRealty.com

John DeFoor706.799.7558

John@DeFoorRealty.com

Jeff DeFoor706.836.2461

Jeff@DeFoorRealty.com

Wes Fuller706.836.5581

Wes@DeFoorRealty.com

www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

Lake • Land • Lifestyle

The DeFoor STory home PriceS anD SaleS UP For SePTember

OCTOBER 2012 HomesHomes

D3D2

Mountain

www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

We are privileged to have the magnificent Strom Thurmond Lake right at our fingertips. Whether you enjoy the lake as a primary location or second home, it’s a beautiful place to spend time with your family.

Only 3 hours away, the Smoky Mountains are a great place to get away for the weekend. Enjoy the peace and relaxation of the North Carolina mountains from your own mountain home.

Great views of the lake! 77.75 acres that join the Corps property at Thurmond Lake. Conveniently adjacent to Soap Creek Marina, including its restaurant, boat slips, and boat ramps. $1,750,000 MLS# 354914

Possible joint venture offering dual owner suites & living areas with almost 5,000 sqft of living space to share. This 4br/3.5ba home features glamorous baths, lavish formal dining, gourmet kitchen with over-sized island, breakfast bar and 2 lanais. Lower level offers custom built oak bar and a second living space that flows into the lower veranda. Home features double-deck double-slip aluminum dock with power boat lift in very deep water on Soap Creek.$950,000 MLS# 350482

4br/2ba lakefront home on 1-acre with pine floors and stone fireplace in the great room. Bonus room, detached garage, boat storage shed, fenced backyard. $259,900 MLS# 346297

2 lakefront lots with mesmerizing long-range views & excellent water depth for private dock. Electricity & public water available. Lot 3 $250,000 MLS# 349626 Lot 4 $179,000 MLS# 349633

30+/- acres that bordering Corps property and Lake Thurmond including 2 dockable lake lots. Great for hunting & use adjoining Corps property to hunt. $150,000 MLS# 338757

Casual elegance in a rustic setting. This upscale development is nestled on a 2 acre wooded lot with breath-taking long range views of the North Carolina mountains. 3 bedrooms + hobby room, 4.5 baths. Built in 2008. 3180 SF. $700,000

Fractional ownership is being offered for this 3700 SF home with 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The incredible home sits on 3.7 awe-inspiring acres with a view that you have to see to believe! House features granite countertops, wide pine plank flooring, beam work inside and out, exquisite furnishings, flat screen TVs throughout, and 1600 square feet of covered porches. $250,000 for 1/4 ownership or $1,000,000 for all.

Beautiful log home with great view of the lake. Heart pine floors, granite counters, stainless appliances, two fireplaces, screened porch, 2 large decks, basement, 2-car garage. $695,000 MLS#340006

3br/3ba lakehouse on 1.37 acres with 2 bonus rooms, 2 2-car garages, & 2-car carport. Fireplace, deck, private boat dock. Covered patio with brick grill pit. $299,000 MLS#338906

Even with the low lake level, its dock is still in the water! Nice buildable lot with a view. County water. $152,800 MLS# 346858

4br/3ba lake house in pristine condition only 20 minutes from Evans. Brick fireplace, large garage, huge deck &spacious basement. $249,000 MLS# 353682

Updated 4br/2ba home on 1 acre overlooking the lake. 3-car carport, stone fireplace, updated kitchen, hot tub & screened porch. Dock with boat slip. $339,000 MLS# 351355

Great 3br/2ba, 1152 sqft, lake front, like new doublewide. Large owners bathroom, laundry nook, platform dock. Boat ramp nearby. $99,900 MLS# 343415

1-acre lakefront lot that is fenced and mostly wooded with well and septic system, perfect for a homesite. Lake frontage with wooden platform dock. $65,000 MLS# 352887

2 excellent lake front lots. Approx 200 feet from Corps line to water. Can have dock & underbrushing permit. $99,000 each MLS# 270992 & 270989

Hwy 378, Lincolnton

Mohawk Drive

5843 Camellia Drive, Lincolnton

Lincoln Lane, Lots 3 & 4, McCormick, SC

1325 Buckhead Road, Tignall

90 Summit Falls Rd, Sapphire, NC 28774127 Foggy Ridge Road, Sapphire, NC 28774

1147 Maiden Cane Way, Lincolnton

6222 Keg Creek Drive, Appling

3727 White Lane, Appling

1110 Dogwood Drive,Lincolnton

1085 Blackfoot Road, Lincolnton

1408 Wells Creek Drive, Lincolnton

Pawnee Drive

Ponderosa Drive, Lots 61 & 63, Lincolnton

Lake

HomesHomes www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

With over 30 homes to choose from on our website and access to hundreds more, DeFoor Realty is your gateway to finding the perfect home for you and your family. From Lincolnton to Appling to McCormick, we service all areas of the CSRA and strive for the fairest prices. Whether you’re looking for 3,000 square feet or 800, we have something that will suit your needs. Give one of our friendly agents a call today!

4br/3ba, 3690 sqft home on secluded lot overlooking pond and 5 acres. Home is great for entertaining w/ tons of outdoor space, with 1100 sqft of covered porches, breezeway & garden arbor. Features incl. lots of natural light, crown molding, glass pocket doors, masonry fireplace, spacious dining room & landry w/ mud sink. Owner suite w/ sitting room and his & her bathrooms. Three-car garage houses 2nd kitchen & bonus room. $395,000 MLS# 349563

4br/3.5ba, 4008 sqft home on 2.99 acres with garage, pool, fenced pasture, underground fence, screen porch, & much more. $299,000 MLS#340191

Bright 2br/2b townhome in Columbia County convenient to Fort Gordon. Spacious kitchen, cathedral ceiling in great room & wide open floor plan.$83,000 MLS# 350131

4br/2.5ba country home on 2.63 AC close to the lake. Fireplace, screened porch, game room, play room, spacious kitchen and more. $329,900 MLS# 354451

Maintenance free 3br/2ba brick house with new flooring, new roof, new outside HVAC unit & screened back porch. $69,900 MLS# 355166

Beautiful 4br/3.5ba home on on 2.5 acres in country setting, manicured lawn, open floor plan, heavy trim, hardwood floors, master suite, 3 bedrooms downstairs. $299,900 MLS #354087

Nice 4br/2ba, 1782 sqft mobile home on 0.4 acre lot. Maintenance-free exterior. Spacious open floor plan w/ large rooms & big closets. $84,900 MLS# 351888

1423 Elberton Highway, Lincolnton

1054 Greenbriar Drive, Lincolnton

904 Laurel Place, Martinez

6588 Reservoir Road, Appling

3405 Saddle Horn Run, Hephzibah

2155 Morris Callaway Road, Appling

5117 Old Magnolia Lane

D3

6222 Keg Creek Drive, Appling

1085 Blackfoot Road, Lincolnton

Pawnee Drive

Ponderosa Drive, Lots 61 & 63, Lincolnton

Subdivision

Land

www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

www.DeFoorRealty.com | 706.541.0637

Start from scratch and design your own home on one of these fantastic lots. DeFoor Realty is your go-to group for large or small acreage tracts with over 100 land listings to choose from on our website.

DeFoor Realty is proud to feature lots in some of Augusta’s premier subdivisions, from lakefront communities with all the amenities to a quiet homesite with lots of acreage.

Savannah Pines is a new development in Appling near Clarks Hill Dam. Savannah Pines consists of 11 tracts with 6 remaining, acreage ranging from 7.1-10.52 acres and prices ranging from $79,000-$139,000. Savannah Pines backs up to Corps property with walking trails and hundreds of acres to hike and hunt for deer, turkey, quail, and other game. Linder McCurdy Road is the last road closest to the dam on the right going toward South Carolina on Highway 221 from Pollard’s Corner. Greenbrier School district.

Mini Farms! Great for horses! 5-10 acre estate lots with protective covenants ranging from $50,000-$100,000, only $10,000 per acre! Mostly beautiful, rolling, established pasture & some tracts are wooded with mature hardwoods and pines. Some tracts have pond frontage with great fishing. Property is off a county maintained paved road with public water. Minutes from Clarks Hill Lake in Columbia County. Minimum house requirements 2,500 square feet.

Dunwoody Estates is a gorgeous subdivision in Appling with 2.5 acre lots. Development has paved road and street lights. The property is located only minutes away from Clarks Hill Lake, Mistletoe State Park, & I-20. Restricted subdivision with a 2500 sqft minimum. You can bring your own builder and horses are allowed. The development has 22 lots with 15 left for sale. All lots are for sale for $24,900 each.

Prices drastically reduced! Waterfront community on Clarks Hill/Thurmond Lake with 0.62-6.17 acre lots ranging from $14,300-$100,700. Paved county roads throughout subdivision. Community includes 4 interior ponds, nature park and walking trails. Assortment of properties available within the community to include dockable waterfront lots, Ranchette lots, Nature Estate Lots and interior lots. Public water and community sewage. Underground utilities.

136+ acres with 7 ponds, subdivided with 3 gorgeous tracts left. These 3 lots can be bought individually or as a whole. Each tract has at least one pond and mature hardwoods, perfect home sites overlooking the ponds & trophy fishing and hunting.

Lot A: 8.96 acres w/ 1.5 acre pond $99,000Lot B: 9.5 acres w/ 2.5 acre pond SOLDLot C: 17.55 acres w/ 4 acre pond SOLDLot D: 23.81 acres w/ 4 acre pond & 4br/2ba Brick House $299,000Lot E: 76.24 acres w/ 4 acre pond & 2 half-acre ponds $300,000

42.77 wooded acres of property approximately 600 ft to the lake. Great for hunting with an excellent road system throughout the tract and hundreds of acres of Corps property adjacent to it available for hunting as well. Very secluded area. Only $1753/acre! $75,000

15.9 acres of commercial PUD property just outside of one of Augusta’s thriving subdivisions. Located on Columbia Road between Hereford Farm Road and William Few Parkwaynear Patriots Park, Bartram Trail and right outside of the Ivy Falls subdivision. 3 acres in a flood plain. Bank owned property, motivated seller. $967,500 MLS# 353197

Savannah Pines

Bartles Farm

Dunwoody Estates

Serenity Pointe

Rainey Morris Road, Appling Chamberlains Ferry Road, McCormick, SC

Columbia Road, Grovetown

D4

PricereDUceD

SolD SolD SolD

PricereDUceD

10 BesT WAys TO ThAnK yOur CusTOmers

Since it costs five times more

to acquire a new customer than to retain one, focusing on customer retention is more than just a good idea -- it’s an imperative!! This may come as a shock, but people like to be shown gratitude!! They just want you to say, “Thank you.” Here’s how…1. carD

Nothing beats a good old-fashioned

thank you card. In the digital age, getting something tangible in the mail means everything!! Make it memorable with your company logo.2. Social meDia

Did they “like” you on Facebook or “follow” you on Twitter? Thank them, providing a link to their profiles, and say something nice about them. Let the world know that you are honored to have done business with them.3. name SomeThing aFTer Them

A product, initiative or a promotion…

Name a product initiative or a promotion or the campaign after a customer. More often than not, it is they who will have given you the idea anyway, right? This will encourage future feedback!4. giFT carD

Give them the gift of an experience they will love at a local restaurant or store!5. awarD

Why not make a “Customer of the Month” award? Give them a photo or plaque that they would be proud to display! Make them feel as special as they really are!6. reFerral

If your customer is in business himself, send a customer to him to show him how grateful you are.7. ViDeo

Get your team together and do a video. Have everyone tell the customer what they mean to them. Post it on YouTube so customers can see it!! 8. aPPreciaTion eVenT

Throw a party for all of your customers. Do some fancy catering, invite

suppliers and welcome everyone that’s ever done business with you. 9. lUnch/Dinner

You do it before the sale to get the business…Why not after the sale to thank them for their business? 10. JUST call

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple phone call. Just call and say, “Thanks.”

There are hundreds of ways for you to express your gratitude. How do you say thank you to your customers? Let’s share our ideas!

Check out pictures from BEST Office Solution’s annual event…InFORM 2012, which was November 1st, (and InFORM 2011) on our Facebook Page. If you haven’t started showing your customers you appreciate them…START NOW!

roBiN BaXleY aNd saNdi sHields The TEAM at BEST Office Solutions would love an opportunity to make your work life easier. We are constantly customizing a plan

for each of our customers to fit their needs and personalities. We get excited about finding efficient, economical SOLUTIONS for YOU! Call or email us today for your free ordering process evaluation. robin@bestofficesolutions.net – 877-533-BEST (2378)

RoBIn BAXLEY | Co-Owner of Best Office SolutionsSAndI SHIELdS | Co-Owner of Best Office Solutions

Columbia Road, Grovetown

19NOVEMBER 2012

20

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Apple has announced

the production of a new tablet smaller than the current iPad, as the company tries to stay competitive against tablets from rivals. The

new iPad Mini has a 7.85 in. display, starting at $329, but it doesn’t have the sharpness of the latest full-sized iPad with Retina Display - released in March starting at $499. The screen on the current iPad measures 9.7 in. diagonally, a size that hasn’t changed from the first model - released in 2010.

Apple’s smaller tablet arrives as competition is intensifying in the fast-growing market. Since the original iPad was released, competitors have released tablets with various sizes, capabilities and prices. In July, Google introduced the Nexus 7, with a 7 in. screen and price of $199. In September, Amazon released the latest model of its Kindle Fire, with the entry-level model priced at $159.

Analysts said a smaller tablet could help Apple stay competitive. It will appeal to consumers who find the iPad too heavy or expensive. Market-research firm IHS iSuppli forecast that global tablet sales will surge 85% this

year to 126.6 million units. The iPad currently holds roughly 68% of the global tablet market.

Microsoft has introduced its new Surface tablet, with a starting price of $499. The least expensive of its Surface tablets matches the entry-level price of the latest iPad but has twice the memory. That Surface model doesn’t come with a cover that doubles as a keyboard, which has been featured prominently in Microsoft’s marketing of the device. Microsoft offers a $599 model with a black version of the cover-keyboard combination, and a $699 model (with cover-keyboard) that has greater data storage. The keyboard add-on comes in different colors and is available separately for $119.99 or $129.99 for one with a more traditional typing feel.

The Surface is priced lower than offerings by hardware companies that plan to make their own devices using Microsoft’s new operating system, which is designed to work on devices with touch-screens. Some computer makers have privately complained that Microsoft might charge less for the Surface than they can. Pricing on some partner devices disclosed so far is indeed higher: Asustek Computer’s Vivo Tab RT is for sale at $599 and Lenovo has the IdeaPad Yoga priced at $799, which folds from a clamshell

to a tablet.Microsoft’s first Surface models

run Windows RT, which is designed for hardware powered by chips based on designs licensed from ARM Holdings. The software company also introduced Windows 8, which works on x86 chips sold by Intel and Advanced Micro Devices. Microsoft said it will offer a version of Surface for that software, but hasn’t announced pricing or timing. In my opinion, holding out until after January for Windows 8 versions of the Surface with Intel is probably a good idea.

The Surface devices announced recently connect to the Internet only via Wi-Fi. Some iPad models and other tablets can also connect to the Internet over cellular networks.

Microsoft states the Surface and other tablets powered by its software are more suited for business tasks, evidenced by inclusion of a version of Microsoft Office, while iPads and

other competing products are best at passive activities, i.e. watching movies or surfing the Web.

The $499 version of the Surface has 32GB of flash-memory data storage – compared with 16GB on a $499 model of Apple’s latest iPad. The $699 Surface model has 64GB of memory.

The tablet landscape is changing fast because a great deal of public interest is being generated in the portable, light-weight devices - hold on for the ride…

KeviN wade is the CEO and “techspert” for Intellisystems, a small business I.T department for area companies. He works with them to prevent network failure, data loss, or backup disasters and provides technology advice to keep clients and the community informed. Intellisystems is located in the Alley in Aiken, in Columbia at the Atrium on Stoneridge Drive, and in downtown Augusta.For more info, visit intellisytems.com

KEVIn WAdE | CEO of IntelliSystems

mAjOr ChAnges TO The TABleT lAnDsCAPe

21OCTOBER 2012 23JUNE 2012

sOuTh CArOlInA BusInessSEctIon d

www. .

Since 1993, IntelliSystems has been serving the IT needs of

local small businesses, providing hardware, software, computer repair, telecommunications needs and support, data connectivity, and backup and disaster recovery. The company launched in CEO Kevin Wade’s dining room and grew quickly to a downtown office. Now located on Greene Street, IntelliSystems is preparing to officially open its doors in Aiken and Columbia, S.C.

“In its early days,” says Wade, “IntelliSystems was an ‘a la carte-type’ business. Customers called when they needed us and it was not uncommon to bill by the hour, based on the amount of time we spent in their office or repairing computers and software problems. Over the years, technology has become more encompassing and

the need has expanded. Customers would rather have us proactively be out front of those problems and try to keep the problems from happening. We get the technology out of the way so that they can spend more time doing what they love and what they wanted to do when they went into business.”

IntelliSytems services a diverse group of local clients, from telecommunications and software maintenance for Kendrick Paint & Body’s four locations, to IT services and Internet connectivity for Windsor Fine Jewelers’ Windsor operations, gold-buying centers and Lions Jewelers in Charlotte, and IT connectivity and service support for Serotta Maddocks Evans, CPA. In Aiken, they provide IT services for AllStar Tents & Events, telephone systems for the Maxwell Law Firm, and

IT management and phone system setup for Aiken Animal Hospital. “With backup and disaster recovery,” says Wade, “if any of our clients had a catastrophic issue, we would be able to get them up and running, even at a temporary alternative location.”

The company decided to expand into Aiken in Spring 2012. “We have customers there already,” says Wade, “but we wanted to expand our presence and be more a part of the community. We feel we can be more responsive and in tune with potential and existing clients.” The new location, in The Alley, opens this month and will give IntelliSystems a greater presence. “It’s a well-recognized area, people know where it is, and there’s a lot of foot traffic,” says Wade. “We often have ‘lunch-and-learns,’ where customers and potential customers

can learn about the technology we support, so when we have the events it’s easy for people to find us. But the primary thing is to be in the downtown area and connected with the community.”

Likewise, in Columbia, IntelliSystems is near downtown, at the Atrium on Stoneridge Drive, across I-126 from Riverbanks Zoo and just outside the central business district. “It’s a nice location and allows us to get to where we need to be in customers’ offices and for people to find us,” says Wade. “The opportunity in Columbia is something that we’ve been talking about for a number of years, and we decided this year to make that jump. We have a number of strategic partners that we work with that helped us see a need where we can fill a niche that

The I-TeAm eXPAnDs TO AIKen & COlumBIAWRItER ALISon RIcHtER | Free Lance

contInuEd on PAGE 22

22 NOVEMBER 2012

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would help them. It’s a similar market to Aiken and Augusta combined, and we think that we can be successful in it, with our focus on small businesses and being that full-service IT department that helps a business buy the technology they need, maintains that technology, and helps them navigate the various vendors out there that provide additional services.”

Business is underway in Aiken, with the official ribbon-cutting taking place on November 14 at 4 p.m. “Our intention is to have a small event and talk about our goals and what our company does,” says Wade. Ribbon-cutting in Columbia is tentatively scheduled for after the first of the year, although IntelliSystems will be in operation before then.

The company will also participate in the Aiken Downtown Development Association’s Night of a Thousand Lights on December 13. The event centers around storefront holiday decorations and extended shopping hours, and while IntelliSystems isn’t exactly a retail outlet, Wade says it’s still an important opportunity to introduce the company to the public. “Our goal is to participate in the decorations, offer snacks and beverages, welcome people that are walking through town and be part of the fun,” he says. “Businesses are made up of people, and it’s a chance to increase awareness of who we are, what we are and what we do. That will translate into awareness within the business community as well.”

The I-TeAm eXPAnDscontInuEd FRoM PAGE 21...

renoVaTionS UnDerway aT maSTer cheVroleT caDillacThe original structure of the long-time car dealer has held up pretty

good for nearly 50 years. Sometimes change is good. Thus, the company is still selling cars and servicing them in the midst of a major renovation, to include a showroom overhaul, new exterior signage and design, expanded customer service areas, and much more at 3625 West Richland Avenue.

belk wriTeS big check DUring iTS remoDelIn October, Belk on Martintown Road re-opened to a re-designed

64,000 square foot building. They have been in North Augusta since 1951 and at the K-Mart plaza location for almost the last 20 years. They joined 18 other Belks with grand re-openings in October. Their North Augusta charity of choice is North Augusta 2000. The $5,000 will go to further planning and revitalizing one of the most charming, bedroom communities in the Carolinas.

bUSineSS FolkS like To riDe The riDeS Too!The business community has a lot of respect for the Aiken Chamber

of Commerce and it’s 900 plus members. They know how to put on an event and kick back and have fun too; case in point - their late October after-hours event at the Western Carolina State Fair. All chamber members received free parking, free admission, and got to ride some free rides like the Dutch Wheel.

What can Business and Industry Health at Aiken Regional Medical Centers do for your company’s bottom line?

Plenty! When you partner with ARMC’s Business and Industry Health, you not only improve the health, well being and productivity of your employees — you help control their healthcare costs. We will work with you to identify your company’s specific needs; then we will customize a program that will focus on those needs and deliver improved employee health.

youR CoMPReHensIve souRCe foR BusIness And IndustRy HeAltH

Wellness Program Services – health screenings, cardiac screenings, educational seminars, nutrition guidance

Workers’ Compensation Services – safety programs, ergonomic job site evaluations, physical therapy, transitional modified work programs, education/training programs

Physicals/Drug Screening – annual physicals, post-offer physicals, return-to-work physicals, DOT drug screens, breath alcohol testing

First Aid and CPR Training

Contract Nursing Support

Physicians are on the medical staff of Aiken Regional Medical Centers but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.

Learn how you can save on your employees’ healthcare costs.

for more information, call Business and Industry Health

at 803.641.5363.

23NOVEMBER 2012

24

Now that culinary classes have begun at Helms College on the

Goodwill Campus--- there are many other business aspects to finish before the ball drops in early 2013. When completed later this year, the Augusta Career Campus at 3145 Washington Road will contain five Helms College classrooms, three culinary school kitchens, “Edgars”, a 100-seat Mediterranean Bistro, and a 300-seat convention center. Organizers hope that this first Helms College Campus will become a model for similar institutions across the nation.

“Edgars” will be finished by Christmas, while the convention center will take up the 30,000-square-foot space currently occupied by Weinberger’s Furniture and Mattress Showcase and will be completed by New Year. This $12 million building project is the result of one $6 million loan and hundreds of small contributions, including $200,000 donated by a sister Goodwill in Durham, S.C. Only $500,000 remains to be raised before the end of the year, and fundraisers are counting on the people of Augusta to recognize the impact this

college will have on their own town.Once this first-in-the-nation Helms

College Campus is completed, organizers are looking to construct a second campus in Aiken sometime next year. The CEOs of all 168 Goodwill branches in the United States are invited to meet in Augusta Feb. 22-24 to tour the campus and discuss the possibility of making Augusta the headquarters for similar Helms College Campuses across the nation.

“There’s a couple of leading employers in the world, one of which is the medical field and another is the hospitality industry,” said David Ross, Department Chair of Culinary Education. “The Goodwill belief is that you can take anyone at any level and give them the job skills they need to support themselves.”

The initial 22-week Restaurant Fundamentals Certificate program prepares students with basic skills in culinary arts with intensive hands-on training that includes classes in food safety and sanitation, introduction to hospitality and culinary arts, basic principles of cooking, management and supervision, nutrition and restaurant techniques.

Helms students will work with state-of-the-art equipment to aid in teaching those techniques and proficiencies that will become valuable to students once they join the workforce.

Part of the curriculum will require students to work alongside the professional staff at “Edgars” and serve food banquet style as well as take short orders. Other institutions which support Helms College include the Masters, which has offered to employ students for two weeks during the Tournament, the Country

Club, the Sheraton and the Partridge Inn.

“A lot of schools have a kitchen attached, but this will beat any of them because we have a fully professional staff,” said Ross. “I’m particularly pleased that the Masters has offered to employ students for two weeks during the Masters, which is a beautiful thing to put on a resume. The more experience our students get while they’re taking classes means that these kitchens will be able to hire better trained people once they graduate.”

A Goodwill Staffing Center starting at this location later this year will assist students seeking employment after graduation. Prospective students will be eligible or Pell grants, Stafford loans and other federal tuition assistance programs.

Most impressive to Ross is the value of the program, which costs only $6,300 for the 22-week program and $11,900 for the 44-week program and includes a full set of knives, uniforms, books and tuition with no hidden costs. He also notes that Helms is the only college in Augusta accredited to offer an associate’s degree in culinary arts.

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great ball-striker is to keep, or maintain, your posture from your address position through impact. In fact, to take it

a step further, the best ball-strikers in the history of the game did not maintain their posture, they actually increased the angle in their posture, or address position - in other words, their spine angle lowered towards

the ground. This is done for two reasons: first, increasing the angle in your posture will allow you to have more angle and compression with the club-head into impact; second, this engages your midsection and allows you to hit the ball further, with more ease. An easy drill to achieve this is to find a chair at the driving range and place the chair a few inches behind you. Make small, slow swings hitting the chair with your backside in your takeaway. Keep your backside on the chair until past impact. Eventually, you will find yourself

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26

Ed REId | Owner, Team Fit

When you ask the general

public where they rank health in their life, most put their health somewhere near the top of their priority list. However, when it

comes to actually adopting a healthy lifestyle, we tend to make excuses. “I want to get into better shape, but gym memberships are expensive” or “healthy foods cost more.” When assessing clients for their present fitness level, I usually discuss this topic. My conversations circle back to this

question, “Where do you value health in your life?”

Some people value material possessions. We spend great sums of money for houses, cars, clothes and other tangible items. These items have two things in common: 1) They require regular maintenance to operate in peak condition; and 2) they can be replaced.

Others value their bodies. Our bodies, which require regular maintenance too, cannot be replaced. We only have one vessel to get through this lifetime. Why not build and maintain the best body possible, so you can enjoy the people in your life and the things you have for years to come.

Don’t make excuses! Not everyone has the money to join a fitness center. Utilize free areas for your exercises. There are plenty of parks and trails that can be used for various sports, individual/group exercise sessions, biking, walking, skating, etc. Don’t enjoy the outdoors? Workout at home!

If you are not sure where to begin with your routine or you just need someone to motivate you, consult a certified Fitness Trainer. Most initial consults are free. It does not have to be a lengthy process; just review the basics of exercise and nutrition to refresh your memory. You wouldn’t trust your home or car maintenance

with just anyone, so think likewise concerning your body.

The cost of a healthier life can be free. Eat to train. Train to rebuild and maintain. Live a Healthy Lifestyle!

ed reid 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.

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It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. This is the time of

year we celebrate and give thanks to our forefathers who made this country the greatest country on earth. It is also the time we travel on the highways to distant places to spend quality time, and the Thanksgiving holiday, with friends, family and loved ones. The temperature has turned cooler, the

leaves are beginning to fall and we are now beyond daylight savings time. All of this means that our daylight hours are now shorter, and driving at night will, in most cases, be required in our traveling. Having clear, unobstructed headlights is very important for night driving. So, as you prepare for your trip to grandma’s house this year, make sure your car is road-ready for the trip. Check your headlights and make sure they are in a condition to provide the illumination needed to clearly see the road in front of you. If, not call us today for an estimate to completely restore your vehicle’s headlights to a like-new condition. Headlight restoration is a cost effective solution for dim, dull and faded headlights - providing enhanced

safety while driving at night. So, as time comes closer to year

end, we would like to give thanks: first for God’s blessing to start and successfully operate a small, woman-owned business here in the CSRA; and also to our many customers, including private vehicle owners, automobile dealers and commercial businesses for their business, referrals and vote of confidence in our product and services. We continue to build and grow our business based on our commitment to timely, quality service and customer satisfaction and have recently added another mobile unit that serves the Lexington and Columbia, SC area market. 2012 has been a great year for us and we trust it has great for you too.

God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving!, Bob and Margaret P.S. Gift Certificates are available for the holiday season.

BoB aNd MarGaret walterco-own Headlights Made New. The HMN restoration product is only available from an authorized, licensed dealer. Headlights Made New offers mobile unit services in both Georgia and South Carolina. Check out the web site at www.headlightsmadenew.com to learn more about our services and company. To reach Bob or Margaret to schedule an appointment, or inquire about their services call 706.840.1392 or visit www.headlightsmadenew.com

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30 NOVEMBER 2012

31NOVEMBER 2012

Jumpstart Positive ChangeFREE 5-Step process - $200+ valuehelps businesses, careers, personal livesGo to www.BusinessTune-Ups.com

Larry RudwickBusiness Coach

To start process, clickSTEP 1 from ANY page,or call 571-331-6102

EncouRAGInG BEttER PERFoRMAncE from the people

closest to you can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding activities one should learn to do well. Why? One reason is a spin-off of the Golden Rule:

“The more you help others, the more they will likely help you.” Or, in other words, it creates a better life for you, the others that you touch, and those they touch!

REVIEWInG EMPLoYEES PARt 2: This article is a continuation of

last month’s article “How to Review Employees Part 1.” One of the key takeaways a great review should include is a clear understanding of what to do better (or differently) and how. These same (or similar) principles can be applied to most other relationships as well.

REVIEWInG tHE REVIEW PRocESS: The key to success is open and honest communication and feedback from both parties. My 6-step process is: 1) Discuss the positives;

2) discuss problems or challenges; 3) discuss things that are neither positives nor problems; 4) ask and answer questions; 5) create goals; and 6) discuss compensation, rewards, and benefits. Last month’s article detailed the first three steps, now I begin at Step 4:

4) Ask and Answer Questions: Each party should have some questions for each other after completing Step 3. Make sure each person’s questions are understood and adequately answered, if possible. On occasion, some questions may need to be considered or looked into, and responded to later. This step can resolve issues that have been sore spots for one or both parties.

5) Goal Setting: As long as our minds keep functioning well, all of us can continue to learn and become more helpful to others. Therefore, set some goals for your employee, positive things for her to accomplish over the next month, quarter, and year. Goals should be both realistic to achieve, and somewhat of a “stretch” - things that may take mastering new skills, for example. Set another goal: to go over progress made, and any problems encountered, at reasonable time intervals.

6) Compensation and Benefits: Doing a review often coincides with when the employee is up for a raise. But it can be done at other times as well. In either case, compensation and goals should be linked. If the person is up for a raise,

has met or exceeded the past goals that were set, and if raises are being given, this employee would likely merit one.

If the person has not met expectations, how close has she come? Depending on the situation and company policies, it might be a good idea to hold off on a raise, and set some short-term goals, so the person can qualify for a raise or some other benefit, in a few months, if certain goals are met.

When reviewing someone not up for a raise, this process should help the person to more likely qualify for a raise when that time comes. Better still, when a person truly is worth more than they are currently being paid, giving someone an unexpected early raise may create lasting benefits. After all, unexpected positive feedback can be very encouraging and motivating!

LIKE tHIS ARtIcLE? Want to see past articles? Go to my website, sign up for my monthly newsletter, and you will receive a link to back issues.

FREE PERSonALIzEd coAcHInG: To learn a process to make positive changes happen in your business, career, and personal life, go to http://www.BusinessTune-Ups.com and take the free 5-Step Jumpstart to positive change, which can include a free coaching session with me, Larry Rudwick. Or call 571-331-6102.

LARRY RudWIcK | Founder, “Larry The Tune Up Guy”, Business Coaching Expert

enCOurAge BeTTer PerfOrmAnCe frOm OThers

28 OCTOBER 2012