On choosing happiness. What’s your choice?
December 22, 2014By Jeffrey Gitomer Sales Advice [row] [col col=8] Happy New Year! Or…is it? People wish it to you, to me – all the time. So how happy are you…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines
South Carolina’s Employment Situation: November 2014
December 22, 2014Number of Employed South Carolinians Hits Record High Labor Force Expands for Fifth Consecutive Month SOUTH CAROLINA – The number of South Carolinians working reached a record high of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: government, headlines, on-the-move
Innovation in South Carolina. Are we at base camp yet?
December 22, 2014By Alan Cooper (Based on my radio interview with Mike Switzer, December 22, 2014 ) Productivity and innovation drive prosperity. Five years ago, the Medical University of South Carolina…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Sony’s ominous lesson
December 22, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson ”In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film ‘The Interview,’ we have decided not to move forward…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Talk about a wildfire
December 22, 2014By Kathleen Parker First there’s the spark, then the conflagration, followed by the litigation and then, surely, the movie. Call it “Moonlight Fire,” and prepare to suspend disbelief. The…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Relaxed Looks That Are Anything But Sloppy
December 17, 2014By Brian Maynor During this time of year a lot of people are using their vacation days, but some of us are still roaming the office halls. Luckily with…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines
UofSC economists release 2015 forecast: SC’s steady economic growth to continue
December 17, 2014COLUMBIA, SC – The Palmetto State can expect the consistent positive growth seen across most industries and regions in 2014 to continue into 2015, say University of South Carolina economists…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, headlines, on-the-move
Creating a media crisis in five easy steps
December 15, 2014By John Boyanoski A lot of public relations firms will tell you how to manage a media crisis situation. That is the easy part. But as a business…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines, marketing-and-communications
A statistical feast!
December 15, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson The Stat Abstract is dead. Long live the Stat Abstract. As regular readers of this column know, I’ve been a fanatical booster of the Statistical…
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South Carolina REALTORS® Release November Market Numbers
December 15, 2014CoOLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina REALTORS® (SCR) released its November 2014 statewide housing market reports. With virtually no inflation, interest rates will likely remain low for most of 2015. Construction…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, on-the-move, residential-real-estate
Graham Pleased with SRS Funding in Year-End Spending Bill
December 11, 2014WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today said he was pleased with the funding provided for Savannah River Site (SRS) in the year-end spending bill, also termed…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: energy, government, headlines, on-the-move
Clients don’t know.
December 10, 2014By Ken Gasque Don’t misquote me. Clients know a lot about their products and their customers but clients are humans and humans have perceptions that sometimes are wrong and this…
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Robert Samuelson: The key to stronger economic recoveries?
December 7, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson “The nation of which [Warren G.] Harding became president was not happy, and forces were underway which seemed likely, unless arrested, to bring more…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
The media circus around Ferguson
December 7, 2014By Kathleen Parker As the curtain closes on the latest episode of “Ferguson,” the media series, it is fair to wonder whether events might not have spiraled out of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Festive Business Attire – Celebrating The Holiday Season In Style
December 3, 2014By Brian Maynor Wearing a tacky Christmas sweater to the office may be an obvious faux pas, but where do you draw the line for professional festive holiday attire?…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines
Spirit Communications to Become Naming Rights Partner for Multi-Use Venue at Columbia Common
December 3, 2014Spirit Communications Park Coming to Downtown Columbia COLUMBIA, SC – The City of Columbia and Columbia Professional Baseball, announced today that they have reached an agreement with Spirit Communications to name the new, state-of-the-art multi-use…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move, sports, telecommunications
Climate realities in light of the U.S.-China agreement
November 30, 2014By Robert Samuelson The United States-China agreement on climate change is a huge political triumph, possibly “historic,” as its supporters say. Whether it much alters the world’s climate is a more…
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From Bill Cosby to Ferguson, a reminder of our rule of law
November 30, 2014By Kathleen Parker By now, most Americans probably have formed an opinion about what comedian Bill Cosby did or didn’t do sexually to or with at least 16…
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City council holds zoning public hearing
November 24, 2014By Temple Ligon Columbia City Council met Tuesday, November 18, at 2:00 p.m. for its work session. Its regularly scheduled meeting was on the same day at 6:00 p.m. Top…
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Cultivating Great Teams
November 19, 2014By Mike DuBose with Blake DuBose At some point in our lives, we all take part in activities that necessitate teamwork. These situations crop up within professions, spiritual organizations,…
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Pope calls for family resurrection
November 19, 2014By Kathleen Parker News that Pope Francis will visit the United States next year for the triennial World Meeting of Families brings elation to Catholics, excitement to pope-watchers — and perhaps a little…
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Independent Contractors: The NLRB Refines its Standards
November 19, 2014By James A. Byars and David S. Robinson Whether an individual is classified as an independent contractor or an employee has significant legal implications,…
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Midlands Technical College Appoints New President
November 19, 2014Dr. Ronald L. Rhames selected from three finalists after nationwide search COLUMBIA, SC – The Midlands Technical College Commission announced the selection of Dr. Ronald L. Rhames as the…
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Stock bubble? Don’t blame the Fed’s bond-buying program.
November 16, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson Without QE, will the stock market tank? Count me a skeptic. QE refers to “quantitative easing,” the Federal Reserve’s multitrillion-dollar program of bond buying that…
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National Defense Briefs – November 13, 2014
November 13, 2014By W. Thomas Smith Jr. National Defense Briefs is a series aimed at informing readers with timely military and homeland security news updates, trends, definitions, and short commentaries. Defense…
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Columbia City Council – October 21
November 12, 2014By Temple Ligon Baseball In the past week the Bull Street baseball stadium came closer to reality. Jason Freier, owner of the new Columbia minor league baseball team, said…
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Remembering Betty Dent
November 12, 2014Ministry, civic duty marked her life Betty Dent, a former member of the Columbia International University Board of Trustees and a longtime supporter of CIU, passed away in West…
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Gettys Receives Order of the Palmetto
November 11, 2014GREENVILLE, SC – Former Baptist Easley Hospital CEO Roddey E. Gettys, III has received South Carolina’s highest civilian honor — The Order of the Palmetto — for his longtime leadership…
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3 Reasons You Need to Plan for Your Long-Term Care
November 5, 2014By Barbara Franklin So much of our life is built around planning. We plan for big events like weddings, careers and the birth of a child. We plan…
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Local Veteran Finds Entrepreneurial Success in Battery and Lighting Franchise Ownership
November 5, 2014A Focus on Veteran Entrepreneurs With Veteran’s Day upon us, it’s a great time to recognize the accomplishments of former U.S. military personnel across the country. For example, upon…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, military
Local Veteran Finds Entrepreneurial Success in Battery and Lighting Franchise Ownership
November 5, 2014A Focus on Veteran Entrepreneurs With Veteran’s Day upon us, it’s a great time to recognize the accomplishments of former U.S. military personnel across the country. For example, upon…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, military
How will Europe’s economy escape the doldrums?
November 5, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson Can Mario Draghi save Europe? Draghi heads the European Central Bank, the continental equivalent of the Federal Reserve. The fact that the question is being asked…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
How will Europe’s economy escape the doldrums?
November 5, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson Can Mario Draghi save Europe? Draghi heads the European Central Bank, the continental equivalent of the Federal Reserve. The fact that the question is being asked…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
The Justice Department’s New Policy on Waiving Claims of Ineffective Counsel
November 4, 2014By Mark Moore What it Means for Carolina Courts Recognizing that the “right to effective assistance of counsel is a core value” or our justice system, Deputy Attorney…
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The “magic” of a few good men
November 3, 2014By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Decades ago I spent 13 long weeks living within the closest thing to a monastery I will ever know. It was a Spartan all-male…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, military, on-the-move
The “magic” of a few good men
November 3, 2014By W. Thomas Smith Jr. Decades ago I spent 13 long weeks living within the closest thing to a monastery I will ever know. It was a Spartan all-male…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, military, on-the-move
Reaching peak performance – How to achieve your dreams
November 2, 2014By Jerry Bellune Know anyone who wants to be a low-performer? Of course not. You don’t associate with those people. I personally avoid people like that. They’re losers. Business owners…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines
Reaching peak performance – How to achieve your dreams
November 2, 2014By Jerry Bellune Know anyone who wants to be a low-performer? Of course not. You don’t associate with those people. I personally avoid people like that. They’re losers. Business owners…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: advice, headlines
Be Kind and Respectful to Your Fellow Travelers
November 2, 2014By Deborah O’Connor Kids kicking your seat from behind, the person in front of you reclining his seat into your lap, an infant seat falling out of the overhead bin…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: advice, headlines
Be Kind and Respectful to Your Fellow Travelers
November 2, 2014By Deborah O’Connor Kids kicking your seat from behind, the person in front of you reclining his seat into your lap, an infant seat falling out of the overhead bin…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: advice, headlines
Ebola Preparedness for South Carolina Employers
November 2, 2014By: Matthew Korn, Fisher & Phillips LLP Over the past several weeks, the news media has extensively covered the outbreak of the Ebola Virus in West Africa and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: advice, headlines, law
A Vote for Education is Critical in South Carolina
November 2, 2014By Kara Kerwin In a state where just 31 percent of eighth graders are proficient in math and 29 percent are proficient in reading according to national assessments, education…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
A Vote for Education is Critical in South Carolina
November 2, 2014By Kara Kerwin In a state where just 31 percent of eighth graders are proficient in math and 29 percent are proficient in reading according to national assessments, education…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Midlands Medical Community Braces For Next Round of HIPAA Compliance Challenges
November 1, 2014IntelliSystems CEO Kevin Wade Issues an Alert about Possible Legal Repercussions related to HIPAA Standards Noncompliance Issues as Microsoft Discontinues Tech Support for Windows Server 2003 COLUMBIA, SC –…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Midlands Medical Community Braces For Next Round of HIPAA Compliance Challenges
November 1, 2014IntelliSystems CEO Kevin Wade Issues an Alert about Possible Legal Repercussions related to HIPAA Standards Noncompliance Issues as Microsoft Discontinues Tech Support for Windows Server 2003 COLUMBIA, SC –…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
The family deficit
October 27, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson We Americans believe in progress, and yet progress is often a double-edged sword. The benefits and adventures of change often vie with the shortcomings and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
The family deficit
October 27, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson We Americans believe in progress, and yet progress is often a double-edged sword. The benefits and adventures of change often vie with the shortcomings and…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
The millionaire’s club expands
October 27, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson The millionaire’s club isn’t what it used to be. Time was that “being a millionaire” was a mark of unimaginable success. You’d joined the financial elite.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
The millionaire’s club expands
October 27, 2014By Robert J. Samuelson The millionaire’s club isn’t what it used to be. Time was that “being a millionaire” was a mark of unimaginable success. You’d joined the financial elite.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, op-ed
Wind Energy Symposium to be held at Coastal Carolina University
October 26, 2014Wed., Oct. 29, 2014, 11:30 a.m. | Forum to educate and determine public receptivity to wind energy in S.C. The Coastal Carolina University (CCU) Marine Systems Department will host…
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