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Larry Samuelson on Business Strategy and What Makes a Trusted Advisor

April 17, 2013 by chic perspectives

Today on C-Suite Exclusive, Larry R. Samuelson, an accomplished executive who led divisions as a President, COO and CEO, at one of the largest companies in the automotive aftermarket parts industry and provided the strategy to restore growth and profitability to over 200 business owners in his firm’s network of businesses.

Larry successfully led the largest division of Genuine Parts Company (GPC), The NAPA Automotive Parts Group (NAPA), and NAPA Canada in various roles and divisions as a President, COO and CEO of these premier North American automotive parts distribution and retail companies. During his 35 year tenure, he demonstrated an acumen and expertise with startup operations, successful turnarounds and realignments, and effective divestiture and growth of businesses. His leadership savvy has produced an impressive portfolio of experience developing and implementing key strategies and initiatives that delivered sustainable growth and profitability.

Presently, Larry devotes his time and passion to help these mid-market executives and owners grow their business to the next level, recapture the excitement of why they started their business, or monetize their business when appropriate.

As President of The Samuelson Company LLC, a business strategy and executive coaching firm, Larry provides specialized executive consultation and advice, in trusted confidence, to mid- market business owners and senior executives.

For more on Larry Samuelson, and The Samuelson Company, visit: www.TheSamuelsonCompany.com

Cbeyond’s CMO Paul Carmody on transforming to meet customers’ needs

December 6, 2012 by chic perspectives

In this special edition of C-Suite Exclusives business consultant Elizabeth Gordon interviews Cbeyond’s CMO, Paul Carmody.

As Cbeyond’s Chief Marketing Officer, Paul is responsible for leading marketing, product management, and business development. Carmody joined Cbeyond in 2012 to help drive the company’s expansion into next-generation products and services.

In this interview Paul speaks to Elizabeth about the customer needs Cbeyond serves, how those needs have evolved over time and what prompted Cbeyond’s transformation to the Cbeyond 2.0 model of focusing on virtual services. Paul shares the market’s reaction to Cbeyond’s cloud services and thoughts on the company’s future growth strategy.

For more information on Cbeyond, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBEY) visit: www.cbeyond.com and follow Cbeyond on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Cbeyondinc.

Executive Women's Day at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola

September 5, 2012 by chic perspectives

Today on Chic Perspectives, we spotlight the upcoming Executive Women’s Day at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola.

Our guests on the show are:

Donna Fiedorowicz, SVP with the Tournament Activation and Outreach Department with the PGA TOUR

Donna shares about the PGA TOUR’s great new Women’s Initiative being unleashed at PGA TOUR events.

Lillian Giornelli – Board Chairman,Â East Lake Foundation and Executive Women’s Day Task Force Member.Â East Lake Foundation is the event’s charitable beneficiary. Â To find out more visitÂ www.eastlakefoundation.org

Annette Tirabasso – ExecutiveÂ Women’s Day Task Force Member, recently retired from leading Deloitte Women’s Initiative, Deloitte Wine-Down Network Up Event Sponsor. Â Â Annette has been very involved and talks about how companies can support the event and the charitable beneficiary, East Lake Foundation. Â Contact Annette at atirabasso @ deloitte.com

Karla Arriola – ExecutiveÂ Women’s Day Task Force Member, Real Estate Strategist with the AR Heritage Group and a table hostess at the event. For more on AR Heritage Group visit:Â http://arheritagegroup.yourkwagent.com

The Task ForceÂ of professional women from the Atlanta areaÂ has beenÂ planning since February andÂ focused on creating a day ofÂ “Inspiring Women Today and Tomorrow.â€ Through their contacts and support the event is sold out and promises to be an engaging and impactful event.

Members of the Task Force toured the East Lake Foundation headquarters and learned how they could become more engaged in supporting the Foundation throughout the year. The Task Force identified the East Lake Crew Teens as the program to dedicate event proceeds.

The day includes top women executive speakers, panelists and is made possible by generous visionary sponsors:

SHAN COOPER, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

SHIRLEY FRANKLIN, CEO, Purpose Built Communities

LARA Oâ€™CONNOR HODGSON, Founder, CEO NOWaccount Network, Founder, Mom, CEO, Nourish Inc.

BEA PEREZ, Chief Sustainability Officer, The Coca-Cola Company

LAURA SEQUENZIA, Publisher, Golf World

Molly Fletcher Nicknamed â€œthe female Jerry Maguire,â€ by CNN, Molly Fletcher has worked with top athletes, coaches and personalities during her career as a sports agent. An entrepreneur, author and speaker, Molly founded and runs MWF Enterprises, LLC.Â She is the author of two books, Your Dream Job Game Plan and The Business of Being the Best and is the founder of The Betterment Institute, an e-learning portal.

Power Panel Breakfast Sponsor Belk, Inc

Bottom Line Luncheon Sponsor

The Home Depot

Wine Down Network Up Sponsor

Deloitte

VIP Table Sponsors

A.T. Kearney, Inc

Augusta State University

Bank of America

Ernst & Young LLP

Georgia-Pacific Professional

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Mayfield/Dan Foods

Merill Lynch

North Highland

PGA TOUR Superstore

Publix Supermarkets

PwCThe Coca-Cola Company

The East Lake Foundation

Troutman Sanders LLP

Virginia Hepner and Kathy Betty

The PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup are here. VisitÂ PGATOUR.COM for complete coverage.

World Trade Center Atlanta and Georgia Forward

September 5, 2012 by chic perspectives

This week on Good Morning Atlanta, Dana and Elizabeth talk with Rick Woroniecki, International Brokerage for Ackerman & Co. Commercial Real Estate, and World Trade Center Atlanta member, and Amir Farokhi, Executive Director of GeorgiaForward, and Kate Atwood, Executive Director of the Arby’s Foundation.

Rick Woroniecki, Vice President of International Brokerage at Ackerman & Co., talks about international opportunity for Atlanta into the 21st century. Ackerman has been a leader in southeastern commercial real estate for almost 50 years. Rick briefly covers his and Ackerman’s history intertwined with Atlanta and Georgia economic development and growth to date, as well as Atlanta’s explosion onto the international scene since the 1996 Olympics. From Rick’s travels in China, to the London Olympics to the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Mayor Reed’s trips to England, China and Brazil, Rick and Ackerman’s activity with local and international real estate means job creation and economic growth from the man on the street in a local business to players on the world stage.

For assistance with real estate needs or information on international opportunity, the Sandy Springs mission, Rick can be reached around the world on his cell 770-331-9324 email Rworoniecki @ ackermanCo.net more on Ackerman & Co. visit www.ackermanco.net

For more on the World Trade Center Atlanta visit www.WTCAtlanta.com

For an update on the Georgia Forward Forum 2012, Amir Farokhi, Executive Director of GeorgiaForward and Kate Atwood, Executive Director of the Arby’s Foundation join the show.

GeorgiaForward is an independent, non-partisan organization working to improve the state of Georgia by engaging business, political, academic and civil leaders to collaboratively shape a statewide policy agenda.

The theme this year is “New World, New Georgia: Toward a Vision for Statewide Prosperity.”

Follow Georgia Forward on Twitter and Facebook

Kate talked about how Arby’s is working together to end childhood hunger in America, and the systems, steps and support to achieve the vision – to ensure that all children in America have access to wholesome food…every day!

For more visit www.arbysfoundation.org or any Arby’s restaurant to donate to No Kid Hungry

Follow Kate on Twitter @KateAtwood, Arby’s Foundation on Twitter @arbysfoundation and www.facebook.com/arbysfoundation

For more information about Georgia Forward Sept 12 & 13 at the Classic Center in Athens visit www.georgiaforward.org

Lisa Owen, President of Core Benefit Solutions, benefits broker

August 29, 2012 by chic perspectives

Healthcare broker and owner of Core Benefit Solutions, Lisa Owen, joins us in the studio for Good People today to give us perspective on Healthcare Reform and the implications.

We talk about why healthcare is such a big issue and why it matters to companies who want “Good People”, current healthcare system challenges, why changes are necessary, what those changes look like, the effects on businesses, what’s still to come, how changes will rollout / effect who, how and when and what types of advisors can help.

For more on Lisa Owen and Core Benefit Solutions, corebenefitsga.com

A.J. Robinson, Georgia Forward 2012 and Jason Swenk, Billing Orchard

August 29, 2012 by chic perspectives

Today on Good Morning Atlanta A.J. Robinson and Jason Swenk join Dana and Elizabeth in the studio.

A.J. Robinson is the Board Chair for GeorgiaForward and the President of Central Atlanta Progress.

GeorgiaForward, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, will host its third annual Forum on September 12-13 at the Classic Center in Athens. With the theme “Re-visioning Statewide Prosperity,” the 2012 Forum will feature an impressive lineup of guest speakers to inform and inspire attendees as they delve into issues central to Georgia’s long-term growth and positioning in a global economy.

Who would enjoy the 2012 Forum? Who should attend?

• Business Leaders who want to engage with thought-leaders on a variety of pressing statewide issues.

• Anyone interested in helping shape the future of transportation! T-SPLOST failed, where do we go from here??

• Teachers, Professors and Students interested in economic development. This year we have expert speakers on this subject.

• Companies or Foundations who want to get involved in solving the problem of childhood hunger in Georgia.

• People actively involved in civic organizations and non-profits who want to be inspired by our keynote speakers.

• Politicians – both parties and independents! – who want to pursue new solutions to problems around the state.

• Healthcare Industry Leaders who want to talk about how healthcare can become an economic engine in Georgia.

The 2012 Forum’s interactive breakout sessions will allow attendees to explore new ideas and work together toward finding solutions to a range of statewide issues including:

• Ending Childhood Hunger in Georgia

• The Future of Rural Georgia

• How Our Cities Can Excel and Find Their Niche

• Healthcare as an Economic Engine

• After the T-SPLOST: What’s Next for Transportation?

The 2012 GeorgiaForward Forum is sponsored by Central Atlanta Progress, Bank of America, the Georgia Humanities Council, Georgia-Pacific, The Arby’s Foundation, King & Spalding, Piedmont Healthcare, Kia Motors America, and GeorgiaTrend Magazine.

For details and to register to attend the 2012 Forum, visit www.georgiaforward.org/2012-forum.

Jason Swenk is Chief Innovation Officer for BillingOrchard, a subsidiary of Payscape Advisors.

Founded in 2002, BillingOrchard is one of the leading providers of online automated recurring billing and payment processing solutions for the small to medium business market.

Prior to joining BillingOrchard, Jason led Solar Velocity, which became one of the leading technology and digital agencies in the southeast with accolades of 2007 Best Places to Work, 2008 Innovative Company of the Year and ranked one of the top 25 small businesses for 9 years in a row. In 2011, Northridge purchased Solar Velocity for their deep design, marketing and social expertise.Jason Swenk has a career long commitment to thinking outside of the box and building a highly profitable business. He shares his insights on his blog at http://www.jasonswenk.com/

Payscape Advisors makes it simple for businesses and individuals to collect money by accepting credit cards, sending bills, collecting donations, or processing online registrations. Founded in 2004, the privately held company has grown to include a national sales force, with account managers throughout the country. Payscape offers a full suite of financial products and services, including: Credit Card Processing, Debit Card Processing, Check Guarantee Services, Gift Cards, Merchant Cash Advance, ATM Placement & Sales, POS Equipment Leasing & Sales, Virtual Terminal Packages, Online Invoicing System, Online Registration Management, E-Commerce Solutions, and Mobile Applications.

For more on Billing Orchard “Get Paid Quicker” and Payscape Advisors visit

http://www.billingorchard.com

http://www.payscapeadvisors.com/

Christine Phillips, General Manager, Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown

August 23, 2012 by chic perspectives

This week on Southern Hospitality, Christine Phillips, General Manager of the Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown joins Dana and Elizabeth in the studio to talk about Marriott’s presence in Atlanta and the charm, warm and welcoming guest experience and perks and amenities at Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown, located at 134 Peachtree Street NW · Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta this Residence Inn, the staff even take guests on a walking tour of downtown Atlanta in the evenings so they can get to know the layout of the city and see where everything.

For more information visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/atldt-residence-inn-atlanta-downtown/

CAP Members Underground Atlanta and The Odd Fellows Buildings

August 22, 2012 by chic perspectives

Today on Good Morning Atlanta, Dana Barrett and Elizabeth Gordon talk with Michelle Lawrence from Underground Atlanta, Janice Perkins from The Odd Fellows Buildings and Dan Williams Member Manager for Central Atlanta Progress (CAP).

Michelle Lawrence, Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning at Underground Atlanta, talks about the history of Underground Atlanta as well as the current programing, including the big Labor Day weekend Blues in the Alley and Food Truck Wednesdays at Underground Atlanta – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m..

www.underground-atlanta.com

Janice Perkins talks about The Odd Fellows Buildings and Sweet Auburn Historic District and business corridor and historical significance of the area and the importance to Atlanta history and future development.

236 & 250 Auburn Ave., NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303 www.theoddfellowsbuildings.com

Dan Williams, Central Atlanta Progress Member Manager, shares the latest on the Streetcar and Streetcar construction, and fun upcoming events, like

Green Market at Peachtree Center

the streetcar walking tour and German Bierfest on Saturday August 25.

9th Annual German Bierfest – 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Atlanta Streetcar Walking Tour – 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Downtown Atlanta is (always) the place to be especially on Labor Day weekend, see sci fi creatures riding MARTA, Dragon*Con is out of this world.

www.atlantadowntown.com

John Parkerson and Lilia Postolachi WORLD TRADE CENTER ATLANTA

August 16, 2012 by chic perspectives

Today on Good Morning Atlanta, Lilia Postolachi and John Parkerson from the World Trade Center Atlanta join Dana and Elizabeth in the studio.

John Parkerson is President of World Trade Center Atlanta as well as Honorary Consul of Hungary and an expert in international business law, governmental relations and diplomacy.

John explained about The World Trade Centers Association, a not-for-profit organization that stands outside politics across national boundaries, in service to those who develop and facilitate international trade. John outlined the history and mission of WTC Atlanta and the various programs and member services offered to help companies grow internationally.

Members have access to invaluable contacts, educational seminars, trade missions and can get answers to questions about doing business in 300+ countries, and now a new relationship with the USTDA.

Lilia Postolachi is Director of international Services & Membership of World Trade Center Atlanta

Lilia shared about upcoming events:

“Your gateway to Southeast Asia Markets” Date: August 21st, 2012 Time: 10:30am–12:20pm

Sponsored by: The Royal Thai Embassy, Office of Commerce Affairs, Dep-t of International Trade Promotion, Thailand Board of Investment,Tourism Authority of Thailand.

“Macedonia- The Land of Opportunities” Date: September 5th, 2012 Time: 12:30pm–4:00pm

Sponsored by: GDoED, Word Affairs Council, Invest Atlanta, WTC Atlanta

“Taste Your Destination- Spain” Date: September 11th, 2012 Time: 6:00pm–8:00pm

3 course dinner, wine tasting class, and seminar on how to entertain clients

Atlanta World Showcase & Governor’s International Awards Date: October 4, 2012, Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm Where: Georgia International Convention Center

Business Development Mission to Czech Republic Date: October 13-20th, 2012, Organizer: Mr. George Novak– The Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic

“Import Compliance, Documentation and Procedures” Date: October 24, 2012 Time: 9:00 am–3:30 pm Venue: WTC Atlanta Conference Center

“WTC Atlanta 30th Anniversary Celebration” Date: November 8, 2012 Time: 6:30pm–10:30pm

Find out about upcoming events put on by the World Trade Center Atlanta www.wtcatlanta.com/content/eventsnews.asp

Visit or contact World Trade Center Atlanta at 303 Peachtree Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30308

(404) 813-6670