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What Should SMB Owners Should be Doing?

Small Business Marketing Report Where is small business marketing as we slide into the year 2025? It seems digital marketing is more complex than SMB owners are willing to admit.  It appears that fears or reservations about the economy and the effectiveness about digital marketing are holding them back.  Of course, if they can find…

What Comes After the Election

The 2025 Revival of Small Business Travel agencies, retail shops, SaaS software startups, and real estate brokers are small businesses and they haven’t been represented well in the last 4 years. And small business provides most of GDP and income/jobs for most Americans. They employ 61 million people or 45.9% of the entire U.S. workforce…

Georgia Farm Bureau Agent Bill Dyer explains the importance of increasing your auto liability coverage in order to keep up with the rising costs of today’s newer automobiles. Working with an experienced agent can help ensure that you are properly protected should you be liable for damage to someone else’s vehicle.

This year’s 26 graduates exemplify outstanding leadership and service across TCSG’s 22 colleges and the system office. Through a series of intensive leadership training sessions, cohort members have honed their skills in strategic planning, decision-making, communication, and team building, equipping them to take on expanded leadership roles within TCSG. 

“The graduates of our Senior Leadership Academy represent the future of leadership across our technical colleges,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier. “These talented individuals have demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and workforce development, and I am confident they will continue to drive positive change for Georgia’s communities.”

The following individuals make up the 2024 Senior Leadership Academy graduating class:

• Michele Lilly-Williams – Albany Technical College

• Al McCall – Athens Technical College

• Dr. Katrina Hunter – Atlanta Technical College

• Quentin Cooks – Augusta Technical College

• Dr. Alvin Harmon – Central Georgia Technical College

• Jason Tanner – Chattahoochee Technical College

• Stephanie Roberts – Coastal Pines Technical College

• Dr. Matt Dennis – Columbus Technical College

• Legare’ Price – Georgia Northwestern Technical College

• Dr. Alvie Coes, III – Georgia Piedmont Technical College

• Rebecca Alexander – Gwinnett Technical College

• Anthony Hardy – Lanier Technical College

• Amy Hulsey – North Georgia Technical College

• M. Katrina Burden – Oconee Fall Line Technical College

• Christy Rikard – Ogeechee Technical College

• Dr. Lonnie Griffin – Savannah Technical College

• Julie Partain – South Georgia Technical College

• Amanda Lively – Southeastern Technical College

• Kimberly Register – Southern Crescent Technical College

• Brittany Bryant – Southern Regional Technical College

• Steve Cromer – West Georgia Technical College

• Michael Williams – Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

• Dr. Deona Carter – Technical College System of Georgia

• Joseph Echols – Technical College System of Georgia

• Christine Green – Technical College System of Georgia

• Corinna Robinson – Technical College System of Georgia

“Our graduates from this year’s Senior Leadership Academy embody the values and vision that drive the Technical College System of Georgia,” said TCSG President of Executive Leadership and Talent Initiatives, Dr. Alvetta Thomas. “Their journey through this program has equipped them with enhanced skills and insights that will empower them to make a lasting impact across our campuses and communities. We are proud of their growth and the fresh perspectives they bring to the future of technical education in Georgia.”

Trends for global M&A and IPO activity continue to diverge, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s newly released Q3 2024 Global M&A and Equity Offerings Report. The number of global M&A deal announcements increased for the second consecutive quarter, while global equity issuance slowed significantly in the third quarter.

“Signs of recovery continue to dot the dealmaking landscape, and additional positive indicators in the fourth quarter should create a substantial amount of optimism for 2025 as further rate reductions from the Federal Reserve tend to lower the cost of acquisition financing,” said Joe Mantone, lead author of the report at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “However, after a strong start to the third quarter, equity issuance was sidetracked after a spike in volatility, and issuers have been slow to return. Even if volatility is more subdued in the fourth quarter, the calendar presents some near-term challenges for IPO pipelines with deals expected to pause around the US elections and year-end holidays. A lack of fourth-quarter IPOs would only add to pent-up demand for the transactions.”

Key highlights from the Q3 2024 Global M&A and Equity Offerings Report include:

• Stock market volatility led to the total value of equity issuance falling nearly 33% to $65.63 billion from second quarter levels and nearly 21% from the year-ago period.

• Global equity issuance volume fell to 788, down 241 from the second quarter of 2024 and down 198 from the third quarter of 2023.

• The number of global M&A announcements increased quarter over quarter for the second straight period, the first time that has happened since the third and fourth quarters of 2020.

• The total value of global M&A deals increased 29.1% year over year to $708.74 billion in the third quarter.

The quarterly report provides an overview of global M&A and equity issuance trends, offering insights into the sectors and geographies that are seeing the most activity. It also focuses on deals with the highest valuations and strategies larger players pursue that underscore trends occurring throughout an industry. S&P Global Market Intelligence has produced the quarterly, global M&A and equity offering report since the first quarter of 2018.

To request a copy of the Q3 2024 Global M&A and Equity Offerings Report, please contact press.mi@spglobal.com.

S&P Global Market Intelligence’s opinions, quotes, and credit-related and other analyses are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendation to purchase, hold, or sell any securities or to make any investment decisions, and do not address the suitability of any security.

During the 44 th Annual Obie Awards ceremony, hosted at the Georgia Aquarium on October 19 by the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s Sales & Marketing Council, David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division heard their name called nine times. Designed to recognize outstanding achievements in the Atlanta home building industry, the Obie Award was presented to the national home builder in categories ranging from building design and interior merchandising to personal achievement and community service.

David Weekley Homes’ Atlanta Division was recognized for its work between June 2023-June 2024, including:

• Community of the Year – 55+ Category – The Retreat at Sterling on the Lake in Flowery Branch

• Gold Obie – Best Interior Merchandising – The Model Home at Havencroft in Woodstock

• Gold Obie – Best Building Design – The Ridgeford Floor Plan – Crescent Pointe at Great Sky in Canton

• Gold Obie – Community Service – Comprising David Weekley Homes’ Annual Back- to-School Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Christmas Elves Campaign, five blood drives, a 5K, and an annual Build Day plus $10,000 donation to support Trinity Community Ministries

• Gold Obie – Best Marketing Campaign – Havencroft Drip Campaign, Digital Brochure, and Drive-In Event

• Gold Obie – Sales Team of the Year – led by Lead Sales Consultant Jamie Cohen of The Retreat at Sterling on the Lake

• Gold Obie – Internet Advisor of the Year – Laura Thomson

• Silver Obie – Realtor Promotion of the Year – “Sell More, Make More” Campaign

• Silver Obie – Best Interior Merchandising – The Model Home at Crescent Pointe at Great Sky in Canton

“Representing the premier award in the Atlanta home building industry, David Weekley Homes is honored to be recognized nine times over by the GAHBA’s Atlanta Sales & Marketing Council this year,” said Adam Cornett, Division President for David Weekley Homes Atlanta. “While each win is sweet in its own right, the one that means the most to me and my team is therecognition of our company’s commitment to Community Service. We strive to be a leader in volunteer and philanthropic efforts within the homebuilding industry while showing our support for our neighbors in need and the communities that surround our neighborhoods. Our thanks go out to the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association for providing this forum for everyone from real estate agents and renovation companies to small home builders and national production builders to be acknowledged.”

A highly decorated homebuilder, as of 2023, David Weekley Homes’ divisions all across the nation have won more than 850 awards for product design and nearly 1,480 awards overall. To learn more about David Weekley Homes and its communities throughout Metro Atlanta, prospective homebuyers and real estate professionals are invited to visit www.DavidWeekleyHomes.com.