Tag Archives: January 2012

GBJ Staff

Qualify for paralegal jobs in eight weeks with class at UGA Gwinnett Campus

Jobseekers can prepare themselves for a career in the legal industry by taking an eight-week Paralegal Certificate Course© at the UGA Gwinnett Campus from Feb. 3 through Mar.  24, 2012.

The class meets on Fridays from 6-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is offered by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in partnership with the Center for Legal Studies.

“Our mission to provide quick, intensive, low cost programs has never been more relevant than it is today,” said Center for Legal Studies President Gary Knippa.

The paralegal field is growing faster than the national average for all occupations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that the number of paralegal jobs in 2018 will be 28 percent higher than a decade earlier. The national median earnings for paralegals are currently $44,480, and freelance paralegal professionals can earn significantly more.

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GBJ Staff

People on the move

Keep your finger on the pulse of Gwinnett business by reading up on who is newly promoted, taking on a different role or who may have changed companies.

Send the Gwinnett Business Journal a brief People on the Move announcement and photo by email to newsroom@gbj.com and we’ll help spread the word.

The following professionals have new roles:

Lisa Anders

Newly promoted executive director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB), Lisa Anders is an asset to the area’s economic growth through her active role the local and national tourism communities. This 14-year GCVB veteran will continue to lead day-to-day operations and remain active in all marketing, communications and sales efforts of the organization. Read more about Lisa’s key role in “bringing events to Gwinnett.”

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GBJ Staff

Lifeguard and instructor opportunities

Gwinnett Parks and Recreation will hold an ‘in pool’ interactive job fair Feb. 3, 2012 from 6-9 p.m. at Bethesda Park Aquatic Center in Lawrenceville to share details about lifeguard and instructor opportunities. The fair is free and is open to both certified and uncertified lifeguards.  Be sure to wear or bring a swimsuit.

Teens 15 years of age prior to the last day of the last certification course are eligible to become certified lifeguards for the 2012 season. Parents are also welcome to attend the job fair.

For further information about certification training or for questions about the County’s aquatics program visit www.gwinnettparks.com or call 770-822-8849.

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GBJ Staff

Top trends predicted for IT

by Mary Hester

After scanning the available data, reviewing previous predictions and making some leaps of faith based on an optimistic economic outlook, I expect many delayed IT expenditures to be completed this year. LAN Systems has identified five IT trends as the ones to watch for 2012.

As Cloud Computing gains acceptance and market share, more business will move their equipment and applications to the cloud. Companies will look for neighborhood data centers that are accessible and provide boutique services. Many small businesses are accustomed to contracting IT services rather than maintaining in-house IT expertise and will look for service providers to meet their changing IT models.

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GBJ Staff

Hot job sectors

Despite the high unemployment rate, a majority of employers surveyed for a recent Robert Half professional employment report cited difficulty locating qualified candidates.

Andy Decker, senior regional vice president for Robert Half International’s Georgia division, indicates, “In Georgia and other states in the South Atlantic region, hiring is particularly strong in the healthcare, financial services and manufacturing industries.”

Added to these growth areas, consider the speed with which the mobile marketing is gaining traction as a significant strategy for many business sectors. Jenifer Mauney, metro market manager for Robert Half Technology and The Creative Group in Atlanta, explains that, “Web platforms translating over to mobile devices have quickly created demand for marketing/creative and tech talent with specialized skill sets.”

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GBJ Staff

Yes, you need an employee manual

An employee manual is an essential tool to communicate the company’s values, needs and expectations. Plus, if you have 15 or more employees, the law requires that you have one.

According to Eadoaoin Waller with the Corporate Group of Anderson, Tate & Carr, P.C., there are two principal legal reasons an employee manual is a necessity for businesses with any number of employees. The first is to reduce the company’s exposure to risk by implementing ‘safe harbor’ policies recommended by the courts and the second is to minimize and manage the legal obligations imposed on your business by law by having well-drafted policies.

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GBJ Staff

Eight steps to effective communication

And the survey shows…communication in the workplace is deteriorating.

Ineffective communication or lack thereof will set off a chain reaction that puts operations in jeopardy: poor cooperation and internal coordination, decreased productivity, increased tension, absenteeism and turnover. These repercussions seriously undermine any organizational efforts to facilitate change.

Follow these eight steps to improve your interaction with everyone in the workplace.

  1. Don’t indulge in a monologue. Make communication a two-way process that involves both giving information and receiving feedback.
  2. Make it personal. Rely on personal exchanges and insist on face-to-face meetings where possible to interpret nonverbal facial expressions and body language.
  3. Be specific. Vague messages or instructions are open to a variety of interpretations, allowing confusion to reign.

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GBJ Staff

10 ways to master your finances

Today’s ‘new normal’ is tougher, grittier and more challenging than ever. The key to succeeding is to be your own best advocate, to take responsibility for your financial decisions and to develop your own course of action.

  1. Face up to debt. Take a hard look at your credit card debt, mortgage and budget to confront the reality of your individual situation to make positive changes.
  2. Develop a strategic debt plan. Create a balanced strategy to reduce debt in 2012 that won’t deplete all your cash reserves.
  3. Plan for right now. The key is to successfully ride out the rough years with as little collateral damage as possible and you’ll be set when the economy improves.

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GBJ Staff

Gwinnett Chamber’s 64th Annual Dinner celebrates exceptionalism

Citizens of the Year, Clyde and Sandra Strickland

The Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will honor local pacesetters and involved citizens at its 64th Annual Dinner presented by Gwinnett Medical Center on Feb. 3, 2012. The black-tie optional celebration will be held at the Thomas P. Hughes Grand Ballroom at Gwinnett Center with a reception beginning at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Incoming chair Raymer Sale, president of E2E Resources, will highlight the Gwinnett Chamber’s 2011 accolades and the achievements of the Gwinnett community. The evening will also celebrate the exceptional accomplishments of the following honorees:

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GBJ Staff

Stay and play in Gwinnett

Lisa Anders, executive director of the Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau

Newly promoted Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau (GCVB) executive director Lisa Anders’ 2012 business outlook highlights key five areas for growth to ‘bring the events to Gwinnett.’

“Tourism is a big part of Gwinnett’s economy,” says . “I look forward to seeing what 2012 brings.”

A 14-year veteran at the GCVB, Anders is an asset to the area’s economic growth through her active role the local and national tourism communities. Having served four years as a Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau Board member, she is also on Gwinnett Technical College’s Hospitality Education Committee, sits on the Destination Management Association International Education, ArtWorks! and Aurora Theatre Boards and was a founding member of Duluth’s Barefoot in the Park Fine Arts Festival committee.

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