News
The 3 Legal Risks That Could Tank Your Business
It sounds like the perfect get-out-of-jail-free card: “I’m so sorry for that error, the AI wrote it!” Unfortunately, that excuse works about as well today as the dog ate my homework in third grade. While AI is an incredible tool, you are still the one holding the leash. If your AI makes a mess, you’re the one who has to clean it up. Let’s break down why AI makes mistakes and how those slips can turn into real-world headaches for your business. Why Does AI Make Mistakes? To understand the why, you
What Local Customers in Metro Atlanta Expect in 2026 — And Where Most Businesses Fall Short
In 2026, local customers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs metro want three things: a reputation built on recent reviews, fast problem resolution, and communication that feels personal to them. What's changed isn't the list — it's the threshold. Standards have risen faster than most owners realize, and the gap between what customers expect and what businesses actually deliver is widening. For Greater Perimeter members across Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and Brookhaven, closing that gap is the clearest path to
The Landscape of Managed Services Has Shifted (Here’s What That Means for You)
As we push onward into 2026, it’s helpful to remember that the “good old days” are not necessarily as good as we remember them to be. When you would call your technology provider to deploy a patch or upgrade a system, you weren’t necessarily being “proactive”; you were being reactive without realizing it. In fact, managed service providers have evolved their model to reflect major disruptions in the tech industry. We’re talking, of course, about AI, hybrid work, and a greater focus on business outcomes.
Better Authentication is Always Your Fingertips
Even if you’re doing everything right, business cybersecurity is a challenge. Mistakes are common. Passwords are forgotten, and physical buttons can go missing. That said, there is one form of authentication that you can’t help but have with you: yourself. Biometrics have been experiencing a surge in popularity as a means of authentication. Let’s explore why that is. Are Biometrics a Viable Proof of Identity? The answer to this question is a resounding yes, especially when you look at it
3 Simple Cybersecurity Lessons for the Modern Business Environment
Sometimes the toughest lessons that hurt the most are the ones we need the most, as is the case with anything cybersecurity related. You don’t want to experience a data breach, regardless of how it’s caused, but preventing them is a bit more challenging than you might at first expect. If you want to avoid losing time, money, and reputation needlessly, then take these three cybersecurity lessons into consideration today. Your Greatest Threats Are Also Your Greatest Defense Some businesses ignore their
Your Eight-Character Passwords are Truly Obsolete
For literal decades, we heard that a good password required a few key traits to be secure: a capital letter, a number, and eight characters. How times have changed, right? Now, the baseline standards are similar… just multiplied to the nth degree. Let’s discuss why this is, what modern businesses now need to do, and how we can help to maintain password security moving forward. First and Foremost, Why Do Passwords Need to Be So Much More Complicated? In short, the bad guys have better tools than they
Decide DeKalb Launches Small Business Loan & Technical Assistance Program to Support Local Growth
The Decide DeKalb Development Authority is expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs through its Small Business Revolving Loan Fund and Technical Assistance program. Designed to strengthen small businesses across DeKalb County, the initiative provides both access to capital and practical business support to help companies grow, hire, and contribute to stronger local communities. Decide DeKalb RLF Through the program, eligible businesses may receive loans ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 with 5–7
What to Do Before (And After) a Data Breach
One of the biggest myths out there related to cybersecurity is that criminals only go after the big enterprises. Why should they care about your small operation, anyway? In reality, cybercriminals love to attack small businesses to take advantage of their weaker security infrastructures. If you’re not careful, this could lead to serious losses for your business stemming from a loss of trust, legal fees, and operational downtime. Today, we’re going over what you should do before a data breach, as well
The 3-2-1-1 Rule Adds an Extra Layer of Security for Your Redundancies
Backups are a common subject in IT and in business alike. You can think of them like your spare key or the spare tire, where they are the emergency fix for when you do something silly or something unexpected comes along. But with business, the stakes are higher, and when your company’s data is at risk, a simple backup approach—unlike the spare key or spare tire—is not going to be enough. Instead, we recommend the comprehensive business continuity plan, one that keeps your business operational even
Ground-Level Growth: Using Local Market Knowledge to Drive Business Success
Understanding your local market is not just about knowing who your customers are — it’s about interpreting what drives them. Every region hides unique data patterns, community habits, and purchasing motivations that can shape smarter decisions. The challenge is transforming that fragmented insight into a business strategy that actually works.What to Remember from This Guide Gather specific, verifiable data about your local audience before shaping campaigns. Convert patterns in customer behavior into
WBL Announces Leadership Transition: Petra Orquiola Named Managing Partner
Longtime Partner Takes the Helm as WBL Reaffirms Its Commitment to Independence, Excellence, and Values-Driven Leadership Atlanta, GA — WBL is pleased to announce a change in firm leadership as part of the firm's strategic succession planning. Effective October 1st, as selected by the WBL Partner Group, Petra Orquiola assumed the role of Managing Partner, succeeding Bruce Benator. Orquiola has been a valued member of the WBL team for 20 years and has served as a partner for the past decade. Throughout
Do You Really Know Your Numbers?
Do You Really Know Your Numbers?Josh Gardner Director of Client Accounting & Advisory Services @ Symphona | Helping small business owners get control of their finances If you’ve ever wondered whether your books are even right… if you’ve felt like you’re guessing at margins or worried you might be bleeding cash without realizing it — you’re not alone. What most business owners are really missing is a clear picture of their profit and loss statement. Your P&L should tell the story of your business: what it
Key Investments New Business Owners Should Prioritize for Success
Launching a business is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with crucial decisions about where to invest limited time and capital. Whether you’re hiring your first employee, securing your first vendor contract, or marketing your first product, choosing the right foundational investments can make the difference between surviving and thriving.1. Professional Foundations: Finance, Legal, and Compliance New business owners should start with the fundamentals: Business banking — Open a dedicated account
How SMBs Can Successfully Navigate the Leap Into Global Markets
The dream of international expansion carries equal parts promise and pressure. For small and medium-sized businesses, the prospect of tapping into overseas markets can open up new revenue streams, diversify risk, and boost brand credibility. But the global playing field isn't just bigger—it’s trickier, messier, and often plays by an entirely different rulebook. That’s why the difference between growth and growing pains often lies in how smartly and strategically a business prepares for its global
How Small Business Owners Can Manage Change Without Losing the Crew
When a business shifts course, small companies feel the tremor more than giants. A policy tweak, leadership switch, or new technology doesn’t just ripple—it crashes through a tight-knit team, rattles long-standing habits, and pokes holes in comfort zones. Change isn’t the enemy, though; resistance to it is. If you’re running a small business, managing organizational change isn't just about pushing updates or sending memos—it's about keeping your people on board while the ship turns. Start With the Real
The Future of Work Is Flexible—And Here’s How Companies Can Make It Happen
The workplace isn’t what it used to be, and that’s a good thing. Employees want more autonomy, better work-life balance, and the ability to do their jobs without being chained to a desk from nine to five. For small businesses, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. You don’t have the sprawling HR departments or endless budgets of large corporations, but you do have something better—agility. If you’re willing to rethink traditional work structures, you can create a remote or flexible work
Revolutionize Hiring with the Latest Recruitment Innovations
In the competitive realm of recruitment, staying ahead requires more than just traditional methods. The integration of technology and data-driven strategies is reshaping how organizations attract and retain talent. By adopting innovative approaches, companies can not only streamline their hiring processes but also enhance their appeal to prospective employees. This shift towards modern recruitment practices is essential for businesses aiming to secure the best candidates in a rapidly changing job
