Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/11/2013

Questionable insurance claims balloon 23% in Florida

Questionable insurance claims surged 22.5 percent in Florida over two years, according to a study by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The South Florida region was the largest source of questionable insurance claims in the state. More at the South Florida Business Journal.

Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
Win a client's trust with these simple steps

Trust is the opposite of fear. And no matter how much the functionality seems to be spot on or the price is reduced, you’ll never get to a purchase until the person on the other side of the table or on the other side of the world visiting your website starts to like you and trust your company. Read Ron Stein's full column.

Disney exec to run statewide rail project

Business Profile

Eagle Manufacturing

Eagle Manufacturing Group may not be a household name in the Miami area, but people walking along the city’s streets are likely to step on some of Eagle’s products every day. The Hialeah-based parent company of a diversified industrial group, Eagle makes a range of iron, steel and concrete products, including manhole covers still used in downtown Miami that date back to the 1930s.

» Full story from the Miami Herald

All Aboard Florida, a privately funded $1 billion passenger railroad project that would connect Orlando to Miami, and possibly Tampa, named onetime Disney executive Donald Robinson co-president and chief operating officer. A wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Coral Gables-based Florida East Coast Industries, All Aboard Florida also promoted executive P. Michael Reininger to president and chief development officer [Source: The Business Observer]

On Napping Day, be bold, catch some Zzzs

Are you yawning yet? Go for it: Today is Napping Day, an unofficial holiday created in 1999 by now-retired Boston University professor William Anthony and his wife, Camille, to help people adjust to Daylight Saving Time. After losing an hour of sleep by springing clocks forward, many in the workforce will drag through the day on Monday, hence the need for a power nap. More at the Miami Herald.

Small Business Advice
Lifestyle businesses have different goals, measures of success

Too often we make the mistake of seeing entrepreneurs like Donald Trump and Steve Jobs as the examples that all businesses should follow. However, the great majority of firms in this country are not truly entrepreneurial but more what I call “lifestyle businesses.” These lifestyle businesses add much to our economy and the welfare of many employees. Read more from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Out of the Box
Smuggling in South Florida ranges from the dangerous to the bizarre

Drug smuggling seems so passé. Recent cases of illegal trade in South Florida suggest a more diverse menu of commodities is emerging that answer unusual market demands. The rogue state of Iran is one customer; Chinese rhinoceros horn cup drinkers are another. And as with bygone cocaine-running days, the southeast coast of Florida still offers fertile incubation for black market traders.