Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/6/2013

Is Florida the best state for retirement?

Florida has the beaches and warm winters. There's no doubt the state is a favorite among snow birds. But is it the best place to retire? A report released Monday by Bankrate shows that the best places to spend your golden years may not be where you think. Read more from the My FOX Tampa Bay and CNNMoney.

Sales and Marketing Advice
The importance of marketing online and offline

We asked business coach and Florida Trend columnist Ron Stein to explain the importance of a theme when marketing to customers. He also spoke about different ways to market - both online and offline. The questions and answers with Stein are the last of a series. His written column will return next week. See videos here.

PortMiami tunnel digging reaches end of the line

Business Profile

Founders of Sarasota's LexJet are far from done

Nearly two decades ago, at a time when many settle into jobs and focus on families, middle-aged entrepreneurs Art Lambert and Ron Simkins created LexJet, a Sarasota printing supply company.

Leveraging their expertise in making posters, banners and even fine art and focusing on sales and marketing, the pair's company blossomed.

» Full story from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The excavation of the PortMiami tunnel, which began in 2011, came to an end Monday morning when the gigantic digging machine that has been boring the dual-tube underwater traffic passage reached daylight on Watson Island. Read more from the Miami Herald.

Related Florida Trend Content
» Panama Canal Expansion: A Game Changer?

Small Business Advice
Challenging employees will help them perform better

Three decades of study shows that people achieve a much higher performance level when they are given more challenging assignments. Workers who are given difficult jobs to do have to try different approaches in order to solve the problem. This problem solving leads to growth and learning. Read more from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Hurricane conference to highlight Florida's vulnerability

Emergency managers and first responders will focus on two concerns at this year's Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference: The need for residents to grasp the potential deadliness of storm surge and the odds of a hurricane strike this year. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Business Plan Challenge

The Miami Herald has announced to the winners of the 15th Annual Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge. Several of today’s winners — and many of the finalists and contestants — were grounded in social entrepreneurship. Two other themes running through many of these entries: helping the self -employed and healthy living.