Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/13/2013

Florida college presidents given expensive perks

The pay and benefits of Florida's 28 state college presidents varies widely with little explanation as to why some presidents earn large six-figure salaries, according to a review ordered by Gov. Rick Scott. This review shows some presidents have contracts that automatically renew each year without approval by local college boards. Scott ordered the probe last year after trustees at Florida State College at Jacksonville agreed to a $1.2 million severance package with the outgoing president. Read more at AP.

» The full report from Chief Inspector General Melinda Miguel regarding College Presidents Compensation

Sales and Marketing Advice
Sell more, faster with better sales leads

500 business cards in a fish bowl are not sales leads. The point here is that you don’t want to generate just any lead -- you want leads that have a reasonable possibility of turning into buyers.

Florida Trend Exclusive

In the smiley-face business

During the summer of 2010, boat builder Scott Gerber had an epiphany: "I felt I was being told to build a stick man, but I had no clue what it meant. I just knew I had to do it."
With help from Laszlo Szalanczy, his boat shop foreman, and using scrap aluminum tubes, Gerber built his stick man. It was about 6 feet and had a “big smiley face.”
Tube Dudes were born...

It’s OK to use this technique, but only when you focus your energy on prospects that have demonstrated a need for your product. That takes some work and requires deep knowledge of your market... » Ron Stein's full column is here.

Florida legislation extends time to appeal red light tickets

Did you get a ticket from a red light camera you don't think you deserve? How you appeal that will change, starting July 1, thanks to legislation sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Brandes. The changes will create more work for cities and counties that use red light cameras but will fix other problems. Read more at the Tampa Bay Times

Gov. Rick Scott's re-election hopes grow

Even though Gov. Scott's poll numbers are stubbornly low, the political landscape for hime is improving every day as Florida's economy perks up. With 77 weeks before Election Day, Democrats lack a consensus candidate, while Scott is methodically raising money for his re-election. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Small Business Advice
You are a role model for your organization

In order to be a great leader, you have got to be a great role model. Managers often forget that their staff watches their behavior and uses it to guide their own reactions. Staff just wants to emulate their leaders, so it is absolutely critical that every organization has a role model people can look up to and trust.
» Read more from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung

Healthy Florida

Walkers in Eatonville, Winter Park and Maitland lead the way to healthier communities

No town, city or neighborhood in Central Florida can claim to be the healthiest in the nation, but Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park are all pursuing that banner. Their initiatives all started with a focus on walking. It’s a simple lifestyle change that’s getting results for residents.
» Read more at WMFE
» Healthy Central Florida website