March 28, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/23/2013

Tourist spending boosting U.S. economy

A growing number of tourists from countries including China, India and Argentina are pouring into America’s shopping malls to snap up everything from iPhones to Coach handbags that carry cheaper price tags in the U.S. So-called tourism exports, or the value of products and services purchased by visitors from abroad, have climbed to a record, boosting the economy and employment. More at Bloomberg.


Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
How to create an effective, non-boring business introduction

The goal of networking is not to gather sales leads, but to engage in a conversation that starts a solid business relationship. The only purpose of a short introduction is to only create awareness, stimulate engagement, and get to a next step -- for the other person to learn more about how your business can help them. Read Ron Stein's full column.


Watsco delivers growth

CEO Sounding Board

What is you favorite app?

ceo sounding board
Kostya Kimlat, CEO of SeeMagicLive.com tells us why Vine is his favorite new app:

"It’s perfect for capturing the excitement of live events. Utilizing Vine allows our followers to experience a ‘snapshot’ of what we do, the venue, the entertainer and the audience reactions."

» Read more from him and other CEOs.

Coconut Grove-based Watsco Inc. is one of the biggest local companies you’ve probably never heard of. With about 4,600 employees, Watsco distributes new equipment and parts for air conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems at more than 570 locations in 38 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada. More at the Miami Herald.


Small Business Advice
Define business problems before implementing solutions

Business owners and managers often assume they know how to solve every problem simply because they have had many years of experience. However, experience often leads to decisions that worked in the past, and past decisions are not always applicable in the current environment. Read Dr. Jerry Osteryoung's full column.


Miami Design District’s transformation into a luxury shopping destination

Construction is underway, as the transformation of the once-gritty Miami neighborhood into a glamorous international luxury shopping destination takes shape. It’s a massive undertaking inside Miami’s urban core: In a little more than two years, nearly 120 top retailers will fill the compact district. More at the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
The Smitten Kitten

condoA resort and spa for cats? As unlikely — and unnecessary — as that might seem to some, it's a full-time business for Susan Barr at the Smitten Kitten in Spring Hill. Each "condo" and "luxury suite" offers five levels for living and dining, appointed with velvety lounging cushions, a darkened area for a worldly escape, an enclosed "bathroom" for privacy, and, by design, all of it bark-free.

» Full story at the Tampa Bay Times


Tags: Daily Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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