Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/1/2014

Gas prices could fall 20 cents by Christmas

Here's something that should make motorists merry: Gasoline prices could fall 20 cents more by Christmas, travel club AAA predicted Monday. The average price has fallen for 58 straight days in Florida and could drop as much as 20 cents more. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Sales and Marketing Advice
To grow business, step outside of your comfort zone and try new strategies

Companies become stuck because they surrender to the idea that “we tried that and it can’t be done that way” or worse, “we always did it this way and there’s no reason to change.” That’s how you hit a wall and have trouble taking your company to the next level. More from Ron Stein.

With Art Basel crowds about to descend, Miami businesses rush to open

Education
Raising the Bar

After the state imposed a $7-million funding penalty on Florida Atlantic University earlier this year for not meeting new performance standards, the Boca Raton school shifted its approach to better keep students moving toward a degree.

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All around Miami-Dade — from posh hotels to upscale eateries to high-end retail outlets — the same kind of last-minute finishing touches have been underway for the last few weeks as businesses prepare for the annual invasion known as Art Week. More at the Miami Herald.

LogoUp grows with Cyber Monday sales

Cyber Monday continues to grow, and an online retailer in Pompano Beach is growing along with it. LogoUp.com produces customized, embroidered apparel and accessories for businesses. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Small Business Advice
How to be a tough but fair manager

Being a tough manager is easy. Being a fair manager is tough. It is so much easier to be a hard nose and demand your staff follow your orders to the letter, or else. Being fair, on the other hand, takes work. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

Agriculture
Lime groves make a return to South Florida

South Dade had been home to thousands of acres of lime groves, supplying as much as half of the limes consumed in the United States. In 1992, however, Hurricane Andrew wiped out about half of the commercial groves tucked away in South Miami-Dade's agricultural community.