Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/8/2014

Trends that will impact small businesses in 2015

With less than a month left in the 2014, it’s time for small business owners to develop a plan to maximize their marketing efforts in the New Year. What will 2015 bring for small business owners? Here are 10 trends to keep an eye on as you develop your marketing plan. More at the Miami Herald.

Uber expands throughout Florida, still faces legal battles

From Pensacola to Key West, the ride-sharing company Uber announced that its app-based service -- specifically its lower cost "uberX" service -- will now be available in dozens of new locations around Florida including Naples, Sarasota, Fort Myers and the Florida Keys. More at WGCU.

Program to address growing need for drone operators

Business Profile
Consolidated Biomedical Solutions

Consolidated Biomedical Solutions offers what it says is a more affordable option for physicians' offices and other medical centers for converting medical waste to non-hazardous trash on-site.

» More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Florida State University is set to launch a new program that will actually have its students excited about their instructors droning on and on. For the university’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) program, the potential applications of this technology far outstrip its appeal as the latest toy. More from FSU News.

Small Business Advice
Seeing your organization from your staff's perspective

Your perspective of the business is a whole lot different from how your employees see the business. Additionally, the problems that you think staff are having are a whole lot different than there actual problems. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

Targeting LGBT tourists as gay marriage legalization nears

To have and to hold and to hitch it up in the Sunshine State: That's the honeymoon-swoon allure of a new Visit Tampa Bay ad campaign created in anticipation of Florida soon eradicating a ban on same-sex marriage. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Retail Trends
How small businesses can compete during the holidays

Small, local retailers can't buy merchandise in bulk. They can't afford commercials during Modern Family or The Voice. They don't place splashy ads in Vanity Fair or other glossy magazines. But one of the edges Mom and Pop have over the big-box retailers and national chains — they know how to throw a party.