Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/1/2015

Florida more vulnerable to hurricane catastrophe than ever, experts say

Two million more people have taken up residence in Florida since a hurricane last hit in 2005. That growth, concentrated along coastal areas likeliest to be washed away by a storm, means the state is in many ways more vulnerable than ever to catastrophic damage from a tropical hurricane. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida Small Business
Analyze It

You are about to enter the analysis stage of your entrepreneurial venture. And while you may be eager to mull over names for your business or shop for the perfect place to put it, the experts suggest you answer a few more questions designed to make sure you are thinking about the right key business decisions.

» More from Florida Small Business

Sales and Marketing Advice
To improve sales, follow these simple communication rules

Words are everywhere in the world of marketing and sales. We weave words together to get our ideas across -- and sell. Yet, it’s a balancing act. The trick is to toot your horn and grab the buyer’s attention without using any hype. More from Ron Stein.

Gas prices likely to dip in June

Gasoline prices in South Florida stayed roughly flat last week and probably will decline in June, travel club AAA said. For the summer, gas could be the cheapest in a decade but "should remain volatile," AAA said in its weekly fuel briefing. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Garth Brooks cancels Tampa concerts due to Stanley Cup playoffs

Brooks on Sunday canceled his three Tampa concerts this week. As mandated by the NHL, Game 2 between the Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks will take place Saturday at Amalie Arena – the same night Brooks was to perform back-to-back concerts in Tampa. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the AP, and CBS Sports.

Small Business Advice
How to say 'no' to a customer (or employee)

One of the hardest things to do is tell a customer they cannot have what they are requesting. Simply saying “no” sends the message that you are unwilling to listen or help. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

Profile
Most Famous Hot Dog Lady

Ghenet Sequar's journey began in East Africa 54 years ago, with stops in Sudan, Atlanta, many jobs in Orlando, financial hardship and now a comeback as the Most Famous Hot Dog Lady at Amway Center.