Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/11/2016

Small businesses shouldn’t look for a boom in 2016

Don’t look for a small business boom in 2016. Companies in some industries and in certain parts of the U.S. may have a strong year, but overall, small businesses can expect a continuation of the slow, uneven growth they experienced in 2015. More at the AP.

One Spark founder and CEO Elton Rivas resigns

One Spark co-founder and CEO Elton Rivas has resigned. The announcement comes after the staff that runs Jacksonville’s One Spark crowdfunding festival was drastically reduced and festival plans for 2016 were downsized. More at the Florida Times-Union.

Can your employees really speak freely?

Chances are, your employees are withholding valuable intelligence from you. No matter how open you are as a manager, our research shows, many of your people are more likely to keep mum than to question initiatives or suggest new ideas at work. More at the Harvard Business Review.

Powerball ticket sales helping stores that sell them

Power ball has now rolled over to an estimated $1.3 billion dollars. It's the biggest jackpot in history and many small businesses say they've already been winning from ticket sales. More at Bright House Networks.

Small Business Advice
It's not too late to make business resolutions for 2016

As entrepreneurs start into the New Year, you need to have some meaningful resolutions. Here are some thoughts from Jerry Osteryoung to help you and your business. More at Florida Small Business.

Out of the Box
Praying mantises watch 3D movies

Hollywood might have a whole new target audience for 3-D movies. Scientists have outfitted praying mantises with old-school 3-D glasses and showed them video clips to find out whether these tiny animals can see the world in three dimensions.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel

Profile
Susan Morin

Susan Morin has never had a problem re-inventing herself. She's been a salesperson, a camp counselor, a paralegal and a children’s radio show host. Her latest incarnation is as the founder of the Children’s Health Pantry, a tiny nonprofit that aims to do locally what society has failed to do globally: eradicate childhood hunger.