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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
What numbers should you look to for reassurance during Florida's reopening?
Most of Florida has already moved into Phase Two of Florida’s reopening plan for the novel coronavirus. As more of us venture out into this new normal, a series of questions is on many Floridians’ minds: Is it safe to leave home? What specific numbers should we look toward for reassurance? The answer is unsurprisingly complex, and even a little bit frustrating. More from WLRN.
Sales and Marketing Advice
Think small to get big results: How to get your first 1,000 customers
Sometime today one or more businesses will launch new products and services. A handful will gain a significant audience and achieve a trajectory that can’t be stopped. Yet, most will not get much traction with buyers and fail to meet their plan – if they had one. This story plays out across every industry, product or service – from startups to big corporations. It turns out that the hardest part of getting a new offering out the door and into the hands of eager buyers isn't creating the product or service; the difficult part is finding a market for your product and getting people to buy it. Read Ron Stein's full column here.
South Florida’s black business leaders on racism and the path forward
They sit in C-suites with bay views, broker high-profile deals and earn enviable salaries. But for all their apparent success, Miami’s black business executives say they are profoundly dismayed by ongoing racial disparity in America. As protests continue over the death of George Floyd, The Miami Herald asked 10 to share their views on race, community and business, and the path forward. More from the Miami Herald.
Southwest Florida banks maintain solid grades
Three of Southwest Florida’s community banks kept their highest grades in the latest report card from rating firm BauerFinancial Inc. Sabal Palm Bank of Sarasota, Charlotte State Bank & Trust of Port Charlotte and Englewood Bank & Trust all earned five stars, or “superior,” in Bauer’s report for the first quarter of 2020. Those banks have now received that top mark for 3 1/2 years, since Charlotte State was upgraded from four to five stars in third-quarter 2016. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
NASA SLS boosters headed to Kennedy Space Center
NASA’s return to the moon may launch from Kennedy Space Center, but it has to go through Utah first. That’s where NASA contractor Northrop Grumman has been working on the two solid rocket boosters that will be paired with the core stage of the Space Launch System to power the Orion capsule on its Artemis missions to the moon. NASA posted an image of parts of those two boosters loaded onto a train transport at the testing facility in Promontory, Utah, now headed for Kennedy Space Center. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Entertainment
Theme parks set to reopen with reduced capacity, reservation system
Seaworld Entertainment Inc., the Orlando-based parent company of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, plans to reopen the Tampa theme parks on Thursday. According to a press release, the attractions will reopen with enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements and temperature screening. To manage capacity in accordance with state regulations, online reservations will be required.
» More from the Business Observer.
Sports Business
Lightning broadcaster Rick Peckham’s final season not what anyone was expecting
Close your eyes and picture your favorite sports moment. As the reel runs through your head, you probably hear the play-by-play broadcaster’s voice narrating. Players and coaches give an organization faces. Broadcasters become its voices. Rick Peckham has been that for Lightning fans for 24 years. He started in the AHL, calling the Rochester Americans in 1978. He then spent 10 years with the Hartford Whalers before landing with the Lightning. He is retiring at the end of this season, his 42nd overall.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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