Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Afternoon Update

Schools doing better job of matching employer needs

As state lawmakers focus on holding Florida's higher education system more accountable for producing workers with the skills employers need, business leaders are pointing to programs in some Florida schools as possible models. The Manufacturers Association of Florida is lobbying legislators for a bill that would provide incentives to colleges like Palm Beach State and Broward College that produce certified students. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
This low-cost marketing method is guaranteed to increase business

Wouldn’t it be great if your company’s best customers were on standby to speak one-on-one with prospects? There’s nothing better than a valued customer telling your story for you in-person. Now that would drive more sales! Read Ron Stein's full column.


New Navy training work could create up to 700 jobs in Orlando

Business Profile

Vivant Skin Care

skin mask
For decades, Vivant Skin Care has formulated creams, serums, cleansers and tonics to treat such dermatological conditions as acne, aging and hyperpigmentation. Now, like a complexion that has undergone the metamorphosis of time, Vivant is altering its manufacturing and sales structure and adding products, emerging from the economic downturn with a new plan for the future.

» Full story from the Miami Herald

» Vivant Skin Care

After winning a big Navy simulation-training program last week, Cubic Corp.'s Orlando operation could create as many as 700 jobs over five years in Central Florida, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Monday. Industry experts said, however, that jobs gained in Central Florida from the new training work may be offset somewhat by the loss of jobs at other companies that lost the competition for the program. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Big reason for company's success is its embrace of new technology

Technology has changed few professions as much as accounting. Technology and reputation built Hamic, Jones, Hamic & Sturwold P.A. from a handful of clients in 1961 to more than 1,000 mostly individuals and small businesses. More at the Lakeland Ledger.


Small Business Advice
It's simple: Sample your product to attract customers

The more you can reduce the risk to the customer of trying your products or services, the more successful your business will be. More from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.

Out of the Box
Drug Business

hypodermicMajor League Baseball has turned over information to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration that suggests a pipeline for banned performance-enhancing drugs may originate in South Florida. Baseball officials have grown increasingly concerned that local doctors and trainers may be supplying drugs to professional ballplayers in the wake of a recent spate of flunked steroid tests by players, many of whom have South Florida ties.

» Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel