Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Growth industry: Paramedics and emergency technicians

Jobs for EMTs and paramedics are among the "hot jobs" in Florida, growing at a 3 percent rate, or 272 annual openings, according to Florida labor statistics. With many paramedic-firefighters in their 50s and nearing retirement, there are likely to be more job opportunities for both emergency medical technicians and paramedics in the near future, local schools and fire-rescue services say. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Entrepreneurship: Despised duties make a big difference to success

Small-business owners have duties they hate doing. These are tedious, annoying tasks that you as a hard-charging entrepreneur would rather avoid. But, some of the least enjoyable chores actually help your long-term success. Read Rhonda Abrams' full column at Florida Today.


One Percent for The Planet: Businesses donate to help the environment

Business Profile

Markee Rehearsal and Recording studios

markee
The mom taking her child for music lessons was adamant: She wanted to be called pronto the next time rock singer Rick Springfield showed up at Markee Rehearsal and Recording studios in Deerfield Beach.

"We get that a lot," chuckled songwriter Keith Ridenour, who partnered with former Office Depot president and chief operating officer Mark D. Begelman to open the studios that both novice and professional musicians frequent.

» Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

» Markee Rehearsal and Recording studios official site

It's a growing business network around the world: Companies that commit to give 1 percent of their sales each year to environmental groups as members of the One Percent for The Planet alliance. Donations to environmental groups reached about $25 million worldwide last year, including giving by more than a dozen firms based in Florida, according to the nonprofit alliance often called "1%." More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Blueberry industry growing, but for how long?

A lot more Florida growers are cultivating blueberries these days. The window of opportunity for locally produced berries is narrowing, as Chile now ships right up until the Florida season starts and Georgia is waiting at the other end. However, during that short window between the middle of March and early May, Florida has exclusive market penetration and can claim very high prices - as much as $5 per pound. More at WINK News and Fresh Plaza.


Small Business Advice
Keeping track of sales

Being in business requires that you keep great accounting records both for the IRS and general financial management. An equally critical tool is a good sales tracking system that monitors your sales activities and makes sure potential sales are not lost in the hustle of each day. Read Jerry Osteryoung's full column.

FloridaTrend.com Exclusives
Information. Insight. Wisdom.

trend In the course of producing our award-winning monthly magazine, Florida Trend talks to Florida's leading businesspeople, politicians and public figures -- the people who make a difference in the state. We've recorded some of those interviews and offer parts of them below. They are brief Q & A sessions, 1 - 3 minutes in length. Enjoy!

» Click here to access all our videos