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Wednesday's Afternoon Update

The online MBA comes of age

Some of the best business schools in the world now offer MBA degrees online. While videos, podcasts, animations, bulletin board discussions, and chat features are largely a given in online programs, each school has come up with a different approach to its on-campus segments. The University of Florida requires online MBA students to come to its Gainesville campus for weekend classes and projects every four months during the 27-month-long program. More at Fortune.

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Write a book, start a blog to promote yourself

Today, efficient self-promotion is a critical component of success in any career. “You need to be top of mind,” says Michelle Villalobos, a Miami personal branding expert and founder of the Women’s Success Summit. “If you’re not shamelessly self-promoting, there are plenty of others who are.” More at the Miami Herald.


Defying odds, bicycle shops thrive in Orlando

Leisure Business

Golf industry hopes 18 divided by 2 = $$$

golf
As more Americans pursue leisure activities in ever-shorter spurts, the powers that be in the golf industry have decided that a little golf is better than none at all. The United States Golf Association, the Professional Golfers' Association of America and Golf Digest magazine are now actively promoting "Time for Nine," a campaign that highlights shorter, nine-hole rounds of golf.

» Full story from the Orlando Sentinel

Bucking a national trend, bicycle shops are hot in Central Florida, thanks to moderate weather, an extensive trail network and even Brazilian tourists who help keep sales healthy. "Our area is a great area because it's gotten very bike-friendly," said Jessica Kinnee, co-owner of Retro City Cycles north of downtown Orlando. And, she said, "we can do this 365 days a year." More at the Orlando Sentinel.


New $40M fiber-optics network runs through Jacksonville

A new network of fiber optic cables is being installed in Miami and will eventually run right through Jacksonville. Allied Fiber LLC started the first phase of its national project, and will run cables from Miami to Atlanta. More at the Jacksonville Business Journal.


Cuba to offer public Internet at salons islandwide

Cuban authorities said Tuesday that they will begin offering public Internet access at more than 100 cyber-salons across the island, though home Web service remains greatly restricted. Starting June 4, people can sign up with state telecom Etecsa for temporary or permanent accounts to use one of the 118 centers, according to a measure enacted with its publication in the government’s Official Gazette. More at the Miami Herald.

Tech Trends
The Public Purpose of Payphones

payphoneThough most everyone agrees pay phones are so rarely used they don’t pay for themselves and would disappear without the advertising, they still serve an important function, advocates argue. “Miami has a large number of tourists, especially foreign tourists whose cell phones won’t work,” said Bruce Renard, executive director of the Florida Public Telephone Association. “And it still serves a major public purpose. When the towers went down in New York the pay phones were the only phones that worked for weeks.”

» Read more from the Miami Herald