Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Monday's Afternoon Update

Measuring science and tech jobs

Science and technology skills are seen as vital to U.S. innovation and competitiveness by technologists, business leaders, and policy-makers on both sides of the aisle. A growing chorus contends that America faces a shortage of so-called STEM skills and jobs, which span science, technology, engineering, and math, and there's long been rising concern that the U.S. needs to turn out more grads in these critical fields. More at the Atlantic and the South Florida Business Journal.


Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
How to increase profitability by up to 80 percent

Meeting and exceeding customer expectations starts the moment people walk through your door and money changes hands. When prospects sign on the dotted line and turn into customers, you’ve got to have already a system in place that nurtures the relationship. Read Ron Stein's full column.


Office Depot sets merger meeting for July 10

Business Profile

Greenfire Farms in Gadsden County

paul bradshaw
The politics of lobbying are interesting, says Paul Bradshaw, president of Tallahassee’s Southern Strategy Group, but “for a quiet hour away, it’s nice to be on the farm’’ — a farm he shares with some of the rarest heritage livestock in the world, with a focus on exotic and beautiful chickens.

“A lot of these chicken breeds are going extinct,’’ says Bradshaw. “We’re using America as an ark to preserve them.”

» Full story

Office Depot shareholders will meet July 10 to vote on the merger between the Boca Raton-based office supply retailer and its No. 2 rival, OfficeMax, the company said Monday. The outcome of that vote will have an impact on Office Depot's 1,700 employees at its Boca Raton headquarters. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


Small Business Advice
Be alert to changes, trends in your industry

The world is changing so fast around us that businesses must watch the horizon for coming trends and changes. Technology brings many of these changes, but even without technology’s influence, the onslaught of government regulations has made running a business much more complex and dynamic than it has been in the past. Read more from Dr. Jerry Osteryoung.


Open season lionfish may become permanent in Florida

A temporary state rule declaring open season on lionfish may become permanent as a measure to keep the invasive species from becoming permanent Florida residents. An executive order allowing divers and snorkelers to use catch bags, hand nets and spears, all without a fishing license, to catch or kill lionfish was issued last August for a one-year trial. An approval during Tuesday's consent agenda would make the rule permanent. More at the Miami Herald.

Odd Jobs
Broadwalk Ambassadors

ambassadorsIf you have a bright smile, don’t mind answering questions from tourists, and look good in bright gold, then Hollywood is looking for you. The pay: a great view. The city is in the midst of hiring at least 25 “Broadwalk Ambassadors” to walk up and down the two-mile stretch to greet people and help them have a good time. Full story at the Miami Herald.