Monday's Afternoon Update
Gas prices drop heading into Fourth
As they did last year, gas prices are dropping as the busy Fourth of July weekend gets closer. The national average price for a gallon of regular gas dropped from $3.57 to $3.49 in the past week, according to AAA. In Florida, the average dropped from $3.51 to $3.45. More at the Florida Times-Union.
See also:
» GasBuddy Map: Current gas prices in Florida
How to increase revenue through informed customer care
Your marketing paid off. A large deal just closed and your new customer is happy to be on board. It’s time to turn your marketing attention again to bringing in more new customers. Or is it? Read Ron Stein's full column.
Tutoring company learns how to grow
Private tutoring, or what SmartMoney dubbed the “tutoring-industrial complex,” has exploded in recent years, growing into a $5 billion business 10 times the size it was a decade ago. In addition to fierce competition among colleges and universities, demand has been driven by the No Child Left Behind Act that in 2001 required all Title 1schools not meeting assessment targets to offer free tutoring. More at the Miami Herald.
Avoid actions that embarrass your staff or break their trust
It takes a long time to build trust with your staff, but not very long at all to tear it down. By far, the easiest way to lose the trust of your staff is to embarrass them. Some managers incorrectly assume that berating employees in public will motivate them to perform better. Typically, the result is the exact opposite. Read Jerry Osteryoung's full column.
Florida companies protect your assets from storms
Many businesses offer options that can mitigate hurricane damage, cut financial losses and may save money on insurance premiums, such as manufacturers of metal and fabric shutters and panels, impact-resistant windows and doors as well as reinforced roofs, skylights and doors, especially large doors vulnerable to penetration by hurricane-force winds. More at the Miami Herald.