Tech industry slips into a surprising slump

After a remarkable six-year boom set off by the introduction of the first iPhone in 2007, tech companies of all shapes and sizes are finding growth slowing, and even contracting in some cases. Though there are still bright spots among companies that help manage data or provide cybersecurity, many of the industry's biggest companies are struggling to figure out the changes in the way businesses and consumers are buying and using technology. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Sales and Marketing Advice for Florida business
How to create an amazing, kill-the-competition value proposition

People will buy from you over the competition only when perceived benefits outweigh the perceived costs. Price only matters in the absence of value. Toba Beta, a novelist with a degree in economics said it best, “Value is more expensive than price.” Read Ron Stein's full column.

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Entrepreneurs, university form partnership

Business Profile An employee edge at CTI For CTI Resource Management Services, its reputation as a good place to work means more than bragging rights — it is a matter of corporate life and death. The defense contracting firm bids on contracts to provide personnel support for the military and federal government. As part of the bidding process, the firm has to recruit employees to fulfill the contract, providing names and resumes before CTI even knows if it has won. » Full story

Entrepreneurs’ Organization South Florida has launched a new relationship with Nova Southeastern University H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship to foster entrepreneurial inspiration and success for students and the business community. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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Small Business Advice
Tips on taming the email monster

With social media, email, mobile phones, text and the regular old telephone, keeping track of all the ways information pours in can be overwhelming to every manager and most employees. Email in particular seems to eat more time than any other method of communication. Read Jerry Osteryoung's full column.

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The 9 commandments of being customer-centric

Most likely, you’ve heard some salespeople, their managers or seemingly progressive business owners and CEOs proudly proclaim: “It’s not about us. It’s about them, the customer!” But that's easier said than done. More at the South Florida Business-Journal.

Out of the Box Toe-pickers, fibbers need not apply Sometimes, despite all of mankind's progress, we do things that suggest we're not that far removed from the great apes. But why must we do them in job interviews? From taking personal phone calls to picking personal toenails, some job candidates are surprisingly good at finding new and exciting ways to crush the windpipe of opportunity. » Full story from the Orlando Sentinel

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