Florida preparing for 2015 teacher evaluations

The official link between Florida teacher evaluations, pay and student test results is just a year off. Beyond selecting statewide assessments for English and math, the Florida Department of Education also is working to create a question bank for districts to use in other subject areas. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

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2014 Small Business Taxes: What's Changed

Tax season is a stressful time for everyone, but for business owners, the pressure can be especially high. Being unaware of important tax filing changes can add to the stress of this season. More at Business News Daily.

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Miami law firm fights above its weight class

Florida Trend Exclusive Industry Spotlight Boating's impact in Florida The marine industry in Florida by the numbers. We look at the costs of boating and the impact on Florida's economy. There is also a TopRank Florida list of the major boat builders in the state, ranked by number of employees. » More...

Once known primarily for its work on behalf of the victims of airplane crashes — including the 1996 ValuJet crash in the Everglades and the 1998 terror bombing of PanAm 103 over Lockerbie — Podhurst Orseck has branched out into complex commercial litigation and massive class actions, an area of law that now makes up half of the firm’s business. More at the Miami Herald.

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Small Business Advice
Firms that can adapt to change raise their potential for success

One thing we can be certain about is that nothing is certain – no matter how much we plan. While planning is critical and necessary, no plan is a guarantee. The difference between a good manager and a great manager is the ability to adapt when their plans do not shape up as expected. More from Jerry Osteryoung.

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Text message coupons boost business for Southwest Florida restaurants

A new wave of marketing in Southwest Florida has select restaurants doubling their sales thanks to text message coupons. This modern marketing technique is a growing fad for local restaurants. More at the Fort Myers News-Press.

Out of the Box For sale, $8.5M: Capone's gangster paradise One of Miami Beach's most notorious pieces of real estate is back on the block: the asking price is almost $8.5 million. The sprawling, waterfront compound is where notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone died after being released from Alcatraz and is said to have plotted the St. Valentine's day massacre in 1929. » Full story from Reuters

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