Wednesday's Daily Pulse
Professional service jobs roaring back in recovery
Business and professional services include many types of jobs that are the backbone of a business operation, including accountants, architectural and engineering professionals, computer system designers, management and technical services, sales and business development specialists and administrative positions. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
After decades of decline, a rise in stay-at-home mothers
The share of mothers who do not work outside the home rose to 29% in 2012, up from a modern-era low of 23% in 1999, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis of government data. A growing number of them say that’s primarily because they can’t find a job. More from the Pew Research Center and the Washington Post.
Airbnb's revolution: Building a business on sharing
Airbnb is all the talk on Wall Street. Its thirtysomething founders were nearly broke six years ago. Now it seems likely they will soon become billionaires. Airbnb owes its meteoric rise to a new phenomenon — near zero marginal cost — which is disrupting entire sectors of the global economy and giving rise to a new economic system riding alongside the conventional market. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Spring cleaning helps organize your office — and your head
You don’t need to wait for spring to clean up clutter in your life, but it is as good a time as any to rid yourself of clutter and stress and make room for a better work/life balance. Even if you never get to your closets, consider tidying your workspace, clearing your inbox and changing your habits to work and live smarter. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida community banks increased small biz lending by $433.6M
The U.S. Department of the Treasury released a new report on April 8 showing that Florida community banks participating in the Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) have increased their small business lending by $433.6 million over baseline levels, including a $91.6 million increase in fourth-quarter 2013. [Source: Orlando Business Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Businesses, people ready to capitalize if marijuana legalized [Florida Times-Union]
Organizations across the state have quietly started setting up shop — some setting up blank websites, others filling out state paperwork — waiting for a Nov. 2 vote that will determine whether medical marijuana can legally be sold in Florida.
› Tampa Bay homes sales sputter, but prices show steady climb [Tampa Bay Times]
Fewer short sales and investor purchases led Tampa Bay home sales to sputter last month, but rising prices and a stabilizing housing market could fuel a strong spring selling season, new listing data show.
› Gainesville eatery takes food truck to the poor [AP]
There really is a free lunch. That's what the sign on a Gainesville food truck says. Thanks to the American Lunch program sponsored by the Five Bar restaurant, underprivileged people in a Gainesville neighborhood are being treated to free, hot lunches.
› Silver Airways partners with Japanese airline group [South Florida Business Journal]
Silver Airways struck an agreement with Japanese airline group All Nippon Airways to interline ticketing between the carriers' networks. Under the agreement, Silver Airways travelers will be able to purchase a single ticket from Florida to Japan, China, Korea and much of the Far East.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Miami-Dade commissioners ok new PortMiami debt for tunnel [Miami Herald]
Miami-Dade commissioners cleared PortMiami to borrow millions of dollars for the new port tunnel and other projects, linking the debt to the county’s general budget.
› Tavistock hires new CEO for restaurant division [Orlando Sentinel]
Tavistock Restaurants' Upscale Collection division, which has moved its headquarters to Orlando, has hired industry veteran John Bettin as chief executive officer.
› Roskamp taking over promising drug firm [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Roskamp Institute, convinced of the value of an anti-inflammation drug that has shown promise, has taken over the beleaguered pharmaceutical company that has developed it.
› Tampa goes against the grain in Florida M&A deals [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
The number of mergers and acquisitions dropped 11 percent in 2013 in Florida, although the Tampa metro area was just one of two that bucked the trend.