 Ron Stein, Florida Trend's Business Coach |
Getting prospective customers to take the next step with your company
One of my biggest pet peeves in sales and marketing is when companies fail to have a clear call to action. It's not enough to simply have a phone number on a product sell sheet or "click here" in an email message. It just doesn't give your prospect enough information. Go to Stein's column »
Discussing personal habits with staff
One of the most difficult conversations a manager will ever have with an employee is when they have to address personal habits like hygiene. Many managers think this is too personal to discuss, but you just do not have the luxury of looking the other way. Poor personal hygiene can negatively impact your business by making the environment distasteful, annoying co-workers and even affecting how your customers see your business.
Full column is here...»
Small Business |
Tougher rules hit fishermen, industry hard
Limits on sought-after fish such as grouper, red snapper and black sea bass are in place as scientists try to figure out how to restore species they say have been overfished for decades. Charter operators and recreational anglers say the rules are unreasonable and diminish an industry already dinged by higher gas prices, last year's BP oil spill and the recession. "Three years ago, things were rolling along so well that I was looking at spending $350,000 to have another boat built because my business was great," said Palladeno, who estimated bookings for his 45-foot vessel have been cut in half over the last year. "That phone used to ring constantly, and it doesn't anymore."
More from AP.
Housing: Orlando design firm makes imprint at Naples development
Kay Green Design, an Orlando-based design firm, has completed interior vignettes for two more single-family homes at Manchester Square, the Naples community created by WCI Communities. The recently completed Gardenia and Magnolia, now open for viewing, are among the five furnished attached villa and single-family models at Manchester Square. Read more from the Fort Myers News-Press.
Related real estate news:
» Jacksonville commercial real estate firm teams up with global company
SMALL BUSINESS PROFILE
Carol Villemaire of James Moore & Co., has 31 years and counting
Carol Villemaire offers herself as exhibit A of how public accounting is a great career and James Moore & Co. is a great company to work for. It is a point the company emphasizes to recruit new accountants. Its brief mission statement mentions the importance of career growth opportunities. Its website touts its inclusion in Accounting Today as one of the best accounting firms to work for in 2011 and in Florida Today as one of the best companies to work for in both 2009 and 2010. And yet James Moore & Co., like the rest of the industry, has trouble recruiting and retaining experienced accountants. "Demand exceeds supply," said Villemaire, who is managing partner of the firm.
Read more at the Gainesville Sun.
DATAMINE
Gas prices keep dropping in Florida
Statewide, a gallon of gasoline now averages $3.284, down from $3.317 a week ago and $3.394 a month ago. This is a break for drivers and businesses in Florida. Meanwhile, crude oil has reversed course and started to climb again, reaching more than $100 per barrel, compared to near $75 in late September. Luckily for drivers, that rise may not translate directly into higher prices, said Jessica Brady, spokeswoman for AAA Auto Club South.
"While it's no surprise oil prices rose on the positive economic news, it does not mean we will see a huge surge in gasoline consumption as a result," she said. Read more at the Tampa Tribune.