Florida companies find success as "do-gooders"

Today it may not be enough to make a good product and practice a solid business strategy as consumers want their companies to be good for people and the planet. A Nielsen survey found 55 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for products and services from companies committed to social responsibility. [Source: Public News Service]

See also:
» How to Succeed in Socially Responsible Business
» Delivering Responsible Capitalism - The Growth Of Employee Ownership

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Florida groups get $8.2 million to fight chronic illnesses

Chronic conditions such as lung disease, obesity and diabetes are responsible every year for seven out of 10 deaths of Americans, and account for more than 80 percent of the $2.7 trillion the nation spends annually on medical care. [Source: Miami Herald]

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Orlando, Tampa lead state for international buyers of homes

A growing number of international buyers are hitting the Florida market. Leading the state are Orlando and Tampa, which each had an 11 percent share of the state's international buyers during a 12-month period that ended in July, according to a new report by Florida Realtors. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

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Carnival basing COO in China

As the Chinese vacation market grows increasingly important to the global cruise industry, the biggest of the bunch has announced plans to base a top executive there. [Source: Miami Herald]

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Follow the money behind Florida's medical marijuana battle

Florida's proposed Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana has drawn two major groups of campaign donors: United for Care and The Drug Free Florida Committee. See the continuously updated details and an interactive map at the Tampa Bay Times.

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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Sarasota's XG cuts stock deal with Chicago fund [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
XG Technology Inc. has completed a pair of stock-purchase deals for up to $16 million with Lincoln Park Capital Fund LLC of Chicago.

› Stores on wheels struggle to gain traction in Central Florida [Orlando Sentinel]
Carey Ferrante moved to Orlando from Nashville several years ago and decided a mobile business would be better for her than a brick and mortar store. These days Blue Betty Traveling Boutique is one of the few mobile fashion stores to remain open in Central Florida.

› Miami Dolphins fans use most mobile data in NFL [South Florida Business Journal]
Football fans use their smartphones at the Sun Life Stadium more than any other NFL game attendees, according to an AT&T analysis of its customers.

› Digital Risk sheds more jobs in Lake Mary [Orlando Sentinel]
Amid an ongoing business downturn, mortgage technology company Digital Risk LLC has shed more than 30 additional jobs at its Lake Mary operation, the company told state officials this week.

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› Major Delinquency Metrics Turned Higher in July [Mortgage News Daily]
Mortgage delinquencies jumped in August, a 5 percent increase which sent the rate to its highest level since February. At the same time, foreclosure starts declined for the first time in five months, dropping 10 percent from July and 24 percent from August 2013.

› Florida joins with 22 other states in new game [AP]
Florida is joining 22 other states that will be selling tickets for a new lottery game called Monopoly Millionaires Club. This new game is based on the popular Monopoly board game but is a departure from other type of games where the jackpot goes up until someone finally wins it.

› Slush Puppie creator leaves wilderness to state [Orlando Sentinel]
Will Radcliff, who made his fortune selling Slush Puppie drinks, cherished a spread of Florida wilderness so much he sold it a decade ago for preservation but at a discount so he could hang out there until his death.

› This time, Miami Dolphins are all business for NFL game in London [Miami Herald]
When the Dolphins last played in London, they were part-ambassadors, and part-tourists. Then-owner Wayne Huizenga rented out the Tower of London for a team party. A 26-foot Jason Taylor robot roamed Trafalgar Square. This time around, it’s strictly business.