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Strategies

  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • November 14, 2014
Long-term growth

Richard Pitbladdo and a group of Fort Myers investors have been buying agencies that specialize in long-term care insurance. They're about to get much bigger.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 14, 2014
United they stand

Growing a business littered with customer confusion isn't for the weak. T. David Lewis hopes to lead his firm through the upheaval.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Denise Federer
  • November 14, 2014
Create a plan for behavior

Does your staff get anything out of setting annual goals? A behavior business plan may help create a more tangible plan of action to improve performance.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 14, 2014
Sure thing

Longtime insurance executive Tony Papa senses good times in the Gulf Coast economy. He's backed up his belief with his wallet.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • November 7, 2014
The service of servers

Hivelocity grew from four guys working out of a garage to a 30,000-square-foot facility. With more working capital, the company looks to expand even more.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • November 7, 2014
Get a Dell, dude

A Gulf Coast technology hardware firm is on a five-year growth surge. It's a long way from selling computer servers out of a backyard shed.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • November 7, 2014
Corporate report

RPS Diagnostics test approved for sale in Europe, other countries; Alltrust senior benefits specialist receives certification; HT Family of Cos., Title Management create statewide title network; Tampa company approved for tour travel to Cuba; Centerstone, Manatee Glens sign letter of intent to affiliate; Omega Brands Corp. buying Omega Infusion drinks, shots

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Traci McMillan Beach
  • November 7, 2014
Tech space

The Tampa Innovation Center made its first step in moving its facilities to downtown St. Petersburg. It hopes to find more entrepreneurs, investors and mentors there.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 31, 2014
Retail rules

Taubman Centers, one of the firms behind the newest mall on the Gulf Coast, is market-busting busy. CEO Robert Taubman says it's key to combine persistence with timing.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 31, 2014
Open it up

Some recession-era lessons have started to pay off for a Gulf Coast business owner. A big one: Avoid the office on Mondays.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • James R.
  • October 31, 2014
Transition from a commodity to a brand

Who says commodities can't command a premium position? Morton Salt serves as proof to the contrary.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • October 31, 2014
Corporate report

Impulse Creative moves to expanded headquarters; Garb Oil & Power buying Colorado's Chubby Glass; SUNZ Insurance promotes CFO, director of risk management and more corporate news.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • October 31, 2014
More choices

Students at a leading art and design college are taught to think and act like entrepreneurs. They might soon get more chances to do that.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Jean Gruss
  • October 31, 2014
University village

Florida Gulf Coast University's growth has sparked renewed interest in nearby land. One developer plans to build a university village called CenterPlace.

  • Strategies
  • For Subscribers Only
    By
  • Cheryl O'Neill
  • October 29, 2014
Branding your business on a budget

Most startups don't have much money to spend on marketing. With these steps, you can start to promote yourself without spending much at all.

  • Strategies
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