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Strategies

    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2007
Masters of organic growth

An activist hedge fund tried to force Outback Steakhouse to divest several of its restaurant concepts last year to boost short-term performance, but Emory University Business Professor Edward D. Hess has only praise for the Tampa-based chain.Outback, which has changed its name to OSI Restaurant Partners Inc., is the only Florida company studied by Hess and included in his recently released book, "The Road to Organic Growth: How Great Companies Consistently Grow Marketshare."

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2007
Like Mom, Like Sons

There'll be no extended vacations to re-charge for entrepreneur Pamela Kauten, who sold Florida CareerLINK.com last month to a New York company.Kauten, 48, who built the Tampa Bay area site to more than $1 million in revenue over the past 10 years, plans to start a new dot-com venture with sons, Nick, 26, and Adam, 23.But she's remaining mum about the project, proposed by her youngest son, until July 1, when she unveils the site.The past six months were hectic for Kauten as buyer Eric Straus of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based RegionalHelpWanted.com completed the due diligence process.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2007
Building the Future

Kraft Construction Co. is the largest builder on Florida's Gulf Coast with more than 500 employees and nearly $700 million in gross revenues in 2006. Based in Naples, the company has been expanding its reach from Collier and Lee counties northward into Charlotte and Sarasota counties. It is now beginning to do work in Tampa Bay.John Pinholster is the new president of Kraft, taking over for co-founder Robert Carsello. Here is an extended executive session with the man who will be guiding the company.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2007
Buying the Spin-off

Managers led a buyout of a Tampa pharmaceutical division when the Canadian parent company decided to spin off small business lines to improve profitability.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • March 2, 2007
Dueling Outlooks

Economists are split over the future of Florida's housing market. Some say the decline is at an end while others suggest there's more bad news to come.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
Where the rubber meets the road

Rick and Rosie Johnson built a chain of seven auto-and-tire stores and aim for a dozen more in Southwest Florida. They offer valuable lessons in growing a service business.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
Corporate Report

Innisbrook Resort makes deal with TravelCLICKRadiation Therapy Services plans openingCelery Fields project receives $10 million grantIA Global adds new CEO, chairmanHSN signs deal with beauty chain SephoraNetwork Liquidators promotes new presidentTampa firm successfully settles with AllState for credit scoring

  • Industries
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
Florida's Who's Who vs. THE SHARKS

Carl Icahn, one of America's most relentless shareholder activists, celebrated his 71st birthday Feb. 16. The party: He launched another proxy battle, this time for control of Bonita Springs-based WCI Communities Inc.Icahn in recent months has acquired nearly 15% of the homebuilder's shares. He wants to replace the entire board of WCI with his own slate of directors, including himself and Hugh Culverhouse Jr., owner of Sarasota-based Palmer Ranch and son of the late Tampa Bay Buccaneers' owner, who, in his day, waged his own share of takeover battles.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
A New Drawing Board

An ambitious condo project erases high-priced units for less expensive, smaller ones. Will buyers respond?

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
A stiff upper lip

Morrison Homes, part of a British homebuilding company, is moving into the Southwest Florida market in the midst of the downturn. Here's how it plans to build for the rebound.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
Casting a Shadow

A Gulf Coast developer is backing up its theory that the future of shopping malls will be outside: It plans to build at least 16 of its outdoor lifestyle centers by 2013.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 23, 2007
Re-focus for Growth

The founder of GLE Associates narrows the company's market niche and partners with multibillion-dollar companies to jump-start its growth.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2007
Genetic Growth

Neogenomics is rapidly becoming a force in the world of cancer testing. Its president tells how he manages the company's growth and how the company will expand.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2007
Million-Dollar (almost) Man

Trying to take his company past $1 million in annual sales has humbled Rick Spahn. But a seven-figurevictory could be forthcoming.

  • Entrepreneurs
    By
  • Business Observer Staff
  • February 16, 2007
Chamber Mixer

The success of not-for-profit chambers of commerce has attracted entrepreneurs. Now, there's a move to ban for-profit chambers.

  • Entrepreneurs
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