Water cooler: It's about time you got ready for hurricanes

Hurricane season started weeks ago, so we presume your business is well prepared. If not, better get cracking.

By Times Staff
Published June 24, 2007

It's about time you got ready for hurricanes

Hurricane season started weeks ago, so we presume your business is well prepared. If not, better get cracking. For those businesses that want a refresher course on hurricane readiness, Pinellas County Economic Development is hosting a free seminar from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at EpiCenter, 138505 58th St. N, Clearwater. A free lunch will be served. To register, e-mail businesshelp@pced.org.

More job openings, but skills lacking

Some job optimism ahead. Anticipating an economic rebound in the second half of 2007, a survey out today says nearly 80 percent of companies plan to match or increase the pace of hiring established in the first six months of the year. There's just one hurdle: a lack of skilled workers. The same survey found 69 percent of companies acknowledging it's tough to find certain workers. Consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas will unveil survey details today at the Society for Human Resource Management annual conference in Las Vegas.

Get a taste of Caribbean biz

Pirates aren't the only thing to come out of the Caribbean. Good business partnerships can, too no connection implied. Representatives from more than 20 Caribbean companies will be in town Wednesday to talk to businesses interested in trading with them. The Caribbean companies represent a wide array of goods and services, from bottled water to surveillance systems. Wednesday's meeting, which will include an economic briefing and one-on-one meetings, will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel, 3050 North Rocky Point Drive W, Tampa. To view profiles of the Caribbean companies and to register, visit the Florida Foreign Trade Association's Web site at www.ffta.com.

[Last modified June 22, 2007, 22:16:23]