July 2004

Small Businesses Boost Employment

Firms added workers in May, fueling the quickly improving job market.
By: Matt Quinn

June 4, 2004 -- Small businesses continue to make impressive contributions to the improving employment picture, shows a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.

In its May survey of employment conditions, the NFIB found that small firms reported adding 0.2 employees per firm. Of the 587 firms responding, roughly half said they were looking to add one or more employees. Employment increased at 16 percent of the firms by an average of 3 employees. There were, however, reductions by an average of 2.5 employees at 13 percent of the firms. Read the rest of this story.

Industry News

Highlights of Economic and Business Growth in the Tampa Bay Region

> TAMPA BAY, Fla., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida High Tech Corridor to Recruit Recent Graduates

A group representing the Florida High Tech Corridor Council travelled to New York City on June 15, 2004, to meet with 25 representatives from 15 New York Universities to recruit recent graduates for Florida high-tech companies.The mission to New York is part of the council's effort to promote Florida as a destination for young workers to begin their careers. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is an economic development initiative of the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Central Florida (UCF) designed to attract, retain and grow high tech industry in the 21-county region stretching from Tampa Bay through Metro Orlando and on to Volusia county and Florida's Space Coast on the Atlantic. For more information, contact Hugh Bleddyn at 407-538-2913 or visit http://www.floridahightech.com.

> Financial Services Giant Announces Major Operations Center in Hillsborough County

Depository Trust Clearing Corp. (DTCC), the world's largest provider of technology infrastructure for financial institutions, announced it will locate a major operations center in Hillsborough County. DTCC will employ 500 high- tech workers by 2007 at an average annual salary of more than $72,000. DTCC looked at 25 cities before selecting Tampa for the new operations center and DTCC Chairman and CEO Jill M. Considine stated, "The choice for Florida became even more compelling with the teamwork exhibited by state and local officials, from Governor Bush and his staff to Enterprise Florida, Hillsborough County, mayor Tampa, and the Tampa Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100." SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership Web Site: http://www.tampabay.org

Career Tip

Tips to A Positive First Impression:

No matter who you are meeting -- interviewer, interviewee, client, prospect or vendor -- you only have one chance to make a positive first impression. Here are some tips:
•If the person has an unusual name, learn the correct pronunciation.
•Arrive early / Be ready for the appt.
•Check your appearance.
• Greet with a smile and direct eye contact.