5A - Identifying Local Opportunities

Title: Once troubled, Andrew Jackson High School evolves into advanced technology magnet

Link: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190119/once-troubled-andrew-jackson-high-school-evolves-into-advanced-technology-magnet

This article was interesting to me because the problem that I see is readily apparent.  The article is all about how this Jacksonville high school was able to transform itself from a F school to a B school.  They were able to utilize technology and create programs that kids were interested in.  They became a magnet school that focused on ways to give kids knowledge towards careers or college.

So, where is the problem this sounds like a great thing to happen, right?  Absolutely, they did a great job of transforming themselves.  The problem they have now is dealing with their long-standing reputation.  Since they have been able to successfully become a place of learning that kids want to be at and graduate from, they now need to promote that fact. 

They need to keep that mentality of continued improvement and maintain their ability to teach and intrigue but transition to problem solving how to let people know that this change has occurred.

Title: Kenny Gilbert, ‘Best Chef in Jacksonville,’ cuts ties with 4 restaurants due to irreconcilable differences

Link: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190117/kenny-gilbert-best-chef-in-jacksonville-cuts-ties-with-4-restaurants-due-to-irreconcilable-differences

This is a short article, but it outlines a problem that many businesses face.  The loss of key personnel can be a very detrimental.   The article outlines that Kenny Gilbert, the chef voted as “Best Chef in Jacksonville” has left working with four of the restaurants he was affiliated with.  This means that they are not only losing top talent but possibly his name and reputation that go with him.

 

Title: Commercial feed removed from Northeast Florida stores following cattle deaths

Link: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190112/commercial-feed-removed-from-northeast-florida-stores-following-cattle-deaths

This story about a commercial feed product that may be the cause of death to many cattle in northeast Florida.  They are currently investigating this now.  Those poses an obvious problem for the manufacture of this product.

With most products, causing death is usually a large problem.  The manufacture has voluntarily started to pull their product and stores as well.  As stated in this article, the cattle industry is $1 Billion industry and Florida is $900 million annually.  Taking that info account, the impact of this problem could prove to damaging to the manufacturing company.

 

Title: Certain flushed materials give JEA big headache

Link: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20181231/certain-flushed-materials-give-jea-big-headache

The link above is about how we as citizens of Jacksonville who are serviced by JEA should not be flushing certain solids or liquids down the pipes.  JEA has a tough time when we do this as it may leave our homes unscathed, but it will end up clogging up their pipes and systems.

Their whole system works largely on gravity to get the water where it needs to go.  So, as you can imagine, if a pipe is clogged with “flushable” wipes or fatty deposits from grease and oils.  This system isn’t going to work well.

This is a problem for residential homes as well as businesses.  We just really need to be aware of what we are putting down our drains.  Just because it leaves our site and mind, doesn’t mean that it is just magically gone.  Someone how to deal with that sh…. Um, stuff.

 

Title: Swisher accountant hit with more felony charges

Link: https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20181227/swisher-accountant-hit-with-more-felony-charges

This is a short article but had some really obvious problems.  This story tells about an account for Swisher Cigars being arrested for grand theft.  The true problem is that for something like this to happen at the level and capacity that it did, there are not enough checks and balances in their accounting process. 

I am making a large assumption here but, in an effort, to keep administrative overhead down they probably put too much on this person and the temptation was too much for them.  In no way do I give this person an out based solely on temptation.  You’re an adult and you job is to deal with money.  You should have enough integrity to do it.  However, you don’t always know the limits of the people that you employee and sometimes the carrot is just to enticing.

Checks and balances….you should have them.