MATR Newsletter - Tue May 16, 2006 |
"Economic competition in the flat world will be more equal and more intense. On such a flat earth, the most important attribute you can have is creative imagination — the ability to be the first on your block to figure out how all these enabling tools can be put together in new and exciting ways to create products, communities, opportunities and profits." Thomas Friedman "The World is Flat"
"Montana Governor outlines education plan- wants to show that education is “seamless” from kindergarten to post-graduate school in Montana" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "The State with the Best Cradle to Grave Education System Wins!"
Come Home Montana
Montana Meth Project
- Havre, Montana public schools try marketing effort to attract potential residents and more students.
The project consultants and materials have been covered by a grant set up by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, superintendent Kirk Miller said.
- Featured "Come Home Montana" Community~BIG SANDY
It is a great place for children to learn and grow.
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Career ~ Internet Marketing Specialist
This key role requires a good blend of analytical skills, business acumen, technical knowledge and creativity. Strong project management skills and common sense are also essential.
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Talent - Management & Administration
Proficient communicative abilities, including written, verbal and interpersonal skills to convey ideas effectively and efficiently.
Education
- Community leaders from across Montana meet to seek meth solutions
"I have watched these prevention programs spend 60 percent of their time searching for funds instead of executing programs," said Kris Dunn, head of the Great Falls Weed and Seed program.
Montana Business
- Analyst stresses importance of early education
How investing in early childhood development can yield public and private returns.
- States Struggle to Computerize School Records
In Idaho, a private foundation spent $21 million on a data system for the public schools but pulled out when estimated completion costs hit $180 million.
- Homework Help, From a World Away. Web Joins Students, Cheap Overseas Tutors
In an hour-long session that cost just $18, the Indian tutor, who said his name was Mike, spent an hour walking Del Monte through such esoteric concepts as confidence intervals and alpha divisions, Del Monte recalled. He got an A on the final exam. "Mike helped me unscramble everything in my mind," the 20-year-old said.
- Montana Governor outlines education plan- wants to show that education is “seamless” from kindergarten to post-graduate school in Montana
“And in Montana, education will continue the rest of your life.” For Montanans, he said, education is something “that goes from before they enter the first grade until they breathe their last breaths. Education is something that touches every family and ought to touch adults consistently.”
Montana Economic Development
- Testy fest, D.C.-style. “It’s not about the balls”
Former UM football player Andrew Larson, a Helena native now living in Baltimore, estimated that about 70 percent of attendees were from the D.C.-area, making Larson feel like something of a cultural ambassador for Montana.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Groups look at economic boost of cleanup efforts at upcoming Symposium
The symposium will spotlight new issues related to land reclamation and rehabilitation. This year Gov. Brian Schweitzer will add an economic spin by playing host to a Restoration Forum following the symposium.
- Keeping training on track. Montana Training programs pay off with tech jobs; funds are needed to keep ball rolling
"Montana is a little late to the table," said Dick King, newly elected president of the Montana Economic Developers Association.
Funding and Building your Business
- New fund looks to invest in Northwest Montana companies
Members of Frontier Angel Fund will play an active role in choosing and screening companies requesting investment. Once a business is selected, fund members will monitor its performance.
Regional Economic Development
- Entrepreneurs must think on global level to compete
Competitive barriers that have long protected some industries have been removed. Cost advantages have been moved to new young companies and away from big and entrenched enterprises. Time to market for new products has been reduced from months to weeks. Knowledge is no longer owned by the powerful, but shared and available to the masses. Market power requires knowledge, flexibility, speed and not just company size.
- Don't put your business at risk, get the right amount of insurance
Whether it's business interruption insurance or casualty and property coverage, owners tend to forgo it or not get enough, even though doing that can put their companies and their livelihoods at risk.
- Venture capital survey: Small firms make a splash
Smaller firms are more likely to back smaller, early-stage companies -- barely out of the garage -- and have the patience to step into the trenches and work closely with an entrepreneur, say their supporters.
- The Top Ten Lies of Corporate Partners
“We can move really fast.”
- Business Insight: Accountability could be the best gift you can give your business
What can a business leader do to ensure accountability in others?
- Peer-To-Peer Finance Connects Borrowers and Lenders
"America's first people-to-people lending marketplace."
- What will your start-up costs be?
Careers
- City staked future on industry. Chandler's leaders worked out plan to build housing close to companies
That's how the city leaders planned it, starting in the late 1970s. They wanted to create jobs to keep the city from becoming only a bedroom community and to put homes near jobs to cut down on commute times. They demanded large landscaped buffers around the plants.
- Supreme Court OKs use of incentives to lure business
DaimlerChrysler called the ruling ''a big win for America'' and said Congress and the states should seek legislation to reinforce the ability to use tax incentives as a tool to compete for investment and jobs.
Non-Profit News
- Where are jobs of tomorrow?
‘‘The odds are extremely great that you will change the job you’re doing and change your career multiple times during your work life,’’ Wallace said. ‘‘We all have to be lifelong learners. We need to prepare for changes in our society and in our economy, and be able to adapt. As you accrue ability, new avenues will open up to you. And that’s actually pretty neat. It means you have a lot of freedom.’’
- Women Find New Path to Work
Professor Myra Hart's New Path program helps Harvard Business School alumnae re-enter the work world. Here is a look at what participants learned about life, work, and the quickly changing world of business.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Warm Watts for Wireless. Gives new meaning to saying someone is "Hot"
"If you have a building with 10,000 sensors, who's going to be the one to change all those batteries?"
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