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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jan 27, 2009 |
"The more you give, the more you live." Blake Mycoskie, CEO of TOMS Shoes "Making a Do-Gooder's Business Model Work. - TOMS Shoes" http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Times are tough and getting tougher but we still have to strive for the next rung on the ladder, despite the possibility of failure. Here's a great look at how taking risks has developed a world-class company : "Failure: The Secret to Success - Dream the Impossible" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html The Super Bowl is coming - thought you'd find this inspiring and amazing: "Who do you want on your team?" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Chamber of Commerce
Montana World Trade Center
- Montana Chamber of Commerce - Eye on Business - January Newsletter
There is a strong possibility that the state chamber will lead a trade mission to Vietnam next year. If you’d be interested in participating, contact me now, as we are laying groundwork. We have been in conversation with the Ambassador from Colombia about a trade delegation from that country visiting Montana next summer, as well. Bottom line is, your business advocate is taking Montana to the world!
Boomtown Institute
- 3rd Annual Global Trade Certificate Program - 3/26-27 And 4/16-17 Bozeman - 5/21-22, Missoula
"The Global Trade Certificate program is a key effort to create a network of business professionals in the region trained on the impacts and advantages of global trade. The certified individuals and companies play an essential role in fostering economic growth in the state of Montana and the region." Gov. Brian Schweitzer
City Club Missoula
- The Boomtown Institute - Home Prices in Rural America
“Is Rural America Facing a Home Price Bust?”
- Boomtown Institute - State of the Year Awards
Finishing in second place was the State of Montana, with over $8.5-billion in investment, creating some 5,000 new jobs. Most of Montana’s new projects revolved around the multifaceted energy industry, including a coal-to-liquid facility, a crude oil pipeline, a coal mine and two new wind power companies.
Come Home Montana
- City Club Missoula - Public Safety And The Mentally Ill, 2/9, Missoula
At City Club Missoula’s February forum, three Missoula professionals with hands-on experience will discuss “Public Safety and the Mentally Ill.”
Leadership Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Associate Counsel - ALPS
The Associate Counsel must have 3-5 years experience in corporate and commercial law.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Software Tester - Palm, Inc.
Palm, Inc. is looking for a software tester to join our Missoula team.
Montana Biotech
- Workplace Coach: Obama offers leadership lessons
While there are many lessons, here are a few that I suggest business leaders take note of:
Montana Business
- The Montana BioScience Alliance - Montana researchers make discoveries used in new products
The alliance connects people involved in diverse areas within a geographically large state and links the state to the rest of the country. Its 70 members include public universities, hospitals, research centers and private companies. "We want to keep research and development in Montana where people want to live and there's a good quality of life."
Montana Economic Development
- Windermere Office Launches Goomzee For 400 Property Listings
Windermere Real Estate, of Missoula Montana, today announced it will launch Goomzee's text-message marketing solution, Realty Connect, to reach consumers on the go for up to 400 of its property listings. Prospective home buyers can now interact, at the point-of-interest, right on their mobile phones.
- Bioscience firm, Ligocyte of Bozeman, Montana developing new drugs and vaccines to treat norovirus, anthrax and flu as well as anti-inflammatory drugs
"Without Montana State University, we couldn't be doing this in Montana," Bargatze said. "We couldn't be competitive."
- Smurfit-Stone files Chapter 11... could help sawmills, others in Montana
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., the largest producer of cardboard box materials in North America, said Monday that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it looks to restructure a heavy debt.
- 2008 a great year for Resodyn Corp. in Butte, Montana
"We expect to see business growth of 10 to 20 percent in 2009, along with the need for additional staffing to accommodate this growth," he said.
- Glacier Wind Farm gets $156 million from Morgan Stanley
The $156 million will cover a large part of the cost of construction of the first phase, which involved putting up 71 Acciona wind turbines supplying 106.5 megawatts of wind energy at full production.
- General Electric Capital anticipates hiring in Billings
Financial services company GE Capital says it will need an additional 50 to 100 employees later this year, at its new operations center in Billings.
Regional Economic Development
- Montana's Economic Recovery Depends on Small Business
“Montana depends on small business for jobs and economic growth,” said Shawne McGibbon, Acting Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “During this time of financial stress and economic instability, policymakers need to remember that the state’s small businesses provide the economic base for its families and communities.”
- Thanks to Sen. Baucus, Montana officials happily help GE open $7M center in Billings
"A lot came out of the 2007 economic-development summit in Butte, and this operations center is one of them," Baucus said. "They looked very aggressively and thoroughly at the major Montana communities. My main job was just to get GE to Montana."
- Roundup, Montana residents patiently await town's economic boom
"We've been in the planning stage 20 years," he said. "We've been anticipating and preparing all these years. I think we're right on track."
- Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester keynote Harvesting Clean Energy conference - Education key for energy development
"When you consider the location of the nation's Indian reservations, some long-ago planner did them a huge favor," he said. "It's incredible what they have in the way of subsurface resources, in addition to wind and solar power."
- New Supercomputer attracts business in Butte, Montana - Montana Economic Revitalization and Development Institute
A well-known developer of virtual worlds has reportedly expressed interest in possibly starting a new company in Butte.
Careers
- Technology Gets a Piece of Stimulus Package
Beyond creating jobs, advocates say, government investment in these technology fields holds the promise of laying a lasting foundation for more business innovation and efficiency, while helping to create new digital industries.
- Why Venture (and Angel) Capital is Key to Our Economic Recovery. It's especially important to Montana!
One of the proven methods of deploying equity to finance innovation and the creation of new enterprises is venture capital.
- Western Governors sense chance for electric grid work in stimulus package
Some Western governors say the plan for $825 billion in economic stimulus spending should spur development of energy infrastructure in their states.
Funding and Building your Business
- On the job: A layoff can be a path to a happier job
"I know in the back of my mind it's going to be tough, but I'm glad to be out there offering new skills. People have told me that my attitude will be a great asset going forward."
- Finding Anchors in the Storm: Mentors
Young professionals can no longer move easily from job to job. To adjust, workers must seek out mentors.
Montana Education Excellence
- VC or Angel Money?
Don't blow a financing opportunity by approaching the wrong source.
- Ask SCORE - Develop leadership skills to secure your business success
A one-size-fits-all style of leadership does not exist.
- Making a Do-Gooder's Business Model Work. - TOMS Shoes
"My thinking was that TOMS would show that entrepreneurs no longer had to choose between earning money or making a difference in the world. I wanted to prove that conscious capitalism is a viable business model for innovators worldwide, and entrepreneurs can focus on being ambassadors of humanity.
- Tough Talk for Tough Times: What the CEO Should Be Saying Now
A list of statements that indicate that a CEO is clueless:
- Seed Capital: Where To Get the Cash To Germinate Your Business
If you're a budding entrepreneur, the starting point is almost unanimous: the first money has to come from your own pocket or a pocket close to you.
- Failure: The Secret to Success - Dream the Impossible
We can only make fantastic advances through many failures
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Building their case - Montana Universities request funding from the Legislature
The budget now, MSU President Gamble told lawmakers, will force MSU to make hard choices between maintaining the quality of the school and keeping it affordable. He also said it would not give him a way to help school employees deal with the high cost of living in Bozeman. The leaders also stressed that MSU already does a lot with little funding.
- Montana's education system should hug technology. Do you Twitter? "You're either on the bus or under it..."
The world is changing so quickly that a worthwhile education has to teach people how to adapt to innovation and deal with completely new situations. Technology is driving that change, and technology has to be used to deal with it.
- Sticky science - Science Saturdays for kids at Montana State University
“I think if this country is going to be scientifically in the mix internationally, effort has to be put into getting kids excited about science,” said Douglas, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry.
- Funding Available for Montana Wilderness Related Projects - The University of Montana Wilderness Institute
The University of Montana Wilderness Institute is now accepting proposals for grants that support historical research, creative writing and wilderness studies projects that explore Montana’s land and people.
- UM scientist and Nobel winner, Dr. Steven Running endorses Obama's greenhouse gas initiative; it's not too late to act.
“If you argue it’s too late, you’re admitting we’re going to go over this climate cliff so we’re basically not going to try anything,” Running said Monday. “The next sentence would have to be: 'We’re just doomed.’ Not attempting to respond n that’s a fairly dangerous attitude to have.”
- Great Falls, Montana School district up to date with technology, officials report
The school district approved technological upgrades in the budget process last year that included upgrading the Wide Area Network fiber optics that allow computers and other equipment to operate at a higher speed than previously seen.
University TechTransfer
- Two Scholarships Offered by Hill County, Montana Electric
HCE is pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities to train and work in Montana in the exciting electric linework or electrical technology fields.
Idaho Business
- Penn, ASU sign tech transfer agreement
According to a news release from ASU, the new relationship will allow the two universities to leverage each other's expertise in certain fields.
Utah Business
- Getting wired. Despite support, Idaho Education Network still seeks funding
The Idaho Education Network is designed to go beyond existing online courses, such as the Idaho Digital Learning Academy, to deliver a broader range of courses to newly wired Idaho classrooms.
- Idaho governor helps launch Eagle-Star Technology Corridor, or ESTech
ESTech Chairman Lloyd Mahaffey, who worked for Apple Computers and is now a developer for Dynamic Group, said Idaho is well positioned to compete for technology companies. "We have some built in advantages," Mahaffey said. "Our taxes are lower, our traffic is less, our schools are much better, our housing is less expensive,and we have pad-ready sites to build. So, all things being equal, I can go head-to-head against any proposal in California and we win."
Education
- Mountain West Capital Network Announces 2009 "Entrepreneur of the Year" Award - Alan E. Hall
"He epitomizes business in Utah. Alan is like Johnny Appleseed-he's out there every day tossing business seeds wherever he goes-helping Utah businesses grow."
- Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development Procurement Spotlights: H3 TEC
H3 TEC is on the road to success! Utah-based H3 TEC, LLC has spent years developing new technology, which can detect any element or compound up to two miles away.
- Wi5 Connect Takes Social Networking into Uncharted Territory
Wi5 Connect is less than a year old and is already turning heads with its innovative combination of company training software and social media.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Colleges scramble to help cash-strapped students
Many students need extra aid to pay spring-semester tuition.
- Is Michelle Rhee the new face of education reform? Improve learning in the classroom by improving the people who hold the chalk.
The chancellor of Washington, D.C., public schools puts teacher performance at the center of a controversial bid to remake one of the nation’s most troubled urban school districts.
Government
- American Prairie Reserve January 2009 Newsletter
As this is our first newsletter of 2009, I have to take a moment to thank our growing group of supporters who made 2008 our best year of financial support by far since the beginning of the project in 2002. Donations to the project increased an astounding 257% over the previous year.
Connectivity & Communications
- Advice from Montana climate task force languishes - What’s at stake in the last best place?
Montana governor's climate task force recommendations lead to little legislation
- Feature video: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer talks to the editorial board of the Billings Gazette
Gov. Brian Schweitzer talks about why Montana is in a better position than most states to handle the current economic crisis.
Energy
- Birthday gifts: French President Sarkozy gives free newspapers to 18-year-olds
That initiative appears designed to assuage industry fears that young readers don't share the same appetite for print media that their parents and grandparents have, denting current and future revenues. "The habit of reading the press is learned very young," Sarkozy said, while insisting that the aid would only buy time for publishers to adapt to the new media landscape.
- How To Succeed At Twitter
The only way to be wrong on Twitter is to tick people off.
- Speak Your Piece: Let Local Networks Deliver Broadband
Big companies have had their chance at providing broadband to underserved areas; now, argues Wally Bowen, it's time for local owners and planners to step in.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Chicken parts as jet fuel? Pond scum? It's possible
The alternative fuel industry only now is beginning to move beyond the research-and-development stage into commercialization. Yet, enough progress is being made that it's safe to say it won't be long before Air Force pilots and commercial travelers will be flying in planes powered, in part or entirely, by synthetic or biofuels.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Who do you want on your team? Amazing...
Unbelievable...
- Taco Bell ordered to pay Chihuahua's creators $42M... That's a lot of tacos!
After the verdict, Taco Bell blamed advertising agency TBWA Chiat/Day for stiffing the dog's creators. Taco Bell sued the ad agency over responsibility for the $42 million judgment.
Non-Profit News
- Silicon Valley entrepreneurs still thinking big - For proof, just look at Greenbox.
With Greenbox, the team is trying to revolutionize our relationship to the energy we use.
- 2009 Global Predictions for Technology Industry
"In 2009, low-cost netbooks are going to disrupt the PC industry; social networking will no longer be just for the teenager, but a mandate by the CIO; and smart grid technology will represent the biggest and fastest growing sector in green tech, perhaps even in the entire technology market."
- Wind turbine on every roof is dream of Seattle inventor - Google's "Project 10 to the 100th" contest
Imagine walking into a big-box retail store and grabbing a wind turbine off the shelf.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Culturally afloat: Missoula has not seen as big a drop in funding as other communities
“The word we all keep hearing out there is that Missoula's economy generally doesn't have the highs and lows that the rest of the nation has, and I think that's being reflected in what you see in the arts,” said Tom Bensen, executive director of the Missoula Cultural Council.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Penny Redli of Columbus and Mark Ratledge of Missoula Tapped to Lead Montana's Cultural and Aesthetics Project Advisory Committee
Applications must be for cultural and aesthetic projects, including but not limited to the visual, performing, literary and media arts, history, archaeology, folklore, archives, collections, research, historic preservation and the construction or renovation of cultural facilities.
- Spread Of Downadup Worm, New Apple Mac Trojan
Stolen copies of Windows don't get all of the updates, and those with stolen copies are much more likely to turn off their automatic updates.
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