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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Oct 30, 2009 |
"Chaos," said Portland traffic engineer Scott Batson, "seems to be coming back as a way to control traffic." Drivers behave more responsibly when faced with uncertainty, becoming more aware of others. The evidence from Holland shows crashes are now far less serious, mostly because open-range roundabouts have taken the place of stop signals and signs. http://matr.net/articl ... .html
I attended a meeting last night that discussed the opportunities and challenges of our school systems. Many ideas were discussed but it came down to doing a better job for our children by keeping them excited to be in and stay in school to maximize their potential. Great to read a story like this: "Excellent Entrepreneurs - Missoula's C.S. Porter Middle School students put heads together to market The Good Food Store story" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html -- Montana should be proud: "Federal Researchers Find 15 States Have Lowered Education Standards in Schools. Montana Has Raised Its Standards" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Great opportunity at a very respected company: "Montana Career Opportunity - Acting Chief Information Officer - Great Harvest Bread Company" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Ignite Missoula
Idaho National Laboratory
- Stop Overloading Your Presentations
It might sound counterintuitive, but simplicity is more powerful and, ultimately, more engaging.
TechRanch
- Innovation awards recognize Idaho innovators
The Idaho Innovation Awards is presented by the law firm Stoel Rives LLP and Kickstand, an organization dedicated to helping Idaho's entrepreneurs and innovators network, learn and grow.
- Idaho National Laboratory's Peter Kong is harnessing the power of plasma
Kong is the first INL scientist to secure at least 20 patents. He has "about 26"—it must be hard to keep track when the numbers get so high—with several more pending. He was INL's Inventor of the Year in 2005, and the lab inducted him into its Hall of Fame in Inventorship in 2003. He has dedicated much of his career to plasma research, and a good deal of his success stems from his understanding of plasma's potential. Yet he feels there's a lot more to do, a lot more to learn.
Come Home Montana
- TechRanch - Selling & Sourcing In China - Nelson G. Dong, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 11/10, Bozeman, Montana
Nelson Dong of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP will discuss: *Legal issues related to manufacturing in Asia *Asian sourcing components *Licensing and selling technologies in Asia Nelson
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Alayne Marker and Steve Smith's wonderful way with disabled animals is rewarded - Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Ovando, Montana
Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary is the story of Alayne Marker and Steve Smith, a married couple who had high-power jobs — he was a corporate communications guy, she a corporate attorney — then left it all behind to move to middle-of-nowhere Montana to start an animal sanctuary.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director - Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
The Helena-based position will train and supervise up to 20 staff persons located in both states. Salary: $100,000 to 120,000 per year. Upon successful award of the grant, the position will begin January 1, 2010.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Technical Specialists - Mountain-Pacific Quality Health
These positions will be located throughout Montana and Wyoming. MP will provide training, assistance, tools, and support. Employees will not be required to relocate.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Internal Auditor - Montana Rail Link
Auditor, headquartered in Missoula, MT. This position will analyze business processes, procedures and activities to identify potential problems and will develop recommendations and assist in implementing solutions.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Acting Chief Information Officer - Great Harvest Bread Company
We are looking for someone with experience helping businesses navigate technology decisions and execute effective technology solutions.
Leadership Montana
- The Union of Town and Gown - Montana State University and Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman, Montana is rapidly solidifying its place as the entrepreneurial hotbed of the Northern Rockies in hopes that its homespun entrepreneurs can live in Big Sky Country and still make the mortgage payment.
- Excellent Entrepreneurs - Missoula's C.S. Porter Middle School students put heads together to market The Good Food Store story
"I had high expectations, but the students and teachers exceeded those expectations." Shirley Lindburg, coordinator of gifted programs for Missoula County Public Schools.
Montana Business
- From the Big Sky to the Big Sea: Montana Natives Excel At U.S. Naval Academy
“It’s awesome how much responsibility the administration gives you in terms of leading and being in charge,” added Shaffer. “There’s so much opportunity to fulfill leadership roles and motivate your classmates.”
- Leading with Courage: Run Toward the Roar
The following practices of effective leaders all take courage. They are not all instinctual, however. Many must be learned.
Montana Economic Development
- Rocky Mountain Log Homes awaits loan
“We’re frustrated at this point,” Rostad said at the time. “The key to this deal is survival. We’re trying to survive and keep our employees.”
- Semitool Celebrates 30-Year Flathead Anniversary - Company rebounds from rough period
With Semitool, a leading manufacturer of wafer processing equipment for the semiconductor industry, celebrating its 30-year anniversary in the valley, Thompson allows himself these moments of nostalgia. His decision to bring his business back to his hometown 30 years ago has paid dividends.
Regional Economic Development
- Sprawling out - Why the Bitterroot Resort's collapse could be lose-lose
Maclay's financial troubles mean one of the last large swaths of intact ranchland between Lolo and Florence, including prime elk winter range, could be lost, giving way to 3,000 acres of sprawled ranchettes and McMansions instead of dense development surrounded by open space, as Maclay proposed. It's a potential lose-lose scenario smart growth advocates say should be jeered, not cheered.
- Boise Centre gives boost to local economy, study says The Downtown convention center produces jobs and tax revenue, two Boise State University economists say.
More than 16,000 nonresidents visited one or more of 28 selected conventions or meetings at the Boise Centre last year and spent an estimated $20 million, including $4 million in locally produced goods and services, the study said.
Careers
- 'As states, we compete,' Wyoming Governor Freudenthal says
“Cooperation is contradictory to the fundamental way we relate to each other. As states, we compete,” Freudenthal said, according to an Associated Press account of an energy symposium in Jackson ,Wyo. “We compete for economic development; we compete for water resources; we compete for ink in the newspapers; we compete for attracting good and bright minds to our universities.”
- Are States Outdated? - Toward an Ethic of Place: Experiments in Regional Governance - The Crown of the Continent
Matthew McKinney argues that regional governance is essential to address transboundary issues like climate change, wildlife corridors, shared water resources, and energy development.
Funding and Building your Business
- Census: 'Brain gains' for high-tech cities
The data covering 2006-2008 show that Austin, Texas, Portland, Ore., Charlotte and Raleigh, both in North Carolina, and Seattle saw large jumps in residents with at least a college degree. Each offers the promise of specialized tech jobs and hip lifestyles.
- Shunning science for higher-paying careers
"The problem may not be that there are too few (science) qualified college graduates, but rather that (science) firms are unable to attract them."
Incubators and R&D
- Are You Ready to Reinvent Your Business?
70 percent of the businesses decided to institute new sales tactics, specifically by:
- A Silicon Valley Conference About Failing is Big Success
In Silicon Valley, failure isn’t an option. It’s mandatory.
- “Licensing Your Innovation; Developing the Knowledge and Skills to Net the Best Deal” Montana Technology Innovation Partnership, 11/5, Butte, Montana
Develop the Knowledge and Skills to Net the Best Deal
- Firms boost workplace benefits to attract, retain, tech-savvy workers
"These companies go all out to attract and retain the best and brightest,"
- Mastering the iTunes Affiliate Program - How to Kick Ass Selling Music, Movies, TV Shows and Apps.
The book walks you through the entire affiliate program process, including chapters on getting started, signing up, links, banners, advanced tools, reporting, tracking, global issues, best practices, resources, frequently asked questions and appendices.
- Three Best Ways to Win Community Support
Here are three best ways to showcase your origins – and win community support.
Montana Education Excellence
- Founder Institute, Early-Stage Startup Program, Comes to Seattle Thanks to a Gaming Connection
The program is designed to mentor very early-stage entrepreneurs, with the goal of creating new companies across a wide variety of tech sectors including software, social media, consumer electronics, e-commerce, medical devices, and cleantech.
Regional Business
- University of Montana football coach, Bobby Hauck ends boycott against UM student reporters
"We are happy we can now report on football and move on," said Allison Maier, the Kaimin's editor. "I don't know what prompted this, but I'm just glad it's over."
- Federal Researchers Find 15 States Have Lowered Education Standards in Schools. Montana Has Raised Its Standards
15 states lowered their proficiency standards in fourth- or eighth-grade reading or math from 2005 to 2007. Three states, Maine, Oklahoma and Wyoming, lowered standards in both subjects at both grade levels, the study said.
- Montana State University president’s pay very low or very high, depending on comparison
What’s not in the report is the fact that Montana’s top three university executives are already among the state’s highest paid employees, earning substantially more than the state’s Supreme Court justices, computer system managers, medical examiners and Gov. Brian Schweitzer. In 2008 the governor earned $100,120.
- Incoming President Waded Cruzado-Salas is Already Blazing New Trails at MSU
"The university is in excellent shape. One of the first things I plan to do is have an open conversation with students, faculty, staff and alumni, all of the constituents of Montana State's four campuses. I want to hear their expectations for the university," she said. "I would like to open a series of town hall meetings that will allow me to have direct contact with our stakeholders, and from there I will set a course."
- Efficiency not the only goal for Montana's Universities
Could we see closing Montana's less efficient (i.e. smaller) campuses as part of the plan to make our U system even more "fantastic?" Keep in mind, of course, that the primary meaning of the word fantastic is "bizarre and grotesque."
- University of Montana West Campus students master welding
The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation welding competition has been rewarding welding students for their projects since 1936. It was originally a straightforward essay contest, in which students would submit essays on technical processes. Now, students must submit an essay describing one of their projects, along with blueprints and a photo of it.
University TechTransfer
- Lender in Silver State Helicopters flight-school debacle to forgive loans
The students, who were saddled with staggering debt with little training to show for it, will have up to 75 percent of their debt to Student Loan Xpress, a subsidiary of CIT Group, erased under the agreement reached between the company and 12 states' attorneys general.
- Yes, Manufacturing Matters
After dominating global industrial activity for a century, the United States is losing its edge in manufacturing to other nations.
Idaho Business
- Utah State University Files Record Number of Patents and Creates Five Successful Spin-outs in 2009
In fiscal year 2009, after receiving 80 idea disclosures from students and professors about potential inventions, a record number of 44 patents were filed and 11 patents were issued to USU. In addition, ten commercialized technologies were copyrighted at the university.
Washington State Business
- $1.7 million in federal grant money available for Idaho afterschool programs
The grants are available through a U.S. Department of Education program that aims to provide students with activities such as art, music, recreation and sports when they aren't in school.
Wyoming Business
- Washington Technology Center News -- Fall 2009
Companies working with WTC added more than 300 jobs, raised $115 million of new capital, and accounted for nearly $300 million in revenue in 2009.
Education
- Gov stresses need for wind energy revenue
"We want a level playing field among the players in the energy sector. As it it sits today, there is none,"
Connectivity & Communications
- After Complaints, Gates Foundation Opens Education Aid Offer to All States
The foundation last month broadened its offer to include all states that are competing for the money and can prove they share the foundation’s views about education reform by signing an eight-point checklist.
- University of Washington smoothes pathway to 3-year bachelor's degree
"The Husky Advantage" and is intended to help high school students with 45 Advanced Placement or Running Start credits complete certain bachelor's degree programs in three years instead of the traditional four.
- What Our Children Deserve and Need - Longer School Year, and Better
If we’re going to lengthen the school year, let’s talk about real changes that will not only improve student achievement, but also build rural communities capable of participating effectively in the new green economy.
Energy and Climate Change
- Want 50Mbps Internet in your town? Threaten to roll out your own
ISPs may not act for years on local complaints about slow Internet—but when a town rolls out its own solution, it's amazing how fast the incumbents can deploy fiber, cut prices, and run to the legislature.
- Google's Eric Schmidt on What the Web Will Look Like in 5 Years
Google CEO Eric Schmidt envisions a radically changed internet five years from now: dominated by Chinese-language and social media content, delivered over super-fast bandwidth in real time.
Government Technology
- States Invest More in Energy Efficiency
States are backing big energy-efficiency programs, spurred by the belief that they could hold down heating and electricity bills, as well as cut greenhouse-gas emissions.
- Testing Cheap Wind Power
A continuously variable transmission could lead to cheaper wind power--if it is rugged enough.
- Simplot, Blue Source forge alliance to serve the carbon market needs of American farmers
This alliance will support the progressive carbon programs of current agriculture and American farming operations.
Transportation
- Questions raised: Montana spending nearly $6M extra to send software development work overseas
A company that intends to send some Montana state government work to foreign workers overseas bid almost $6 million more than a company that proposed to do the same work entirely with Montana employees.
- Los Angeles adopts Google e-mail system for 30,000 city employees
"It's unclear if this is cutting edge, or the edge of a cliff and we're about to step off," said Councilman Paul Koretz.
- Montana Gov. Schweitzer, HHS director say they can't weigh where jobs will be located in awarding contracts
State officials are forbidden by law from considering whether tax-funded work will be done by foreign employees overseas when they divvy out state contracts, Gov. Brian Schweitzer said Wednesday.
- DPHHS contract: In Michigan, Deloitte did all work in-state
The state of Michigan just rolled out an ambitious human-services computer system built by the same company that wants to do similar work for Montana, but outsource some of the work to foreign countries. But in Michigan, the state required the company, Deloitte, to do all of the work in-state.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Roundabout Saves the Day in Wanker's Corner
"Chaos," said Portland traffic engineer Scott Batson, "seems to be coming back as a way to control traffic."
- FDIC Reports Fraudulent Emails Misusing their Name
These e-mails are fraudulent and were not sent by the FDIC.
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