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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Dec 18, 2009 |
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“John Updike once called Missoula the Paris of the nineties, because of the city’s legendary population of writers, but Paris lacks three world-renowned trout rivers and proximity to Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.” Outside Magazine
"The Gift" (Video) to You and Yours on this Most Joyous of Holiday Seasons http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Slow economic growth forecast for 2010; Missoula will soon be largest city in Montana" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---
Globalization Partners International
Montana SBA
- Small businesses should aim for global success
With the state of our economy right now, small businesses have to think in terms of a global economy.
Idaho National Laboratory
- “Women: Want To Do Business With The Government?”, 1/28, Helena, Montana
If you are considering starting or expanding your current operations and want to explore the arena of government contracts as part of your marketing plan, then this workshop is for you.
Highway 12 Ventures
- Idaho National Laboratory announces winners of student video contest
The purpose of this contest was to enhance students' research and fact-finding skills and to educate them on the types of energy we use today and INL’s contributions to the evolution of our national energy landscape.
Come Home Montana
- Highway 12 Ventures Leads Funding as DAZ 3D and Gizmoz Merge to Become Premier Publisher of Personalized 3D Characters, Software and Accessories
“From the very first mention of this merger idea, we immediately recognized the huge potential for such a comprehensive, united solution,” said Phil Reed, general partner, Highway 12 Ventures http://www.highway12ventures.com/ . “The company is creating a superior product offering that appeals to artists at any level, and that translates into enormous opportunity.”
- A Startup’s Twelve Days Of Christmas
The most valuable lessons I’ve learned about building a business aren’t found in many books.
Montana Business
- "The Gift" (Video) to You and Yours on this Most Joyous of Holiday Seasons
"The Gift" was created by a Missoula, Montana artist who did it for its pure joy and wishes to remain anonymous. We hope that this is the first in a series of "Gifts" to Montana and the World..
- Montana Career Opportunity - Vice President of Finance - Montana West Economic Development
The primary responsibility of this position is to develop and manage a loan portfolio which is both healthy and responsive.
Montana Economic Development
- Effort begins to help soon-to-be jobless Smurfit-Stone workers in Montana. Closure Will Have Lasting Impacts On Local Economy
"These are very difficult days for the Smurfit employees and we don't want anybody to make panic decisions," said Wolf Ametsbichler, director of the Missoula Job Service.
- Finalists for the Mamalode Mom-owned business contest
A contest where the winner will get sponsored by Mamalode to take the Fact Trac (TM) class put on by the Montana Community Development Corporation (MCDC.)
- NorthWestern Energy Seeks Additional Renewable Energy Supply in South Dakota
NorthWestern Energy recently began delivering locally produced wind power to its South Dakota customers and is now seeking information about new renewable energy projects to add to its growing resource portfolio.
- Slow economic growth forecast for 2010; Missoula will soon be largest city in Montana
Because Montana was among the last states in the nation to be pulled into the recession, it will be among the first ones out.
Regional Economic Development
- West Yellowstone, Montana sees need to diversify as snowmobile season opens
“The town has become so focused on the snowmobiling industry -- understandably so,” Stewart said. “We need to diversify, but it’s going to take money.”
- Smurfit Stone closure may provide key to Montana's future
There's a huge demand for forest carbon projects in North America. What might work in Montana would be generating power from biomass, helping solve our pine beetle problem, and tree thinning, helping control our fires.
- Montana West Economic Development - December 2009 Newsletter
Montana West Economic Development will enhance the economic base of Flathead County by identifying and supporting economic opportunities that provide quality job growth, job retention, community wealth and increasing wage rates.
Funding and Building your Business
- Western Governors, Obama Administration Discuss Strategies, Resources for Climate Adaptation
"The West is already beginning to see the effects of climate change, which could have major impacts on our economies, public health and the environment," said Gov. Brian Schweitzer (Mont.), Chairman of the Western Governors' Association.
- Western Governors push for long-term transmission planning, infrastructure for electric vehicles
Western governors, car manufacturers and electric utility representatives meeting here today agreed that electric vehicles will become mainstream only with coordinated, long-term infrastructure planning and development.
Incubators and R&D
- Transforming Giants
A new type of 21st century company is emerging that is transforming how business is conducted. These are values-driven companies that define a core set of values and rely on these values in making all strategic decisions.
- How to Take Advantage of Business Clusters
Locate your company near its competitors or near a University. The benefits are more numerous and attractive than you might think.
- The case for open-book management
Open-book management encourages a sense of ownership among all employees and brings home to them the importance of their work. With access and the right training, employees have a better shot at improving their numbers line by line.
- A Major Part of Selling is Educating the Prospect
Here are six steps that will bring focus to the principle and skill of educating your prospects.
- The smarter way to fire someone
Employees play an active role in the decision to get themselves fired.
- Entrepreneurs Struggle With Estate-Tax Strategies
Whatever the outcome of the federal estate-tax debate in Congress, many family-owned businesses likely will continue to use a variety of strategies to cope with the tax.
- Time to Ask Customers Tough Questions
Most small business owners and sales managers avoid conversations that could result in negative feedback. But sales guru Scott Messer says unpleasant truths are essential for planning
- Businesses that do good will be rewarded
Here's 21st century strategy, summarized in four words:
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana State University receives $2 million to further study diesel-producing South American fungus
Montana State University professors are taking the next step in research that could make it possible to produce biofuel from wood chips using a fungus discovered in South America.
- Farewell to Lee Cheatham. Leaving Washington Technology Center for the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University
Under Lee's direction, Washington Technology Center has continued as a champion for innovative, growing companies in Washington.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana kids learn why…You can’t undo a digital mistake
The Institute is currently certifying schools, organizations, individuals and communities for the upcoming 2010 year, and all YOU have to do to be certified is:
- Sidney, Montana schools prepare to unveil new Web site to improve communications
The goal is for the site to be up and running by the start of the second semester, at least by Jan. 18, 2010.
- Montana State University approves $700k spending on projects designed to bringing in more money
“It’s important to make investments, not just squirrel it away.”
- Montana Superintendent of Schools Denise Juneau tours Butte schools to see success of anti-bullying program
The program emphasizes what part a student plays in a bullying situation. Besides the students taking part, it also includes those who lend support or look the other way.
- Montana students learn lessons through movement
Karen Kauffman, professor of dance at the University of Montana, began MoDE, or Montana's Model Dance Education project.
- Montana State University students building a school at the roof of the world
"As (the stone) thumped gracelessly into place, me collapsing at its side, the entire construction site erupted in cheers," Jensen wrote in a blog. "The locals laughed and patted me on the back..... We were really and truly all in this together."
Regional Business
- Montana Superintendent of Schools Denise Juneau Teams Up with Bozeman Based Hopa Mountain Foundation to Prepare Montana Children for Success in School
"Literacy is the first building block children need to reach their full potential," said Juneau. "When we get books into the hands of parents during the preschool years, we support them as they lay the essential foundations for learning during the school years."
University Business Plan Competitions
- Weyerhaeuser OKs conversion to REIT
Weyerhaeuser announced Tuesday that its board has approved a conversion of the forest products giant into a real estate investment trust, letting the company take advantage of certain tax benefits.
Idaho Business
- What drives collegiate entrepreneurs
The top two winners at this year's Global Student Entrepreneur Awards show what it takes to balance higher education with entrepreneurial passion.
Education
- Eagle, Idaho startup, Unity Medical Inc., gives docs a digital assist
Video 'house calls' deliver medical advice to patients on their computers
- Boise firm, Syringa Networks, sues the State of Idaho over broadband bid given to Qwest Communications
The Idaho Department of Administration found Syringa the most technically proficient and least-expensive bidder for a project to link schools, universities and businesses over the high-speed, multimillion-dollar Idaho Education Network.
- Boise State University offers help to businesses in 2010 economic initiative
“This program can provide a foundation for business success, create a more robust climate for hiring and hone students’ skills under the mentorship of faculty and business partners,” stated Brian Greber, director of the Business Research and Economic Development Center, which oversees Boise State’s business outreach efforts.
Other Economies
- Increasing College Success: A Road Map for Governors
In the modern economy, a college degree has become the gateway to the middle class. Nearly 75 percent of future jobs will require a postsecondary degree or certificate, and many of these job openings will be in middle-skill professions that require more than a high school degree but less than a four-year college degree.
- Report: The Most Active Online Are The Most Educated.
People who spend the most time online are in fact the most educated claims a recent report from Eurostat.
- It's hands on for U. business students - Instead of learning via exercises, future executives form real-world companies.
Josh Eckman became part of the a growing emphasis at the nationally renowned school to bring students -- at undergrad and graduate levels alike -- out of sterile lecture halls and into the real world of business.
Community
- What Happens When California Defaults?
In my opinion, California is now more likely to default than it is to not default. It is not a certainty, but it is a possibility that is increasingly likely. Then what?
Connectivity & Communications
- Watch The Griz At The Wilma - Free Event With Suggested Donation To Benefit The Smurfit Stone Families, 12/18, Missoula
Watch the Griz win the national championship on a really big screen....the biggest screen in Montana. Celebrate with 1,000 other crazy griz fans.
- SIX New Grant Opportunities
Energy and Climate Change
- Broadband Lessons Beyond Our Borders
Just a few years ago, the U.S. was a leader in the percentage of households with broadband. Now it's a laggard. We have much to learn from other places, especially in connecting broadband in rural communities.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Pay attention to the man behind the curtain: Climate Wizard makes large databases of climate information visual, accessible
"Climate Wizard is meant to make it easier to explore climate data in an interactive way," Girvetz says. "It makes the data accessible in ways that are more intuitive, even for people who are not climate scientists."
- GOOD Ideas for Business, Cities, Education, Health etc...
GOOD is a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward. Get involved.
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