|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Tue Mar 1, 2011 |
"Only 5 states do not have collective bargaining for educators and have deemed it illegal. Those states and their ranking on ACT/SAT scores are as follows: South Carolina -50th/ North Carolina -49th/ Georgia -48th/ Texas -47th/ Virginia -44th. If you are wondering, Wisconsin is currently ranked #2." The State with the Best Education Wins!
Congratulations to the Leaders of the MSU Leadership Institute for an outstanding evening with Tom Brokaw http://matr.net/articl ... .html -- Legendary Mountaineer, Conrad Anker, "Leadership Lessons From The Top Of The World.", 3/2, Bozeman, Montana http://matr.net/events ... =3535
Globalization Partners International
Northwestern Energy
- Globalization Partners International - Software Translation, Software Localization and Software Internationalization
This blog clears up the mystery around these basic concepts, which are closely related to one another.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- NorthWestern Energy to Test Flywheel Energy's Storage System
"We're interested to learn more about this technology and whether and how it may further enhance the performance of our new Mill Creek plant that provides regulating resources for the transmission system that serves our customers in Montana." Bob Rowe
- NorthWestern Energy Teams with Solution Mountain to Provide Community Economic Development Resources
NorthWestern Energy and Solution Mountain, Inc. are offering free project impact studies for a limited time to communities and local economic development organizations that are served by the utility.
MSU Leadership Institute
- Being bilingual gives brains a boost
Speaking more than one language works like a mental gymnasium by strengthening the ability to distinguish between irrelevant and important information.
- Educator Al Yee's new book explains importance of early childhood teaching, development
The early years of life plant the seeds of a monster or a Mae West.
- Tech Companies Host Internships for Middle Schoolers
George Haines is an educator who believes that school shouldn't be just about preparing students for real life--it should be real life.
Visit Montana
- Montana State University gives NBC anchor Tom Brokaw honorary Doctorate during day of events hosted and organized by MSU Leadership Institute students
"Nothing is an important as educating our young people for the challenges of the future," Brokaw said, and that this is our key to remaining competitive.
- Brokaw exhorts audience to 're-enlist as Americans' during MSU Leadership Institute presentation
"This is a wake up call. It's not a time to look back, it's a time to look forward,"
Come Home Idaho
- Boomtown or bust: The storied past of Montana's ghost towns
Towns grew where "color" was discovered, and when boom went bust, the settlements were deserted. Montana ghost towns became a different kind of treasure. Here are some trivia questions about the boomtowns.
Come Home Montana
- A lack of skilled hands in Idaho
"I think in three to four years, we are really going to be in crisis mode."
Come Home North Dakota
- Montana Career Opportunity - Chief Executive Officer - Rimrock Foundation
Qualifications include a Master's degree in Healthcare or Business Administration and several years of healthcare operations or management experience.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Product Development and IT Director - Sterling Bank Services
This position will be responsible for delivering high quality software systems for both internal use as well for outside partners.
Come Home South Dakota
- Help Wanted: Fargo, North Dakota Strains to Fill Jobs - How is it in your state?
"MATR welcomes articles (we'll be sure to mention you and your company as a thanks for submitting) , Job openings, resumes, events , comments and company listings from registered members (also free). After you've registered http://www.matr.net/login.phtml , just go to the upper right hand side of the home page to "My Account"
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- South Dakota: Black Hills rich in history, mystery
"It is said that as a somewhat deflated George Armstrong Custer lay bleeding in the Montana dirt at Little Big Horn, he turned his glazed and dimming eyes east and said, 'At least we don't have to go back through South Dakota.' "
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Smart Cities: Getting Greener, and Making Money Doing It
"Cities that pioneer these concepts will create a new industry."
Three Cups of Tea - The Central Asia Institute
- March MEDA News
Do be watching for the 2011 MEDA Spring Conference Agenda as well as the pre-conference Professional Development training. Set aside the dates of April 27 - 29th and get ready for a great conference in Bozeman.
Leadership Montana
- Greg Mortenson "Three Cups of Tea" Donates 1,000 books to Montana Schools of Promise
"The students are a kindred spirit to the tribal children we help empower through education and literacy in rural Afghanistan and Pakistan, so this is a great honor for us." Greg Mortenson
Montana Business
- To learn true leadership, CEOs must think and act like head coach
Leaders fail for many reasons. But since that observation isn't helpful, let's delve deeper.
Montana Economic Development
- Smurfit-Stone Mill in Frenchtown, Montana To Be Scrapped
"We're in the process of removing some of the equipment that's there to some of our other mills, relocating it. The remainder will all be sold to the buyer."
- Montana Small Business Alliance
The Montana Small Business Alliance is a coalition of Montana small business owners who believe small businesses presently are getting shortchanged and deserve to have a stronger voice on health care and other important issues.
- BREDD Request for Qualifications: Forest Business Technical Assistance
The BitterRoot Economic Development District (BREDD, Inc) is offering interested individuals or organizations an opportunity to submit a proposal to BREDD to provide Technical Assistance to regional Forest Businesses. The entire Request for Qualifications can be accessed at http://www.bredd.org.
Regional Economic Development
- President Obama extols Montana's wind energy potential
It was gratifying to hear President Barack Obama plug the Treasure State's importance as a wind energy producer Friday, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said, but the real work of powering the country lies in the hands of his fellow governors, who are responsible for building a reliable transmission network.
- Biomass To Biochar - What Are The Possibilities?, 3/21-22, St. Regis, Montana
Our goal is to bring together scientists and researchers, forest managers, biochar and timber industry officials, conservations groups, economic development entities, community developers, and elected officials to examine the significant potential pyrolysis technology holds for addressing forest health, soil quality, mine reclamation, and energy generation in Montana.
- BSED Creates Forum to Learn of Impacts of Energy Development on Yellowstone County
Big Sky Economic Development Corporation will host its quarterly Member Investor Forum on Thursday, March 3 from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Careers
- Harvard's Michael Porter Addresses the National Governors Association - State Competitiveness: Creating an Economic Strategy in a Time of Austerity. Have You Read Your State's Business Plan?
"How can we incent businesses to come to our state without resorting to "recruiting" and "tax breaks" because they don't work."
Funding and Building your Business
- Are you looking for new employees or looking to find a challenging position in the states supported by MATR?
"MATR welcomes articles (we'll be sure to mention you and your company as a thanks for submitting) , Job openings, resumes, events , comments and company listings from registered members (also free) After you've registered http://www.matr.net/login.phtml , just go to the upper right hand side of the home page to "My Account"
- Microsoft's Staffing Director Nina Johal on Hiring, Growth and Resumes
Nina Johal, Microsoft's worldwide HR staffing director, discusses what hiring managers look for in software engineers, amid competition for top Silicon Valley talent.
- Colorado companies struggle to find software developers
As the economy heats up, it's getting harder for companies to find software developers, particularly those with skills in cutting-edge areas like mobile applications.
Montana Education Excellence
- What Does It Take To Bring Technology To Market?
"Companies that can't clearly articulate their customer and market are not real serious companies, they are research projects ... Engineering and marketing need to work together from the get go."
- Hire a Blogger to Promote Your Business
Outsourcing your company's social media activity is risky. Whomever you bring on must show they can engage your customers and build trust for your brand
- Interview: Paul Buchheit, creator of Gmail, venture capitalist
As employee No. 23, Buchheit created Gmail and helped start AdSense, the advertising program that is Google's second-biggest revenue source.
- 8 Tips on Preparing Your Family for Entrepreneurship
Before venturing out on your own, you must take account of your family's participation and expectations about the new business.
- 5 Things You Should Never Say While Negotiating
If you're new to negotiating or find it difficult, here are some missteps to avoid.
- IT Software Spending Will Focus on CRM in 2011
Customer relationship management will get the largest increase in software spending this year, a Gartner survey says.
Idaho Business
- Feature photos and video: Chicks in Science
Chicks in Science is designed to introduce fourth- through eighth-grade girls to science, technology and engineering in an appealing way.
- 2011 'Youth Serve Montana' Scholarships Available To High School Seniors: Students Earn $1,000 Dollars for College by Giving 100 Volunteer Hours
Each student who applies and qualifies can receive $1,000 dollars toward continued education at one of Montana Campus Compact's (19) public, tribal, private, community, or technical colleges and universities.
- Montana's two-year colleges see huge growth
The percentage of Montana college students attending two-year schools in the state is increasing, but state higher-education officials would like to see it climb even more.
- New Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program at the Montana State University College of Business
Gary Gannon, a self-described serial entrepreneur with significant experience in the technology/software arena, will serve as the college's first entrepreneur-in-residence from February 28 through March 4. Gannon will work with students -- helping them better learn the art and science of envisioning, building and growing their own company - and faculty.
Oregon Economic Development
- Geothermal work tricky; upfront costs slow siting for companies in Idaho
The rapid random proliferation of wind power projects across Idaho's high desert prompted calls to regulate where the projects could be placed.
Utah Business
- Portland software developers ratchet up their open source ambitions
The city's ragtag software developers are starting to coalesce into companies, graduating from an infatuation with technology and adopting some old-fashioned ambition.
2011 Montana Legislature
- Video: Business Message in a Minute - Utah Exports Mean Utah Jobs
World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Lew Cramer discusses the new export numbers and their impact on the Utah economy in this quick video. Learn what these numbers mean for you and your business.
Education
- GOP lawmakers report to public - Cite extreme media bias
Republican legislation addressing political and social issues like ending U.S. membership in the United Nations or requiring presidential candidates to provide proof of citizenship to make Montana's ballot have made headlines. The latter bill's sponsor told CNN that President Barack Obama hasn't proved he's a U.S. citizen.
- Montana's GOP legislators gaining national attention - Democratic legislators share hopes, frustrations about the session
National scrutiny is again focused on Montana, this time because of proposals before the Legislature.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- UNLV professor's proposal to close 5 Nevada campuses is met with skepticism
Driving the plan is Nevada's perilous economy and a budget that is underfunded by about a third.
- Nampa schools and Idaho Transportation Department encourage middle-school girls to consider entering engineering
The Idaho Transportation Department has partnered with Nampa schools for four years, frequently lending engineers' expertise to classrooms. But this was the first event geared solely for girls.
- Pulling the plug -- A perfect storm is brewing that could change higher education
"We are to be commended for doing more with less, but we cannot continue on this trajectory and survive," Holland said. "We cannot continue to cut and do what we need to do. We cannot take on additional students without additional resources."
Government
- National Geographic and The American Prairie Reserve Offer "Montana and Yellowstone" Opportunity to High School Students -
The trip, called "Montana and Yellowstone," will take high school students on an unforgettable trek through the Reserve and Yellowstone National Park.
Ignite Missoula
- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer: No Palin this time, but maybe me next time
Montana Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer flatly predicted Friday that Sarah Palin won't run for president in 2012, but playfully hinted a White House bid could be in his own future.
- Montana Governor Schweitzer Interviews in Washington, DC at National Governor's Conference meetings
Governor Mitch Daniel (R-Indiana) says this about Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer -- "Brian is one of the best governors in America ... I do want to testify . I have studied what he does. and he is a terrific governor ."
- POLITICO interview: Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer compares traveling to Washington, D.C. to popping open a bottle of fine wine: One glass is good, but anything more is too much.
Connectivity & Communications
- Improve Your Public Speaking with a More Effective Mindset
Over the last few years many executive coaches have been urging leaders to learn to communicate more powerfully through examples from the acting profession. But they may have it wrong -- or at least, only half right.
- For BIL, Tagging Along With TED Proves to Be an Excellent Adventure
Ignite Missoula- Are You Ready For 5 Minutes In The Spotlight? We're accepting entries, Date TBD, Missoula, Montana
Energy and Climate Change
- 1 Gigabit internet to the house
While Americans are clip-clopping along, trailing the Latvians and the Romanians in terms of Internet speed, the South Koreans are at a full gallop.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Hey ranchers, ditch that electric bill
Irrigation channels can serve as power generators
- Montana rural water summit draws 1,000 to Great Falls
"In terms of the potential, we're just starting to scratch the surface," said Michael Ellis, a system designer with Shaw Solar, a local solar contracting company that is considering entering the small hydropower market. "In a dollars-per-watt scenario, micro-hydro is hands down the most effective way of generating power from a renewable resource."
- Megadroughts once reigned supreme in Southwest -- and may again
These "megadroughts" lasted for, um, millennia, which I think is a long, long time.
- Energy Efficiency is about Location, Location, Location
A new, peer-reviewed analysis performed by the staff of Jonathan Rose Companies, with assistance from the federal EPA, shows the power of a superior location in substantially reducing a household's environmental footprint. In fact, it shows this is so whether the housing type is a single-family home, townhome, or multi-family building.
- Regulation Lax as Gas Wells' Tainted Water Hits Rivers - "We're burning the furniture to heat the house."
"We're burning the furniture to heat the house. In shifting away from coal and toward natural gas, we're trying for cleaner air, but we're producing massive amounts of toxic wastewater with salts and naturally occurring radioactive materials, and it's not clear we have a plan for properly handling this waste."
- Joule Unlimited making diesel with sun, water, CO2
Joule Unlimited has invented a genetically-engineered organism that it says simply secretes diesel fuel or ethanol wherever it finds sunlight, water and carbon dioxide.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- A Visitor's Guide to Silicon Valley
This post offers things to see/do for two types of visitors: "I'm just visiting and want a 'tourist experience'" (i.e. a drive by the Facebook / Google / Zynga / Apple building) or "I want to work in the valley" visitor who wants to understand what's going on inside those buildings.
- Oh, I'm gonna have nightmares tonight.... Darpa's Cheetah-Bot Designed to Chase Human Prey
Think that's creepy? Wait till you see its humanoid, Terminator look-alike buddy.
- 15 Best iPad Apps for Newbies
Take our tour of cool apps that take advantage of the iPad's leisurely user experience.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page
