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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Mar 23, 2012 |
"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." Peter Drucker http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Montana Ambassadors Honor Montana's Leaders http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
Ignite Missoula
- Montana Technology Innovation Partnership's SBIR/STTR and TBED REVIEW A Bi-Monthly Mailer
MTIP Request for Services Companies that have worked previously with MTIP and companies new to MTIP, can complete and submit a Request for Services form in this newsletter. Services are free of charge.
Northwestern Energy
- IGNITE IS COMING!! - Do you have a passion you'd like to talk about? - Ignite Missoula is now taking applications for the 4th Ignite Missoula community event
The format is half the fun with Ignite speakers allowed 5 minutes for 20 slides that auto-forward every 15 seconds, whether they're ready or not. It's a blast!
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- Northwestern Energy Linesman Takes To Helicopters to Save Birds
"It's nice when everyone is on the same page and we're all trying to protect the resources. It's why we got into the wildlife business and it's neat to be able to work together and make a difference," says Sam Milodragovich, Biologist with Northwestern Energy.
- NorthWestern Energy Green Lights Spion Kop Wind Project
"We're pleased to be moving forward on the project so that we can meet our 2015 renewable portfolio standards obligation while maintaining a balanced, environmentally responsible portfolio of generation resources that contributes to long-term rate stability," said Bob Rowe, president and CEO.
- NorthWestern Energy building for future with infrastructure, efficiency programs
Over the next several years, in addition to our ongoing base-level spending, we plan to invest another $290 million in our Montana electric distribution system and $70 million in our Montana natural gas distribution system through our Distribution System Infrastructure Project. The project is designed to ensure safe, reliable and adequate electric and natural gas distribution systems for decades to come.
Come Home Montana
- Montana - Glacier Country Travel Guide - Stop dreaming. Start doing.
Montana's westernmost region. Where grand landscapes reside alongside small town hospitality. A place where awesome natural experiences frame intimate unforgettable moments. Looking to create your own Montana experience? You're in the right place.
- Russell Country rebrands itself Central Montana
"We all love the Russell name, but it doesn't have the same name reorganization tied to this area of the state for people outside of Montana. If the new name helps those tourists find us, that's terrific."
- Retire Here, Not There: Montana
It can take big bucks to retire in Big Sky. Here are four cheaper Treasure State alternatives.
Montana Ambassadors
- Montana Career Opportunity - Network Engineer - Vision Net, Inc.
The successful employee will be responsible for engineering and documentation of telecommunications networks. Desired candidates should have previous experience engineering and configuring IP networks.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director of Marketing & Communications - Blue Marble Biomaterials
This is a great opportunity for somebody who wants to bring their experience to build innovative and successful sales programs.
- Victor, Montana staffing company's new contract bringing 30 new jobs to Corvallis
The jobs are returning to the U.S. after having been shipped overseas many years ago.
- Ben Bullington Sings-"White Sulphur Springs, Montana"
Ben is also a family practice doctor in a 6 bed hospital in nearby Big Timber, Montana. Bullington lived in White Sulphur Springs for several years, and made this video on a gorgeous June day in 2011, reconnecting with friends and some of his favorite vistas anywhere.
Montana Business
- Gov. Schweitzer predicts future approval for Keystone XL Pipeline at Montana Ambassadors annual dinner and conference
Schweitzer says he's pleased to see President Obama move forward with the southern portion of the project from Cushing, Oklahoma to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast.
- Montana Ambassadors Conference - Bakken oilman says energy independence is possible
"Somebody asked me why energy independence is important," Hamm said Thursday. "I said it might mean that your son doesn't have to go fight in Afghanistan."
- Montana Ambassadors Honor Montana's Leaders
It was in inspirational night for those focusing on moving Montana forward.
Montana Economic Development
- Missoula, Montana-Based TeraDact Solutions Joins McAfee Security Innovation Alliance
"Data leakage, whether intentional or inadvertent, is a growing problem in a world that shares high volumes of electronic data daily," said TeraDact CEO Chris Schrichte.
- Montana Small Business Administration Announces Winners of SBA 2012 Small Business Week Awards
The small business awards ceremony will be held June 7th, at the Gallatin Gateway Inn near Bozeman. The public is welcome to attend and congratulate the 2012 winners and celebrate Montana's small businesses.
- Filmmaking Taking off in Western Montana
"Montana-based producers, independent filmmakers, perhaps have to rely on innovation as much or more than everybody else, because funding is limited."
- $325K upgrade coming for Port of Montana
The port is a 55-acre warehouse, storage, distribution and transloading facility located at the intersection of interstate highways 15 and 90, as well as the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroads, seven miles southwest of Butte.
- Montana Leaders talk through effects of Bakken boom
Cities, counties trade ideas on reaping benefits, dealing with problems
- Montana Energy 2012 Trade Show Sells Out in First Year - Conference Registration Nearly Sold Out.
"Montana Energy 2012 is gaining momentum as the event nears. The event is already recognized as the premier energy conference in the region," said Cary Hegreberg, executive director of the Montana Contractors' Association.
Business Plan Forums
- Secretary Vilsack Releases Report Highlighting Obama Administration Accomplishments Supporting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Efforts
In Montana, twenty-four projects have received funding to date.
Government
- Biddeford, Maine group offers $20K in incentives, including free rent, for competitive entrepreneurs
"This competition will draw a great range of business concepts, and the committee will select three businesses that will create a draw to downtown."
Idaho Business
- Senate passes Tester bill to help small businesses raise capital, create jobs
"Montana small businesses vary from family farms and ranches to innovative biotech companies," Tester said on the Senate floor. "If the money is there, so is the expansion. So is the capacity to do more research and development, and so is the next great idea."
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- New equity firm looking to invest $5 million in Idaho's Treasure Valley
A private equity fund with a niche in more mature companies has started a search for Treasure Valley companies that fit a rigorous set of requirements.
Regional Business
- Study finds North Dakota first in job growth
"One common theme among those doing well on the list is the use of natural resources at a time of high energy prices."
Utah Economic Development
- Why Does Manufacturing Matter? Which Manufacturing Matters? A Policy Framework
This report argues that manufacturing does indeed matter to the U.S. economy and that public policy can strengthen American manufacturing.
- Bonneville Power Administration remains a low-cost source of energy based on hydropower
"The federal hydro system is the envy of the rest of the world," Wright said. "I'm worried we're starting to take advantage of it. It's owned by you, it's part of your legacy, and it's up to us to maintain it."
Workforce Development
- Energize Your Business at the Utah Governor's Economic Summit
This year's Governors Utah Economic Summit, slated for April 10 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, will once again bring together business leaders and decision makers from across the state.
- Utah board approves $2.7M incentive and $480K grant for computer center
The second incentive was from the state's Industrial Assistance Fund. It was a one-time economic-opportunity grant of $482,510
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- States cutting training for jobs the economy needs most.
Technical, engineering and health care expertise are among the few skills in huge demand even in today's lackluster job market. They are also, unfortunately, some of the most expensive subjects to teach.
Missoula Schools Excellence
- Maryland Education Department dropout prevention guide serves as model for other states
Utilize data systems that support realistic diagnosis of the number of students who drop out and help identify individual students at high risk of dropping out (diagnostic)
- $250M investment aims to boost graduation with ed tech
The expanded initiative will build support for high school graduation in multiple ways.
Montana Education Excellence
- Graduation Matters Missoula - An Anniversary Celebration Of Education, 3/21, Missoula, Montana
- Graduation Matters Missoula celebrates anniversary with $20K donation
"What we do here in Missoula really champions the cause of public education."
Bill Payne
- Juneau Announces 22 Schools Receive Graduation Matters Grants Montana Making Gains on Improving the Graduation Rate
"Businesses, schools, families, students and non-profits are coming together across the state to talk about the future of public education in Montana," said Juneau. "The continued focus on increasing our graduation rate and improving student achievement is going to pay off in Montana for years to come."
- Events Celebrate Start Of University of Montana Global Leadership Initiative
A key component of UM's strategic plan, GLI will provide participants with unique experience-based educational opportunities and professional training infused with international and interdisciplinary emphases.
Community
- Using your business plan
Imagine a fishing analogy:
Funding and Building your BusinessEnergy and Climate Change
- Are You Overlooking A Large Pool of Valuable Potential Employees?
Thankfully, there are readily available resources out there to help us diversify our workforce. Here are some nuggets we've learned along the way:
- 8 Tips For Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch
Whether you're in sales, run your own business, or have an idea for a killer start-up, mastering the 90-second "elevator pitch" should be at the top of your to-do list.
- Firing Someone the Right Way
It's a gut-wrenching conversation, knowing how this simple act affects a person's career, self-esteem, and livelihood.
- How to Make a Business Mentoring Relationship Work
Here are some key points on how to find and utilize the right mentor, which I have adapted specifically for entrepreneurs:
- 5 Interview Questions to Help You Hire a Great Team
There's a lot to consider when you're hiring people. When you're a small business on a tight budget, you can't afford to make many mistakes.
- Professors invest in student startups
For many student entrepreneurs, professor relationships are the entry point for connections -- and funding -- outside of campus. For these investor professors, the return is often equity in a nascent company, some of which make it big.
- Customer Loyalty Can Be a Startup Competitive Edge
Building customer loyalty means a first priority on keeping the customers you already have, rather than focusing always on getting new ones.
- Adobe Study Shows Social Media Impact Undervalued by Nearly 100 Percent
The use of last-click attribution, the most common attribution model used by marketers, may cause marketers to undervalue social media's website impact by up to 94 percent
- How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide
I believe, getting your startup covered, is one of the most important things you can do to get your product out there.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Capturing Carbon in Rocks Gains Traction
"One way to keep emissions underground safely and economically is to turn the emissions themselves into rocks."
Non-Profit News
- Guided Trips & a Good News Bison Story - American Prairie Reserve
Your gifts to American Prairie Reserve are helping carry this legacy forward by assembling habitat not only for bison, but many other prairie species. Thank you for being a part of this historic effort.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- 2nd Annual Red Ants Pants Music Festival, 7/26-29, White Sulphur Springs, Montana
The festival will take place on the Jackson Ranches in the best cow pastures around.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- TEDx comes to Bozeman this week
"Our community here can educate anyone at any level. We want to show you what we have, so within that this year we're showing our speakers under the theme of Big Sky, Big Minds."
Transportation
- Nokia patents a tattoo that vibrates when you get a call
Talk about letting technology get under your skin!
- Amtrak, Montana Lobbying Group Meet to Talk Passenger Rail
The Empire Builder reduces transportation costs in the state by $4 million annually; reduces highway maintenance spending by $600,000; brings tourists who spend more than $7 million in the state every year; and results in nearly $4 million in direct spending from Amtrak. McBroom concluded: "The economic benefits of Amtrak for a state like Montana are just huge."
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