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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Aug 17, 2012 |
"The economic future of our state depends on a quality public-education system. As Montana citizens, we must get involved in supporting the students who will lead our state successfully into the future." Denise Juneau The power of business and education partnerships - Graduation Matters Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Governor Schweitzer announced Montana Business Founder Michael FitzGerald as Keynote for Innovative Business Day and Awards Dinner http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
Inteneo Systems
- Montana Technology Innovation Partnership is now on Facebook!
Montana Technology Innovation Partnership will be posting helpful industry-related news and events relevant to small technology-based businesses in the State of Montana.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- If You Mean It, Measure It
The new approach helped to reduce the overall volume of calls by 20%, while driving both higher customer advocacy scores and employee engagement scores. In other words, put your metrics when your mouth is.
- Pin Down Your Customer Intelligence Objectives
You need to reflect on your business situation and goals and consider only the initiatives that will offer the highest impact.
- Big data is our generation's civil rights issue, and we don't know it
What's really driving so-called big data isn't the volume of information. It turns out big data doesn't have to be all that big. Rather, it's about a reconsideration of the fundamental economics of analyzing data.
- How Big Data Became So Big
Big Data is a shorthand label that typically means applying the tools of artificial intelligence, like machine learning, to vast new troves of data beyond that captured in standard databases. The new data sources include Web-browsing data trails, social network communications, sensor data and surveillance data.
Come Home Montana
- Butte's hospitality impresses International Association of Fire Fighters Motorcycle Group rally
IAFF Vice President Ricky Walsh of Richland, Wash., said the Butte firefighters did a "stellar" job of organizing the rally. Each year, the IAFF chooses a new city to host the event. Walsh said he wanted this year's rally to be in Montana because it's a beautiful state in which to ride.
- Montana - Geothermal Splendor, Blazing Color and Wilderness Song
While Yellowstone National Park never fails to deliver scenery-induced gasps, wildlife sightings and geothermal phenomena galore, autumn in America's first National Park hits a certain sweet spot.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Executive Director - WorkSafeMT
As chief executive officer, the Executive Director is the chief fund raiser and public face of the organization and maintains the collaborative relationship Department of Labor and Industry and is a champion of the values of work safety.
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- Small-Business Supporters Line Up Against Internet Sales Tax
"Since we're looking to both Main Street and online entrepreneurs to grow our economy, we need to carefully consider how new federal requirements like collecting online sales taxes would impact small businesses,"
- Jobs outlook improving in the Bitterroot; jobs fair tonight (8/15
The unemployment rate in Ravalli County has dropped to under 8 percent and now some employers say they are having a difficult time getting applicants.
- Montana Senator Jon Tester calls for more local hires at Yellowstone
Tester wants park officials to select a vendor that prioritizes the hiring of Montanans and other workers from the region.
- Senator Baucus Headed to New Zealand, Japan to Promote Montana Trade, Jobs
"More trade means more jobs, and more jobs is what this trip is all about. The Asia Pacific region will drive the next wave of economic growth, so America has to strengthen our trade ties with countries like Japan and New Zealand to stay competitive," Baucus said.
- Governor Schweitzer announced Montana Business Founder Michael FitzGerald as Keynote for Innovative Business Day and Awards Dinner
Michael FitzGerald has a really great story to tell and will be sharing his experience collaborating with other tech entrepreneurs at Y-Combinator, a value to all those in attendance," said Governor Schweitzer.
Careers
- Mark you Calendars for the Graying of Montana - 9/10-11 in Helena
The Wheeler Center, in partnership with One Montana, is hosting a statewide public conference next month, featuring the recent findings of a coalition of Montana University System economists regarding Montana's steadily aging population and changing demographics.
Government and University TechTransfer
- How To Turn Down A Job Offer
After years of layoffs and hiring freezes, plenty of corporations are starting to increase staffing levels again.
- 12 Tasks That Killer Employees Always Finish Before Noon
A recent study published in an American Psychological Association journal, Emotion, suggests that early birds are generally happier than night owls.
- Computer firms try to handle mainframe worker shortage
Compuware estimates that as many as 40% of the world's mainframe programmers will be retiring in the near future.
Idaho Business
- Highly Motivated Students, Faculty Play Key Role in Successful University Spinoffs
Universities should encourage students to explore entrepreneurship through spinoffs as a potential career option outside of academia.
Oregon Economic Development
- Gold-medalist Kristin Armstrong's sponsor, Boise-based Exergy Development Group LLC struggles with obligations
Boise-based Exergy Development Group LLC said Wednesday it's crafting a plan to pay outstanding invoices.
- Exergy halts work on wind farm
CEO James Carkulis said Thursday that the decision to back out of the Idaho projects, in which Exergy had already invested millions of dollars, was a blow. But it won't destroy the business, he told the Idaho Statesman.
Regional Business
- Data Center Construction Firm Sets Up Shop In Prineville, Oregon - Facebook plans third data center
Prineville has recently seen a big surge in data center construction, with companies looking to take advantage of the region's climate, weather, and power availability.
Regional Economic Development
- Warren Buffett increases stake in Lee Enterprises
Buffett, who three years ago said he wouldn't touch a newspaper stock, recently has been beefing up his investments in them. The famed value investor favors small-city newspapers that he feels have deep ties to their communities and more limited competition.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- The Connection Between Creativity and Entrepreneurship
"Regions of all sizes primarily experience growth through the creation of new establishments, and that growth is always, significantly, and positively associated with regional creative employment."
Education
- Coders Get Instant Gratification With Khan Academy Programming
It's too early to tell how well the new tutorial will teach programming concepts, or whether it will win over critics. But it is a sign that the organization is listening to critics and moving beyond its roots.
- Temple Grandin Reveals Her Advice for Educating Autistic Kids
Special educators need to look at what a child can do instead of what he/she cannot do.
- Creativity in the 21st Century Classroom
How can we teach our own subject matter more creatively?
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Marketing Pros: Big Brand on Campus
Schools are getting the message about messaging.
Montana Education Excellence
- MAPS 2012 - 2013 - Enrollment available to 8th graders and older.
If you know of any middle or high school students that might be interested, please feel free to forward this email and spread the word.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Internet! Cats! Kids of Montana in 1995 Star in an Oddly Prophetic PSA
In 1995, a group of fifth graders at the Ray Bjork school in Helena, Montana produced a PSA advocating the Internet -- ostensibly, to the adults who controlled their connection to it.
- Stuff the Bus for Missoula's needy kids: Community partners, United Way step up to give students supplies for school
The fourth consecutive Stuff the Bus campaign is well underway, bringing together local businesses and nonprofits to help provide school supplies to as many needy kids as possible.
- Montana State University research sets new record at $112 million
MSU President Waded Cruzado pumped both hands in the air, as if the Bobcats had just scored a touchdown, when asked this week about the new record.
Community
- The power of business and education partnerships - Graduation Matters Montana
From the very beginning, I have known that, in order for Graduation Matters Montana to be successful, entire communities will need to work together to get the job done. The economic future of our state depends on a quality public-education system. As Montana citizens, we must get involved in supporting the students who will lead our state successfully into the future.
Funding and Building your Business
- Indiana Spurs Small Towns to Set a Course
The program builds state agency cooperation to provide targeted funding and technical assistance, while giving local communities as much flexibility as possible to meet their priorities. The program attracts communities wanting to do better.
- SIX new grant announcements
Energy and Climate Change
- Four brilliant uses of video by start-ups
So, what's the best way for you to cut through to potential customers or investors? Increasingly, start-ups are embracing video as a winning marketing tool.
- The Chemistry Of Enthusiasm: How Engaged Employees Create Loyal Customers
Building and sustaining high levels of customer advocacy hinge on earning the trust and enthusiasm of employees. When both elements kick in, a company can pull ahead of competitors and power through a tough economy.
- Should You Become a B Corp?
When most businesses think about incorporating, they consider S corps, C corps or LLCs. But there's an emerging alternative for business owners who want to tie their corporate goals to not just finances, but societal good.
- 6 Key Drivers To a Long-Term Competitive Advantage
"Advantage" needs to be measurable and significant. Many entrepreneurs lead with fuzzy terms like "improved usability" and "lower cost." Experienced business people realize that unless you are dealing with a commodity, or customers are extremely unhappy, they won't switch to a new alternative unless the savings are well above 20%.
- The 5 Unwritten Rules That Will Kill Your Business
It goes without saying that as business leaders we enforce rules that "go without saying."
- Clayton Christensen's "How Will You Measure Your Life?"
Christensen also believes that certain common business principles are misguided and even dangerous. In the following excerpt, he explains why focusing on marginal costs and revenues can lead to personal, professional, and moral failure.
- 5 Ways Analytics Can Help Grow Your Business
How do you know if your site is working?
- Good Entrepreneurs Practice Communication Secrets
Effective communication is an absolute requirement for successfully starting a business, but it doesn't come naturally to many entrepreneurs.
- How to Accomplish More by Doing Less
Rather than lifting your team's productivity, you are actually standing in the way.
- Entrepreneurs Now Start Hyperlocal Then Go Global
Hyperlocal sites don't have to compete with global sites, and always have unique content, community advertising, and local issues.
- Why Silicon Valley Loves Failures
Never before has failure seemed so embraced, cradled, and even encouraged.
Connectivity & Communications
- Arctic Coastlines Hitting Ecological Tipping Point... and the change is happening fast.
... only one thing can be said with certainty: It's not going to be like it was.
- With "Climate Change: Just The Facts", California Looks to Thwart Opposition to Climate Change
"Humanity is getting dangerously close to the point of no return. Those who still deny global warming's existence should wake up and honestly face the facts." Gov. Jerry Brown
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- The promise of universal service is now in jeopardy
Because of cuts to USF support and related cost recovery mechanisms for small, community-based telecommunications firms, thousands of rural consumers could begin seeing their phone and Internet rates increase significantly in the next several months.
Transportation
- Compact hydroponic unit can grow 10,000 vegetables a year
Japanese homebuilding firm Daiwa House Industry has developed the Agri-Cube, a unit that fits inside a standard parking space and can produce around 30 vegetables a day.
- Glow-in-the-dark bike offers greater night-time safety
Aiming to make riders more conspicuous on the road, the Kilo Glow model from Pure Fix Cycles now features a glow-in-the-dark frame.
- Turn Your Car Into a Plug-In Hybrid for $3,000
After five years of research, students at the University of Middle Tennessee have installed a full plug-in hybrid kit in a stock 1994 Honda Accord. The setup gives between 50 and 100 percent better gas mileage with two electric motors delivering power directly to the rear wheels, leaving the engine-powered front wheels to work with little effort. The price of all the parts comes to about $3,000 and can be applied to almost any car.
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