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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Mar 29, 2013 |
"Missoula has become an all-functioning grammatical form. We become Missoula. For instance, children will refer to their performance experience as 'doing Missoula' or people will say 'Missoula is coming to town.' A lot of kids don't even realize Missoula is a place." Missoula Children's Theatre Co-founder Don Collins
Missoula Children's Theatre brings children's theater to millions - Thank you Don Collins http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --
GigaPOP in Missoula
Montana Department of Commerce
- Despite critics, Palo Alto mayor presses on with high-speed internet expansion
As council now considers its internet expansion programs, the first question it must first ask itself is whether it can afford to expand internet connectivity. After that, it should ask itself whether it can afford not to.
- Mayor Says Downtown Fiber Project Will Promote Economic Development
Increased competition for Internet services will create pressure for lower prices and expanded services.
iConnect Montana
- Montana Statewide Tourism Awards Presented at Governor's Conference
"The tourism industry in Montana is comprised of enterprising and passionate individuals working side by side to strengthen business and build our tourism and hospitality industry into the economic powerhouse that it is," said Governor Steve Bullock. "My sincere congratulations to these people and partnerships for the exceptional work they are doing on behalf of the state of Montana."
- Montana Consolidated Plan Public Meeting, 5/22, Missoula
In particular, the May 22 meeting will allow the public an opportunity to review the 2013 Action Plan, which was submitted to HUD in February, and offer suggestions on developing the 2014 Plan.
Inteneo Systems
- It's twilight for small in-house data centers
This trend is being felt the most at in-house data centers in small- to mid-size companies. These firms may be trying to shut down their data centers, or shift a major portion of their workloads to external providers.
Come Home Montana
- 'Big Data' for Cancer Care
It is the latest example of emerging efforts in medicine to harness the power of "Big Data" to improve care.
- Why Your Organization Needs a Chief Digital Officer
A chief digital officer can manage channel conflicts and implement processes that are effective across the entire organization.
- Big Data Has 'Big Impact' in Beating Traffic
Traffic congestion - cars, not bytes - is a growing problem that costs the U.S. $121.2 billion per year, according to a report by Texas A&M University.
Leadership Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director, Acceptance & Integration - Vubiquity
This role is responsible for leading and managing Vubiquity's Acceptance & Integration team that is responsible for testing, qualifying, and integrating software applications within the Vubiquity infrastructure, as well as customer and partner environments.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Programmer Analyst - Kalispell Regional Healthcare
The Programmer Analyst is responsible for providing the application integration to meet the organizations demands of information in a flexible, accurate, and timely manner.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Human Resources Director - Ashley-Martin Manufacturing
The Company is looking for a Human Resources generalist to handle a wide range of human resources duties and to oversee the HR functions of its affiliated entities.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Experienced GIS Application Developer - GCS Research
This programming position is focused on development of distributed network services and integration with third-party systems.
Montana Business
- Her Perspective: Reflections on Leadership from Five Successful Women in TBED
With Sheryl Sandberg's modern day feminist manifesto, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, as the backdrop, SSTI invited these five influential women who have been involved in the tech-based economic development field since its formative decade (1980-1990) to provide their perspective on some of the key -- and controversial -- issues raised in the book and to talk about the challenges involved in rising to the top.
Montana Economic Development
- Avail-TVN Changes to Vubiquity as Part of Global Rebranding Firm is one of nation's fastest growing tech companies; has office in Kalispell
Last year, Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 ranked Vubiquity as the sixth-fastest growing tech company in North America and the fastest growing among media and entertainment companies.
- Game Changers: AgLocal Helps Farmers Connect with Top Chefs
"AgLocal is building a multi-sided e-commerce platform that works on the inter-dependencies between family farms, distributor purveyors and restaurants to create a seamless and more efficient market."
- Farm-to-table movement keeps growing in Montana
If local producers focus first on quality, the payoff down the road is the quantity of customers that can sustain local agricultural businesses.
- In Montana, Business is (Baby) booming - Over one-third (37%) of Montana's small business owners are over age 55
Too often, small businesses are spoken for by big corporate interests that don't have the best interests of real small businesses at heart. Small business owners in the Montana Small Business Alliance are changing that by speaking for ourselves on issues that matter to our businesses and our communities.
- Demand swamping SmartLam production in Columbia Falls, Montana
"We don't get any small orders," he said. "Orders can be for 5,000 panels at a time."
- Kalispell Regional Medical Center ranked nationally for fewer readmissions
When readmissions are low, it indicates that initial treatment was successful.
- Missoula, Montana based Rivertop Renewables develops new phosphate free detergent formula
"Our intention is to raise the funds that allow us to build out a pilot plant here in our facility, here in Missoula, and then to basically double our workforce over roughly a year's time."
MSU Leadership Institute & UM Global Leadership Initiative
- Hamilton, Montana wants to launch new marketing scheme
Like most small cities in Montana, Hamilton has always had various marketing efforts to promote the city, it's attractions and services. Those range from the beauty of the Bitterroot Mountains, to activities along the river and a thriving, and historic downtown.
- Building Entrepreneurship in Palmerston North New Zealand - What can Missoula learn?
One can't help but wonder what a program like Innovate might produce in Missoula, Montana.
- Focus on the future: Northern Cheyenne president's priorities include planning, communication
With an unemployment rate of 80 to 90 percent, economic development is a critical concern to Robinson. But he knows that without a sound foundation, true economic health will not come to the Northern Cheyenne people.
Careers
- Climbing with Conrad - An invitation to go ice climbing in Montana with Conrad Anker? Who could resist?
You can appreciate my trepidation when I received the following email from Bozeman resident and world-class mountaineer Conrad Anker, who has been to the summit of Mount Everest on a mere three occasions: "If you would like to try ice climbing, please let me know. It is a ton of fun and the season is in good shape."
Rural Communities
- Your Career Success Hinges on One Word -- Do You Know It?
Sadly, 99% of people will go through life never achieving this one simple goal.
- Protect yourself from stress
You don't have to take a psychological test to find out which methods will work best for you.
- Why Networking Doesn't Work
Remember six degrees of separation?
- 5 reasons why working for a startup can kick-start your career
"I love my job" isn't something you hear very often, is it?
- Avoid Career Missteps From Employee to Entrepreneur
According to an article in the Harvard Business Review a while back, "Five Ways to Bungle a Job Change," there are at least five common missteps that professionals make when moving to a new job.
Idaho Business
- If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Rural America
In trying to avoid fees that support rural phone service, communication companies have unintentionally created big headaches for rural residents getting calls from cities.
Incubators and R&D
- Idaho TechLaunch Business Pitch Competition, 6/13-14, Boise, Idaho
Compete for up to $50,000 in Prize Money
- Idaho governor signs $3 million bill to lure businesses to state
Department of Commerce Director Jeff Sayer said his department currently has "a whole pipeline" of as-yet undisclosed projects that could create 2,000 new jobs and $400 million in investments.
Other Economies
- University of Montana Researchers Find Evolutionary Key To Photosynthetic Life At Extreme Temperatures
Researchers in The University of Montana Division of Biological Sciences are beginning unlock the mysteries underlying the unique innovation of photosynthetic bacterial life at extreme temperatures.
Regional Economic Development
- Australian Government Commits $104 Million to Venture Capital Funds
"Successful start-ups are essential to creating new products, jobs and economic growth. The IIF will continue to co-invest government capital with private investor capital into early-stage Australian technology based companies."
Utah Economic Development
- Science and tech economic development group will hold national convention in Portland
The State Science & Technology Institute -- an economic development association focused on technology -- will hold its annual convention in downtown Portland this September.
Workforce Development
- Utah launches new $3.1 million tourism campaign
The Utah Office of Tourism is launching a $3.1 million regional television advertising campaign to promote the state's five national parks.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Flathead Valley Community College focuses on manufacturing
Flathead Valley Community College's $3 million advanced manufacturing grant was celebrated during the school's fourth annual spring luncheon Monday.
- Millennials: Businesses recognize new generation's mindset, skills
Savvy group, members born between 1982 and 2004, will make up 75% of the U.S. workforce by 2025
Missoula Children's Theatre
- Guide to the Use of Open Educational Resources in K-12 and Postsecondary Education
Increased access to and advances in technology, the demands of digitally native students, and virtual educational opportunities are increasingly driving the educational system to address teaching and learning needs using technology and digital learning, including the adoption of digital content.
- Miss Montana talks at UGF Disability Awareness Week
Hewitt, a sophomore at UGF, has autism. He said programs like the awareness week at UGF "allow people who would be considered normal to experience what it's like to be different."
- Science revolution heading to Illinois schools
As early as kindergarten, all students in Illinois could be engaged in science and engineering practices, from analyzing data to defining problems and designing solutions.
- Where the jobs are: State told to increase STEM degrees
The organization views Grades K-12 as the source for increased numbers of applicants to university science, computer and engineering programs. Consequently, it is optimistic about various K-12 education bills floating around the Legislature.
- The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative Project Workshop, 4/12, Billings, Montana
The workshop, called the "Collaboration Forum," will provide an opportunity for participants to hear about successful programs in the state, develop a plan for a collaborative project and learn about the activities of the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative, including how to apply for mini-grants.
Missoula Schools Excellence
- Missoula Children's Theatre brings children's theater to millions - Thank you Don Collins
"Missoula has become an all-functioning grammatical form. We become Missoula. For instance, children will refer to their performance experience as 'doing Missoula' or people will say 'Missoula is coming to town.' A lot of kids don't even realize Missoula is a place." MCT Co-founder Don Collins
Montana Education Excellence
- Help connect students in Missoula with volunteer, internship and job shadow opportunities with Applied Learning Portal from MCPS.
This project, called the Applied Learning Portal, aims to connect MCPS students seeking volunteer, internship, and job shadow opportunities with local professionals who are willing to offer such work-based learning experiences.
Bill Payne
- Graduation Matters rolls out in the middle schools in Billings, Montana
A Graduation Matters grant given to School District 2 middle schools has allowed the principals there to expose their students to high school and college.
- Student enrollment increasing at UM-Western
There's been a 32% increase in the size of the freshman class over the last five years.
- Montana University System performance measures must be applied carefully
Montana's universities are much better than we deserve, considering their minimal level of state support. Let us hope that the imposition of "performance measures" will be done with care, and will not trigger an erosion of those unmeasurable things that define a great university.
- Budget Cuts at the University of Montana
Planning for the worst, hoping for the best
Community
- Convertible Debt is Bad For Angels
So what is my beef with convertible debt?
Funding and Building your Business
- Bozeman, Montana named among best small towns in America
"In a time when 'authentic' is a travel buzzword, these hamlets are attracting visitors with an often unexpected - and surprisingly sophisticated - array of independent and locally-minded cultural, outdoor, and culinary offerings, all minus the urban price tags," the article states.
- Missoula advances to championship in social media tourism contest
The winner of the bracket-style competition will welcome hundreds of social media experts from across the country
- Missoula developing program to address sexual violence and the challenges of the homeless
St. Pat's alone provides something like $4,000,000 per year on uncompensated care to people with no permanent address.
Energy and Climate Change
- Marissa Mayer's Misstep And The Unstoppable Rise Of Telecommuting
The real issue is how we deal with three concerns: the promotion of families; humane methods to reduce greenhouse gases; and, finally, how to expand the geography of work and opportunity.
- Art of Managing: Beware the Pursuit of False Precision in Planning
Instead of relying on what is most often an unnatural level of precision around an unpredictable set of numbers, build the systems and processes to incorporate learning, constantly refresh forecasts and push the planning forward.
- Women make better decisions (and better leaders) than men!
A survey of more than 600 board directors showed that women are more likely to consider the rights of others and to take a cooperative approach to decision-making.
- The Surprising Secret To Getting Your Emails Read
Do you feel like you send your emails into a black hole? Let's get to the point: You need to start with the conclusion.
- How We Do the Due Diligence for Our Angel Investment Group
Our group links the investment to an annual event organized by the local chamber of commerce. That gives us some community benefits, like the awareness that angel investment is available and happens in our community. It also ties us to an annual schedule.
- A Job Listing Should Be Like a Love Letter
You're not looking for generic employees. So why are you writing generic job listings?
- How to Create the Perfect First Day for a New Employee
To show you what you should--and shouldn't--do, I've outlined two possible first-day scenarios. If you were an employee, which one would you rather walk into?
- A Winning Startup Team Takes a Learning Leader
True leaders know how to move out of the way to let others do what they do best.
- HR needs a seat at the merger table
Often, HR is called in as closing activities commence. The result is missed opportunities to identify risks, establish and execute change management and communication processes, and identify critical talent, including what it will take to keep that talent motivated and loyal to the new organization.
- Two Incredibly Useful Questions to Ask in a Job Interview
These two basic questions almost always produced the most telling answers.
- How to Take Google's "Twenty Percent" Wouldn't It Be Cool Time to the Next Level
"When you constantly have client work, it's easy to let your other ideas become zombies."
- 10 great questions I never thought investors would ask a startup
It's important to note that the investors who asked the following questions are the ones that I ended up having the best relationships with. You may never get asked these questions, or maybe not as directly as they are asked below, but you should be prepared and have the answers ready.
- 9 Entrepreneur Skills Which Drive Team Leadership
I believe that leaders have to make the overt decision to acquire these skills, and don't have to be born or trained into them:
- 5 Lessons Every New Manager Needs to Learn
When people become managers for the first time, their entire perspective of the workplace changes.
Connectivity & Communications
- Rust Offers a Cheap Way to Store Wind, Sun Power
"We're effectively just taking a nanoparticulate form of rust and binding it with other cheap metals,"
- Largest U.S. Municipal Utility Deploys Advanced Smart Grid Network
Lewis said CPS Energy will now be able to add a spectrum of new devices to the network, like smart meters, smart switches and other technologies that make the grid function more efficiently, thanks to Silver Spring's optimization of the electric grid in San Antonio combined with the company's mesh network.
GIS Technology
- T-Mobile CEO: The way the wireless industry works today is a complete joke
John Legere, chief executive officer of T-Mobile USA, talks about the company's plan to start selling Apple's iPhone 5 and T-Mobile's service plans.
- Intel, TV networks near accord on cable TV alternative
Intel is betting it can create a more flexible service, delivered through consumers' broadband accounts, that gives subscribers more choices over the channels they receive and offers an easier-to-use electronic programming guide.
- Cheap broadband offered to 100 million underprivileged
A new national public awareness campaign, dubbed "EveryoneOn," will point people to a wide variety of programs in major U.S. population centers that provide discounted high-speed Internet access and low-cost computers.
Government Technology
- California Launches Interactive GeoPortal
The GeoPortal is a Web-based, interactive catalog of geographic information that provides government, businesses and citizens with direct access to the state's geographic data, which they can search and use to make informed decisions about where to locate their businesses, where to live, and what schools in various areas are like.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Help Select the Most Promising Applications of Open Data to Make the Places We Live "More Awesome Through Data and Technology."
886 projects have been entered in a $5 million competition organized by the Knight News Challenge to find the best ideas for making the places we live "more awesome through data and technology." The Atlantic Cities shares 12 of their favorites.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Advocate: Use caution when disclosing ZIP codes at checkout Consumers
Earlier this month, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled that retailers can't require ZIP codes during a credit card transaction if the information is used for data collection or marketing, making it the second state to do so.
HACKING AND VIRUS ALERTS
- Eric Topol gives Stephen Colbert an ear exam, heart attack ringtones and other Colbert highlights
Would Topol have the opportunity to use his armory of smartphone medical devices to save another life?
- Outpatient recovery plans managed through app
Wellframe is an app that enables healthcare professionals to give patients with chronic conditions a program to follow once they leave hospital.
Transportation
- Global internet slows after 'biggest attack in history'
It is having an impact on popular services like Netflix - and experts worry it could escalate to affect banking and email systems.
- Google's Self-Driving Robot Cars Are Ruining My Commute
The humans swerve. They drift. They've turned the area around my house into a game of Frogger.
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