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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jun 3, 2005 |
"Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." -John MacNaughton
If you know of someone who will be visiting or is in Montana who would be a great speaker for a Roundtable, please let us know. We're always looking for innovative thinkers who can inspire others. Thanks- [email protected] 406-542-9395 --- Here's an opportunity for you to participate in and influence the economic future of Montana - Montana Legislature Economic Affairs Interim Committee Meeting, 6/24, Helena, MT --- http://www.matr.net/article-14812.html
Come Home Montana
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Minnesota Public Radio Invites Public to Contribute Ideas for the Future of Small Towns
Minnesota's rural small towns have long defined the state's social and economic character, yet many are struggling to build a viable future. (Sound familiar?)
- Unsettling times: Less is more - The joys of small-town living. Why Hysham, MT beats Houston, TX
"We knew more people in 12 weeks than we did in 12 years in Houston," he said. "And we can't find time to go to every social event."
- Alumni turn to alma mater for career advice
As this year's college seniors pick up their diplomas, many of them may think that their future relationship with their alma mater will be limited to periodic class reunions and solicitations for funds. That may have been true in the past, but no longer.
- Featured "Come Home Montana" Community~BAKER
- Montana-Jobs Net - Featured Career ~ Executive Director
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Talent - Desired Field: Licensed Massage Therapist
Education
- Creating Systems for Entrepreneur Support - How is your state doing?
In most cases, the entrepreneur gives up and reports that “I tried to get help, but they just gave me the run-around.”
- The Internet at 35,000 Feet, Circa 2005
I was involved in was Entreworld – a web site on entrepreneurship sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation. It remains one of the richest sites on the web for learning about entrepreneurship and I recommend it highly.
- In class, but off campus: Tech training available in downtown Great Falls
"If a business or organization wants training, we'll find someone who can do it" said Linda McNeill, customized training representative for MSU Tech.
Montana Business
- World-renowned pathologist proud of small-school roots in Montana
"That's the kind of thing that happens in a rural school," said Beckwith, who was one of 27 in his graduating class. "Montana should treasure that experience."
- Zeebly zealots - Rattlesnake students in Dave Malouf's class have created their own Web site thanks to Dr. Jakki Mohr, a marketing professor at the University of Montana.
"They've gotten hits from all over the world, Peru, Switzerland, Hungary," Mohr said. "They were pretty surprised to find out that someone in Japan could read what they'd just written."
- Manners 101 provides a finishing touch - College grads taught table etiquette to help in landing job
"I was surprised about how much table manners can have an impact on the interview," said Candace Lark, who majored in music education.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana Development Council Announces Growth Through Agriculture Awards- 15 Companies Honored
- Montana farms and ranches, grocery stores and restaurants, and other businesses across the state that feature locally grown foods are invited to list their business
The directory lists more than 1,000 farm and food products that have been grown on sustainable farms and ranches in Montana.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Federal Grant Would Fund Study on Bitterroot Resort - Maclay Ski Area Plan - Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation
“We would be remiss in our role if we didn’t seriously take a look at what it means economically,” King said.
- Big or small? Into its third year, the 'buy local' campaign reports success in helping consumers decide
From their first meeting in February 2003, the Gallatin Valley Independent Business Alliance (GVIBA) has grown into a non-profit organization representing 120 independent businesses in the region.
- Ravalli, Missoula leaders mull future of planned ski resort
"I really have to search to find a positive for Ravalli County,"
Funding and Building your Business
- Small Business' Access to Capital
Access to capital is essential to the creation and growth of any business. But according to a new survey released by the U.S. Chamber, many small businesses -- particularly women and minority-owned businesses -- are facing obstacles to obtaining the capital they need.
Legislative Newsletters
- Be the Brains of the Operation - Get your mind in gear, and start brainstorming with tips and tricks from an idea expert.
To really ignite the creative spark, brainstorm with friends, employees, family members and mentors--people who bring a varied array of talents and opinions to the table.
- The Path to Critical Thinking. What's logic got to do with it?
We business leaders so like to believe that we can think well, but we don't.
- Entrepreneurial Outsourcing: Operating Like the Big Guys
Outsourcing has become such a common part of today’s business environment that most entrepreneurial companies don’t even realize how much they are already outsourcing.
- Those High-flying Angel Investors: VC Panel Talks Up Creative Financing for Start-ups
"I am always looking for a great idea and a large market opportunity with strong leadership and a fair price. The last piece is usually what doesn't intersect. I like a lot of companies, but I can't always negotiate the right entry point." Typically he looks for companies run by the classic entrepreneur. "You have to be half-crazy to be an entrepreneur and do a startup. A great leader is manic and will go to the mat. So I look for those qualities."
- Top Ten Mistakes Made by Entrepreneurs (Please read this one if you're considering a startup!- Russ)
The life of a startup can be precarious, a wrong turn disastrous. Harvard Business School professor Constance Bagley discusses the most frequent flops made by entrepreneurs, everything from hiring the wrong lawyer to puffing up the business plan.
- Be a Better Liar
If you want to attract customers in an increasingly competitive world, it helps to tell tales about your products. Just make sure your lie is true.
Regional Economic DevelopmentUtah Business
- Rural Entrepreneurship Sites Selected in W.K. Kellogg Foundation Competition
- The Marriage of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: A New Model for High-Growth Economic Development
Idaho Business
- VSpring leads round of $5.1 million in financing
Steven H. Kane, president and chief executive officer of Protalex, said the company will use the proceeds primarily to fund upcoming clinical trials for a compound to treat rheumatoid arthritis and pemphigus, and also for general working capital purposes.
Washington Business
- Idaho governor meets Taiwan president to end 13-day Asian swing
Idaho exports almost $3 billion a year in high-technology goods, agricultural produce, wood and other products, and the delegation was seeking to solidify the state's position in four markets with a growing appetite for U.S. and other foreign products.
- Idaho Governor Kempthorne talks beef with Japan, hails Asian trade mission as success
"I was amazed ... at the doors that were open, the red carpets that were rolled out, the treatment that both the governor and the delegation received," Cameron said. "The governor has done an excellent job at building these relationships."
- Idaho Office of Science & Technology June 2005
Other Economies
- Calypso captures $44 million in venture capital
Calypso Medical is developing an implantable sensor that pinpoints the location of tumors before the patient receives radiation. The sensors are tracked by a system also being built by Calypso.
- Frazier Healthcare pulls in $475 million - Money will bankroll biotech and medical device companies
The new fund, the firm's fifth in the past 14 years, brings total capital under management at Frazier Healthcare to $1.2 billion. That makes the fund one of the biggest in the Pacific Northwest and in the health care field.
- Klir Technologies gets venture capital
"Many companies have made significant investments in IT but have a lack of understanding where they are paying off," he said.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
University Business Plan CompetitionsIncubators and R&D
- Foundations of a Winning Business Plan
The winning entry in this year's Business Plan Contest at Harvard Business School was unique in several aspects. First, there had never been a plan for a bra business in the nine years of the contest's existence.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Montana scientists uncover secret in brain-wasting diseases
Their research, published Thursday in the on-line version of the journal Science, shows that altering a brain protein associated with the diseases somehow slows or prevents symptoms of the disease, even though the brain is infected.
Non-Profit News
- MCC News
- Corraling Creativity in a Colorado Community
"Those quilts are fantastic, and the workshop brought attention to La Veta," says shopkeeper Karen Bayci, 47. "People like that have been a blessing to this community."
Energy
- Nonprofit Networking: The New Way to Grow
"Network approaches may be a tremendously valuable approach in the nonprofit sector that has often been overlooked,"
Connectivity & Communications
- Painting the workplace green - Energy-efficient practices help Colo. firms save cash
With concepts as simple as skylights and shady eaves to as advanced as electricity generation from brewing waste, New Belgium uses 40 percent less energy than the average American brewer to produce a barrel of beer.
- Biofuels will get scrutiny in Boise Thursday, 6/2 - Conference will look at future of alternative fuels
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial
- Patriot Act Provision Lets the Federal Government Grab Personal Records Secretly
The "national security letter" provision of the Patriot Act goes too far in letting the government secretly gather confidential records and gagging those ordered to turn them over, the American Civil Liberties Union said in testimony before a key panel of lawmakers Thursday.
- Qwest is suing UTOPIA - Company says Utah agency sells services below market prices
Transportation
- Lewis and Clark fans ... Will they come?
An interagency effort to plan for anticipated hordes of Lewis and Clark fans following the expedition through the Gates of the Mountains has "died a quiet death."
CommunityCity Club Missoula
- The big open - Montana - 'Everybody would love to stay'
Garfield County takes in 4,668 square miles, but with a population of only 1,279 at the time of the 2000 census, it had 0.27 people per square mile. That gave Garfield the lowest population density in Montana and very nearly the lowest in the continental United States.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- City Club Missoula- The Impacts And Effects Of The Legislative Session, 6/15, Missoula
- Beyond Kiwanis: Internet builds new communities - How are you participating?
"People are physically more connected to their community because of Internet use," says Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which researches the impact of the Internet on everything from families and communities to education, health care and politics. "People can give an increment of their time because the Internet is facilitating that."
- Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Jim Clark brings basic education discussion to City Club Missoula
Don’t wait until December to let them know what you think,” he added.
- Relief From Pin-Pricking May Be at Hand for Diabetics
While other non-invasive technologies have been able to read glucose levels to a rough level, Glucon's early tests show that it reaches the same efficiency levels as blood-strip tests.
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