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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Oct 28, 2014 |
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When you don't vote - It's not rebellion.... it's surrender. VOTE!!!
Why not Montana? - How Nebraska Built a Network with the Lowest Internet Costs http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Early Edge Montana
Montana Data Focused Business Cluster
- Getting more poor kids into college won't fix income inequality
The shameful state of our primary and secondary schools cannot be fixed with a few changes in the college admissions process. By then, it's too late.
Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
- With a $10 million fine, the FCC is leaping into data security for the first time
The Federal Communications Commission leapt into data security litigation Friday, levying a $10 million fine against two telecom companies that allegedly stored personally identifiable customer data online without firewalls, encryption or password protection.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Obama Taking Action to Push Manufacturing
President Barack Obama on Monday expanded his push for increased manufacturing in the United States by directing federal money toward new technologies, apprenticeship programs and competitions designed to assist small manufacturers.
Inteneo Systems
- The Fire Within Burns Towards 5th Annual Awards - Great Falls Development Authority Opens Nomination Period
Nominations have opened for the Inspire and Aspire awards which will be given at the 5th Annual The Fire Within, an event celebrating area women entrepreneurs.
Come Home Montana
- Why is Advanced Analytics all pervasive?
Markets, customers, technologies and society will change and advanced analytics will find new problems to solve.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Grant Contract Coordinator - MT Dept. of Agriculture
The Montana Department of Agriculture is seeking a team-oriented, organized, tech savvy problem solver with experience in fiscal and contract management to serve as the grants coordinator for the Agriculture Development and Marketing Bureau.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Marketing Co-op Accounting and Reporting Specialist, Videographer, IT Project Manager - Murdoch's
Murdoch's offers plenty of opportunities for a boot slapping good time because "fun" is an essential part of what makes us who we are. Are you looking for a career where fun is a job requirement? Why not consider Murdoch's?
TEDx Events in Montana
- Refilling Mountain Mudd's cup
Under this new ownership, Mountain Mudd has no debts or other ties to its founders, other than the name, say Weinreis and Ennenga, adding that they want to make their own mark on the business.
- Business licenses help county track businesses, protect consumers
Enforcing the law helps protect consumers. Transient business sometimes leave a mess around town, or use public services, Edelen said. "That costs the taxpayer money."
- Positive trend: Bitterroot Valley log home business shows signs of improvement
It's also good news for the loggers in the woods, the craftsmen working in the log yard and people who supply the industry with everything down to nuts and bolts.
Careers
- Today's TED Talk Marc Abrahams: A science award that makes you laugh, then think
He tells stories of truly weird science -- and makes the case that silliness is critical to boosting public interest in science.
- Today's classic TED Talk Margaret Heffernan: Dare to disagree
She shows (sometimes counterintuitively) how the best partners aren't echo chambers -- and how great research teams, relationships and businesses allow people to deeply disagree.
Next Generation Broadband in Missoula
- It Isn't What You Know at Work. It's How You 'Behave'
In the fast-paced, high stress environment of modern business, what newly minted M.B.A.s and early- to midcareer professionals can get done depends largely on the quality of their behaviors and their interactions with others.
- Higher Creativity Through 12,000 Steps
When it comes to creativity, as with other aspects of work, we would be well served to use the data we have at our disposal.
- Want a successful career? Look for this trait in a spouse.
"Even though your spouse doesn't come to work with you day in and day out, their personality contributes to your job success."
Government
- Quitman, Mississippi, a town of 2,300 to Join the Gigabit League
The small town beat out much larger competitors to become one of 10 cities in Mississippi to receive a broadband network one hundred times faster than standard speeds.
Idaho Business
- For state and local governments, it's about to get ugly - The Collaboration Imperative for State and Local Government
Traditional hierarchical, command-and-control organizations are falling apart.
- How Denver's Government is Attracting Top Private-Sector Talent from Places Like Chipotle
The city's new hiring approach has inspired many to take big pay cuts to work in government.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Why Smith Optics is leaving Ketchum, Idaho
Safilo went with Portland because of its proximity to the outdoors and a major airport, talent and labor force available and access to marketing and key consulting firms.
Oregon Economic Development
- Fargo, North Dakota striving to get past movie reputation
The world should know the North Dakota city as a diversified engine of regional growth -- not the peculiar locale depicted in the film by the Coen brothers and an FX television series, they say.
- High school grads to get free ride at North Dakota oil country Williston State College
Graduates from high schools in one North Dakota oil county will automatically qualify for a free ride at Williston State College.
Other Economies
- Oregon will appoint 'entrepreneurship and innovation czar,' shift away from out-of-state recruitment
While Oregon has a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, the state has struggled to develop big, homegrown companies.
Regional Business
- Fast Food in Denmark Serves Something Atypical: Living Wages
"You can make a decent living here working in fast food," said Mr. Elofsson, 24. "You don't have to struggle to get by."
Regional Economic Development
- The 25 Biggest Landowners In The US - Faye Ranches
Giant timber tracts, endless fields of grain, larger-than-life ranches, these are a few of the ways America's largest landowners make the most of one of our essential freedoms.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Defining A City By Its Professional Skill Set with Data From LinkedIn
For workers considering a move, the professional attributes of a city can matter just as much as the attributes of a particular company or opportunity.
Education
- What Happens When Students Control Their Own Education?
"There used to be a lot more of teachers talking at you--it didn't matter if you were ready to move on. When the teacher was done with the topic that was it. This is so much better."
- Google Exec Urges Educational System to Evolve with New 'Techweb' Generation
Why can't students collaborate on tests when collaboration is a valued skill and encouraged in the workplace?
- This App Teaches Millennials About the World Before They Try to Change It
"A lot of people my age talk about changing the world," he says. "But they don't know anything about it."
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Biggest economic threat? Student loan debt
We have more than $1.2 trillion of student loan debt.
Montana Education Excellence
- MAPS graduate Luke McLean receives three Emmy Awards
"The Emmy Awards recognizes achievement in the field of Television Entertainment and Broadcasting," said McLean. "It is a great honor to accept three of these awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- UM Student Walker Milhoan to present RanchLogs livestock inventory and range management startup to Blackstone LaunchPad Demo Day in New York
RanchLogs is an interactive, Web-based software platform that serves as a livestock inventory and range management tool that can be used to create custom ranch maps, track key performance indicators and perform analysis within any ranching operation.
Universities and Economic Development
- Loss of grant funds leaves students without critical resources
So far this school year, Helena students in need of mental health or chemical dependency counseling are missing critical services that have been offered for the last five years.
Community
- 6 things we've learned about launching university-origin companies
Without a great business model in front of it, even a great technology is doomed to failure.
Funding and Building your Business
- EIGHT New grant announcements
- Speak Your Piece: 'Boutiquing' Main Street - Focusing on Local vs. Tourists
That's the problem with the Main Street program. It does a great job of helping towns preserve and gussy-up their downtowns, but in and of itself, does it really serve the broader local community?
- Top 10 Ways the Internet of Things Will Impact Our Cities
It is leading to many new intelligent use-cases, and is poised to make our communities more efficient, sustainable and livable in the future.
Energy and Climate Change
- Make Every Member Of Your Startup Act Like An Owner
Founders should be hiring only "entrepreneurs," meaning people who think and act as if this is their own business.
- Patagonia - A company that profits as it pampers workers
In its 41-year history, Patagonia has taken it a step beyond, ensuring, for example, that even workers in its Reno distribution center have free yoga, an organic cafe, free scooters and skateboards and hiking trails out the back door.
- Women Angels for Women-Led Startups
"If we can put our own money in play in the market, we begin to see that we're the solution to our own problem. And that's going to be huge."
- Pitching To VCs: The Hollywood Vs. The Twitter Scenario
What my Hollywood friend sees in screenplays, I'm seeing in business pitches. That is, hopeful pitchers who have a premise not a product.
- Answer These Ten Key Questions To Beat Competitors
If entrepreneurs answer these questions for their startup, they will definitely stay ahead of most of their competitors in the startup world:
- Poll shows female business owners plan to invest in technology
Instead of hiring, survey respondents hope to invest in technology to make their businesses more efficient and, in some cases, bolster their company's use of the Internet for marketing and sales.
- Montana Artrepreneur Program: An artist's MAP to business success
"The course covers branding and knowing yourself and your art, doing shows, doing a booth, how to do a business plan and how to approach a gallery," he said. "It forces you to keep records and set time aside each day for art."
- Why Some Retailers Are Rejecting Apple Pay
Specifically, Rite Aid and CVS are refusing to accept Apple's new system, as well as other mobile payment systems like Google Wallet and Softcard.
Connectivity & Communications
- Utility companies look at solar installation firms. If you can't beat 'em, steal their business model.
Former U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu told The Chronicle last year that he had privately advised utility companies to enter the solar business as a way to ensure their future growth.
- Boulder's budget: Our best bet? - Should Boulder, Colorado get into the municipal utility business?
Instead of buying a bunch of old poles and wires, we could be spending the money on more innovative initiatives that would have a real impact on saving energy and reducing carbon emissions, such as solar panels, an electric vehicle car sharing program, or installing Nest thermostats the way Airbnb is doing.
- New Batteries Could Last 20 Years and Take Just Minutes to Charge
The new battery will make it possible to recharge an electric car in minutes, dramatically increasing the range of these alternative energy vehicles.
- Stationary bikes will help to power upcoming Detroit brewery
Cyclists can forget miles per hour. The Grose brothers have a better way to track progress on two wheels: beers per hour.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- How Nebraska Built a Network with the Lowest Internet Costs
As the network grows, Nebraska continues to have one of the lowest Internet rates in the country.
Government Technology
- USDA awards $18 million in Small Business Research Grants supporting agricultural research and development
"Small businesses are adept at finding solutions that can advance agriculture, create new jobs and grow our economy. These grants will provide resources so small businesses can innovate and create new breakthroughs," said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- The Man Who's Quantifying New York City
I live in the city, and I'm always asking myself, "Why, why, why?"
Transportation
- Elon Musk: 'With artificial intelligence we are summoning the demon.'
In all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water, it's like yeah he's sure he can control the demon. Didn't work out.
- The Three Breakthroughs That Have Finally Unleashed AI on the World
"At the rate AI technology is improving, a kid born today will rarely need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis by the time they are an adult."
- Carmakers Prepare to Shift to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Concerned about slow sales of electric cars and plug-in hybrids, automakers are increasingly betting the future of green cars on hydrogen fuel cell technology.
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