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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Oct 11, 2005 |
"When you innovate, you've got to be prepared for everyone telling you you're nuts." -- Larry Ellison
In light of the ongoing discussions about education in Montana, this is an excellent analysis of how we stack up as a state. "Education: The State We’re In" http://www.matr.net/article-16388.html
Miscellaneous Ramblings
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Penguin Pooh Paper Earns Ig Nobel - Does your dog "got nuts"?
"Neuticles (allow) your pet to retain his natural look, self esteem and aids in the trauma associated with neutering," the product's website says.
Education
- Boomers leading start-up activity
"This time around, however, the burst in entrepreneurial activity will not be led by 20-somethings," the report suggested, "but by baby boomers and would-be retirees in their 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s, who are better educated, healthier and more tech-savvy than their predecessors."
Montana Business
- Education in Montana ~ At the brink of an historic moment
The time for patience is over. The time for action is now.
- Software helps schools manage sensitive information
"The reason is what is happening at universities and companies today with the focus on security and compliance with new laws. It is a huge focus across the board," she said.
- Education: The State We’re In
Individual state report cards provide a comprehensive look at education in each of the 50 states.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana upstart business going national with string of 400 franchise restaurants - Grains of Montana
Kyle and Travis Nielsen have signed a 50/50 partnership with Cromwell Corp., of Denver to open 400 Grains of Montana restaurants in the next five years.
Funding and Building your Business
- Montana is the hot spot, planners say
What it really seems to come down to, when you press developers hard enough about their clients' motives, is that Montana remains relatively unpopulated. Never mind that the elbow-room sales pitch is quickly eliminating the very thing it's selling.
- Missoula, Great Falls and Billings Ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Hot Cities for Entrepreneur's 2005" Rankings
How does your city measure up? Check out the best U.S. cities for entrepreneurs.
- Butte’s in line for pork plant
With the plant, “we’re value-adding an agriculture product now being exported,” he said. “We’ll produce jobs ... and a product will be developed that will bear the Montana name.” And the plant would be a model for robotic, self-cleaning Danish technology.
- Bozeman to receive $37.5 million in defense bill
Sen. Burns Secures Over $95 Million for Montana
- Opening doors for business in the Flathead. "Montana West Economic Development"
"We're much more sophisticated now," said Liz Marchi. "We have a forward-looking sense of the economy as well as of the educational and developmental partnerships that will move the Flathead from survival to success. We also have a board that's looking for an expanded agenda of economic development."
Legislative Newsletters
- "How to Get In and Win - Business Development From An Ad Man’s Perspective" - The Wall of Post-Its
Every time I learn something new about business development, I write it on a little post-it note and put it on my wall. The yellow notes are the ones I learned from success. And the red notes are the ones I learned from failure. Most of them are red. More about that on post-it #18.
- Working Wonders
They’re dependable, caring, experienced, and wise. And that’s just for starters. So it’s no surprise that more and more smart companies are turning to older workers to get the job done right
- How to Name Your Business
When it comes to small-business success. The right name can make your company the talk of the town; the wrong one can doom it to obscurity and failure.
- Create a Blog to Boost Your Business
So just what is a blog and why should you care?
- For Startups, Buyouts Are Better
Forget IPOs. Tougher disclosure laws, big companies with loads of cash, and risk-averse entrepreneurs have made acquisitions fashionable again.
- To Whom Should You Show Your Business Plan?
you can't even apply for an SBA-guaranteed loan without a business plan.
- Start-up funds get energized
Nationally, large corporations such as General Electric and venture capital firms are making bets that green energy will be a moneymaker for years to come.
- 'Due diligence' vital in business
One of the most difficult skills to teach is to think critically, honestly and without bias.
- Trademarks and Service Marks 101
What can be trademarked?
- Enlightening Extras for Business Plans - What exactly should you put in your business plan's appendices? Here are some ideas that'll enlighten your readers.
For instance, you may want to include resumes of some of your management team, product samples, product photos, advertising samples, press clippings, facility photos or site plans.
- Turning ads into sales: Context is king
"What marketers are learning is that traditional, institutional advertising just isn't effective anymore,"
Regional BusinessRegional Economic Development
- Companies ( and State agencies) may face exodus soon as boomers retire - 40% of U.S. labor force will reach traditional retirement ages by the end of this decade
68% of classified employees in Montana's state govt. are eligible for retirement in the next 5 years. This is the highest % in the nation. Finding, keeping tech staff will be challenge
Idaho Business
- Spokane County, Other Supporters Realize Early Return on Connect Northwest Investment
“That combination of great listening, targeted advice, and focused introductions to experienced and engaged local professionals is making a real and positive impact on the local entrepreneurs who get involved with Connect Northwest.
Government
- Healthy workers make good business sense - Companies are jumping on the fitness wagon by sponsoring employee health programs
"Every company spends thousands of dollars in benefits on health care per employee," Kemper said. "If you're going to spend so much on sick care, why not spend a lot on helping employees become healthier?"
- Are Idaho taxes fair? Depends on whom you ask
Both would lessen the tax burden of low-income Idahoans, and either shift the costs to sales and income taxes or to businesses, farmers and folks who own more expensive homes.
- The Pocatello Development Authority takes step to bring IsoRay Medical and its 100 to 150 high-paying jobs to town: Agency chips in $200,000 to help fund test at INL
”In our minds it's much broader than just IsoRay coming here,“ Burstedt said. ”It opens industry to all types of companies who will need this same service from the laboratory. All of Eastern Idaho will benefit.“
Incubators and R&D
- Baby boomers augur old age, new needs
Florida is a case in point. Home to a large and growing retiree population, the Sunshine State established a Cabinet-level department of aging in 1992 and has long been a bellwether for state aging policy.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Computers, start your engines ~ Stanford team apparent winners in robot car race
DARPA's Tether brushed aside a reporter's question about whether the robotic vehicles tested Saturday might be the first step toward the creation of military killer robots such as those popularized in the Terminator movies.
- UW research puts $65M into Wyoming economy
"In most states, 75 percent of research and development is done by private industry with universities and other research foundations comprising the remaining 25 percent," Gern said. "In Wyoming, the university accounts for 73 percent of research and development. This is why UW must take a leadership role in developing a technology-business sector. We can help lead Wyoming across the technology divide."
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- MSU responding to new regents' goals ~ improving the state's economy is high on the list.
Now MSU administrators and professors are busy compiling lists to show the regents what MSU is already doing, as well as collecting ideas for new initiatives that might cost money.
CareersNon-Profit News
- Bridging the gap: Women in Science ~In fields once dominated by men, women are still underrepresented, but their numbers are increasing
Advocates for more women in science - including Harvard women who responded to Summers - say school and work environments must change to welcome women.
Energy
- Carrie Hunt teaches bears ‘to do the right thing' with help of her Karelians ~ "The Wind River Bear Institute"
”What we're doing now has never been done before,“ Hunt said. What we're doing is the only program of its kind in the entire world.“
Connectivity & Communications
- Fuels for Schools growing
”Our savings projection has almost doubled since our analysis last spring, because fuel oil prices have increased by about a dollar a gallon,“ said Pauli. ”The timing of this couldn't be better. This savings in fuel costs means that the district doesn't have to cut teaching supplies or staff.“
Transportation
- Internet Mania Rides Again
They're trying to figure out how to navigate a technology and media landscape that's increasingly dominated by Google.
- Wi-Fi access fills seats
"A big part of our business is those who want to use us as an office away from home, or an office away from the office," he said.
Community
- New light rail may draw 'Truffles'
Truffle stands for "The Reconstituted Urban Family Forming Links Everywhere," which Parks admits is quite a mouthful. The group comprises minorities, singles, couples without children, and seniors - all projected to account for 80 percent of the 250,000 people expected to live around the 50-plus new light-rail stations that are planned, according to the "Invasion of the Truffles" report.
- Technology saves time, gas for truckers - PrePass lets rigs get weighed without stopping
Called PrePass, the system can give trucks as much as 60 to 90 minutes a day of additional driving time - a significant savings
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Now is the time to show your 'Community Spirit' $1,000 in prize money available for first-ever Central Montana Community Spirit Award
No project is too big or small and entries will be accepted from any type of local organization, business or individual, from Lewistown or any of the surrounding Central Montana communities.
- Web site lets house hunters zoom in nationwide
It has information covering 92 percent of the nation's metro areas
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