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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Nov 15, 2005 |
sign of the week...in a gift shop window... "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a free puppy."
My favorite bit of info this week: "Early Childhood Education Endorsed as Economic Development Strategy" http://www.matr.net/article-16895.html
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
Education
- 75 Reasons to Be Glad You're an American Entrepreneur Right Now
Number 10 The Kauffman Foundation (http://www.kauffman.org).
Montana Business
- Are U.S. Innovators Losing Their Competitive Edge?
"The scientific and technical building blocks of our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength," the National Academy of Sciences observed in a report released last month. "Although many people assume that the United States will always be a world leader in science and technology, this may not continue to be the case inasmuch as great minds and ideas exist throughout the world. We fear the abruptness with which a lead in science and technology can be lost - and the difficulty of recovering a lead once lost, if indeed it can be regained at all."
- Some parents now can check on kids via Internet - "The dog ate my homework" is no longer an excuse.
A growing number of schools are using Web-based services to post grades, list homework assignments and communicate with parents.
Montana Economic Development
- Mike's Lunch Box: Great Harvest Bread Co. (Missoula, Montana Branch) Featured on CNBC
A great Montana Company
- Software design firm, PacifiCAD expanding, moving to Helena
“Another part of why we picked Helena is that we do a lot with geographical information system contracts for city and county governments, and with Helena being the capital, a lot of that is based here, and that’s one area where we see great potential.”
- Western Montana InBusiness Nov. 2005 - Pet project highlights growth
A word about our next issue, the December edition: It's scheduled to be our annual "Movers and Shakers" issue, in which we offer profiles of businesspeople who are doing fascinating work or who are leaving their marks on the community. Know of somebody who fits that bill? Let us know by e-mailing missoulian.com or by calling 523-5250.
- Winemaking 101 in the Big Sky - Missoula’s Rattlesnake Creek Vineyard and Winery
“We are on the edge, this is the frontier of vineyard life,” Connie explains, “We’re pushing forward with global warming.”
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- What's happening at MATR and MJN?
Here are some of the facts and features about the sites. Contributions for the care and feeding of MATR, MJN and ComeHomeMontana are greatly appreciated. [email protected]
- Observations from the 8th Annual Farmer Cooperative Conference in Minneapolis by Craig Erickson of Bear Paw Development
The market in which you prepared to compete no longer exists! Now what?
- Universities boosting entrepreneurism ~ "Innovate or die."
"People are recognizing that as an economic development strategy, entrepreneurship is a significant key to our future," Zoller says.
- Author Jack Schultz, “Boomtown USA,” discusses success for small towns during Richland, Montana Economic Development annual meeting
“There are communities three or four times your size that would love to have these things,” Schultz said. “You should be applauded for what you’ve done - giving back to the community.”
- Closing Remarks at the 2005 Wheeler Business Roundtable, "Recreation and Real Estate: The New Realities of Development," Dr. Gordon Brittan
I think, in fact, that the notion of "limits" to growth will be back with us in the near future, no where more than in connection with the energy required to reach and support distant and scattered settlements, but for now at least our problems have to do with shaping and not with curtailing it.
- Early Childhood Education Endorsed as Economic Development Strategy
Early childhood education provides a huge return on investment and ensures a quality future workforce.
- Bitterroot Resort has potential, report says - But local opposition among plan's obstacles
Local opposition came out strong. "No Way, Maclay" bumper stickers appeared seemingly overnight across Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley.
- Our 11th annual Legislative Quotient™ ranks state governments in terms of their positive impact on their state’s business climate.
Is Your State Keeping its Financial House in Order?
Funding and Building your Business
- VC to target Native American businesses with $50M
The fund would provide $1 million to $3 million in venture capital to Native American enterprises in established markets.
Regional Economic Development
- Building the Next Google ~ Google eyes world control
This is the most critical time for any startup. Your main goal is assembling the best team to get your venture off the ground -- that is, generating a product or a prototype that serves as proof that your concept will work. Keep these pointers in mind during the early days.
- A new wave of user-friendly and interactive Internet technologies is turning the heads of venture capitalists
The buzz surrounding Web 2.0 has investors eager to invest, but has others labeling it the new Internet bubble -- ``Bubble 2.0'' as it's called by David Hornik of August Capital.
- Create a vacation policy to avoid hurt feelings, lost productivity
The vacation problem is often twofold: a lack of planning on the owner's part, and a lack of communication with employees.
- The Constant Quest for Growth
Instead of thinking about the detailed strategies themselves, here are some practical considerations to keep in mind on your constant quest for growth…
- SBA web site a hub of startup sources
The Small Business Administration offers a vast collection of resources for small companies, from loan programs and regulatory assistance to training and legal advice - even hurricane disaster assistance for small companies.
- How Can Start Ups Grow?
Professor Mukti Khaire says the key may be in acquiring intangible resources such as legitimacy, status, and reputation.
- Typical Funding Mistakes That You Should Avoid
Plenty of other funding traps await the neophyte business owner. To get your new venture off to a good start, here's a list of common mistakes to avoid when seeking financing.
Government Technology
- Forbes publisher, Rich Karlgaard hypes Boise's perks in "Life 2.0: How People Across America are Transforming Their Lives by Finding The Where Of Their Happiness"
In addition to Boise, Karlgaard's travels took him to places like Green Bay, Wis., Bozeman, Mont., and Lake Placid, New York, where he interviewed white-collar professionals who have left "the rat race" behind for locations where they assign "equal value to their quality of life as to the size of their paychecks."
Idaho Business
- Virginia Governor Warner Approves Sweeping $2 Billion State IT Partnership - Outsourcing on Steroids
The Commonwealth of Virginia has awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. an interim contract to help transform and improve the state's information technology infrastructure.
Other Economies
- Economic group's picks will try to bring jobs to the Boise Valley
"It is crucial to fund our economic development effort sufficiently to position the great story the Treasure Valley has to tell in the minds of targeted boards and CEOs who are considering relocation for their companies."
University TechTransfer
- Knowledge and Technology in the Wisconsin Economy: Shaping the New Wisconsin Economy
To be competitive in the New Global Economy, Wisconsin must expand and apply its knowledge and technology base. Knowledge and technology are two basic tools that lead to product innovation and new companies and industries.
- Top 15 Cities For Creative Workers
They're 15 up-and-coming hubs for creative workers--places that draw people who are talented, tech savvy, and tolerant. Meet the home of your next big opportunity.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- U.K. venture group aims to invest in tech transfer
Rather than invest in little companies with big ideas, Angle Technology Ventures plans to pour money into technologies coming out of local universities.
Careers
- "Darkest Before Dawn: Sedition and Free Speech in the American West"
Montana's former congressman Tom Stout was quoted in the town's newspaper, The Democrat-News, "With our sacred honor and our liberties at stake, there can be but two classes of American citizens, patriots and traitors!"
Non-Profit News
- Watch for ‘seven deadly sins’ in job interview
So how is your interview game?
- Achieving success doesn't always mean climbing the career ladder
With increased responsibility and salary often come increased stress and a feeling that the career has become a runaway train where the individual feels a loss of satisfaction and direction.
- Mentors can help teach skill vital for good managers
Managing yourself calls for developing skills in planning and time management.
Hydrogen News
- Givezilla offers nonprofits a leg up on fundraising
Givezilla, a for-profit company, partners with Internet retailer Amazon.com to help nonprofits retain up to 10 percent of product sales made on their websites. The company also plans to offer other Internet services to nonprofits, including website design and donor e-mail.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Truckers Choose Hydrogen Power
"We're saving $700 a month per truck on fuel,"
Connectivity & Communications
- Conservationists creating bison preserve in Montana. "The American Prarie Foundation"
"We fully expect this will outlive us, that this will be a national treasure that people who live around there will be proud of, that will be able to breathe new life into their communities," the wildlife fund's Tom Lalley said. "And this will just be one hell of a cool place."
- A West that works -Pioneer burns back time
Goodloe is considered a pioneer in adaptive land management practices and his Carrizo Valley Ranch is a showcase for those techniques. And when he couldn't find a group interested in starting up a statewide rancher-run land trust, he started the Southern Rockies Agricultural Land Trust. The trust protects more than 10,000 acres in New Mexico today.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Gas pipe broadband?
It may sound nuts today, but a San Diego company called Nethercomm is developing a way to use ultra wideband wireless signals to transmit data at broadband speeds through natural-gas pipes.
- Google offers free analytical online tools starting today
Google plans to introduce today free analytical tools for online publishers and marketers, a move that would help the company's clients get a better sense of Web site traffic patterns and advertising campaigns.
- Era of the mash-ups - Newest Web sites among Net's hottest phenomena
Among the Internet's hottest phenomena, these Web sites combine ingredients from different online sources to create intriguing hybrids.
- FCC Launches VoIP911 Website
"Anyone who dials 911 has a reasonable expectation that he or she will be connected to an emergency operator"
- Identity theft numbers may lie
If some of the numbers being cited about identity theft are to be believed, it's just a matter of time before some unseen cyberhustler steals your name, empties your bank account and wrecks your financial reputation. You can almost hear the maniacal laughter.
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