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Using innovation for social good - NCWIT

Using innovation for social good - NCWIT Entrepreneurial Tool Box
 732_ Lucy Sanders, the CEO for the National Center for Women and Information Technology or NCWIT and Lee Kennedy, NCWIT Director, serial entrepreneur and founder of Boldersearch, along with Larry Nelson, from w3w3.com interviewed Yoky Matsuoka for the NCWIT Entrepreneurial Tool Box series. Yoky is a Torode Family Endowed Career Development Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. She received her Ph.D. at MIT in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Computational Neuroscience in 1998. She was also a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Brain and Cognitive Sciences Department at MIT and in Mechanical Engineering at Harvard University. Today Yoky is an associate professor at the University of Washington focusing on neurobotics. In 2007 Her work in Robotics gained the MacArthur’s Foundation "Genius Award". The MacArthur Foundation characterizes her work as transforming our understanding of how the central nervous system coordinates musculoskeletal action and of how robotic technology can enhance the mobility of people with manipulation disabilities. In addition, Yoky started the YokyWorks Ffoundation – a non-profit to be recognized as a premier provider of practical engineering solutions for people seeking to improve their life experience. Their mission is to enable people to experience life beyond their physical or sensory capabilities. "Also I want to help my volunteers. Many have raised families and now want to have a way to contribute to society and I feel just having them exposed to this effort is giving them pleasure, and that also is extremely rewarding." Listen for more exciting details...
Related Links: Yoky Works || NCWIT Home || NCWIT Practice || NCWIT Blog || Heroes Channel || Keywords: NCWIT, Yoky Matsuoka, Yoky Works, Lucy Sanders, NCWIT, Lee Kennedy, Boldersearch, Entrepreneurial Tool Box, Neurobotics, Channel: NCWIT > 24587183 bytes - 11/2/09 LISTEN

Pushing Water Uphill with a Rake, Memoirs of a Successful Failure

702_ Pushing Water Uphill with a Rake, Memoirs of a Successful Failure
Larry sat down with Steve Baker who was sued for $1.4 Billion and is the author of 'Pushing Water Uphill with a Rake, Memoirs of a Successful Failure'. Steve reflected back and said, "What I learned, going through this is, you can go out in life and particularly in business, do everything right and still fail. I did, we did everything right, as I tell the story in the book, and along came this suit for $1.4 billion dollars, and the stock market crash. Everything I did right didn't matter, everything went wrong. I lost everything, I lost my home, I filed for bankruptcy, and through that experience, I learned many valuable lessons and that's why I'm still here today. The biggest thing I learned going through that experience is the road to success is paved in failure, and you will fail to one degree or another, it's just part of being a business person. So know that going in, accept that and learn from it. As you and I have talked about this, the person who goes through this stands back and learns from it, that person will achieve success. The next thing that I learned and was able to do, is do your best and maintain your ethics, at all costs, as you're going through failure. Because what happens, and these are the turbulent times that try men's souls, and you must maintain that, because if you cross the line of ethics, very often, you're not coming back. I quote Thomas Hopkins, especially when speaking with kids, 'We are not judged by the number of times we fail, but by the number of times we succeed. And the number of times we succeed is in direct proportion to the number of times we fail and try again!'" Listen...
Related Links: Pushing Water Uphill || Steve's Blog || Watch Video Interviews on w3w3.com i.e. Colorado Rising: Steve Baker - Ethics || Colorado Rising 6/15/09 Pushing Water Uphill || Mastering Change Interview with Larry || Keywords: Steve Baker, Pushing Water Uphill, Stock Market Crash, Ethics, Thomas Hopkins, Mastering Change > Channel: Entrepreneurs 6542213 bytes - 8/3/09 LISTEN

Dear Ned - Tape Backups?

Tape Backup: Out of date? Just in time or it depends - Dear Ned
 We're joining Trent Hein and Ned McClain in the "Dear Ned" segment, where you can ask questions for Ned to answer about the IT space. Today's question is, "I've heard that tape backups are outdated technology. Is my company behind the times because we still use tape backups?" Ned says that's a great question because it applies to every organization regardless of size. If you look back ten years ago the key way to do backups was tapes, and now there certainly are more options. Does that mean your company is behind the times? Absolutely not. Tape backups are still one of the very best choices for backing your data up. Three of the most important considerations for backups are: 1.) Being able to take backups off site. Are you backing up to something you can put in a different physical building? If there is a fire or a flood you can still get access to your data. 2.) The next piece is offline backups. Are you backing your data up in a way that is not online, connected to the Internet or a network at that time? A lot of people like to copy their data to another server sitting in another building. But that has a ton of risks, a virus or data corruption could easily be spread to that other system. So by having data offline, the very worst scenario of an Internet virus or worm or malicious attacker trying to delete all of your data - that can't happen because your data will be off line. The third and most important is having granular backups, backups from different points in time, so not just the most recent copy of your resume or your database, but a copy from a week ago and a month ago. So can you accomplish this without tape backups? Yes. But are tapes the most cost effective, most reasonable way to accomplish those three requirements? Yes they are. They're usually about 25 cents on the dollar compared to the next best solution out there. More vital information...
Related Links: Ask Your Own Questions || Dear Ned Channel || FREE Tech Fest RSVP || Women in IT || Applied Trust || Keywords: Dear Ned, Trent Hein, Ned McClain, Backups, Tape, Security, Applied Trust, ATE >> Channel: ATE 6059470 bytes - 7/27/09 LISTEN

Green IT Infrastructure Costs Less: Bigger is not Better

Green IT infrastructure costs less and improves the health of our planet. Trent Hein co-founder of Applied Trust and CEO and Ned McClain, co-founder and CTO talk about the proactive steps Applied Trust has taken to implement a Green IT infrastructure and take that even a step further and call it EcoInfrastructure.  Everyone knows that with today’s high cost of data center real estate, the increasing cost of energy, and your company’s desire to be more eco-friendly, infrastructure is on everyone’s mind. Trent and Ned discussed specific tactics and strategies for taking steps to building a Green IT infrastructure. Here are five key points: 1) Bigger is not better 2) Consolidate 3) Server virtualization 4) Organizational philosophy 5) Reduce the waste stream. Applied Trust engineers will work closely with your staff to ensure that a thorough assessment is conducted. All assessment recommendations will be presented in an actionable manner, such that network and system administrators can use the document as a guide for mitigation. Here are some results you can expect: • Reduced capital costs • Stronger bottom line through significantly reduced operating costs (including reduced energy consumption and reduced system administration labor) • Support for the environment • Improved employee morale and workplace environment • Improved corporate image as a “green business,” which can provide a marketing or recruiting edge. Listen Now...
Related Links: Applied Trust (ATE) || Women in IT || Conscious Economy Channel || Safe Surfing || BYTES: 21668156

The Music Industry Fights Piracy for Survival

In the nine years following the development of Napster, the music industry has changed dramatically. To match the new methods of downloading music illegally, there are new means of detecting such activity and new legal ramifications. Richard Gabriel, attorney with Holme Roberts & Owen goes on to point out other dicey issues. "The ethics of downloading music illegally and who should be responsible for such activity continue to be debated. This debate relates to the broader question of whether the music industry's business model, i.e. charging for the distribution of music-faces an existential threat not merely from piracy, but the proliferation of artists willing to share their music for free." Whether or not individuals can justify downloading copyrighted music from peer-to-peer networks or other outlets, the fact remains that this conduct is illegal. To underscore that message, the Recording Industry of America (RIAA) has brought thousands of lawsuits against individuals who have violated the copyright law. At the same time, organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have suggested that the advent of file sharing cannot be stopped by litigation. What if it was your music? LISTEN
Related Links: Holme Roberts & Owen || It's the Law Channel || Electronic Frontier Foundation || Silicon Flatirons || - Bytes: 24960839

Parents Have a Great Influence on Their Children's Success

Terry Morreale, producer and director of the Women in IT Channel, is passionate in her drive to bring the stories of “Women in IT” out, for many reasons. Terry says she loves interviewing these amazing women and learning about their experiences, their motivations, what makes them get up in the morning. But, another reason the Women in IT channel is so special to her is, she sees it as an avenue to inspire women to think about technology as a choice for them. Terry, a senior engineer at Applied Trust Engineering has for a long time been passionate about the concept of 'economic independence' for women. "Economic independence provides the opportunity for any person, man or woman, to be able to make life decisions in the best way possible." Being economically independent is not having to worry about decision making based on ‘I’m not going to be able to pay my rent’. I think it is extremely powerful. I want women, everyone to have that opportunity, to do whatever they want to do with that economic independence in their back pocket. "I hope that the Women in IT Channel is a resource for women who are at this inflection point in their life. Whether they are a middle school girl trying to decide if they want to take that computer class that’s offered, or a high school girl thinking about what they want to go to college to learn about." There's more...
Related Links: Women in IT || Applied Trust Engineering || NCWIT Heroes || Podcast Directory || BYTES: 24237769 - LISTEN

Communication: Top 3 Tips for CEOs to Improve Performance

Effective communication impacts every aspect of the organization. Sherry Law, entrepreneur and founder of Evergreen Communication and Board Member of ACG Denver is an internal and external communications expert. Larry asked, "Where does an organization start in making sure that it’s communicating effectively?" Sherry points out that it starts with the CEO and his/her vision. "Not just what it is, but articulating it so everyone understands, making it compelling and saying it often. Make sure vision supports strategy and goals. Make sure you have a dialogue between leaders and everyone else (both customers and clients). Just as important, make sure that communication is considered and addressed in every area of the company, especially if introducing change of any kind. Here are the 'top 3 tips' for CEOs. (1.) Show your true self. Personality doesn’t matter, people will accept who you are if you’re authentic. (2.) Tell the truth, don’t spin it, and don’t promise anything you can’t do. They want honesty. (3.) Communicate often. People put their own viewpoints on what you say, and you need to make sure that they truly understand the direction you want to take. All this and more from the ACG Denver Member of the Year.
Related Links: Evergreen Communication || M & A Channel || BYTES: 19751395 - LISTEN

ACG Denver 2008 Rocky Mtn Corporate Growth Conference

BUILD, BUY or SELL
Driving Corporate Growth
PHOTO Album 3/12/08

The ACG Corporate Growth Conference, exhibited a culture of innovation from the start... I loved the registration process; in a private room, spacey, organized, friendly and efficient! From there we ran the gauntlet of booths and industry leaders to a fine sit-down breakfast and the first morning keynote at the Fourth Annual "Women in Corporate Growth Breakfast” - inaugurated by Sherry Law.

Colleen Abdoulah - WOW - blew our socks off! Energetic - enthusiastic - fun and funny, she approached her presentation with zeal and enthusiasm. Her spellbound audience members must have hidden the requisite chauvinist, because we didn't see him. Colleen asked, “What is leadership? It is bringing out the best in ourselves and others. Don’t tolerate bad behaviors from anyone, male or female.”
Visit WOW, Inc. >> LISTEN In her own words...

The day continued with excellent panels, sparking creative, innovative, enthusiasm and a desire to get back into the action – glad the conference was interactive. David Mead, Mead Consulting, Mike Britti – Trans Union Rental and Dan McCallin, Timberline Steel, shared experiences in “Getting Out On Top” Tidbit: How to determine the value of your business to others:
1) Consistent Improvement of Cash Flows 2) Your Growth Story 3) Capable Management Team and 4) Solid performance history.

Charile Fote & Brian Meegan, Ireland Stapleton Pryor & Pascoe discussed “Keys to a Successful Transaction” – “Manage yourself hard on time, dates and spending money. Hold yourself and others feet to the fire!" Certainly seems to work for Charlie!

We've listened to the voices of experience. We heard their warnings and their encouragement. Next, we got to celebrate with the winners, the people who are doing it and doing it right. ACG Denver honored CIBER, Inc. with Outstanding Corporate Growth Award. Mac Slingerlend President & CEO, led CIBER's rise as one of the leading Information technology and e-business solutions companies in the United States.

Emerging Company awarded to Noodles & Company, Kevin Reddy, CEO, demonstrated steady growth for three consecutive years. Additional qualities considered for this award are company leadership and the strategy behind its growth and reputation in the general business community.

Todd Woloson (Izze co-founder) Greenmont Capital said, “Inflection point planning maximizes returns and focuses your business.” Rick Dutkiewicz, CFO, Einstein Noah, said, “In the next 9 months, have your company staged for the growth opportunity. It’s always darkest before the dawn.”

From here we went global. John Lathrop, DU; Douglas Allen, DU and Dave Garrison, Sr. Counsel the Americas, CH2M Hill told us, “… the world is flat… and there is a trend toward a universal standard of conduct. But international projects are not for the faint of heart.”

The full day was wrapped in a great reception. People excited by the ideas and thoughts still had the winning Nuggets game ahead, plus one more thrilling day.

And thrilling it was. Our breakfast keynote speaker Howard Putnam took our hearts and minds soaring thru the Southwestern skies. This man professes to surround himself with people smarter and better than himself. He said they plant ideas in his head and he, being the pragmatist, turns those ideas in his head until they become real. “Turbulence is inevitable, but misery is optional.” LISTEN - VISIT: Howard Putnam.com

The following panels we're extraordinary. The interactive and charged atmosphere was compelling. Responsibility & Accountability of Innovation… Paul Bauer moderated, Frank Kvietok, Jon Nordmark, Doug Taylor and Vic Ahmed generated a torrent of thoughts and experience. Tidbit: Innovations often have unanticipated consequences. Be prepared to listen to bad news. If it’s something you should use or change – do it. But don’t stop innovation.

The Human Capital Dimension of Growth: Ralph Christie, Jr., Pres & CEO of Merrick and Company believes …”Engineering is sexy again! And he’d love to be 27 again. With the energy challenge it is a great time to be an engineer. Ralph is extremely bullish on the future… “Growth is implicit in our plan.” This is an amazing time and Ralph says, “.. he refuses to participate in a recession!” Here we found another CEO that has HR report directly to him and allocates 20 to 30% of his time for human capital management. It’s that important.

Then came lunch with Joe Calloway. Let me just say, we bought all of his books, interviewed him and left inspired and in possession of a new friend. Joe's down home but very polished presence caught everyone's imagination. There could not have been a better selection for finishing a stellar event. Joe found a thread (“more like a cable”) running thru this conference and it was ‘culture’! “Benchmark your culture, it is what we think we’re all about.” Courage is the mastery of fear – not the absence of fear. Take a risk and do it. Without action there is no creativity. LISTEN - VISIT: Joe Calloway.com

All in all it was a heady experience and the last challenge of the day came from Joe Calloway, to decide what you're going to do in the first hour back at work to make a difference?

We left with the dates for the 2009 conference, March 11th & 12th along with printed literature describing and introducing us to next year's featured speakers, Terry Jones (travelocity) and Jack Uldrich, author, "The Next Big Thing is Really Small".

Related Links: || ACG M&A Channel || Rocky Mountain Corporate Growth Conference || ACG Denver ||

Getting Thanked for Doing the Right Thing...Awards Too

Five years ago Dan King and partners bought the Boulder Outlook Hotel in Boulder. It had been a Holiday Inn. Dan went onto point out, "We made it an independent hotel and from the beginning we wanted to make it feel like Boulder, act like Boulder, look like Boulder. We really wanted to develop that attitude, and it was a process. We didn’t start out being very ‘green’ – I mean we had some green initiatives, but it’s really grown with our business plan." Today the Boulder Outlook Hotel is Boulder's first Zero Waste hotel" and Dan wants to see more! "This is how we’re reflecting our community, and it is part of what we are about." Larry asked Dan to recommend the beginning steps an organization should take if going 'green'. "Recognize that it is a journey. It’s important for a business to figure out what they can take on first. What can they do and do well and accomplish it. Commit to the journey. I think each business has to look at what is within their reach first. I mean we’re a small business, we don’t have a lot of money to throw around. So I have to look at things that don’t require a lot of capital dollars." Dan went on, "The challenges are, it’s not going to happen until you get corporate buy-in, you’ve got to get everyone to buy-in and make the commitment. You do need commitment from the top. Then you need a champion within the organization who is not from top management. I was lucky enough to have a woman chef, Diane, who is our 'green goddess' at the hotel. And she became our champion. She got staff buy-in. But change is hard." Dan was a speaker at the CORE Sustainable Opportunities Summit. LISTEN

Welcome to the Sustainabilty Era - Defined and Debated

Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable and Profitable Business is no simple matter. Differing definitions and understandings along with misunderstood concepts make it challenging for some. Bud McGrath, Executive Director of CORE and Graham Russell, Director of the CORE Foundation discuss what is going on in the Clean Tech and Sustainability space and clear up many of the misunderstandings. Regardless on your position on the topic, the rules of business are changing. Climate change is at the height of media attention and has become an important part of current business trends. Companies are recognizing significant opportunities by creating new sought-after products, realigning the way they operate, and reducing their energy costs. Companies are finding that managing the risk of climate change and lowering their impact on the environment allows them to gain investor confidence, reduce their exposure to non-compliance, and increase their profits. The most significant conference (SOS) with world-renowned leaders will be in Denver February 27 - 29...w3w3.com will be there. LISTEN

Related Links: Conscious Economy Channel || CORE Home || 2008 Sustainable Opportunities Summit || Cleantech Venture Challenge || > Bytes: 18960616 LISTEN