2011: A Year of Q&A
Throughout the year, The Sensor has had the privilege of interviewing some pretty fantastic people with some pretty fantastic companies. There have been some very memorable moments from these interviews -- we got some great answers about everything from customer relationships, teaming partnerships, and product development -- and we wanted to share these with you as a recap of the year. A year in Questions & Answers, if you will. So in case you missed them the first time, here you go. Enjoy!
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Commentary From: Michael Liu, Sr. Vice President, Dutko Worldwide
Not much cheer in Washington these days. Members of Congress are kicked constantly in the shins by the media (both left and right); the Administration continues to see polls that say that the overwhelming majority of citizens believe that the country is on the wrong track; the talking heads continuously revise their predictions about the Republican presidential nomination competition, because they have been consistently wrong in assessing “conventional wisdom;” and events that Washington has little control over such as the Eurozone monetary crisis threatens to overwhelm any agenda that a potential source of national leadership might propose.
This is not the kind of environment that will help the continued struggle by small businesses to negotiate favorable agreements with their bankers for lines of credit for working capital; operations; and expansion. Things are only slightly better than at the start of the last quarter. Advice to small business owners: stay as liquid as you can and get as much production as possible from your current workforce.
Stay away from bets on currency fluctuations. Unpredictability will reign until the markets accept the fact that the mirage of a “United States of Europe” has always been just that—a dream induced vision ignoring deep differences in culture, language, and national politics among the Eurozone and European Union nations. The measures needed for fiscal discipline have already brought down governments in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Ireland. It is counterintuitive to think that technocrats can now impose even harsher austerity on the voting constituencies in these countries. Simon Jenkins is correct in predicting that: “A secure united states of Europe is unlikely to emerge from this crisis, whether of 17 nations or of 26. How it will fail, no one can yet say, but fail it will.” And when it does, you can expect convulsions around the world—which we will recover from, but not before further pain for the nation’s economy.
As for the Republican presidential race, the tone within legal, lobbying and government offices in Washington are even more acid than what is being said in public amid the camps of the various contenders. In my experience, I don’t recall this kind of visceral angst being felt among GOPers even as far back as the 1976 race between Ford and Reagan. But I actually think this is not a bad thing. While primary battles do deplete resources, they also create energy and toughen up the ultimate challenger for the general election. Democrats were not harmed by bitter battles in 2008 or 1992. It is still too early to pick a winner, but I do believe that Mr. Romney needs a more creative approach to his attacks against his rivals and his campaign in general, in order to get back on track. He needs to get creative fast. Due to expectations for Mr. Romney that have been cultivated over the last four years by his handlers, regardless of the delegate count after Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, should he lose three out of the four, I believe that he will not be able to continue.
Finally, lest anyone doubts that HUD will be looking for anyway possible to sweep money back to the U.S. Treasury or take control of such funds, note the recent criticism by HUD of the State’s Port Authority for Gulfport for lack of verification of its hiring of low and moderate income individuals, a requirement of using HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds. Even a quick perusal of the FY 2012 HUD budget conference committee report will find strong language from Congress expressing a concern and exasperation over wasted dollars from the CDBG program and a lack of timely expenditure of funds in other HUD block grant programs. Congress is demanding accountability in the form of GAO audits and frequent reporting from HUD.
A message alert for the Governor-elect’s transition team: Find ways in 2012 to make use of CDBG Katrina disaster recovery funds that have yet to be spent as soon as the Governor is sworn in. Otherwise do not be surprised if HUD (with encouragement from Congress) finds reasons to recapture unspent CDBG dollars, regardless of whether or not they have been “committed” to projects, sometime in the late Spring.
On that uplifting note, may you all have a safe and happy holiday!
New NOAA-Derived Data Products for the TV Broadcast Market
WorldWinds, Inc.
Meteorologist Bob Breck of WVUE in New Orleans explains the heavy rainfall in California on Dec. 21, 2010 using the blended Total Precipitable Water product.
This SBIR introduced new NOAA derived data products into the existing television broadcast supply stream through already established commercial weather display packages. Eleven potential new products were identified in this proposal, with an expectation to have 5-6 new NOAA derived products permanently embedded into Baron Services' OMNI and VIPIR commercial weather display systems. Additionally, as new satellite data sources become available in the future, they may be evaluated for inclusion into the TV broadcast data stream.
During a beta test period, the product was shown during weather segments by three US television stations:
- Brad Huffines and Dale Bader of WAAY-TV, FOX 54 in Huntsville used the product during a modest return flow situation to explain the reason for shower chances the following day.
- Bob Breck of WVUE-TV, FOX 8 in New Orleans used the product to show the continued flooding potential in Southern California on December 21, 2010.
- Michael Coats of KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls showed the graphic during the Southern California event to explain why moisture would rise over sections of his viewing area.
Response from the 3 television stations that broadcast the bTPW on-air was mostly favorable. The TV meteorologists felt that the product had merit and could be quite useful during major precipitation events, however, they want to see some movement and flow to the product, such as an overlay showing surface temperatures and upper air mass movements. For more information visit, worldwindsinc.com
Image of the Month
Are these Google satellite images exposing America's secrets?
Credit: Google
Items of Interest
NASA Reviews 300 Space Innovation Ideas From SMBs
InformationWeek
Space agency looks at proposals ranging from low-cost remote sensing to hardening electronics for deep space as possible investment candidates. By Elizabeth Montalbano InformationWeek NASA is evaluating a range of new space technologies as part of a…
Read more: spaceref.com
Geospatial World Excellence Awards
Geospatial World
This geospatial industry magazine has been encouraging and recognizing excellence in the various projects, innovations and policies that have helped shape the future of the geospatial industry. They are now accepting nominations globally for the Geospatial World Excellence Awards in the following categories:
- Geospatial Application Excellence Awards
- Geospatial Technology Innovation Awards
- Geospatial Policy Implementation Awards
The process of nomination is now open, and you are invited to help them recognize the best of the projects, policies and innovations in our domain. The last date for filing your nomination is 15th January 2012. The awards will be presented to the winners selected by an International Panel of Judges, on the auspices of the awards function during Geospatial World Forum 2012, 23 - 27 April, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
You can complete the online nomination process by visiting
awards.geospatialmedia.net.
Read more: directionsmag.com
South Mississippi among best for defense jobs
SunHerald.com
The report said South Mississippi has jobs for rocket scientists, oceanographers, cyber-security personnel, geospatial analysts, technical trainers and test engineers. Besides the Naval Construction Battalion Center, South Mississippi is home to…
Read more: sunherald.com
Acquisition cost savings: Geospatial agency to try new model
FCW.com By Matthew Weigelt
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is caught in the budget crunch and wants a managed service model through which to buy IT and save money. The agency is intent on changing its IT buying process so it can meet its expanding…
Read more: fcw.com
Did you know there is a website where you can track Santa every 15 minutes on Christmas Eve?
Visit: ispotsanta.com
EIGS IN THE NEWS
Magnolia Business Alliance answers small business SOS
WLOX-TV
HANCOCK COUNTY, MS (WLOX)
There is a new program on the coast designed to help small business owners weather these tough economic times. The Magnolia Business Alliance has partnered with the Small Business Administration to offer the program to small and medium size businesses.
Nvision Solutions is a small digital mapping company that does a lot of work for the government.
“We were affected by this economy like everybody else was. We had a reduction in work and it's been hard going for the last few years,” said Joel Lawhead, CIO of Nvision Solution…
[Read more]
DigitalGlobe Shares Climbing Higher, Up 3.9%
Financial News Network Online
Up 3.9% to $15.94, DigitalGlobe (NYSE:DGI), is one of today's notable movers. The S&P is currently trading 0.3% higher to 1240 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading 0.4% higher to 12069. DigitalGlobe Inc. is building a constellation of…
[Read more]
Global Perspectives
China successfully launches remote-sensing satellite
BBC News
China successfully launched a remote-sensing satellite that it says will be used to conduct scientific experiments, carry out surveys on land resources, monitor crop yields and help with natural disaster prevention and response…
[Read more]
2011: A Year of Q&A (Full text)
On the Philosophy and Practice of Teaming and Partnering:
“
We team whenever we can to build our capability and experience faster than we could on our own. Our motto is "Healthy trees grow in healthy forests". The secret to teaming is building a team of the right size and the right compatibility for the opportunity. Our teaming choices are rarely a financial decision. We work to ensure the project goals and outcomes align with short or long-term strategic goals of each team member.
”
Craig Harvey, NVision Solutions
The Sensor, October 2011
“
Themis Vision’s relationship with NASA over the years has been so important. The association is also well liked around the world, as we meet new partners on the world stage. Our presence, the presence of the small business community on the coast, and our hopes of future expansion and support from groups like EIGS, MBA, MSET, and MTA will hopefully help in the creation of big business and jobs for the Great State of Mississippi and its resource-rich Gulf Coast.
”
Mark Lanoue, CEO of Themis Vision Systems
The Sensor, February 2011
On Listening and Responding to Customer Needs:
“
The bottom line is that we are small and nimble. SIS is capable of adapting to changes in software requirements and needs. We are able to build capabilities internally or to reach out and work closely with global experts to move our code forward. It is all about shipping quality software and generating sales. No one cares if you stick with your roadmap, but the roadmap does not generate market interest or translate to sales. You have to listen to your customers, determine where they have problems, and be brutally honest about your capability to deliver a solution that meets their needs that they will buy. In our economic environment, software tools such as SIS develops must be perceived as 'gotta have it' because 'nice to have it' will not allow us to grow our business.
”
Chuck O’Hara, Spatial Information Solutions (SIS)
The Sensor, November 2011
On Products, Services, and Future Directions:
“
Several years ago we received a call that at first we thought was a joke. A producer from California was on the phone telling us she had seen our work and that her director wanted to use us for a music video for the group Radio Head. After several additional conversations this became a reality and "BAM!" we were in the music video business. The concept was to produce a video made entirely from scanned LiDAR data. From what we have been told it became a big hit and was nominated for several Academy awards. Last year the phone rang again from the same producer. This time her client was IBM. At the time IBM was working on their “Smarter Planet” program, and the ad agency had seen the work we had accomplished with the Radio Head video. The ad agency thought our work would be a great fit into the IBM concept - so we did that one too. We continue to get approached with strange concepts, and it just goes to show you that geospatial data can and should be used in some of the most unlikely places.
”
Scott Dow, Aerotec
The Sensor, June 2011
“
Navagis has had many exciting accomplishments. We were the first partner company to be hired by Google to help with internal development of the next generation of Google Earth Enterprise. As an Enterprise Partner, Navagis is one of only a handful of premier Partners that handle everything from consultation to highly technical deployments that are usually handled by Google staff. That Google entrusts us with opportunities like that, we think that exhibits our technical expertise. We have also been able to work on meaningful projects that impact lives. Whether it’s environmental response or a defense program, our projects have positive real-world consequences.
”
David Moore, Navagis
The Sensor, April 2011
“
Selex Galileo Inc. is very excited about the opportunity to network and develop relationships with local companies that may be able to help with our efforts as well as us teaming with local companies to enhance their capabilities. As a fairly new start-up we are excited about the growth plan we have put together and the business we would like to bring the Gulf Coast. Our 1-5 year plan is to triple the size of our Stennis operations and employ approximately 65 personnel.
”
Darryl Davis of SELEX Galileo
The Sensor, January 2011
“
My goal for GTS is to grow our operation here by finding more opportunities for the young, highly-talented computer science graduates coming out of our universities. With computing technology continuing to advance at breath taking speeds, we should be providing more jobs for these young people in our state. I think the answer is to educate those in our state that spend their tax dollars on these technologies and make them aware of the talent they have in their own backyard. MBA can help in that area and, as one longtime friend I had used to say, 'A rising tide lifts all ships'.
”
Harley Garrett, Global Technical Systems
The Sensor, March 2011
On the Value of Advocacy Groups like MBA:
“
Skylla has a fundamental belief in being a part of and contributing to the community. The strength of being a part of Magnolia Business Alliance is to work together to shape the environment of the area and future. An alliance gives voice to key growth ideas that impact every facet of community: small businesses, growing work force, education, cultural development, and stability to families. The network of business personnel with similar concerns may or may not land business contacts, but the alliance promotes fairness especially in local political decisions that impact small businesses.
”
Johnny Hays, Skylla Engineering
The Sensor, May 2011
“
Both small and large companies benefit from networks like MBA, EIGS, and the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MsET). In today’s socially-driven, network-based environment, you need information quickly. These advocacy groups allow for personal relationships to form between several experts. This facilitates the quick movement of needed information. They are fierce and strategically positioned advocates for Digital Quest, but most important is the fact that these groups provide a safe place to exchange ideas with respected colleagues.
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Eddie Hanebuth, Digital Quest
The Sensor, August 2011
“
There is a tremendous amount of learning that takes place when you start your own business, about everything from developing products, strategic plans and customer relations to understanding contract vehicles, auditable accounting systems, legal agreements and the US patent filing process. Being part of a regional business cluster helps. It puts you in touch with other companies that are either more knowledgeable than you, or are in the process of investigating the same kinds of things.
”
Mary Pagnutti, Innovative Imaging and Research (I2R)
The Sensor, July 2011
