Microsoft BizSpark™ Helps Software Developers Launch their Startups
February 10, 2009
In today’s economy, it can be harder than ever to get a startup off the ground. Microsoft wants to help. Realizing its own success is tied to new technologies, the Redmond software giant offers a program called BizSpark™ that helps developers create their technologies with a three-fold approach:
· Software: BizSpark™members may download full professional versions of many of Microsoft’s software development tools, such as Microsoft Visual Studio®, and several platform products, such as Microsoft Windows Server®.
· Support: BizSpark™members are provided a subscription in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), which offers access to a broad range of Microsoft tools and technologies used to design, develop, and test software. Members also receive technical support from Microsoft.
· Visibility: BizSpark™members are profiled in an online directory to potential investors, partners, and customers.
To join BizSpark™, a startup must be:
· Developing a software product or service that is or will be a key part of its business (exceptions apply, such as hosting),
· In business for less than 3 years, and
· Generating less that USD $1 million in annual revenues (exceptions apply in certain countries).
· Sponsored by a Network Partner or BizSpark Champ. Resources are available to help find sponsorship.
There is no cost until you exit the program and then the cost is only USD $100.
If your startup doesn’t meet the above requirement, Microsoft has other programs that may benefit you. For more information, visit:
http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com/pages/home.aspx
Personal Safety Training
December 17, 2008
I recently took a course on personal safety with my daughter facilitated by Larry Kaminer at The Personal Safety Group their website is http://www.personalsafetygroup.com . I found this course to be one of the best safety trainings around and it was a great mom/daughter bonding time. The class was scheduled for 3 hours but the captivated group asked questions taking this into overtime.
We learned a lot of great techniques to improve our chances of avoiding being a victim of a crime. Larry Kaminer our instructor gave us some real life experiences for the teens and mothers in the class to practice what they learned.
Larry Kaminer is a brilliant instructor and has established several different programs reaching a variety of audiences. We took the Teen Safety Training but he also has classes in the following categories:
With hardships hitting so many people increased criminal activity and safety risks are on the rise. I recommend this training to prepare and give skill sets to reduce you or your employees chances of being the victim of a crime durring these troubling times.
Free E-mail advice, support, guidance all week long
December 15, 2008
This is my first week back after a crazy vacation in Thailand and the avoidance of the death trap at the Taj in India. So with charitable spirit and gratefulness for life and family I will offer email support for free all week. Feel free to contact me via the contact page on here and I will get back to you quickly with some great totally free coaching and consulting support all week long.
Happy Holidays!
Shellee Hale
What to do when chaos is all around you?
December 15, 2008
A very wise person told me years ago that almost every where you go there is a bathroom and when you’re in the middle of something chaotic and uncomfortable the best thing you can do is remove yourself and use the excuse of the bathroom.
Disengaging from chaos is your only chance of survival. It is best not to try and figure everything out all the time some things are best not understood as knowledge brings responsibility and if you have been working with irresponsible people go with your gut and get out now before you get implicated.
I learned a long time ago that proving what you know is true is not that important, your only finding proof to satisfy others opinions which means your still validating your worth on their judgement. If you are centered and confident others opinions of your intuition is worthless anyways.
Trust yourself and make decisions that you can live with.
An example of this is a client who recently fell into depression over his gut telling him that there was inappropriate accounting practices with a public company he worked for. He felt that quitting his job was not an option because his family relied on the income for support. After discussions and some guidance he did quit and cashed out all his stock. He ended up ahead as had he stayed he would have lost nearly 75% of his worth as the economy downturn and the lack of the Peter’s to pay the Paul’s stopped for this organization and they were exposed. Now his intuition won’t be used against him if he is called into questions about what he knew and when because had he gone the way of his personality and waited until he figured it all out and had the proof he thought he needed the ending of this story would have been very different. He gets to live with a lot less regret having relied on his intuition.
The victims of corporate scandal will be large as many were unaware of the “Enron” type accounting practices that went on behind closed doors. You don’t have to open that door and see what’s going on if something does not feel right get quiet and make a decision you can live with.
