This week I’ll be heading off to Davos, Switzerland with my colleagues from Nike, Inc. for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting. It’s no surprise that the entire meeting will be focused on the global economic crisis. All the big names from business, government and the media will spend the week asking questions on everyone’s mind: Where did we go wrong? What tough calls need to be made? How do we get out of this mess?

The answer to these questions lies in someone unexpected. There is an amazingly powerful force we can unleash to solve the world’s problems if we do the simplest thing: invest in a girl in poverty. With all this talk of the economy, it may seem odd to focus on adolescent girls, but we already spend a ridiculous amount of money and time trying to solve the world’s ills in the same old way. This financial crisis intensifies the need to invest existing resources more effectively, and a new and effective approach is right under your nose. It’s called the girl effect.

The World Economic Forum has made a powerful statement by placingirls on the Forum’s official agenda for the first time. Throughout the week — and culminating at a public session on January 31 — Nike CEO Mark Parker, Gates Foundation Co-Chair Melinda French Gates, World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and others will urge the world to invest in girls.

You might be asking, “Why now, of all times?”

Each day I’ll be blogging from Davos to reveal how world leaders are answering that question. I’ll also share some of the buzz — people we’ve all heard of who are talking about girls — as well as those who aren’t, but should be.

Until then, here’s some food for thought:

People ask if we can afford to invest in girls right now. I say look at Kenya. Girls who go to secondary school make $2,000 more per year than girls who only attend primary school. Multiply that by 1.6 million out-of-school girls and there’s a potential $3.2 billion increase in national income. The same is true in developing countries throughout the world. So the real question is, “How can we afford not to invest?”

(These numbers are from a nifty piece of research on which Jad Chaaban of the American University of Beirut, Wendy Cunningham of the World Bank and Navtej Dhillon of Wolfensohn Center at Brookings collaborated to shed some light on what excluding girls is actually costing us — more to come on that.)

To learn more about the girl effect before Davos, check out www.girleffect.org.

[via Huffington Post] by Maria Eitel

WIRED Magazine put together a great comparative of Obama and McCain’s policies that are important to their readers – here’s the wrap-up.

Topic Covered:

1. Broadband
2. H1B issues
3. Investment in green tech
4. Net neutrality
5. Spectrum

Broadband

The Issue: The United States is becoming a tortoise in a world of hares. One of the world’s most Wired nations a decade ago, we now lag behind most of our peers. In France, broadband access is half the price and four times as fast. The main cause for the debacle is a lack of competition in telecommunications. Most communities have, at best, one cable choice and one DSL choice. This situation came about through the mass consolidation of the industry, and through the non-enforcement and then repudiation of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which mandated that entrenched telecom companies lease their lines into people’s homes to smaller companies.

McCain’s Position: As argued here and here, McCain has consistently been on the wrong side of this issue. As Senate Commerce Chair, he supported the mass consolidation in the industry. He also consistently voted the wrong way on whether entrenched competitors should be forced to lease their lines. The one point in his favor is his support of the Community Broadband Bill which would help cities offer wireless Internet, even when the local companies try to crush them.

Obama’s Position: Obama wasn’t around for the major votes on this issue. And while he is advised by all the right people, he hasn’t come out with a specific plan to open up the industry. His big proposal is to take money currently used to subsidize rural phone use and, instead, use it to subsidize rural broadband use. This could be helpful. But if the markets aren’t made competitive beforehand, it could also end up as little more than another subsidy to the same giant companies that have served us so poorly.

Grades:
McCain: D
Obama: B

H1B Visas

The Issue: Many people skilled in technology around the world want to work in the United States, but it’s tough to get in if you don’t have a family member already living here. One good way to increase American productivity would be to increase the quota of skilled workers allowed under our H1B visa program. Opponents counter with mostly bogus concerns about spies and job loss for Americans.

McCain’s Position: Though his immigration policies shifted during the Republican primary, he has been a long proponent of allowing in more high-skilled technology workers. Here’s his plan: “John McCain will expand the number of H-1B visas to allow our companies to keep top-notch talent –- often trained in our graduate schools -– in the United States. The Department of Labor should be allowed to set visa levels appropriate for market conditions. Hiring skilled foreign workers to fill critical shortages benefits not only innovative companies, but also our economy. For every foreign worker hired, corporations generally hire five to ten additional American workers.”

Obama’s Position: Obama supports a temporary increase in skilled immigrants allowed here under H1B visas. But he doesn’t mention the issue in his technology plan. And, in interviews, he has hemmed and hawed about highly skilled immigrants taking jobs from Americans. In an interview with Michael Arrington, he said, that the country can “go a long way toward meeting industry’s need for skilled workers with Americans. Until we have achieved that, I will support a temporary increase in the H-1B visa program as a stopgap measure until we can reform our immigration system comprehensively.

Grades:
McCain: B+
Obama: C

Green Tech

The Issue: Technology is the best, and only way, to get us out of our environmental mess. Government’s best bet at solving this problem isn’t to pick and fund specific winners. Instead, it should try to create as fertile a marketplace as possible, while ending subsidies to dirty technologies. Five-dollar gas, after all, is good for clean tech.

McCain’s Position: McCain talks loudly about green technology, but he carries a small stick. He wants to invest $2 billion annually for research into clean coal, and he wants to offer a $300 million prize for developing an advanced battery technology. Like Wired, he does strongly support nuclear power.

Obama’s Position: Obama’s stick is bigger. He calls for an investment of $150 billion over the next decade in clean energy. He wants to extend tax credits for clean energy producers, and he has proposed an annual 410 billion investment in a Clean Techhnology Venture Capital Fund. Like McCain, he favors a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions. Unlike McCain, his supporters don’t chant “drill, baby drill” at his rallies — suggesting that he’ll be less likely to extend the subsidies to oil companies that have played such a big role in limiting green tech. It no surprise that the green guys love him.

Grades:
McCain: B
Obama: A

Net Neutrality

The Issue: The question here is whether the telecom companies can pick and choose what they send over their pipes. Without a regulation mandating that the pipes remain open, Verizon, for example, could decide to start messing with your Vonage or your Bittorrent.

McCain’s Position: According to his technology plan “John McCain does not believe in prescriptive regulation like ‘net neutrality.’” He does however support the notion that technology companies should voluntarily proclaim their support for “freedom of access to content.”

Obama’s Position: Here’s the first specific point in his technology plan: “A key reason the Internet has been such a success is because it is the most open network in history. It needs to stay that way. Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet.”

Grades:
McCain: D
Obama: A

Spectrum

The Issue: Spectrum is the technological equivalent of the roads over which our technology travels. Right now, clunky companies that use oxcarts own many of the widest highways. Meanwhile, tiny alleys—like the 802.11 band—are used for rampant innovation, like everything that uses WiFi. Soon the government is going to have a choice over whether (and how) to auction off extremely valuable, and fast, spectrum: the unused bits in between broadcast TV channels one and 52. Google and other most other tech companies believe that the spectrum could be the basis for a future of super-fast wireless communication. The broadcast companies naturally want to keep it in their top drawer. Joel Osteen is terrified that his sermons won’t come through cleanly if the spectrum is auctioned off.

McCain’s Position: McCain has, sensibly, long opposed giving away the airwaves. “They used to rob trains in the Old West. Now we rob spectrum,” he once said. He initially helped push through the last big spectrum auction, and he takes a strong, positive stand in his platform: declaring that we should “auction off inefficiently-used wireless spectrum to companies that will instead use the spectrum to provide high-speed Internet service options to millions of Americans.” The bad news is that he hasn’t said anything good on spectrum since the beginning of the primaries. He didn’t push for rules that would mandate competition over the last batch of spectrum auctioned off. He is also worryingly close to (and almost always sides with) the telecom industry, which is packed with spectrum offenders.

Obama’s Position: Obama has stated vaguely that we should review our spectrum policies and look for opportunities to open more up. But he has been reluctant to take a stand on the white spaces, perhaps because he fears a fight with the National Association of Broadcasters. He did, however, take a very good position in his interview with Arrington, declaring his support for all the right goals and then specifically criticizing the most recent auction. “We must make sure the nation’s airwaves are licensed to maximize their public benefit. Auctions have most recently been conducted without sufficient incentives to encourage full use and competition.” Perhaps partly because of this — and partly because he seems generally more tech savvy — employees of the companies that want to open up and use the white spaces massively favor him.

Grades:
McCain: B
Obama: B

[via WIRED] by Nicholas Thompson

Just like the impending recission, the election is a great time for inventive, smart entreprenuers to make a buck. In the latest issues of Inc Magazine, take a look at how some great ideas have sprung political profits.

Calvin Coolidge once said, “The business of America is business.” Cal was also known to take a long afternoon nap, so he didn’t exactly reflect the industry and tenacity of the typical American entrepreneur. But the sentiment stands: If there’s money to made, business owners will find a way to make it, and in two of America’s big cities, there is money to be made right now off the political convention business. Later this month, Democrats will gather in Denver to nominate Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois; a few days later, Republicans will convene in Minneapolis-St.Paul to nominate Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Naturally, there will be local entrepreneurs in both cities who will attempt to use the conventions as an opportunity to increase sales and visibility. Here’s a sampling of some of the people who are finding ways to enjoy this political seasons regardless of their own political affiliations:

Democratic National Convention, Denver, Aug. 25-28

Convention Insider: MAKS
Security measures prevent Kristi King from saying a whole lot about the graphic design work she’s done for the DNC. The local artist was hired to create the official convention credentials that some 55,000 delegates, journalists, and attendees will use to enter the Pepsi Center, the site of most of the nominating convention. King’s three-person company, MAKS, produced four different (but similar) looks, one for each day of the event. In keeping with the Democrats’ environmental policies, they will be printed on 100 percent recycled material.

Local Hero: Jared Polis
Why would a highly successful young entrepreneur want to enter politics? Just ask Jared Polis, the 33-year-old CEO and Inc. 500 alum who is running for Congress in Colorado’s Second District, which includes Boulder, Vail, and Beaver Creek. “Congress lacks creativity and innovation and entrepreneurs excel at introducing new ideas,” he says. On this score, Polis has bona fides: He successfully took his family’s greeting card company, Blue Mountain Arts, to the Web and then launched another company, Proflowers (No. 7 on the 2003 Inc. 500), which he took public and later sold to Liberty Media for $477 million. His latest business endeavor is TechStars.org, a program that brings 10 business owners to Boulder for a summer-long boot camp. The entrepreneurs are given a $5,000 stipend, office space, legal council, mentorship, and networking opportunities in exchange for giving TechStars a small equity stake in their company. During the convention, Polis will be out-and-about, co-hosting receptions, and meeting with movers-and-shakers as well as grassroots organizations. So what’s Jared’s prediction for November? “Barack Obama will win Colorado and be the next president of the United States.”

A Place to Meet the Locals: The Corner Office
The greater Denver metro area has a well-earned reputation as a tech hot-spot, and The Corner Office has been labeled “bloggers row” for the Democratic convention. The restaurant signed a deal with MySpace to be its official headquarters during the event, which means that it will be opening its “Oval Office” dining area to the laptop brigade. Peter Karpinksi, a senior vice president at parent company the Sage Restaurant Group, says The Corner Office serves “global comfort food” that will encourage bloggers to get a buzz from martinis like the “Buzz Aldrin.”

Awesome Souvenir Shop: The Tattered Cover
Denver’s beloved independent bookstore will host a series of events and book signings throughout the convention, including an appearance by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Owner Joyce Meskis opened her first store in 1974 (during Watergate) and now has three stores, including a large one on Colfax Avenue that carries more than 150,000 titles. Marketing director Heather Duncan says the Tattered Cover will be stocking up on political books of all stripes in the run up to the convention. She expects an even bigger sales bump will come from sales of Colorado travel books, such as a Denver walking tour guide by local historian Tom Noel.

Friendly Watering Hole: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Denver’s Democratic Mayor John Hickenlooper founded this craft brewery in 1988, before its neighborhood became known by the fashionable tag “LoDo.” Housed in the J.S. Brown Mercantile building, the business keeps 12 brews on tap at all times and hosts the annual contest to find America’s “Beer Drinker of the Year.” In 2007, Hickenlooper sold his stake to a trust that represents his chefs, managers, brewers, and other longtime employees.

Local Outfitter: Rockmount Ranch Wear
Former CEO Jack Weil, who passed away on Aug. 13 at the age of 107, was at one time one of the leaders of the Colorado GOP. But his grandson Steve, who now runs the company day to day, is happy to welcome the Democrats to town. The apparel company is planning to stay open throughout the convention, and it has already taken an order to make custom western shirts for local Congresswoman Diana DeGette and her staff.

Headquarters for the Radical Extreme: Mercury Cafe
Marilyn Megenity has been thinking about sustainability almost since she opened her business back in 1975. The Mercury Cafe was the first Denver business to generate power from private wind turbines. Megenity also recycles water and coffee to irrigate the elaborate gardens on her property, and she has designs on going off the grid and becoming completely self-powered. Nearly all of the items on her menu are organic and local vendors supply 75 percent of her produce. In addition, Megenity is a pacifist (the “No More War” burrito with green chili, spicy tempeh, and avocado has been on the menu for 10 years). Throughout the convention, the Mercury Café will serve as home base for card-carrying members of the left-wing fringe.

Republican National Convention, The Twin Cities, Sept. 1-4

Convention Insider: Ustream.TV
Co-founder Brad Hunstable describes Ustream as “similar to YouTube, except we’re live.” The year-old website runs on a completely open platform, so anyone can join and let the world see what they’re up to. The 22-person business has raised $14 million in venture capital and currently has 10 million unique visitors a month checking out the eclectic programming that’s recently included graduations, weddings, funerals, music lessons, 50 Cent, the Dalai Lama, and all of the major presidential hopefuls. The RNC hired Ustream to handle all of the live-streaming at the convention, which was a thrill for Hunstable. “I’m a Texan who went to West Point, so it’s not hard to figure out my politics,” he says. “But we’ve had great success with people on both sides of the aisle.”  The company is also live-streaming for the progressive website Daily Kos at the Democratic convention in Denver.

Local Hero: FLSConnect
This $25 million communications company works with Republican candidates and conservative advocacy groups. The business did extensive work on the 2004 Bush re-election campaign. CEO Jeff Larson is currently moonlighting as CEO of the convention host committee. In that capacity, he oversees a $58 million budget, 250 employees, and more than 8,000 volunteers. Larson says he’s excited to see old friends (and meet new ones who need tickets for the convention), but he would have been equally happy, he says, to host the Democratic convention.

Place to Meet the Locals: Q Kindness Café
“Minnesota Nice” is a phrase locals use to describe Gopher State charm. Nowhere is that expression more appropriate than the Q Kindness Café, which first opened in 1961. Located two blocks from the convention center, they will be open for dinner during the event and serving “hot dishes” like Tater Tot surprise and tuna casserole. Husband and wife co-owners Lisa Cotter Metwaly and Jimmy Metwaly also started a pay-it-forward “kindness campaign” and hope to have seven businesses and 7,000 people smiling on their brother by September. The Metwalys walk the walk. Instead of wallowing after a $250 February burglary (it included $50 in waitress’ tips), the couple bought $100 worth of hand warmers and handed them out to customers waiting in the cold at the bus stop.

Awesome Souvenir Shop: Urban Junket
The two former marketing executives who left Best Buy to start a fancy laptop handbag company in 2005 want your vote. Tracy Arnold and Tracy Dyer will be holding a sample sale during the convention and every purchase includes a free luggage tag with a red elephant or a blue donkey to match your party affiliation. When starting out, the women got financial tips and contacts from WomenVenture, a 30-year-old St. Paul non-profit that’s helped some 90,000 clients. Last year, Urban Junket had sales of $550,000 through boutique stores and online retailers. Dyer says both entrepreneurs, “lean a little bit left, like most of the state.”

Friendly Watering Hole: Nye’s Polonaise Room
If the approval ratings of the GOP get you down, put some Oompah-pah into your step at this legendary bar, which first opened its doors in 1949. On Friday and Saturday nights, tuba aficionados can dance to local Polka bands while eating traditional dishes like spare ribs and sauerkraut. After dinner, guests can take their Zywiec beer to the side room to sing along to “Sweet” Lou Snider’s piano ditties. The septuagenarian has been tickling the ivories here every day for the past 41 years. Alternatively, country club Republicans should check out the Grill at the St. Paul Hotel. Located steps from the Xcel Energy Center, it acquired four bottles of Macallan 55 for the convention, and boasts that it will be the only place whiskey drinkers will find it in Minnesota. Make sure a lobbyist is paying; each one-ounce shot costs $525.

Local Outfitter: Zubaz
The infamous zebra-striped pants of the late 1980s have returned just in time for 2,000 red, white, and blue pairs to be given away in the official convention gift bag. The creators of Zubaz, Dan Stock and Bob Truax, sold the fast-growing-but-cash-poor business in 1995. When it eventually failed, Stock and Truax decided to buy back the rights to the brand, which they relaunched last year. They’ve spent about $100,000 so far. The company is being run out of Press Gym, a 16,000 square-foot work facility owned by Stock that includes a mixed-martial arts studio and a tattoo shop. Muscleheads always dug Zubaz, and now, for $29.99, they have six colors to choose from. More hues and prints including snakeskin will be available soon. “Zubaz are tried-and-true and we have enough customers to last 100 years,” Stock says, “it’s been a blast coming back.”

Headquarters for the Radical Extreme: Koscielski’s Guns & Ammo
The last gun shop left in Minneapolis opened in 1995; it’s the birthplace of the “Creditcard Shotgun” — a weapon small enough to carry in your wallet. Owner Mark Koscielski says it took more than two years and seven prototypes to get the design right, and government approval on the weapon is still pending. But assuming the ATF gives the product its blessing, Koscielski plans to sell the four-barrel guns for between $150 and $195. The guns, which take special .25 ACP ammo only available to the licensed gun owners at the store, probably won’t be available for the convention. But Koscielski still hopes that the convention will have an impact on his bottom line. “A lot of people have contacted me about buying mace,” he says.

[via Inc Magazine]