INNOVATION

over-rated internet?

About 49 percent of Americans report that they rarely or never use computers, cell phones, or other information and communications technology tools. Not surprisingly, those respondents tend to be older, less well-educated, and with lower incomes. A good portion of this group is satisfied with the status quo and did not express a strong desire to be more connected.

View the survey at www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_ICT_Typology.pdf

Louisiana leads index

The State Science and Technology Institute calculates a manufacturing 'value-added' index based on number of employees, payroll, value added, value of shipments, capital expenditures, cost of materials and cost of electric energy for heat and power. SSTI ranked states based on their value-added increase from 2001 to 2005. Louisiana led all states with a 210 percent increase. Missouri ranked 27th, with a 17.5 percent rise, while Illinois was 32nd at 11.9 percent. The national average was 18.9 percent. Check out the tables at www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/052107t.htm

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Do you have an event that promotes business innovation in its many forms? Do you have a creative idea for a new company that you'd like to share? Do you belong to an organization that's working to improve innovation in your industry? Do you have a thought on any of the ideas in this forum? Share it all with us at: bizinnovation@post-dispatch.com