Inc, February 2008

Book: "Tribal Leadership: Leveraging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Organization", Logan, King, Fischer-Wright
-view of high-performance cultures in which competitors cease to matter and a noble cause is the group's only compass

Social Capital: Four socially minded VC firms and banks breaking from tradition
-Underdog Ventures, Island Pond, VT: expects to sell its stake in its investments in 7-8 years instead of the traditional 5-7. If a company wants to change its social mission, it must get Underdog's approval.
-Root Capital, Cambridge, MA: nonprofit investment fund that can lend up to $750,000. Lends directly to cooperatives in the developing world, allowing them to use their orders as collateral. Similar to factoring, but charges only 9% interest.
-ShoreBank Pacific, Ilwaco, WA: community bank with $143M in assets, lends money to green businesses in the Northwest and companies that bring jobs to the region.
-TBL Capital, Sausalito, CA: stands for "triple bottom line". Has raised $50M to invest in companies that promise a significant social impact. Invested in its first company in October 2007.

Remote Control: Working From Wherever

Xdrive (xdrive.com)
-password-protected online service that allows you to store and swap files on the Internet
-owned by AOL; an easy way to back up important files (presentations, proposals, MP3s); compatible with a wide range of OS, log on through a web browser to securely upload or download files; can grant colleagues access to certain files without giving away your password
-can be time consuming to upload and download your files every time you hit the road or want to work from home; advertisements
-free for 5GB of storage

Basecamp (basecamphq.com)
-web-based collaboration tool that works like a souped-up, secure version of MySpace
-team members on a project log on to a shared space on the Internet, where they can post files for the team's review, chat in a secure environment, and chalk off project milestones
-won't handle much customization; requires an administrator to keep careful tabs on which projects certain employees are allowed to view, so the wrong people won't stumble onto a confidential project
-free: limited number of projects

MojoPac Freedom (mojopac.com)
-software that allows you to copy your desktop (with applications and settings) onto a removable hard drive such as an iPod or a USB stick; just plug the device into any PC and you're suddenly staring at your office computer
-you can leave your laptop behind; plug the iPod or USB drive into a computer at an Internet cafe for example and any work you complete stays on the portable device, not the computer; your changes are still there when you plug the device back into your computer at the office
-runs exclusively on Windows XP; you need a USB stick or iPod with enough free space (>2GB recommended)
-free

TightVNC (tightvnc.com)
-free open-source software that lets you control another computer over the Internet
-Unix-based software created to help IT departments troubleshoot co-workers' computers without leaving their desks; other employees can use it to control their office desktops from home; only costs are additional servers (if necessary) and time; no pesky subscription fees
-not a very secure system; no technical support; must keep up with latest security patches
-free

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