Monday 23 June 2008

Green Tipping Point



Promotion of your green business is a challenge – how to convey your green credentials, without appearing to be “green washing” your business just to tap into the mood of the modern consumer? And how do you avoid using more paper, more resources in getting your green message across?

I think we all need to take a good look at our current advertising methods. I have for some years run workshops on Marketing and Sales, and over that time, have adapted these to include extensive use of the internet, of blogs, of providing information and of inviting comment. But is that enough? What is the tipping point, and how to bring clients to your product or service with minimal impact on the planet?

Now this is where we need to reject all the ideas about marketing that large companies throw at you – and also reject the notion that it takes a lot of money and paper products to run a good campaign. I think it comes back to a very simple strategy, - always improve the product or service, design a great image around that product or service, look for key people to use what you offer, make alliances with key partners in promotion, engage discussion about your product or service, and use blogs, online forums, websites, and information evenings. Sounds more like a social event –and that’s what it is, developing and using social networks (offline and online) to make using your product or service an enjoyable experience, and one to share with others.

For one of our online information experiences, see GreenBiz cafe and for more tips on social networking, check out the great site of Matt Freedman click here

Picture Advertising by jamesmellor ex Flickr

Saturday 14 June 2008

Symptoms of Success

Affluenza – it’s something we can catch anytime of year, and it’s easy to see someone who has the disease. Symptoms are an oversized or overpowered car, a home that could you could get lost in, a waistline that displays too many dinners out, clothes and accessories worn only to impress, a mindboggling entertainment schedule, and constant chatter about the latest travel destinations. The other main sign is stress, and a booking in the local Happiness Seminar, as if happiness were something to be added to the list of purchases.

Affluenza is a direct result of our value system, of what we as a society promote as “success” - success being one or all of the above symptoms. I am not by any way rejecting a well thought out moderately comfortable lifestyle, but we all need to think about our values, individually and as a society. How can we aspire to living well and not to excess, how can we each meet our needs and then contribute in a meaningful way?

For everyone, the mix is different, but as a society, we are beginning to hold up new values – those of community, of sharing resources, of moderate consumption, and of entertainment that is based around connection with others. And the major spin off of this mind-shift is happiness, not a few hours of temporary joy, followed by a crashing emptiness, a happiness that is an inner comfort, a feeling good with the world.

Business is about achieving through transactions to supply what others need. If you are thinking about going into business, think about the new values that are emerging in our society. Think about a business that connects people, and helps them re-connect with the world of the future. We stand at the door of a new energy era, one where affluenza will no longer be the driving force in our economy, and small business owners that understand this will position themselves for real success in the next few decade.

Friday 6 June 2008

Location Location

Real Estate agents have always spruiked the mantra of "location location" when advising you where to buy premises or where to locate your business.  And one of the benefits of a particular location over another used to be the number of available parking places.  But as petrol prices make driving a much more expensive activity, location is going to be important for a different reason and that's access to good public transport.  Check out this video Australia Pumping Empty by ddrinkal