Driving the Future

Have you ever had that sensation of, “wow, this will change everything”?  Perhaps it was when you saw your first personal computer, or during the keynote where the iPhone was introduced.  Maybe it was when Apollo 11 made their triumphant landing on the moon.  As you know, it’s not a common feeling.  How often, really, is “everything changed”?

I was privileged to experience that emotion recently, and, if it’s ok with you, I’d like to bring you along on my journey.

Once upon a time…

...there was this device designed to move people and goods without the burden of horses or rail tracks.  When it was still called the horseless carriage, there was no “Big Three”, no dealerships, and surely no interstate highway system.  There were dozens of manufacturers striving for their stake in a field that saw potential to change the world.  Many names were lost to history, while a special few endure still today.  Does the name Karl Benz ring any bells?  1883.  What about David Buick?  1899.  Then there are the more commonly recognized, including Henry Ford in 1903 and Henry Royce alongside Charles Rolls in 1904.

And change the world they did.

Countless incremental improvements as well as radical new approaches make today’s automobiles as different from their ancestor horseless carriages as your newest smartphone to a wind-up Bell Telephone.

Engines to move the world.

In the twilight years of the 19th century, manufacturers were experimenting with a wide variety of energy sources.  Remember, there were no gas stations yet, because there had yet to be a demand.  Some of the original vehicles ran on peanut oil, while others were electric.  Of course, diesel found its unique applications and dominated the industrial power needs, both where steam was previously used, and in other areas sensitive to combustion (diesel will not combust unless under significant pressure).  Eventually, gasoline became the dominant energy source due to its low cost and growing infrastructure.

While alternative fuels remained a focus of study for the subsequent hundred years, from hydrogen fuel cells, biofuels, and full electric, it was the hybrid-electric design, where an electric motor was coupled with a smaller internal combustion engine to boost efficiency, that took hold in the market.  Think of the Prius.  It was an incredible incremental improvement over similar vehicles for fuel usage.

It took a rocket scientist...

Then a start-up company named Tesla Motors broke through the mold.  Founded by Elon Musk, a co-founder of Paypal (a service that “changed everything” for online payments), the company aimed to bring an all-electric car to the world.  Through a partnership with Lotus Motors, they created the Roadster, a test-bed sports car designed to introduce people to the thrill of electric driving.  The real work was being done, however, in the background.  At a former Toyota facility in Freemont, California, they designed and constructed the Model S, their first “from the ground up” vehicle.  Offering up to 300 miles range on a single charge, it redefined the landscape overnight.  Already, the vehicle has earned Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2013, making it the only manufacturer to win the award on their first year of release.  The Federal safety ratings are the highest of any vehicle, ever submitted, making it the safest car ever built.

This marvel of passion, design, and engineering is what I had the privilege to drive this past weekend.  The test drive was requested online, with a follow-up call from Tesla’s team in California received within 30 minutes to schedule for the following day.  Upon arriving, a team member offered to answer any questions I had and introduced me to the model in their small showroom (they only have one car).  From the suede headliner to the 17” touchscreen that controls all vehicle systems, it was an exercise in functional simplicity.  No switches, buttons, or knobs were to be found anywhere.  Place a Palm Treo alongside the original iPhone to visualize the beauty in what’s not there.

Once satisfied with the showroom model, she suggested we take a ride.  Conveniently, the vehicle she chose was the same color as my own, a sparkling gray.  As we walked up to the car, the door handles extended out of the doors.  Ok, that’s cool.  A gentle pull engages an electric latch which pops the door open towards you, but without resistance like a minivan’s sliding door.  Once you’re inside, it feels like home.  But I’m getting carried away.  There are lots of comfortable and high-tech cars.  But none that were conceived, designed, and built (in America) with the “engine” this has.

Start your, engines...um, high-performance inverters?

Time to start the car.  Press the brake, and…oh yeah, it’s electric.  So it’s already on.  Backing out of the parking space made me wonder if I forgot to turn it on, since it rolled noiselessly.  But then I switched it to drive and pressed the accelerator.  If it could engage the flux capacitor, I think it would have.  For anyone who has ever been in a centrifuge (most commonly Mission: Space in Epcot), that’s how accelerating feels.  No lag, no noise, and no vibration.  You’re simply pushed back in the seat and now rapidly approaching previously distant objects.  Let off the throttle and it works to recover as much of that sweet energy you just expended through regenerative braking.  This makes driving a balance on the throttle, with barely any use of the brake during normal activity.  On the road, it’s a surreal sensation.  You’re moving, but you don’t feel or hear it.  If you ever get worried the vehicle is no longer responding, a light tap on the throttle will teach you otherwise.  Just because your cars always made noise doesn’t mean this one will.  Yeah, the Model S dissed your car.  Sorry.  Otherwise, it has everything you’d expect of a luxury sports sedan.  Bluetooth, 3G, back-up camera, GPS…the works.

Apples and oranges.

My takeaway from this experience?  This company has, and will continue to, change the landscape of automobiles.  They came from essentially no where, and in the course of a few years, built what is now considered amongst the best cars ever constructed, and that’s in its initial release year!  But they have also revolutionized the selling of vehicles too.  Teslas are only sold at company stores, with no dealership system whatsoever.  Nor will they ever “do what it takes to get you in this car today.”  If you want (and can afford) this vehicle, you’ll let them know.

Many Tesla owners describe what has come to be known as the “Tesla Smile.”  It’s the look of sheer joy they get every time they’re in the car.  I know the feeling.  That smile hasn’t left my face yet.  This will change everything, and I’m thrilled about the prospect. 

Life Lessons - Martial Arts: For Life

In my secret life, I am a martial arts student and instructor.  This was written by me for our karate school's newsletter this month.  The lessons apply both inside our dojo and in the rest of our lives.

What if I told you half of who your child will be in their life is already in place by the time they turn 5? And that over 90% of that belief system is further set by the time they can vote, at the age of 18? Sure, we expect that the ideas of gravity (“spoon goes down when I drop it and mom always picks it back up!”) or language to be well-understood by the age of two or three. But don't we all think, "that's ok, we have time to correct those other things as they grow up"?

Turns out, getting it right early on is quite important!

Martial arts provides an incredible framework for creating a can-do, polite, and selfless attitude your kids will carry through their entire lives. As a student who started at the age of 13, I can attest to the beneficial effects training has had on me both personally and professionally.

But how is it any different from organized sports, gymnastics, or even school itself? In the simplest terms...because it is so different.

When we enter and exit the dojo, we bow. Every time. Every one of us, from senior black belts to a white belt attending their first class. It serves an obvious purpose: A sign of respect for the place and equality with other students. But its other raison d'etre is more difficult to grasp: It pairs a physical action to a psychological development. "This is a special place where I respect others, and each time I bow, I'm reinforcing that behavior." The bow instills respect.

At every rank, pairs techniques are performed with a fellow student. One attacks while the other defends. In this fashion, pairs teaches patience, responsibility, and tolerance of others. This is my space, that is yours. We enter each other's space when we both agree on the terms. Pairs techniques instill boundaries.

You may have noticed a class of battling students. They are performing a unique style of combat known as sparring. In this, control and focus are essential. Unlike a brawl or street fight, sparring allows students to practice their techniques (and build their confidence) within a safe environment. Due to the incredible level of control exhibited by our students, injuries are rare. In fact, they're much more likely to hurt themselves from carrying their backpack! Sparring instills control.

Finally, everyone wants to present themselves at their best. Martial arts encourages that fully. Kata, or forms, allows students to look and feel like masters. It's my favorite activity in class, where detail, flow of motion, and individuality come together. We may all be doing the same moves in the same sequence, but how it's done is an expression of ourselves. Especially important in today's society where you're constantly told that you aren't, "tall enough, skinny enough, strong enough" or any other "enough", kata instills confidence in appearance.

Where else can a child (or adult) go and get a great workout, learn to protect themselves, build their self-confidence, gain control of their body and mind, all while showing respect for others and their boundaries?

I know where I'm going tonight.

Joseph Winn is a student and instructor at University Karate Center in Plantation, FL.  Visit their website at www.mudokai.com to learn more.

Was This Written On Your Downtime?

You're right.  I missed posting regularly.  Again.  For a pretty long time.  You know what would help? A full-time writer, social media, and online resources associate.  Who works for free.  Or maybe granola bars.

That's the trouble with small businesses...we are small!  So the same things that make us special (ability to quickly make decisions, take our customers under our wing, or have BBQs for holidays together) also add real difficulty in meeting expectations on the "ancillary" things.  Like blogs.

The best advice (that I should probably follow)?  Scheduling.  You always have some downtime.  Facebook?  Amazon?  I know you've been there.  Instead of passing the minutes looking at what your barely spoken-to acquaintances had for dinner last night, draft out a blog post, a few links for posting, or even just a topic list.

Breaks are an important part of the creative process, so why not make them productive as well?  Social media should be fun, informative, and really show the personal side of your business.  So let yourself go (in a professional way, of course) and enjoy putting some things down for later.  Then, when you want to do a post, check out what you've already written, make sure it fits your mission, goals, and has a positive message (and is suitably professional), then, post away!

How long did that take?

Probably faster than this one.  But fear not, I've taken just a bit of my own advice, and a new entry will be appearing shortly!

In the meantime, have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.  May the BBQs be ever cooking!

Make Your Systems As Honest As Your Team

Ok, ok, it has been a while since our last posting, but work and life got in the way (again).  A sincere apology if you have been eagerly expecting a new post; you may now breathe easy once more!

From my honest declaration comes the topic for today's post: Honesty.

Are you honest?  At home?  At work?  In your company's programs?

Ah, got you there on the last one.  How can company programs be honest?  If you deliver what you advertise, isn't that honest enough?

Obviously, your products and services should be truthful, but having policies and systems "act" honest is more difficult a concept.

Imagine this not-so-made-up scenario.  You have internet service that has been canceled, so, the final bill is inbound shortly.  Upon receipt, you find it is quite incorrect in its amount, so a call is in order to the customer care number.  After too many menus, recordings, and hold times (those are different topics altogether), a representative comes on the line to assist you with your problem.  The call goes great!  The representative notices the error, punches in some keys, explains how it is resolved, and that you should be seeing results shortly.  They even put a notation in your account so if you have to call again, someone else will see!

Honest.  Clean.  They made a mistake, unfortunately (which should never have happened), but they acted to resolve it without problem.

Fast-forward a month.  In the mail, you receive an envelope from the internet service provider.  Thinking it is the revised final bill, you open it, only to find it is actually a past-due notice with the unadjusted amount!  Another call, and the number you are told to call only works for accounts in another state.  Ok, you're transferred, more menus, more recordings, and finally…another representative!  They then explain that all is well, the account is notated properly (thanks previous representative!), but the system automatically sends out the notices no matter what.

Let me repeat that: The system sends out the notices…No.  Matter.  What.

You can have the greatest employees, most awesome products, and unparalleled reliability.  But the moment something goes wrong (it eventually will), your carefully-automated process exasperates the issue.

So the message?  Make your systems as honest as your team.  Take the time to ensure nothing is automatically sent to customers that may contradict what they have been promised.  Maintain a degree of control so you can intervene if necessary.

Automation is incredible.  Just keep it all in line with your company's values and goals.

April Fool's! - Selfish Sunday

This was posted as an April Fool's Day satirical article.  Obviously, we don't want you to be selfish, and definitely don't do it on a weekly basis.  Besides, being selfish every Sunday, just like everyone else, wouldn't be very selfish, now would it? ;-)

Here at GreenProfit Solutions, and especially at our Greater Good Alliance division, we understand what it means to give back. Whether it be through board member service, hunting down silent auction items to help raise money for an organization's annual gala, or putting physical effort into building a home for a family in need. We share the joys, the victories, and the smiles.

But you know what? It's really hard! I mean, seriously, can you expect someone to give back ALL the time? To be a good citizen of Earth without fail? If you can, great, but we need a break. So we have a solution...

Selfish Sunday!

For one day a week, stop bothering to think of others...at all! That mother struggling to carry her groceries and son, AND open the door? Walk on by. The senior citizen just looking for a friend to share stories? Don't be tempted. The sea turtle laying its eggs on a busy beach? Kick the sand.

Doesn't that feel better? Who said the world doesn't revolve around you? No obligations, no guilt, and no commitment! The possibilities are endless. Want to finally live your life...here is your chance, with no distractions from "those in need".

We are extremely excited to be premiering this new tradition on April 1st. New month, new you!

Just remember to get it all out of your system before Monday, because that would just be selfish.

Blogging Is Hard!

Look at the date on this entry. Now scroll down and see the next previous one. Count the days passed (and minutes, if you so desire). It's been a while, you're right! 

Somehow, the tasks of business and personal life overcome the semi-regular schedule for this blog. Which brings us to the topic of today's entry: Priorities. 

We all have them. Does family always come first, or do you find yourself in the office until the wee hours, slaving over that last project? Everyone has their reasons for doing things as they do, but I'd wager to bet almost none of us are as efficient as we can be. 

It's because, even if we have them, we aren't following our priorities. 

What's the most important thing for you to do this week? Watch a child's recital, complete a sales presentation, or maybe return the call of that journalist who wants to do a story on your business. Obviously, if these are all in your week, you'll want to get them done

But first, list out which are truly the most important. There's a reason your phone and computer calendars have a field for Priority. Make sure that, no matter what crises or opportunities arise, you make that recital. See those items which are Low or Medium priority? They can be tasked during more "high risk" times, perhaps when there's a good chance of distractions and delays. They'll get done, but can be pushed back if needed. But those High priorities? Only "low risk" things, if anything, can come near them.

So go fill out those priority fields in your calendar and never miss another soccer game again!

Your Holiday is Over, Get Back to Work!

Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanza, Saturnalia, and every other winter solstice celebration!

We hope you had a fantastic time with family, friends, and college bowl games. Don't you wish it could last longer? But now the year is back in full swing. 

And what a busy year it has shaped up to be. I don't know about you, but I've done more in the past 10 days than the last month, and that's not saying December was a sleeper, either! So we're all back from break, ready for action, and there's more to get done than ever before. 

How does that align with those great resolutions we all made while still under the stupor of eggnog, food comas, and cheap champagne? It would seem a reckoning is at hand. 

My suggestion? Simplify and organize. Sure, now you're really overwhelmed, but you're going to need to take a few moments and figure out what is truly important, then how to proceed to achieve your obligations and goals most effectively. Just like you have made your business operation more environmentally responsible and streamlined (you did, didn't you?), get yourself in line!

Here's how:

Cut the complexity and regain focus (It's tempting to want to tell the whole story of your latest project, but a quick summary gets the idea across better for the majority. If someone wants more information, they'll ask.).

Manage your time (Do your activities help your business, your family? If not, then it's time to reconsider.). 

Look inwards (What's most important? Is that getting your deserved attention?).

I know, they seem so oft-repeated and ridiculous, but they do work, for both yourself and business strategy.

Your Goodbye Is Your Customer's Hello

It's been a long road getting here. Product development, testing, market research, production, scalability analysis...it never seemed to end. But now you've made it. You have a product ready for your customers (and hopefully the world) to enjoy. 

Now the real work begins. 

Sure, you're certain the formulation is safe, cost-effective, consistent, not subject to temperature swings, and countless other factors, but what have you done to ensure an ideal first experience?

A few days ago (I'm not joking), I strayed from my usual lunches and had one of those single-serve Greek yogurts. The first thing I noticed when I peeled the top was how the yogurt had been drizzled in an intricate pattern. It was classy and enticing, and I couldn't help but smile (and eat!). 

Their goodbye was my hello. 

They could have easily left out that pattern. No doubt, it added valuable pennies and seconds to the production line. Margins would be higher, yields as well. So why do something to your product that couldn't possibly even help sell it on the shelf?

My hello. 

Go back to my description of opening the container. Notice anything important? I was smiling about their product before even tasting it!

Before. Even. Tasting. 

What can we all learn from their example? That perceptions, obviously, matter, but not only the ones you slave over for days, weeks, months, maybe even years. You cannot forget the little things, those that "seal the deal" for your customer's satisfaction. 

Would I have eaten the yogurt if it had just been poured into the container? Sure, but it wouldn't have been as memorable. Which brand will I get next time I'm at the market? I think you can guess. 

Once again, the Beatles said it best, "You say goodbye and I say hello."

Sales Without Selling - Part 2 - The Right Passion, ahem, Person

Let's review what was covered before going further. The previous entry covered how the best sales is done without the customer ever knowing they were being sold. "Smell this perfume", "taste this appetizer", "try this cleaner": All ways to sell (if done properly) without selling. Bonus points if you can do it with nothing ever being said.

But how in the world do you get a team of people who can do that on a regular basis?

With a lot of patience, practice, research, and, yeah, time. Not to say that you'll be sailing the glistening seas of sales nirvana immediately following, but it will get you on the right path.

Hiring is a pretty complex process. Here I thought you read a resume, discussed it, interviewed, and either hired or passed on that person. Sure, now add lots of other steps in-between.

When we thought of how we wanted our Connection Development Agents to approach community businesses, we quickly realized that we talk about our offerings not as sales people, but as passionate citizens. So anyone working for us has to have the passion too.

And that, you cannot train.

So, is the resume check sufficient? Nope. For now, let's skip over the skills and qualifications assessment (which we perform differently as well) to what we can call step one:

• Do they have the vision, the passion?
• Are they open to learning about sustainability and community improvement?
• How does that passion appear when talking to someone they just met?

Yes, that is step one. We are a social enterprise, and everyone involved must truly care for it to succeed. A sales person visiting a retail establishment is not what we want, nor can ever use.

A passionate member of the community aiming to help another resident in building a more sustainable world isn't selling. They're making a difference.

And that's not easy to explain in a "Help Wanted" ad.

"GREEN" Is The New Black

This is a guest post by one of our Gold Certification Level members, Organic Catering & Events.

We love to throw a party! There is the food, the cocktails, the friends, the music, and décor.  So much fun.  The one thing we don’t like is the waste.  As a caterer and event planner in South Florida, I became more concerned with that waste. 

As we enter into the season of entertaining, the good news is that with a bit of creativity and a little know-how, you can have a fun festive affair, without it taking a toll on the environment.

Some tips for this season:

1. Supplies: Think like Grandma- Use the Good Stuff- break out the china, crystal and linens. If the event requires disposables look into the new lines of bamboo and plant starch plates, cups, utensils and napkins, they are biodegradable from a continual renewable supply with little negative impact on the environment.
2. Food: Leave behind your global thinking this time and think local.  Shipping ingredients from other parts of the world requires a tremendous amount of fuel.   Look to your local farmers market or CSA- Community Supported Agriculture.  The food will be fresher, taste better and generally more cost effective.
3. Décor: Be resourceful.  Use things you already have in a new and different way.  Use a potted plant orchid or fresh herb, wrap the pot in a cloth napkin and display on a glass block or cake stand for the center of each table.  Afterwards, plant in garden and reap the rewards.
4. Drinks: Simplify here and take advantage of local or seasonal ingredients by serving a signature cocktail and just some select wines and sparkling waters for your event. My favorite this year is our “Florida Snowball Martini” a mix of coconut waters, vodka a triple sec. Fun, Festive and Memorable. Keeping it stylish and unique without the waste.

For more info on how to have a green party or event and other eco-friendly food, drinks and entertaining tips call or email www.OrganicCateringandEvents.com or 954-568-2383

Always in Good Taste,

Chef Marci Boland

How Will You Change the World (Steve Jobs, in memoriam)

Yesterday evening, we learned incredibly sad news...Steve Jobs has passed away.  He fought gallantly with pancreatic cancer and thrived on borrowed time for many years, bringing joy and his unmatched passion to his family and the world.

The story of his life will be told, and retold, in every media outlet, each aiming for a unique way to honor his life and accomplishments.  For they are wide-ranging.  Under his leadership, the world developed a relationship with digital music players, phones that acted more like science fiction, and slabs of glass that expanded on this idea exponentially.  But that’s not doing his contributions justice any more than saying that Einstein came up with an equation.  For entirely different reasons, the world is notably better following their presence.

He saw the world differently, in some ways, how it should be, others, how it could be.  He changed not only how people interact with technology, but developed it in such a way that those intimidated could approach it with confidence.  Art and engineering, together.  Complexity encircled by simplicity.

He’s been called the greatest CEO of all time, and it’s surely a valid statement, considering Apple is the most valuable company on the planet.  It’s certainly one of the most influential.  So what can we learn from his legacy?

That one idea can make a difference.  That boundless passion can shape an industry.  That putting your heart and soul into what you believe can change the world.  "Stay hungry.  Stay foolish."

Many years ago, Apple released a new marketing campaign entitled “Here’s to the Crazy Ones”.  It struck such a chord with people everywhere that it can still be found on every Mac.  Take a close look at that letter being written on the icon for TextEdit and you’ll see.  Art and form, together.

Here’s to the crazy ones.

The misfits.

The rebels.

The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They’re not fond of rules.

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They push the human race forward.

And while some see them as the crazy ones,

We see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,

Are the ones who do.

So, how will you change the world?

A Redesign & New Name!

Well, the redesign has been completed!  If you happen to be reading this post through Facebook, I'd strongly recommend you visit our blog at blog.greenprofitsolutions.com.  It has been re-styled and formatted to greatly enhance usability, provide a more welcoming experience, and give you the information you want quickly and effectively.

Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ Sharing: At the end of each post, there is a row of sharing buttons to quickly share with your network.

But now, on to the question you are most definitely asking: What in the world are Teacups of Sustainability?

Excellent question.

I am a tea person.  Tins of loose-leaf tea kind of tea person.  At home, it's the only thing I drink.  Cold, hot, as long as it is decaf after 3, all is great.

For the coffee drinkers in the audience, think about how tea is served.  Very often, it is in one large pot, with each person partaking in the experience using a small cup, call it a teacup.  This allows the tea you're drinking to stay warm (not too much in each cup), while the larger teapot remains hot.  Each pour is as wonderful as the last, since no sips are inappropriately tepid.

So a Teacup of Sustainability is the same idea.  Think of each post as a teacup.  Hot, fresh, and informative.  Every new post provides a few more insights into the large teapot of sustainability.  And you are welcome to partake in as much or as little of the conversation as you'd like.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to keeping the conversation fresh!

One final question: Do you think the address of the blog should be changed to teacupsofsustainability.blogspot?

A Sale Without Selling

Don't think about a sales person.

What was the first thing that naturally came to mind? Of course, someone trying to sell you something. Car salesperson, perhaps? Maybe phone service...I can save you a ton of money on your cell phone bill.

In reality, the best selling is done without you ever realizing you were being sold. It isn't meant to sound nefarious or "sneaky"; that's just the way it happens. Remember that nice restaurant you were at last week, the one with the great waitress? Going in, neither of you considered an appetizer or their daily drink special, but half an hour later, there you are, sipping away on a wonderful concoction and fighting for the last of the incredible dip. 

Did you enjoy the meal more with those perks? The empty plates and glasses speak volumes. 

So, were you swindled? Of course not. Most likely, the waitress sold you without selling. Maybe she mentioned what the chef was featuring that night, or even explained her favorite items on the menu.

This is how sales should be handled in every industry. Unintrusive and catering to their desires and needs, showing how the product fits the customer, not trying to shape the customer to the product. 

Turns out, this is a rare skill. Lesson learned for our own team.

But, oh, such a shame...our time is up for today! More on how we have worked to overcome this issue and let our clients and potential customers learn how our products and services can help them next time.

A (Big!) Month of Updating

Wow, it's already been over a month since the last update to the blog! Amazing how time went by so quickly, with the soft launch of the Greater Good Alliance (finally!) and the bringing on of two wonderful Connection Development Agents, one of whom is just celebrating her engagement!

Good thing I missed the debt ceiling debate because it sure seems like everyone else had something to say about it. Strange, considering it was a non-issue through all of America's recent history. It's as if certain people are determined to put non-issues in the way of getting real things done.

I can tell you with certainty that we are not those people. In this time, we have launched the ever-evolving website for the Greater Good Alliance, enhanced the Business/Non-profit site, and designed a mobile-signup system for our Connection Development Agents to use while at a business. That's not including the multiple sales and informational presentations, ROI spreadsheet, marketing slicks, and other digital and print items. Or the fact that we now have a full-slate of launch non-profits to help, with many more on a waiting list (Interested? Sign up at business.greatergoodalliance.com and we'll get back to you very soon!).

Our social media presence has also continually been active on Twitter, Facebook, and even LinkedIn (one of our executives moderates the largest Green CPA group on LinkedIn), with regular growth and rising interest.

Alright, alright. You aren't reading this to have me market to you. But remember, most of the world is that way today. You aren't a person, you're a consumer. Organizations and companies who remember that there is a person behind the wallet are generally much more successful. So approach everything with a grain of salt, be prepared to ask questions, and remember to do your homework before agreeing to something or making a purchase.

And if you are offering a product or service, market to the person, not the consumer.

I'll leave you with one of my e-mail signatures: Make a difference in the world...give back!

I'm Busy...Got Words to Write?

This blog is mainly operated by two of our company executives, and it is unfortunately a difficult thing to keep current with all else we are working to achieve. From the continuing development of the Greater Good Alliance to sustainability projects under GreenProfit Solutions, we're a busy bunch!

So first, some updates. What in the heck have we been doing? Well, we're making progress with website development for the Greater Good Alliance and have more details to share:

For consumers (remember the $5 credit upon launch!): www.greatergoodalliance.com

For businesses/non-profits: business.greatergoodalliance.com

Daily Connection Sample Site: www.greatergoodalliance.com/demo

Internally, we are also finalizing welcome kits, implementation programs, and other materials specially for our member non-profits and businesses.

And now...on to the real purpose of the post!

We want your words! Intelligent, well-versed, and passionate words, but your voice nonetheless. We would love to offer guest writers a venue for spreading a message of community empowerment, environmental responsibility, and business development. If you have something to say, please contact us to discuss publishing! Our mission incorporates helping the community, both private and public, and this will simply be another area in which to do so.

Once more, contact us for information on becoming a guest writer on our blogs. Or, let us know if you would like our own written material...we have a well-stocked library of topics already covered, available for your publications.

Throw it "out", take the trash "away", garbage "pick-up"

Notice a trend in "trash-talk"? Nearly every way of saying trash (and recycling) disposal involves a form of "getting it away from here". So what?

When something is constantly "in your face" or readily apparent: trash on the street, graffiti on the walls, a messy room, it's a top priority to deal with it. We relish organization and cleanliness, so naturally, getting rid of these disturbances is highly valued. But, unfortunately, our satisfaction is achieved when it is no longer in our perception. Sure, the graffiti may be gone, literally, but the trash on the street, well, it was just taken somewhere else...away.

NIMBY: Not In My Backyard is a common refrain when speaking of things that are desired by society, but only if they can be kept out of our awareness. Cell towers, wind turbines (though I personally think they are awesome), and nuclear power plants all fall under NIMBY.

"You want it?"
"Sure!"
"What if we have to put it here?"
"Hmm...maybe not so much then."

This same principle is how we treat waste. As long as it is taken away, most people don't give it a second thought. Twice a week, the trash truck comes by and hauls the contents of the waste bin...well, somewhere...somewhere else. That's good enough for most, until we realize that on our joint planet Earth, there is no true "away". Away for one is "here" for another.

Back to the point. By thinking about undesirable things being taken "out" or "away", we lose the importance of their conservation. Take this extreme example: If the local landfill was situated directly across the street from your home, would you make a stronger effort to reduce your waste production, and encourage others to do the same? Sure, because it is IMBY, "in my backyard". Add the N, "Not", and suddenly, we cannot valuate it as clearly.

Apply this to all aspects of your life. From water pollution and conservation to waste/recycling, to consumer spending, there is no away, and a negative taken from your sight is now within someone else's.

Remember that the next time you "take the trash out".

The True Cost of “Deals”

Being of the Baby Boomer generation, I remember when America was the uncontested economic beacon of opportunity and power in the world. Back in the 1950’s and 1960’s, good jobs were plentiful and companies proudly toted their “Made in the USA” tags. Millions of independent farmers provided Americans and the world with an abundant source of healthy food, and small businesses played a key role in driving that economic engine. Unemployment was very low, our good health was almost taken for granted, and even immigration was welcomed. Yes, life was good.

So what happened? Why have we now become a second rate economy? Could it be all about the “deal”?

Sure, we can lay blame upon the rise of the fast food industry, which saw the corn incentives promoted by the government during WW2 and thanks to their lobbyists, still subsidized to this day. They created a factory system controlled by a select group of companies which eventually swallowed up almost every independent farmer, and ensured a never ending flow of cheap foods filled with fats, sugar and calories. A fast food burger is much cheaper than broccoli.

Or we can point our fingers at Walmart, the mega retailer who took on the giants Sears and K-Mart and whose favorite slogan in the 1980’s was “made with pride in the USA”. When Deng Xiao Peng opened the door to foreign investment and a market economy in the Peoples Republic of China, Walmart jumped in and started a massive exodus among American business seeking cheap labor. Millions of jobs were lost to China, (where our trade deficit now surpasses $270 billion), and the trends towards outsourcing spread to many other developing nations which were eager to provide the jobs at a quarter of the cost.

And of course, if we’re pointing fingers, we can’t forget about our own government. Supporting trade agreements which help multi-national companies keep their profits and stockholders happy, while forcing millions of field workers in Mexico and other Latin American countries out of work, seeking jobs outside of their home countries or in illicit activities.

Yes, there have been many stories of corporate greed and influence which have negatively impacted our country since those glory days, and correspondingly, even our environment and social systems have suffered. However, when we take a closer look, who is truly to blame?

Look in the mirror. Yes, it’s us. Unless we were born with the proverbial "silver spoon", from the time we were little, we have been trained to search out the “best deal”. Competition is generally good, but we now have built a mentality that paying “full price” is a fool’s game. Think about it. Deals pervade our media. Whether on TV, newspapers, websites, social media, text messaging, or whatever new technology comes along. There’s even a sense of pride and competitiveness among shoppers (and we are all shoppers) to find it “cheaper”.

The demand for cheap goods has created economic havoc here in the US, which is now a “service economy”. Most people have little idea what that actually means. Suffice it to say, that our once fully independent economic model is now almost totally dependent on products produced in other countries. Combine this dependence with new technologies constantly being developed and implemented, the trend is for fewer job opportunities. Not quite the American dream envisioned by our forefathers.

Unseen by American consumers seeking a deal, are the social, health and environmental costs. Here in the U.S., millions are still unemployed. Due to this persistent unemployment crisis, tax revenues are dramatically down, which has elicited a cascading effect of budgetary cuts, causing even more layoffs, and more people, many without health insurance, eating cheaper fast foods. Our health system, while perhaps the world’s most technologically advanced, is now rated 38th in the world by the World Health Organization, behind Ethiopia. Obesity and other health issues related to poor diet continue to increase dramatically.

These negative effects extend far beyond our borders. In order to meet our demand for cheap goods, millions of children, some as young as 4, are now working in factories around the world. Forests and land areas are being “clear-cut” by multi-national companies, such as the palm oil industry, which has created unsustainable mono-cultures by eliminating all native flora and fauna while usurping lands of indigenous peoples. Giant factory fishing fleets, led by the Japanese, travel the world’s oceans, sucking up every living organism in their paths, whether edible or not, leaving nothing behind. Due to the environmental degradation, entire villages of people have lost their means to support their families, and many have turned to criminal activities. Witness the rise of the infamous Somali pirates which started out as a group of fishermen whose source of food had been decimated by these foreign fleets.

Our obsession with the deal has fueled the world’s fastest growing company, Groupon. Growing from a modest 32 employees in 2008 to over 8,000 today, this company has built an extremely successful business formula on encouraging and offering deep discounts from merchants. Great revenues for Groupon, and great deals for consumers. But not always so for the merchants who are just trying to survive.

I guess that’s the point. In every great deal, there’s someone paying well more than full price. Hey, as long as it's not us...oh, wait.

Author:
Keith Winn - Chief Visionary Officer
Greater Good Alliance

Goals, Deadlines, and Waving As They Go By

If you haven't noticed, we're really excited about launching the Greater Good Alliance. With all these "daily deals" sites popping up, it's thrilling to know we have something based on that premise (ease of understanding by populace), but with a significant ace up our sleeve.

Make that a pair of aces.

Just to refresh your memory, we are aiming to create greater communities, ones that are more intertwined, environmentally-aware, and socially dedicated. Businesses will be directly connected to local non-profits. Citizens will have easy opportunities to frequent those places of business and volunteer for the organizations. And every purchase (to be called a "connection") goes directly back to the local community.

Yeah, it's pretty awesome.

But those are our goals, and not our deadlines. While we are 100% committed to meeting or exceeding deadlines set for work with our clients, we made the mistake internally of not following our own advice. Our milestones were not rigorously followed, and if one slips by, another is likely soon to follow.

We are learning from that mistake.

I feel obligated to pass along what we've gained so you don't make the same slip-up in your organization or business. First, be excited about anything you're doing. That happiness shows through any marketing materials, event announcements, and even standard customer interactions; it is contagious. Contrived "excitement" is seen immediately by your clientele, and it leaves a very poor taste. Second, make internal deadlines just as important as one you would set for a customer. Hey, if it's missed, you can't deliver your product or service properly, so it still affects them! Third, know the difference between your goals and deadlines. They are not the same. Goals are what you hope to get done by a certain time. Deadlines are what you will get done.

Finally, you will miss some goals. Don't sweat it!

Lucky for you, you met your deadlines, so your customers were never affected in any way. In case you were wondering, this also connects directly with sustainability programs as well. Make reasonable benchmarks and work hard as a team to achieve them, but don't get discouraged if something takes longer than expected. Like any other business strategy, you may have unexpected setbacks. That's good. It means you are trying something new.

And what better way to differentiate than to do something no one else is doing?

Mutual help comes from mutual assistance

I want to help promote awesome non-profits. Can I do a ton? Maybe not...yet. But it's something. You know, like the old starfish on the beach story. "Made a difference for that one."

So let me help you! For a while now, our outreach has included calls for the social media information to local non-profits. Are we looking to spam them, solicit them to "buy our stuff", or otherwise harass the administrators of those systems? Of course not!

We are working to build a movement rooted in passion. Those non-profits are where the peoples' passions lie. So let us help connect them with what they likely don't even know exists in their own backyard!

The response has been...ok. Not great, but not dismal. However, I know there are many more great organizations in the Broward and South Florida region not represented! Our research identified over 2,000 of them in Broward County alone. Non-profits: We need your help to begin to help expose you to more people.

Why do we want social media information for non-profits? To feature them, what they are doing in our community, and to tell their story to those who may be interested in listening. Not to solicit donations, but to build the passion, so donations and volunteer time come naturally.

So if you know of great causes that are not represented by us, leave their information in a comment, or post on any of our social media pages (GreenProfit Solutions or Greater Good Alliance, on Facebook or Twitter).

You've got the passion. Help us help you spread it far and wide.

It feels a bit like a (shuttle) launch

You got me. It's been too long since my last post. Do I have an awesome excuse? Sure, I was battling reanimated dinosaurs on a remote island and just finally was able to escape. Good thing no one ever made a book, film, or theme park with that premise. Otherwise, no one would ever believe me!

In truth, we have been hard at work getting set for the soft launch of the Greater Good Alliance. What? Never heard of it? Time for you to get following and Join the GGA Movement! We offer Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for your status update addiction. Be among the first to sign up (it's free, really) and we'll give you $5 to use upon launch towards a discount or straight as a donation to a participating non-profit. Help a worthwhile cause with only your e-mail.

Anyway, that's what we have all been up to here at GreenProfit Solutions. One piece at a time. Like a shuttle. Millions of individual systems that not only need to work properly themselves, but also must work together with each other equally so. Yesterday, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on her final journey into orbit. But it wasn't without delays and challenges. This time, an important power unit that helps keep hydraulic fluid from freezing while in orbit broke. Can't fly safely without those in good shape! So, the team made sure all was well before wishing the crew 'bon voyage'. While you can see the shuttle pass over you while in orbit, the Greater Good Alliance will be landing in South Florida in just a few weeks!

The message in all this? Make sure all the operations and strategies in your business or non-profit work properly. Then, ensure they work properly together. Silo thinking can be dangerous for the Shuttle. It can be costly for you.