Green Options » Julie Sammons

Naturally Successful: Inspiring Videos for Green Entrepreneurs

Julie Sammons — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:53:10 +0000

Looking to light a ‘green’ fire under your employees, partners, or potential funders? Need a little eco-inspiration of your own?

If a single picture is worth a thousand words, a compelling or amusing video presentation may be worth a turnaround in your small business culture, increased buy-in from partners, or the flow of funds from sponsors. Entrepreneurs must be well-versed in the art of persuasive presentations, yet finding appropriate images and video content to add to the mix can be challenging.

Enter the latest DVD release from Arnold Creek Productions entitled Naturally Successful: Entrepreneurship That Redefines the Bottom Line. Highlighting some of the sustainability movement’s most compelling speakers, this 78-minute video “features interviews with some of the country’s top business consultants, educators, authors and speakers who are inspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.” Consider emailing clips to your team to kick off a sustainability discussion or launching your next presentation with the words of leaders such as:

Van Jones, President of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
Christopher Flavin, President of Worldwatch Institute
Gil Friend, CEO of Natural Logic, Inc.
Susan Anderson, Director of the Portland Office of Sustainable Development

View a preview and purchase the full-length feature, browse the Sustainability Shorts clips, and explore the full sustainability video series on Arnold Creek’s website.

Countdown to the California Clean Tech Open

Julie Sammons — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:07:24 +0000

Looking for a ten thousand-fold return on your investment? For just $250 and the time it takes to complete a three-page application, you could be the next $100,000 winner of the California Clean Tech Open. Just be sure to submit your bright idea by midnight on June 14th.

Clean Tech Call for Entries

“The California Clean Tech Open is unique among business plan competitions: it seeks entries from professionals, scientists and students alike; focuses solely on clean technology; and […] the prize package of cash, services and office space goes above and beyond other awards and is not typically available to early-stage start-ups.“

Eligible entries are accepted in categories as diverse as green building; smart power; air, water and waste management; energy efficiency; renewables; and transportation. Competition winners will be showered with an incredible array of resources designed to fast-track the startup phase. The generous prize packages include $50,000 in cash, one year of office space, legal and insurance services, marketing support, accounting services, and enrollment in the exclusive Summer Workshop Series for entrepreneurs.

Not ready to share your big idea with the world? CCTO offers a wealth of resources for non-entrants, including:

CCTO Sustainability Starter Kit

Formerly reserved for competition winners, CCTO’s extensive Sustainability Starter Kit is now available for download at no cost to curious clean tech ecopreneurs. Proposing concrete solutions to a broad range of challenges faced by sustainability change agents, the kit includes information on topics such as:

Sustainable supply chain management
Waste management strategies
Company case studies
The five rules of green marketing
B2B resources for forward-thinking companies

Smart Power Innovators Symposium

Focused on opportunities in the power market, tomorrow’s Smart Power Innovators Symposium in Sunnyvale, California brings together industry professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors to discuss the future of the global power grid. Expert panelists and CCTO competitors will be on hand to educate attendees about developments in “smart meters, improved storage, real-time monitoring and demand management” as components of the emerging “Smart Power” infrastructure. Later this summer, learn how California companies are tackling alternative power sources at the CCTO’s Renewable Energy Symposium (July 14th) and driving efficiency at the Energy Efficiency Symposium (July 30th).

Trendwatch: 2007 Clean Tech Competition Results

Reflecting broader trends within the clean tech sector, CCTO competition categories continue to evolve from year to year. Updates from 2007 included a new Green Building category and expanded Water Management category to include Air and Waste projects. This year, organizers even considered adding a category focused on projects for the developing world, prompted by an increase in proposals geared toward international development. With 121 business proposals submitted last year in total, the following breakdown demonstrates the relative appeal of the existing competition categories:

Renewables: 21%
Transportation: 19%
Air, Water and Waste: 17%
Green Building: 17%
Energy Efficiency: 13%
Smart Power: 13%

Ready to join their ranks of past CCTO winners, including Microvi Biotech, BuildFast, and Synchromatics? Gather your team, fire up your computer, and submit your clean tech innovation by the competition deadline on June 14th. Keep an eye on the contenders and expect an announcement of the finalists on July 21st.

Venture Capital Meets Slow Money at Investors’ Circle Conference

Julie Sammons — Wed, 14 May 2008 18:00:59 +0000

Fast money and fast movers. These are the phrases that come to mind when entrepreneurs talk about venture capital as a potential source of funding. But what if the flow of funds slowed down…way down?

The Next Generation of Sustainable Capital

The Investors’ Circle spring conference attempted to answer that question during a lively breakout session entitled “Slow Money: New Strategies for Investing in Local Food Systems.” Attended by reps from next generation investors such as SJF Ventures, Transformative Capital, and Renewal Partners, the conference blended a business pitch competition, philosophical discussions, an entrepreneur showcase, and community education in an effort to jump start the transition to a sustainable economy. Ecopreneurist writers were out in full force at the conference, with Leah Edwards blogging the “Is Organic the Next Clean Tech?” breakout session and joining in the networking events.

Slow Money: New Strategies for Investing in Local Food Systems

As part of the larger Slow Movement sweeping the cultures of food, travel, cities, and schools, Slow Money proponents seek investments and returns at the pace of sustainable business development. Slow Money panelist Greg Steltenpohl, former CEO of Odwalla and self-confessed “fast money sinner testifying before you,” advocated for the creation of new metaphors for economic growth. In the Slow Money movement, organic phrases replace academic terminology and new financial vehicles arise to form the “compost of the slow money economy.” Investors’ Circle chairman Woody Tasch expressed this transition as a study in contrasts between old and new ways of thinking:

Extraction vs. Restoration
Transactions vs. Relationships
Linear vs. Cyclical
Taking Out vs. Leaving In
Consumption vs. Restoration

Redefining Return on Investment

When does the expectation of a 20% return on investment transition from being from lucrative to being exploitative? This was the most provocative question raised in the breakout session, and one that generated healthy discussion. Traditionally, venture capital-funded investments expect a 20% ROI before they are deemed successful. Framed in terms of an organic farm startup or community-based enterprise, the panelists challenged the logic of extracting such significant amounts of capital from the local economy. What if 5-14% returns became the norm in exchange for the preservation and restoration of equally vital, yet often overlooked, forms of capital such as healthy ecosystems, fertile soil, thriving communities, and abundant natural resources? These challenging questions beg a fundamental re-examination of our concepts of wealth, investment, and growth as we start down the path towards a slow and sustainable economy.

Free Range Studios Offers Free Marketing for Worthy Causes

Julie Sammons — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:26:45 +0000

The sought-after studio behind famed viral videos “The Meatrix,” “Grocery Store Wars,” and “The Story of Stuff” wants to craft your next marketing campaign — for free. Known for their humorous approach to sustainable social media, the talented team at Free Range Studios invites you to compete for some top-shelf promotional assistance.

“Through Free Range’s 2008 Gratitude Grant program, we are offering up to $15,000 worth of design and/or strategic communications services from our menu of core offerings: strategy consulting, identity design, web design, print design, and online movies.

So what do you want to “ink” this year? A new campaign strategy? A website? A fresh logo? A never-before-seen Internet tool? As long as you have a concrete goal and a concrete goal to make a positive difference for our planet and its people, we encourage you to apply.”

Eager to join the ranks of previous grantees such as the Global Footprint Calculator or ChangingthePresent.org? Act fast and submit your organization’s eight-question application form by 5:00pm on Thursday, May 1st.

A small business success story of its own, Free Range is committed to helping fellow social change agents succeed. Even non-contestants come out ahead by downloading Free Range’s fantastic PDF guides to effective communication strategies. From how-to tips to best practices and case studies, these online resources are well-designed, straightforward, and easy to digest. Topics include:

Viral Web Activism 101
Getting Your Message Beyond the Choir
Connecting with Bloggers
Simple Tips for Overhauling Your Website

I had the pleasure of hearing the studio’s co-founders speak at the Seeds of Change design conference in March, and I can assure you that these guys are the real deal. Their energy and passion for cause-related marketing is contagious. This year’s grantees are in for a treat!

Best Business Books for Ecopreneurs: Axiom’s 2008 Awardees

Julie Sammons — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 05:51:05 +0000

Seeking new sources for inspiring business ideas, leading-edge strategies, and eco-entrepreneurial ventures? Look no further than the inaugural Axiom Business Book Awards, sponsored by the Jenkins Group, Inc. The awards committee combed the globe in search of the year’s best business books before naming awardees in 25 categories including entrepreneurship, business ethics, and philanthropy. If you’re in need of a new book to add to your gym bag or carry-on bag, try one of these winning titles:

Leadership

Conscious Business: How to Build Value Through Values by Fred Kofman

Business Ethics

The Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse by Marianne M. Jennings
Branded! How the Certification Revolution is Transforming Global Corporations by Michael E. Conroy
Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy by Hazel Henderson with Simran Sethi

Economics

Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything by Don Tapscott
The Economics of Happiness: Building Genuine Wealth by Mark Anielski

Additional categories:

Human Resources/Employee Training

Achieve Brand Integrity! by Gregg Lederman

Philanthropy/Charity/Nonprofit

Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age by Allison Fine

Explore additional green business books through eco-minded publishing houses such as Chelsea Green or New Society Publishers. Which invaluable business titles from years past hold a special place on your bookshelf?

Green Business Podcasts: Are You Tuned In?

Julie Sammons — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 13:37:58 +0000

In an entrepreneur’s world, staying current means staying ahead of the competition. Yet with all of the urgent tasks piling up on your to-do list, keeping tabs on the latest industry news and views can easily fall by the wayside. Don’t lose that competitive edge — listen to it.

My personal introduction to the growing menu of green business podcasts came while searching for strategies to make my commute time and gym visits more productive. Ranging from four minutes to forty-five minutes in length, these concise audio feeds speak directly to ecopreneurs through a mix of interviews, international news, trend analysis and expert commentary on the emerging green economy.

I’ve pre-screened the front runners and highly recommend these five favorites:

The Global X Series on SocialEdge
Ethical Corporation
GreenBiz Radio
Social Innovation Conversations at Stanford University’s Center for Social Innovation
IdeaCast from the Harvard Business Review

(descriptions after the jump)

Global X Series

Produced on a weekly basis by Social Edge, these brief interviews capture the international perspective on social entrepreneurship. Catch the video versions on the Social Edge website or subscribe to the audio podcasts via iTunes.

Ethical Corporation

This London-based magazine tackles the question of what it means to be a responsible business through extensive online commentary and periodic podcasts from a European point of view.

GreenBiz Radio

From greenwashing to greening your business from the ground up, the broadcasting arm of the GreenBiz media family offers a wealth of practical resources for ecopreneurs.

Social Innovation Conversations

As one of the channels in the larger Conversations Network, Stanford’s Social Innovation Conversations podcast provides in-depth exposure to the challenges and successes encountered by leading social entrepreneurs.

IdeaCast

While this podcast from the venerable Harvard Business Review covers the full spectrum of leading-edge business and management strategy, green business emerges as a frequent focus.

The next time you’re cleaning up around the office, sweating on the stairclimber, or stuck in traffic, turn up the volume on an eco-podcast and let the ideas flow.

Enter the Re:Connect Design Competition for Urban Entrepreneurs

Julie Sammons — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:11:21 +0000

You’re an ideas person. It’s why running your own business appeals to you, and it’s the reason why you see solutions where others see problems. Turn those ideas into exposure this summer by entering the Re:Connect urban design competition.

A 200-word essay, a clever solution, and a $25 fee secure your entry into this international competition that seeks to build sustainable urban communities. Re:Connect encourages ecopreneurs to consider the role of technology in urban environments, the localization of key services, and biomimetic neighborhood design.

Register for the competition by June 1st and submit your innovative entry by June 15th for consideration. Prizes include $2,000 in cash, media promotion, and the opportunity to sustainably transform an urban landscape. While on the Re:Connect site, be sure to browse additional competitions and resources including:

Re:Route urban transit challenge (2007 winners posted)
Re:Volt energy generation competition (2007 winners posted)
Re:Store business stimulation competition (2008 winners posted March 15th)
Re:Vision sustainable architecture challenge (launching in 2008)
RevisionTV broadcast with profiles of social entrepreneurs