Sales is more than just a numbers game...

Climate Control -- If It's Going to Be, It's up to Me

“We live in a civilization with an ever-increasing hunger for energy and its fixation on fossil fuels to provide that energy is in the process of imploding on itself as our population grows and its demographics change. Yet we live in a world of tough realities – where an elegant solution simply does not exist. We are constantly told that renewable energy is too expensive but, all things considered, it is actually cheaper than traditional energy sources!”

This opening quote is a clip from a November 22nd Press Release that was sent to me featuring Craig Shield’s position on a host of related questions surrounding climate control and global warming. Craig is the founder of 2GreenEnergy. He is also the author of “Renewable Energy - Facts and Fantasies: The Tough Realities as Revealed in Interviews with 25 Subject Matter Experts” (Clean Energy Press).

In reply, I pushed back in an email with my own interest and concern of “…(the) impact of water being used for fracking (hydraulic fracturing) of natural gas - we can live without natural gas, but we can't live without (clean) water” and that  “… no one seems to be able to roll out a cost effective alternative to oil, coal, or nuclear power.” Offering to have an open discussion on my challenge by phone, Craig was very generous with his time and desirous to talk openly about this topic.

It’s this on-going debate of climate control (and global warming) versus “an elegant solution simply does not exist” or “renewable energy is too expensive” that gnaws at me. After talking to Craig, I was reminded of Robert Schuller's book title, “If It's Going to Be, It's up to Me”. This is something we have to attack from a personal level; it’s not going to be resolved in the short term by governments or industry.

As luck would have it, our conversation took place just ahead of the recent (194-party conference) U.N. climate talks in Durban, South Africa. From the short time of our conversation until now, stories have surfaced talking about how “modest accomplishments” were made at the talks, a local wind power project in my area (North Carolina) has stalled due to “utilities have decided the project's power is too costly”, solar-product makers are on the ropes due in part to “weak demand, low prices”, and just yesterday the story about new power plant (EPA) rules will lead to higher consumer energy prices and a loss of jobs. This morning brought news of the possibility of higher domestic natural gas prices as a result of U.S. exports from the newly developed shale gas supplies.

What I most enjoyed about my conversation with Craig was his willingness to listen yet vigorously confront topics head-on.  Also, he seems to understand both sides of the coin of: “…the political, economic, and technology trends that, when fully understood, influence clean energy business strategies.” As I told him over the phone, “It’s a good thing we’re not sitting in a coffee shop somewhere – we’d certainly draw an audience.” But I will admit, I would love to have had the experience of seeing peoples’ faces as we bantered about; well-behaved, but passionate.

Although I would like to take the step forward, I still struggle getting past the investment in solar panels on an individual consumer level. Also, I would like to put in a geothermal (heat pump) field for my home heating and air-conditioning. I have looked into wind power, too. But, each one seems to be greeted with the same barriers to entry: high initial cost, no life-cycle payback, and local regulations (including homeowner association covenants) that make it nearly impossible to install something on a meaningful scale. Local utility agreements and governing bodies can also govern your ability to sell or get credit for any excess power you may be able to generate on your own.

Craig brought forward many incentives for us to change our ways; from the staggering costs of healthcare as a result of pollution to the reliance on foreign nations, or a desire to take control of our own energy destiny through independence. He has a positive outlook and believes that we can “get there by 2050”. What seems to concern Craig is the next decade of 2011-2020. Again, it comes back to what we can do as individuals. The time to act is now. The lingering question is, what are you (and me) going to do about it?

What’s the sales (forecast) algorithm for your business?

While reading a recent issue of Popular Science, I was intrigued by the article “The Santa Cruz Experiment: Can a City's Crime Be Predicted and Prevented?” (October, 2011). It’s fascinating and appears to hold great potential. However, what triggered a related thought to the challenge of accurate sales forecasting (i.e., your sales algorithm) was this: “One of the most common criticisms of predictive policing is that it will not tell police officers anything they don’t know already.”

When I talk to organizations about instituting a disciplined sales approach, and the need for good data gathering, resistance to software and information technology reflects a similar sentiment. Salespeople would rather operate on their own intuition than trust a computer model (or algorithm) to help them predict the close of a sale. 

As the article points out, “An algorithm is a progressive series of calculations used to process and analyze large sets of data.” Said another way, it’s not foolproof in predicting an exact outcome; it merely points to the likelihood of something to occur based on past behavior (or available data). In my mind, that’s the Catch-22 in sales forecasts; if you can’t get people to enter the data, you won’t be able to get the algorithm to reflect a reasonable prediction.

Since I believe most customers have a defined purchase process, and most organizations can likely map a common sales cycle, I struggle to understand why it seems so difficult to build a more predictable forecast model. Rather than ‘gut probability’, often reflected as a percentage of likeliness to close (get the order), it seems to me that you should be able to weight factors against common data points (e.g., time lapse, stage of the sales cycle, past performance/seniority of the salesperson, etc.) and develop a more accurate sales forecast prediction.

My recent discussions with sales professionals, managers, and business owners and executives on this topic have given rise to the notion that the unpredictability that can’t be factored in is “people”. That applies to both sides of the sales equation; on the customer side and the vendor/supplier side. However, the Santa Cruz Experiment leads me to believe that even in high-touch sales situations, where long term relationships help drive business, some predictability could be factored in.

Read the article from Popular Science and let’s get some discussion going on this topic. Also, think in terms of those companies that don’t have the luxury of large software and information technology budgets. Can the average company develop and implement a predictive sales model?

Book Review - Conquer CyberOverload

Conquer CyberOverload: Get More Done, Boost Your Creativity, And Reduce Stress
by Joanne Cantor, PhD, founder of Your Mind on Media

What is “CyberOverload”? According to Dr. Joanne Cantor, it occurs “…when our gadgets and constant electronic linkages interfere with our ability to lead the life we want.” Dr. Cantor implies that in some way the demands of being “…constantly linked to cell phones, computers, TV, and such.” may affect our ability to think and act in a more meaningful way. Many of us claim productivity and efficiency through the examples of ‘gadgets’ Cantor cites in her book.

When asked to review this book, after reading the advance material, I knew I would show a bias toward one’s own self-control to conquer overload. Like time management, it’s up to the individual to set the boundaries and take control of the situation. One of my favorite books – which I have recommended and sent to many friends and associates – is the time-tested “How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life” (by Alan Lakein). Many years later, I still use Lakein’s A-B-C, 1-2-3 priority system for tasks and activities.

When Cantor’s book arrived, I was surprised by its relatively small size – it’s 74 pages in length. From front to back, I easily finished the book on an airline travel segment from Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX to Sacramento, CA. At the end of each chapter is a summary page or two, so the actual subject matter is tight within the chapter, which makes for easy reading. This should not be seen as a deterrent from picking it up to gain some helpful tips that can easily be put into action when you set it back down.

Dr. Cantor claims the book is a result of her “…desire to know more (and to communicate more) about how the brain works and about how people can use that knowledge to make their lives saner and more productive in the Internet age.” In some ways, I wish she had spent more time on this part of the book. Rather than engage in some tips that seem obvious, e.g., take a break with physical exercise, master your interruptions, etc., I would have enjoyed learning more from her research in how the brain works, and why we think we are more productive than we actually are, especially around the notion of multitasking – think texting while driving.

According to Dr. Cantor, we don’t multitask; what we actually do is “Task-Switching”. Cantor says, “…we are rapidly switching our attention back and forth between tasks.” Introduced in Chapter 2, it would be interesting to learn more about how our brain balances the constant distractions and interruptions presented by the challenge of a quality work-life balance. Follow this link for some tips from the Mayo Clinic on: “Work-life balance: Tips to reclaim control”

When I think in terms of task switching, I envision how most of us jump between gadgetry and their applications in the course of a day. Cantor’s book offers some insight, exercises, and tips on how to manage these multiple demands and interruptions of our time, and how to work more efficiently. Also, by taking control of our interruptions, we will manage to get more done. She cites research that shows how our brain can be efficient at moving between two tasks, but can’t manage both of them skillfully when performed at the same time – I would think this holds especially true when things around us are not going well. This reemphasizes the need for us to concentrate on the task at hand vs. handling demands like the guy running back and forth trying to keep all the plates spinning at once.

Other parts of the book talk about creativity and stress reduction. Much of this is well known and fairly straightforward – not much new, here. However, when she launches into the “mirror neurons” research in Chapter 4, you may want to slow down and pay attention. She’s talking about emulating what we watch, and with television and movies, she throws a caution flag of warning, “…your hostility mirror neurons will be well exercised.” Curious, I did some digging around on the Web, only to find there is a great deal of research that points to both the positive and negative effects of mirror neurons – it pays to keep a smile on your face, and your company’s, too.

It seems this book is an outgrowth of Cantor’s workshops and seminars as well as her keen desire to know more about how the brain works. For those of you that serve in a Human Relations capacity for your company, or if you are a manager of a larger department, this book may prove useful as a handout to new employees, or you could offer this as a guide for team members who need to collaborate better on a project or with each other.

Cantor is a recognized expert on the psychology of media and communications, and offers a range of presentations and keynotes for a variety of audiences or events. You can learn more about Cantor’s presentations, as well as purchase the book, from her Web site.

When it comes to the AIA Triangle Homes Tour, think showcase -- not parade

2010 marks the introduction of the first AIA Triangle Homes Tour in and around Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, NC. Modeled in part after the AIA Austin (TX) home tour, which is celebrating its 24th anniversary this year, this introductory Tour will feature “Ten award homes, nine featured architects and a clear demonstration in the value of working with an architect on a residential project of any scope and size.” The Tour will be held October 2nd from 10a-6p.

I recently got together with David Fish, Assoc AIA and Committee Member for the Tour, so I could get a better understanding of the Tour’s importance to homeowners in this tough economy, especially surrounding the downturn in new home building, and the resulting resurgence of home improvement and remodeling.

Over coffee, Fish - as David is known to many; he goes by his last name, as often as his first - explained that many homeowners are looking for better utilization of (existing) space in their home; it’s less about adding on to the home, and more about making the home work better for its occupants.

Whereas some homeowners may turn to magazines, a local home improvement store, or trusted contractor for advice and services, others are learning the benefits to employing the services of an architect. Rather than an approach of “I want something like this.” that may come from a magazine, or prior work of the contractor, these homeowners are more interested in something that may be developed from a more unique perspective suited to their needs. As Fish said during our discussion, “Think in terms of architecture as an applied art that brings together vision and systems.”

The customary homeowner who might look for the services of an architect in this situation is a couple without children, or a typical family of four. In both cases, where they may have sought more space in a move-up to another, larger home, they now want to see if a rearrangement or remodel can expand what they already have in place. There is no age limit to this trend, as empty-nesters are as likely to want these changes as those who are in the more typical age bracket of 28-45 years of age.

Today’s architect can bring valuable insight into the selection of materials, living environment, a better work-life balance, and an overall compliment to the homeowner’s lifestyle. This holds especially true for those who work from home, have a home business, or where couples are both managing business demands from home – a well-developed his and her space can help manage the working atmosphere in a more good-natured way.

The AIA Triangle Homes Tour will showcase the rich history of homebuilding in the Triangle and the resulting neighborhoods that grew from a wide variety of architectural styles, landscaping, and the residential community – including multigenerational occupancy -  that occupied these homes over the years. Although education, promotion, and awareness of using an architect for residential design and use is a key component of the Tour, guests will have a chance to see firsthand how these professionals transformed each home with a unique design solution for the homeowner.

In the conversation with Fish, I challenged him with the notion that many see using an architect as an added expense to the job. Fish was confident that in most cases, the cost of the architect is easily offset in the savings that result from better use of materials, more efficient design, reduced complications from the emerging sustainable trends of Go Green, and lower energy (and natural resources) consumption. The Tour focuses on what is not only sustainable from the use of newer materials and products, but what is also obtainable as a practical and affordable outcome for the homeowner, now and in the future.

On the Tour, you will see this put to use. There are four ENERGY STAR Certified homes on the Tour, along with other green certifications in some of the homes. Along with this positive ‘seal of approval’, you will also find positive use of optional materials, better utilization of space and light, and steps taken to reduce consumption of resources that result in lower utility bills. This becomes important as cities and towns wrestle with rate increases and usage fees, e.g., municipal water for residential use, along with recent drought conditions wreaking havoc on supply.

Tickets for the Tour are $20.00 pre-purchase, or $25.00 on the day of the Tour. You can obtain your tickets online at the AIA Triangle Homes Tour website, or at select Harris Teeter locations in the Triangle. The ticket includes each participant’s entrance into all ten homes along with a Guide Book that can be used as a reference in creating your own positive living space. Many of the architects and designers will be available during the day for open discussion at their respective showcase home.

Sidebar: For the aspiring residential architect, what are today’s employment possibilities? Interestingly enough, they are quite good. According to the BLS (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), “Residential construction makes up a small portion of work for architects, so major changes in the housing market would not be as significant as fluctuations in the nonresidential market.” Looking forward, the BLS predicts that “Employment of architects is expected to increase by 16 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Current demographic trends will lead to an increase in demand for architects.”

$15 saves over 4,000 gallons of water

That drip, drip, drip of water from a faucet will get most anyone’s attention. It’s obvious, can be annoying, and is usually easily fixed with a washer or faucet repair kit. Water conservation as a priority has many benefits beyond just the aspect of social responsibility.

Not only can you lower your utility bill, but potentially reduce or eliminate the unwanted annoyance of mold, mildew, or wood rot (and damage). Dripping in a sink and down the drain is one thing; dripping on or near wood, or creating conditions that are conducive to mold and mildew are altogether different.

While attending a recent home inspection with a relative, we observed the hot water heater was dripping water from the pressure relief valve (down the discharge pipe) – the home inspector had made note of it, along with other plumbing issues. This was not a large release of water, just constant drips like a faucet. The prior homeowner probably didn’t give it much thought as its location was out of sight, and (not so) ‘harmlessly’ draining into the ground.

I replaced the relief valve for them, a.k.a., Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve, or T&P for short, after discharging the old one a couple of times to make sure it wasn’t just debris holding it open. Available at Lowe’s Home Improvement, the relief valve was about $15.00.  It took less than 30 minutes to replace.

BTW - Follow the instructions carefully and turn off the power or fuel source before you drain the heater low enough to pull the valve. Also, copy the numbers down from the old valve (stamped/printed on a metal seal) and make sure you choose a direct replacement; there are many to choose from, with similar numbers, and each one has a profile specific to your model of hot water heater. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of repair, call a Pro.

Along with the notation of the leaking valve, the adjacent crawl space was also marked for signs of excess moisture. Could the two be related? I was curious about just how much water may have been put into the ground. I found a calculator on the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools site that would help me calculate the discharge. Using a leaking faucet as my guide, I plugged in the numbers and was surprised by the following calculation:

Drips per day:  172,800
Liters per day:  43
Gallons (US) per day:  11
Gallons (US) per year:  4,165
Baths per year:   83

For $15 (and yes, plus labor if you called someone out to do the work), over 4,000 gallons a year of water was no longer going into the dirt. Too soon to determine if it is related to the crawl space, my gut tells me that it could easily be a factor. Time will tell as we go about addressing the other points of moisture noted in the inspection. Sidenote: One of the best investments you can make before buying a house is getting a good inspection from a qualified professional.

In many houses, you would be able to see this condition of dripping, or the sudden discharge of the valve – it’s triggered by excess temperature or pressure buildup in the hot water heater. But, for houses like mine that have what’s commonly called a Lowboy style of water heater, the unit is located in the crawl space under the home. Unless you had reason to look under the house, this condition could exist for some time without notice.

That’s why my hot water heater is plumbed to discharge outside the crawl space. Should a condition such as the above occur, I should be able to notice it as I walk about the outside of the house, and it may prevent a large discharge of water under the house (by sending the water outside the foundation).

Much like draining/flushing your hot water heater once or twice a year for sediment (follow the instructions so you don’t damage the heating elements), some manufacturers advocate discharging the relief valve at regular intervals to test it. I have heard pros and cons to this – the concern is that a perfectly good valve will get debris caught in the seal and create an unwanted leak.

If you haven’t done so already, make the inspection of the relief valve and discharge pipe a regular event. This simple walk-around could save you money, prevent damage, and contribute to better water conservation in your home.

p.s.  Check the settings for the hot water temperature – in this case, when I replaced the valve, I also turned the upper element down to a lower setting. Many people turn this up thinking hotter is better. It’s not; people, especially children, are victims of hot water burns at an alarming rate. The most common recommended temperature I have seen is 120 degrees.

Crisis Management – An essential in Public Relations and crisis communication

One of the best books I have read for business - and applied to my personal life as well - is the book “Crisis Management: Planning for the Inevitable” by Steven Fink. Having served on the Three Mile Island crisis management team, Fink takes you through a number of crises in a case study manner that serves as an excellent coaching tool for business owners, managers, and individuals.

Part of the book outlines the need for a clear plan of crisis communications. Where we think in terms of reacting in a time of need, Fink draws out the necessity to be proactive. Many could make the case that the recent event of volcanic eruption in Iceland, and the impact not only to Europe but also around the globe, would qualify for similar proactive planning, especially in the form of crisis communications.

In attempting to monitor the situation, I found the US Media coverage paled by comparison to the coverage overseas. By routinely visiting the BBC Web site, and specific airport sites, I was able to develop a clearer picture of what was going on. Also, staying in touch with business associates and friends overseas via email allowed me a peek into a smaller window of events and activity. I could now get a feel for the impact on both people (stranded travelers) and business – the losses will be staggering when the totals come in.

Having lived in California for seventeen years, I witnessed firsthand the effect of earthquakes, floods, fires, and mudslides. What I felt locally was completely different than what people outside the state thought was happening, or the degree of impact it was having on me.

It was this reflection on California that made me realize I wasn’t taking into consideration the impact to Iceland from the volcano’s eruption. Yes, I saw coverage of the devastation in Iceland, but I had little perspective on what that could mean for businesses and companies that operate from Iceland on a global scale. I was too focused on Europe to even take notice.

In her blog Post “Going with the Volcanic Flow”, Joyce Wady of Connect2 Communications tells the story of one of their clients who utilizes the “natural geo-thermal resources of Iceland to build a green wholesale data center in the country”, and the need for Connect2 Communications to be proactive in order “to help the client message to their customers about the impact of the volcano as well as prepare for any broader stories in the press that may begin to emerge.”

Wady lays out a series of steps and events that other companies could use as a model for crisis communications. Her advice could easily be summed up in her closing remarks, “The key to managing these types of stories is to be prepared and be proactive. Use the current event or industry announcement or regulatory ruling as a means to think about the impact to your company, create messaging that puts the event into the appropriate context for your customers and know when to begin talking to the press. Missing one of these steps could take an opportunity and turn it into a disaster of your own.”

NanoDays 2010 – Events around the country March 27 - April 4, 2010

This notice just hit my desk this morning, so check the link below to see if there are still any events in your area for the weekend (NanoDays 2010 runs March 27 - April 4, 2010). Fortunately for my area, I found one local event for later in the month on April 23rd. I would also call in advance to be sure the event is still being held and verify the location information; things like this are always subject to last minute changes.

Here’s the backgrounder that I got today:

“This weekend, museums and researchers across the country are celebrating NanoDays 2010, a nationwide festival of nanoscale science. The purpose is to bring educators together to create learning experiences for children and adults, and to explore the miniscule world of atoms, molecules and nanoscale forces.

Events are taking place at over 200 science museums, research centers and universities and we're emailing you to let you know your area is included.”

In doing some digging, I found the folks behind NanoDays are the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) . This is an annual event and hosted across North America – to my friends on the other side of the pond, send me information on similar activities on your side. The events are an “all ages” activity so this is a great opportunity for children and adults of all ages to experience hands-on  “materials [that] have special properties and new technologies [that] have spectacular promise.”

In and around my local area, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill (a.k.a., the Triangle), NC State University is hosting their NanoDay 2010 on April 23, from 3pm-5pm. Here’s the brief mention I discovered:

“Explore amazing new applications and consumer products that have resulted from nanotechnology at NC State University's NanoDays to be held from 3- 5 on April 23, 2010 at Engineering Building 1 on Centennial Campus. Events include demonstrations in nanoscale science, talks by leading researchers, and tours of laboratories that are doing cutting edge science. The grand finale will be the opportunity to sample nano ice cream made by our team of nano engineers.”

If you attend one of these events, let us know about your experience.  For a more complete list of activities (and hosts) in your area, follow this link.

Planting trees with chain saws? These folks think it WORX

I have put a few Posts out there on items related to chain saws. You’ll find one on a vise for sharpening chains in the field, and another related to a new splitting wedge design for quicker work in turning logs into firewood. But, when it comes to chain saws, I keep them above ground as much as possible. The folks at WORX have announced they plan to plant trees with chain saws.

In this case, “plant” is a relative term. Although you might envision someone digging holes with the business-end of the chain saw, and dirt flying in all directions, what they are talking about is a matching donation of dollar for dollar, tree for tree, when consumers buy a WORX product. The consumer will be able to “choose to plant a tree by donating $1 to the Arbor Day Foundation” and WORX automatically matches the donation.

This promotion is to call attention to the release of two new electric chain saws that feature the WORX AutoTension system - an easy-to-use, tool-free chain replacement and tensioning system. WORX electric chain saws follow the typical use for pruning, and light tree maintenance, to promote the overall health of the tree. According to the Press Release, the goal is to “plant one million trees in our national forests to celebrate the company’s launch of their new electric chain saws.”

For those of us accustomed to the more traditional wrench and screwdriver (or the combo tool, assuming it’s not lost), the AutoTension system allows you to ‘dial-in’ securing the bar and the proper tension on the chain without any tools. According to Craig Taylor, Vice President of Marketing, “The revolutionary new AutoTension system on the WORX chain saws is like no other.” That’s handy for when a fresh chain heats up a bit, putting some slack in the chain. Also, this makes for a tool-free chain replacement – I’m betting that’s how the combo tools get lost in the first place, when you ‘field change’ a chain and forget where you left the tool, or you accidentally grind it into the soil with your steel-toed boots.

Don’t forget, since they are electric there is no need to carry around a gas can properly mixed with 2-cycle oil - not like that’s an exacting science, the ratio can vary from saw to saw. These models are also equipped with an auto lubrication system to keep oil on the chain. Equipped with a built-in safety brake for protection against kickback, these units have a rubber over-molded rear handle and ergonomic full-wrap front handle for operator control and comfort.

The two new WORX electric chain saw models come in both 14”and 16” bars - #WG300 (14-in. bar, 14A, 3.0 HP) and #WG303 (16-in. bar, 14.5A, 3.5 HP). You can buy them from a number of major retailers as well as directly from WORX.

Green building in the restaurant and hospitality industry

By Brent Francese, Lead Designer at Clean Living

The restaurant and hospitality industry is keenly aware of their energy and natural resource use. Not only do they see it reflected in their utility bills, but as a whole, they make every effort to be socially responsible with the products they use and an overall reduction of waste.

Recently, Dennis Quaintance - owner of the Lucky 32 restaurants and the O'Henry Hotel - was interviewed by Frank Stasio, the host of “The State of Things” (WUNC-FM). Quaintance talked about how he became recognized for his green building efforts (as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council) through the design efforts of the Proximity Hotel, in Greensboro, NC. You can listen to the March 15th “The State of Things” broadcast on the WUNC Web site.

In the interview, one of the areas that comes forth is the struggle to find the payback in ‘Going Green’. In some cases it may not be the best overall choice. There will be instances where the better choice may be a traditional use item, or product, over its green counterpart. But, there are ways that today’s restaurant and hospitality veteran can make better, more informed decisions in the choice to go green.

One of the first places to look is energy use. The simple and straightforward options are in lighting; numerous lighting options are available to reduce overall consumption of electricity and often provide a ‘cooler’ operating environment for a reduction in air conditioning use. Also, look for opportunities to reduce the duration of lighting by offering spot illumination, automatic sensors, or more efficient outdoor lighting in signage and parking lots.

When acquiring new equipment, something Dennis Quaintance conveyed in his interview as ‘first use’, energy efficiency should not be the only consideration in your choice of equipment. By combining this purchase with a larger picture of reduction possibilities, you may find that going green in one area can help in the selection of another, e.g., greener landscaping or building material that lowers the overall temperature of the building may help reduce the amount of cooling/heating power needed for the building – you may be able to purchase a smaller HVAC unit.

Another natural resource to consider is water. Our recent drought conditions in North Carolina brought a keen awareness to the patron and server when it comes to a glass of water served at the table. However, when the drought seemed to pass, in some cases, so did the effort to reduce consumption. Some of the good habits learned in the drought can be adapted for use on a permanent basis. Also, this carries over into washrooms and water usage. Beyond low-flow fixtures, and those with automated mechanisms, think in terms of products that can clean more efficiently with less water, as well as looking for a reduction in cleaning agent use. Here again, a more careful selection in building materials and products can make a difference in the way they withstand frequent cleaning and foot traffic.

Consider your building, landscaping, and overall land use. The smaller the footprint, the better. When it comes to landscaping, think drought. Your plant selection will not only weather better, but in most cases you will reduce water consumption from irrigation, require less maintenance of the grounds, and become a candidate for a reduction in landscaping service costs from outside vendors.

New planting that may require more maintenance in the form of trees or other larger plantings may be a means to cool your building naturally while improving the overall appearance. This is where careful planning and a long term view should be taken into account. Other areas to consider are designs that inadvertently encourage abuse of the landscaping from foot traffic, or shortcuts by employees to other areas of the building.

Lastly, think education. You can carry the Go Green movement outside the confines of your establishment by helping your employees to think green. This effort can bring new opportunities for you as employees return to work with ideas and methods that can help you achieve a stronger environmental presence for your business.

Many local resources are available to learn more about green building practices for businesses. The North Carolina Triangle Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council was formed in 2004, and serves the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel-Hill area and eastern North Carolina. You can locate other chapters throughout the country via the U.S. Green Building Council web site.

About Brent Francese (Raleigh, NC):

Known for his work in the field of construction, Brent has served numerous office environments, small and large residential projects, commercial developments, retail developments and mixed use buildings. He is also an accomplished musician and graphic designer.

Clean Living is the collaboration of two architects, Tony Lineberry + Brent Francese – “Our world has become overwhelmed with the "green" label of design and architecture. It is our goal to help shed this label into creating a smart architecture for living our lives. This architecture is an organic one that will become a necessity to our environment and our daily lives.” More information on Clean Living can be found at: http://www.designsforcleanliving.blogspot.com/

Entrepreneur’s Challenge: The problem continues – Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)

Back in October of 2007, I wrote a blog Post titled “Entrepreneur’s Challenge: When the colony collapses, where do the honey bees go?” I challenged readers with the following:

“Here’s the Entrepreneur’s Challenge: How would you go about tracking the whereabouts of the missing honey bees? Since they navigate to and from the hive in a relatively short distance, around 2-4 miles, it should be easy to set up some low range tracking device and help solve the mystery of the missing honey bees.”

This morning I caught a headline on msnbc.com titled “Busy bees, but hives are besieged, diseased” with a subtitle of “Scientists struggle to find cause — and fix — for colony collapse disorder”.

In the article by Adrian Higgins, from washingtonpost.com, the problem can be summed up with “After three years of research, scientists think the cause is not a single factor but a cocktail of maladies that together weaken and sicken the bees.”

Stephen L. Buchmann, Ph.D (Department of Entomology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ), made mention of this aspect in a comment to my original Post. In that comment he brings forth a number of the factors that could contribute to the problem as well as some education surrounding the industry and how it affects crops.

Also, funding for research and awareness seems to be minimal to solve the problem. Not long ago, I watched the film “The Last Beekeeper” on Planet Green (Discovery Communications), which “…follows the lives of three commercial beekeepers in South Carolina, Montana, and Washington. Over the course of a year they struggle to come to terms with the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), a phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive or European honey bee colony abruptly disappear.” Other documentary films like “Vanishing of the Bees” are making an effort to raise awareness, but they are minimally funded and scrambling for attention.

Sadly, the extent to which the USDA suggests the public help combat CCD is limited to “The best action you can take to benefit honey bees is to not use pesticides indiscriminately, especially not to use pesticides at mid-day when honey bees are most likely to be out foraging for nectar. In addition, you can plant and encourage the planting of good nectar sources such as red clover, foxglove, bee balm, and joe-pye weed.”

With so much government spending elsewhere, whilst our nation's crops are most certainly at risk (from this unsolved mystery), you would think they could do more about CCD; while spreading all the $timulu$ around, how about sending some toward solving CCD. Maybe it’s time for all of us to pen a note or make a call to the local, state, and national Department of Agriculture offices and help raise this profile of need. Look around the universities in your area and see what they need, too. After all, this is one issue that literally goes right to your gut.

p.s. Follow this link to the USDA’s Progress Report on CCD, dated June 2009.