Jul 13 2010
We’ve identified the six biggest blunders companies make in communicating their environmental sustainability efforts and impacts – in other words how they “step on the hoe” in talking about how green they are. The first and most egregious of these blunders is a lack of substance to back up claims. A study conducted in April [...]
Jan 12 2010
It’s 2010! As we leave the decade of the “oughts” behind, we wanted to take a look back at some of the trends we’ve seen emerge in sustainability. The emphasis on sustainable business has intensified during this time as the changes in our climate have left an indelible mark. Here are some of the notable [...]
Oct 28 2009
I attended yesterday’s virtual press conference announcing the debut of the monthly Green Confidence Index (GCI). It’s a very clever idea, developed by reputable research company, EarthSense, and its Chief Research Officer, Amy Hebard. Most business execs are familiar with the often cited Consumer Confidence Index, a component of the leading economic indicators from the [...]
Jan 25 2008
In the debut issue of HBR Green (from Harvard Business School), Steve Bishop of design firm IDEO wrote an article entitled “Don’t Bother with the Green Consumer”. This is a catchy and provocative headline that obscures the real issue. I believe there is a “green consumer” market – i.e. consumers who prioritize sustainability above other [...]
Jan 17 2008
In many industries, some of the most promising opportunities are niche markets – requiring specialized products or services that are outside the mainstream. GreenDisk, a provider of nationwide* electronics recycling services, is an interesting example of a “green-focused” company successfully addressing a niche opportunity. While GreenDisk offers a range of electronics recycling services, the company’s [...]
Dec 11 2007
As a company offering clean technology products, you may have a great story about how your product is better for the environment than your competitors’ offerings. But, if your message does not resonate with your target market, it will fall on deaf ears. How do you get your cleantech message across when environmental benefits are [...]
Dec 06 2007
Now we really get into the “art vs science” —but don’t believe this for a minute. Forecasting is one area where math applied does give you some real data to match against the revenue plan. First, put a scoring system in place so that every possible deal has an objective frame. Match it to your [...]