“Green” versus “Sustainability”

Everywhere you look, people are trying to be “green.” “Green” design, “green” products, and even “green” concierge services whose sole purpose is to procure “green” goods and services. “Green” is the current buzzword for all things that are good for the environment. A, noble cause given that our environment hangs constantly in a tenacious balance. And since it is the current buzz, everyone, it seems, is getting on the bandwagon from grocery stores to suppliers of everyday goods to service providers.

But seriously, why “green”?

Well, it’s a simple, single, unobtrusive word that can be synonymous with environmentalism. Ever since the green movement started in the 1960’s with the birth of Earth Day, people have been made more aware of their surrounding environment. Many people remember the commercials with Iron Eyes Cody crying at the sight of a ruined landscape. Being “green” meant doing right by the environment as it does to this day. Recycling, turning your A/C up to 78degrees, and other energy and water saving concepts grew from this movement.

Then enter the rest of the story, the balance of being “green:” consumables. It started small, with small groups looking for locally grown produce. Architects and builders started to look at local materials mostly due to cost, but also the reduced transportation costs and pollution. And it grew, looking at aspect after aspect of living and tuning it to be “green.” Even the United States Government got involved passing law after law regulating energy efficiency, water efficiency, and indoor environments. Soon the movement passed from shadow and into the limelight in the 1990’s when it was fashionable to be “green.”

Simple, right? Be “green” and the Earth will be better. Our environment will be preserved and even made better. But it is here where our story hits the wall of consumerism: enter “green washing,” or the practice of proclaiming an item as “green” but it is anything but. More on that in another post…

But back to the original idea: “green”

About the time that green washing came around, the “green” movement stated to evolve, as most movements do. It became apparent that just living “green” would not work with humanity as a whole. Seriously, being hardcore “green” meant giving up many of our guilty pleasures, something that the general public simply would not do. So what was the answer? Well let’s do something to sustain the Earth and humanity, something “sustainable.”

Sustainability helps to strike the balance between being “green” and everyday life. A prime example is paper. To be “green” meant not cutting down trees and recycling paper indefinitely. In theory this concept is a good idea, but in practice not so much. Why? Well, think about this:

Paper comes from trees, it grows in a forest owned by a person, group, consortium, you get the basic picture. That tree has value, so it is harvested by a lumberjack. It is hauled to a local mill, chipped up and processed into paper. At this stage, you could substitute everything up until the processing with recycled content, but let’s look at what happens if we were “green”:

–          The tree is saved

–          A lumberjack loses his job

–          The hardware store does not sell the chainsaw

–          The trucking company does not have a client

–          The trucker loses income

–          The mill reduces its staff, and eliminates machinery

What the basic rundown is the tree is saved, but at an economic price. And it gets exponential. But looking at this in a “sustainable” format, you get the same thing, a tree that gets harvested, but grown in a managed forest that encourages diversity. The trees are taken from a smaller area, and the forest is not clear cut. Environments are preserved while stabilizing the economy.

Balanced.

Sustainable.

And if you are curious about what you read above – check it out for yourself: www.fscus.org. That’s right the US Forestry Stewardship Council – a certifying entity who makes sure that the wood is being produced in a sustainable fashion.

So we could be “green” by being “sustainable.” And by being “sustainable” we can preserve our living environment and our business environment as well.

Are You on Google Local?

I’m addicted to the Internet.  I bet any of the Manatee Chamber members and staff could tell you that.  But because I’m always online, I can talk with some intelligence about the opportunities to market yourself that are available.  So, let’s talk Google Local!

From Google Maps, you can click a link to “put your business on Google Maps.”  So that if anybody searches for your keywords – words in your company name, your type of business, etc. – poof!  Up it comes.   Better yet, with their new Place Pages, you can click on the map icon and get more information – hours they’re open, photos, etc.

Of course, we know that when you’re looking for a business you’re going to head straight to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Preferred Business Directory.  Because doing so ensures you’re buying local and from an organization that supports our community.  But I wanted to make sure you knew that Google Local / Place Pages are available and that you need to register your business!  Free marketing doesn’t come along every day, so go take advantage of the opportunity.

The BBC is off to a great start for 2010!

The Better Business Council Advisory Committee had their first meeting of the new year on January 5th, and approved 9 new members! Gus Sokos of Demetrios’ Pizza House has agreed to stay on for a second year as the Chairman of the Committee, who looks forward to an exciting year under his direction. Thanks to these new members, as well as the Advisory Committee for their commitment and dedication.  For more information on the BBC visit us on the web.

aUniqueCeremony.com
BNI
Brown & Brown of Florida
Crosscreek Environmental, Inc.
Fahey Pest Management
Manatee County Independent Insurance Agents Assoc., Inc.
ProSource Wholesale Flooring
QIC Fire Corp.
Sensational Kids LLC

New Year’s Resolutions for Your Business

It’s that time of year… when we’re all striving to be our best and many of us have set up New Year’s Resolutions to help us along!  Some years I make resolutions, some I don’t.  2010 brings my 20th high school reunion, though, so I’ve got a bundle of them.

But this is the first time I’ve ever considered whether our members make resolutions for their businesses.  2009 was pretty dismal for some and I think we’re all looking forward to 2010 bringing bigger and better things. What can we do to help make it a year to remember for all the right reasons?

1. Promote Your Business Regularly and Consistently. This is the year to bring your marketing plan back up to speed in order to take advantage of the growth ahead.  Whether it’s print advertising, social media, or simply getting new brochures / flyers, prices are still lower than the norm and you may be able to lock in a great rate.
2. Buy Local. How does buying local help your business?  Well, it helps every single one of us by broadening the tax base and increasing employment opportunities for residents. Those residents are then able to purchase your goods / services.  A win-win!
3. Schedule Time. I had to throw the Manatee Chamber in there somewhere, right? Networking works. As does volunteering for a Committee / Task Force that will be working to improve our area.
4. Develop New or Enhance Current Skills. There are many classes and seminars available to broaden your knowledge base. Make the most of your opportunities in the coming year.

I’m sure there are plenty of other areas in which you can set goals / resolutions.  Take a few minutes to set up your plan for 2010. And try to keep them!

Ribbon Cutting Kumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge

Kumo Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge celebrated their Grand Opening on December 10th with food, fun and local celebrities.  Serving Lunch and Dinner including Hibachi Grill, Sushi, Udon and Maki.  Stop by for a House Cocktail, Beer or Wine.   Located at 5231 University Parkway in Bradenton.  Phone 941-355-5866.

EDC has many ways to impact the economy

We had a big month and year that was capped off with the EDC’s annual “Excellence in Industry” awards lunch at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch.

As each company received their awards they said something to the audience.  It was very interesting to hear what they had to say.

The winner of this year’s Innovation Award, Sleek Audio, gave credit to the EDC for getting their technology mentioned in a press release because this led to a new piece of business coming into the company which led to even more from the same industry (three hockey teams and the Tampa Bay Rays are now using their custom headphones.)

That’s the kind of thing that we have to continue to do at the EDC.  It’s never just enough to get a high impact company to locate, we must continue to look for ways to assist them and promotion is one of those ways.

New Year’s Resolutions for 2010

Some years I make New Year’s Resolutions… other years I don’t.  Either way, they don’t last.  But surely one year they will?

Besides making personal resolutions, it never hurts to use the coming of a new year as an impetus to looking over your business.  Where do you see it going in 2010 and how can you ensure your goals are met?

If one of your goals is to get more involved in the Manatee Chamber, we would love to help you out. Just give the office a call to set up an appointment OR make plans to attend a “new member reception” (aka orientation meeting) for a refresher on what we have to offer.

Perhaps a goal is to increase your Buy Local efforts in the hopes that your fellow members will do the same. Buying locally supports our tax base and employs your friends / neighbors.  If we all move more shopping locally, your business will increase and our community benefits in many ways.

One of my favorite goals is to get more organized.  That one usually lasts into February.  I think it’s what I’ll choose again this year!

So what’s your resolution and what will be improving your bottom line this year?

URL Shorteners… and Malware!

I saw an article online the other day, although I can’t remember where, and it started my wheels turning.  Then, today I saw back-to-back posts on Mashable (an online social media guide) that Google and Facebook have come out with their own URL Shorteners or are about to do so.

First, you may be asking me what a URL Shortener is.  Basically, it’s a web tool that really caught on due to social media.  It takes a long website link – say http://www.manateechamber.com/rfp-tool.aspx – that would take up 35 of your 140 Twitter characters – and makes it teeny tiny.  For instance, that web link might become http://bit.ly/8FMNZ4.

But it poses an interesting issue.  It makes it much easier for you to click through to a site you normally would not visit.  You don’t know for sure where that bit.ly link is taking you.  And since Malware developers are among the trickiest individuals around, you can bet they’re taking advantage of this opportunity.

So please be careful clicking on links… especially shortened links like the above.  Keep your computers and your personal information safe!

Going For the Green!

We’re starting the New Year off right by doing our part in encouraging the hosts of the Chamber’s networking events to “Go  Green”.  You’ll notice some really neat bottle-shaped recycle containers at the sites thanks to our good friends at Waste Pro and Signs Now.

The Chamber’s Green Business Initiative Committee is looking at numerous ways to partner with our members to help with this important effort that benefits everyone.

Stay tuned….lots more to come.

EDC Collaborates with SCF Students

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with two State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota  film students in the creation of a short video for the upcoming 2009 EDC Excellence in Industry Awards luncheon.  Their charge was to film 5 high impact, Manatee County companies in the following targeted sectors: Clean Energy, Agriculture Technologies, Maritime & Distribution, Sports Performance and Life Science–a very diversified group of businesses and cultures. To say that I was impressed with these kids is an understatement!  The students, Eric Gillen and Allison Shives exemplified professionalism from the onset to the completion of this important project.  It was an added pleasure to interact with Del Jacobs, SCF, Professor of Film & Media Studies and Don Guy, SCF Film Department instructor and Executive Producer at Blue Sky Creates Inc.  We are very pleased with the final product as it communicates the message that Manatee County does have a diversified base of high impact companies, and the EDC intends to capitalize on that great asset.

We are very excited to announce the winners of the Manatee EDC 2009 Excellence in Industry Awards.  The event is almost sold out, so if you haven’t made your reservation, please do so soon by contacting Debbie Scott at DebbieS@ManateeEDC.com or 941-748-4842 ext 126.