DareBooster

How to become THE most hated entrepreneur in 3 easy steps.

It is indeed easy to become the bad guy in this world. But even in the old days long before the internet en Web2.0 technology was created, my grandmother said to me : "It takes only one thing to ruin your reputation but a lifetime building it."

I read somewhere that most people do the opposite of what they have been told.

So here are the 3  fastest ways to loose all you've got, and you better keep them in mind.

1. Cheat on your partners, I used the word "partners" because this gives you the freedom to apply  this powerful tool in work and personal life. What will happen : People will find out and blow the whistle, it makes them feel as the small hero bringing down the mean dictator. Governments are paying the whistle-blowers rewards from 10 to 30% of the recovery, this is a motivation, isn't it?
2. Lie to your costumers. Really powerful especially in a Web2.0 environment. What will happen : Do you really believe you can hide a secret with all these snoopies, bloggers, virtual reporters, competitors investigating you to find your weak spots? Do you remember the latest Sad Dell Story? An unhappy client started complaining on his blog about the weak performances of Dell laptop warranty repair service.  BANG thousands of visitors started sharing their experiences. I'm not lying here is the prove : http://daddy.typepad.com/daddyblog/2008/05/dad-vs-dell-hav.htm
3. Break your promises. What will happen : They will not forget what you've promised, everything you say today will be recorded instantly, printed or published on the internet. I test a lot of ecological products and must say many do not meet expectations. I feel mistreated and misinformed when a wonderful green product isn't working. Last week I saw a documentary on Round Up and it really struck me to find out this product isn't biodegradable.(It is mentioned on the package) In a way it is, if you can wait 70 years. Hé, this is not what I call biodegradable. Liars, cheaters and criminals that is what I think about Monsanto.

"I would prefer that business leaders actually provide leadership so working people who rely on the wage to live don't get screwed by the poor decisions of corporations."(thewaythingswas)

"Now after meeting and brainstorming with the team at VirginUnite – I’d strongly recommend them as a candidate because of the way they are creating entrepreneurial solutions to significant problems and a force for good. As entrepreneurs we know we can foster innovative solutions to business problems – this is the same force being tapped for the greater good. I’m really excited about some of their projects and what us, as entrepreneurs, can do together. You’ll be hearing more about this soon".(Yanik Silver)

If you think about your child or your (future) grandchildren, how will their world look like? Have you helped building it? Come on be honest, make a commitment and stick to it.

Success, Ronny

Green to Go !

Green is the signal to proceed, permission to go ahead with a project. Take off, Launch, Create, Inspire, Change, Develop. (Source : Oxford Dictionary)

Or as in Funky Business Forever: How to Enjoy Capitalism (Financial Times):"...technology is changing and will continue to change faster than any government can issue regulations to control it."

Every day I hear Business Owners say : "What will be the next step? How can I stay on track? What will happen if we can't control it?"

This is fear, there are no rules anymore, you have to find out how to get along.  With your clients, customers, employees.  But also with your students, family and children. That's it.

Ridderstrale & Nordström mention 3 drivers  moving us forward into the unknown, naming changes in technology, institutions and values.
This means that we all have to find out for ourselves how we will manage our lives and businesses.

A good question asked by Eckhart Tolle in A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (Oprah's Book Club, Selection 61) : "What about turning choosing from being chosen to do something?"  You have to serve your soul. What is your mission?  If you think about your children's future, are you helping to build a better place for them?" Making this place healthier can be an inspiring guidance.

Look for the green light, with your eyes open to the future... three, two, one GO!!!

Economy Back on Track

What did I write in my previous post?

"What about 1973?"  First real oil crises. US did not take this opportunity to change the economy. Even in the mid seventies Japanese cars used only half as much petrol compared to American cars.

What I read today on Yahoo!news by JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer
"Even though Bernanke has made clear the Fed's top priority — for now — is trying to get the economy back on track, he also says he remains mindful of inflation risks, especially from high energy prices".

Oil prices have reached new record highs, galloping past $100 a barrel in recent days. High energy prices can spread inflation by boosting the costs of a wide variety of other goods and services and can put a further damper on overall economic growth by crimping consumer spending.
Fears have grown that the country is heading for a recession or is already in one.
Are we talking about oil again ? Are we going to take the opportunity this time ?
Imagine if the USA and the European Community would make the change now from oil-based to renewable energy economy!!!

By the way,  taking action can be very powerful !

For example, China started their family control policies in the 1970s and it boosted prosperity. Now blinded by wealth, luxury and a "money can buy you anything" mentality they start thinking about canceling the one-child policy. It all started because world's biggest population strained scarce land, water and energy resource. And oil ???

"Dear customers, We Care About Our Children's' Future ! All Our Printed Materials are Environmentally Safe !"

In my coaching practice, I often hear the following question from managers:
"Where do I start ?  I have no experience in going green or being green at all."

What is the first thing that customers see from your company ?  What is the first impression they have from your product or service ?  Right, it's information, publicity, ads in papers, packaging, leaflets, user manuals.  It is a lot of printed material.

Let's say you are not a printer, but you use printed material to promote your service or product.  What do you know about printing?  Not that much because it is not your responsibility.  You or the copywriter creates an idea and you'll send it to the printer.  So, what about asking him for advise?

From now on you want to print environmentally friendly.  You will use less resources, less to no pollution.  Doing it this way will add a value to your message : "Dear customers, we care about our children's future."
You don't have to know anything more about green printing then you did about printing in the old days. Let your printer know that you want to create environmentally friendly material.
Ask him. "How will you do this?" Let the printer help you to define how green you want to go.
Green alternatives are available for any piece of the puzzle. Guide to Book Publishing (The Green Guide Girls)

Here is a list of green alternatives to get you and your printer going :

• More then sixty environmentally responsible book papers Tyson Miller of The Green Press Initiative.
• Up to 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Rule of thumb: "1 ton of 100% post-consumer content paper, such as copier or printing paper, saves 24 trees. This number is based on calculations that Conservatree did with Environmental Defense from data in Claudia G. Thompson's book Recycled Papers: The Essential Guide  published in 1992.  Combined with data from Environmental Defense "Paper Task Force Recommendations for Purchasing and Using Environmentally Preferable Paper" published in 1995. (Source: www.Conservatree.org)
• Vegetable based inks instead of petroleum-based inks
• The use of renewable energy products during the printing process.  Paper can be made using wind, solar power, water power or other renewable energy sources
• Chlorine free paper : Chlorine is a chemical used in the bleaching, or whitening, of papers, and to say chlorine is a "dangerous" chemical is the understatement of the century.  Dioxins are the byproducts released during the manufacturing of chlorine-bleached papers. According to Deborah Bruner of New Leaf Paper: "For a long time paper mills were the number one source of dioxin pollution in waterways in the U.S." and as a note "Dioxin is considered the most dangerous carcinogen to mankind".
• And last but not least you are saving trees. More tips on Going Green on TreeHugger.com
  

Save the Planet = Stop the Blame-game !

Plastic made of petrol and chemicals is not biodegradable.  This means that if you don't burn it (which, by the way, produces highly toxic gasses) they will stay on our planet for much longer then you and I will live.
Almost everything we eat and many of the things that we use in our daily lives are made of or packed in plastic made from petrol.

To give you an idea of the enormous quantities : a vast swath in the South Pacific of about twice the size of Texas, is full of floating plastic garbage. (this was november 2007)  Yesterday I heard on the news that meanwhile the plastic whirlpool has grown as big as the United States.

You can read many scientific reports about the consequences of this immense pollution.
Amongst many others, Captain Charles Moore is one the people who is sounding the alarm.  You can read a most depressing article  in Life Best Magazine about Charles Moore and his work if you click here.
But be warned, if you read all through to the end you might feel a little bit discouraged and depressed ...

Unfortunately it's always the same old song, someone is shocked and tries to saddle up people with a guilty conscience. 

Faking Green can become painful

An example how not knowing where to go with green marketing can cause some troubles.

A few days ago I received a mail from an employee who has to drive a Toyota Prius from now on. The way I wrote it you can imagine what she felt. Yep, unhappy!!! She wrote something like: "this is really a downgrade, you know, from a sport Mini to a Prius? Damn, this is not what I like. If you only know... I'm the kind of sportive type... the Mini was my car, the Mini was me."

What went wrong here?

I asked her to consider a positive contribution to the world, seeing it from a different perspective. She was very willing to do this if not her boss was driving a huge pimped Land Rover. And to make it even worse, he ordered an other Prius and added very friendly that the 2 Hybrids will be parked left and right from the Land Rover, to cover the monster up.  Now we're talking about leading by example!!! Is this the way of the mindful leader?

Come on, there are plenty of opportunities and if we want to live on a healthier planet, somebody has to make the first move. I truly believe only the entrepreneur has the power and energy to create the change. The free of spirit, the adventurous, people who prefer action, investment and return instead of talking until we'll all drawn.

If you're thinking of cars, what about the BMW Concept X6 ActiveHybrid,   this years they were winner of the new award “Grünes Lenkrad”

Greenwashing ... Green Pimping, what's in a word !

In one of my earlier posts I talked about "Green Pimping".  How some companies try to make a product "look green" in order to boost up sales.   Others have another name for this phenomenon : "Greenwashing"  But we're talking about the same thing.

From a business point of view one could argue that any argument is OK when it helps getting higher profits.  But let's not forget that consumers have a voice.  A voice that can and will be heard in networks and social platforms.  Publicity, branding and marketing are no longer a one-way communication.  There is a growing number of consumers out there who are having conversations about ads and products !  Have a look on this Greenwashing rating site.  And this is only the beginning !

Should that scare you as a manager or a sales-person ?  Not if you're willing to be open to what the public says.  Listen to their needs, worries and desires and be honest in your market approach !  Clarity and honesty will actually make your profits higher.  Believe me, people need to be heard and the chances for your company to survive will increase if you interact in the most direct and honest way possible. 

Instead of Greenwashing your "old product" by adding a few "green" elements to it you should consider "Green Strategy".  This is a process that will eventually take more time and effort but it will pay of on the long term.    This is exactly what I do as a Business Coach in 2008.  I support individuals and companies who are serious about "going green".   Who want to have a complete overview on their business in terms of materials, production, waste, management and the well-being of employees and customers.   Who want to have a realistic approach to possibilities and opportunities that can contribute to a profitable and healthy business.

Environment is no longer the privilege of a bunch of alternative long-bearded, well-meaning folks.  It has become the concern of all those who live on this planet and especially of those who have the means and the possibilities to make the change !

FUEL

FUEL

What you're not using you don't have to pay. 3 ways to save energy and money.

1. Drive less, what about walking?  The use of public transport, a bike or carpool. More ideas go here
2. Drive an energy efficient car. More information on saving energy and greener cars go here
3. Buy and install a programmable thermostat, you can easily lower the temperature in your home while you're sleeping or out of your house.

We do not inherit the earth from our fathers.  We borrow it from our children. David Bower
I often recall the conversation between Neo and the Oracle in Matrix Reloaded. The Oracle explains : "You didn't come here to make the choice. You've already made it. You're here to try to understand why you made it."

You Are what you Eat

Food & Fuel Push Up Inflation

Lets start backwards. What is inflation?  "Inflation is the loss in purchasing power of a currency unit such as the dollar, usually expressed as a general rise in the prices of goods and services."

We have many measures of inflation, but none provides a truly reliable gauge of inflation at any specific time. The most widely watched measure is the consumer price index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sub-indexes are available for different cities and for many different classes of goods and services.

One problem with the CPI is that the weight attached to each class of goods and services is held constant for years at a time. Therefore, when consumers lower their cost of living by buying more items whose relative price has fallen and fewer items whose relative price has risen, the CPI will not show a decline in the cost of living." ( David Ranson) More about inflation 

So what if you were ready to ...

You are what you wear! Green&sexy?

You are what you wear!  Green&sexy?

Naturally. Are Trudy Styler, Angeline Jolie and Cameron Diaz sexy? They wear their values. Yes I am talking about sustainable fashion.  25% of agricultural pesticides are used on cotton, causing major water pollution, chronic illness in farm workers, and devastating impacts on wildlife.

In 2008 Clothes have to be more then cool, they have to be healthy for your skin and for the planet. Eco-friendly clothes and products are hip. It's about a shift from protesting as in the old days to working on a plan, a big green plan.

"It's not a fringe movement anymore," says Lucky fashion editor Hope Greenberg. "The clothes are easier to find, and celebrities are picking up on them."

WWF

Some Sexy, Green and Hot examples: