Shift your mindset from hell to heaven

How does the BP oil disaster affect our businesses? Its effects on businesses in the Gulf are obvious. As a savvy business owner, do you see its effects on your own? Sometimes the answer is so close, we just can’t see it.

As one way to light a candle, rather than curse the darkness, I offer this mindset shift.

In Ian McEwan’s book, “Solar,” a physicist tells the story of a man living in a rainy forest. The man is terribly thirsty. He has been cutting down trees to get at the sap, so he can quench his thirst. The destruction all around him is evidence of his desperate quest to find something to drink. Sure, he could just tilt up his head, open his mouth and let the rain in. Or he could make a bowl to catch the rain. But he’s just so good at cutting down trees. So that’s what he continues to do.

It’s an allegory of our quest for energy: we go to greater and greater lengths to dig up ancient trees and sunlight in the form of fossil fuels. And yet, the earth receives more energy from the sun in just one hour than the world uses in a whole year. But we are just so good at pulling up fossil fuels. So that’s what we continue to do.

One great distinction I’ve heard recently is between fuels from hell (fossil fuels from the earth’s fiery crust) and fuels from heaven (solar, wind from the sky). We are living in such an interesting time: this shift from hell to heaven is taking place NOW.

Here are three mindset tips to help you take advantage of this shift and contribute to your business success.

Continue reading this article on my blog...

groSolar to add 30 new jobs in Pennsylvania

National solar installer and distributor, groSolar, announced this month that it will open a new sales and operations center in the Philadelphia metro area. This is just one example of the growth of the “fuels from heaven” business. Details here.

Think green

It’s not enough to “go” green these days. The way of the future is to “think” green. GOforChange’s greening of business work was profiled in the June issue of Mason Dixon ARRIVE magazine. Follow this link to download the PDF of the article.
 

7.30.10: Presenter at workshop “Net-Zero Energy Building Design and Construction”

Julie and Julia Craighill from Steven Winter Associates are leading a day-long workshop for architects and contractors. We will answer the question, what is a net-zero energy building, review case studies, and give tips on best practices for design and construction. Download the PDF flyer for more information.
 

The weekly green: juice for the journey


We have a new feature on GOforChange. Every Monday, I will offer one of my favorite quotes as inspiration to support you through the challenges you are bound to encounter along your path as an advocate for the earth.

I’ll include a bit about what the quote means to me and a question to take into your week. Read the latest one.


Nail your niche, once and for all

Ever wonder if you are reaching the right audience? Would you like to have a steady stream of eager clients hungry for what you do? My mentors, Kendall SummerHawk and Richard Shapiro, have put together a wonderful course to take you step by step through their process of defining your niche. Learn more here.

Tap the Power of Networks! Become an Enlightened Insider.

An effective way to tap into the awesome power of networks is to become a GOforChange Affiliate (or, as we say, Enlightened Insider). As a savvy marketer who cares about the environment, you can help the earth and make extra money at the same time. When we offer programs, you can choose to promote them and earn commissions on any sign-ups that come from your links.

Learn more on our affiliate page. Sign-up takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
 

Schedule your green business strategy session

Are you encountering challenges or roadblocks in your greening program? Feel like you’re wasting time considering too many options? In your organization, is there apathy or a general lack of buy-in? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute Green Business Strategy Session with Julie. We’ll roll up our sleeves, diagnose your needs, and come up with some strategies for you. We are offering a fresh round of these sessions, and there are only a few slots left. After July1st, this offer disappears! Just send an email to chris(at)serenityva.com with subject line “Green strategy”

We help you accelerate greening your business. Compress a year’s learning curve into three months.

We work with small business owners to find simple, practical ways to increase your profitability, satisfaction and success by going green. We’ve been at this for 20 years, so green isn’t a fad or trend to us. We know how to go right to the heart of the matter, cut through the clutter and get to the gold.

We tailor our work with you based on the kind of support you are looking for and your level of experience with greening your business. An overview of our programs:

Green Business Initial Assessment
This questionnaire gives you a quick and clear overview of the drivers and strategies that can unlock the bottom-line benefits of green for your company.

Green Business Benchmark
Whether you are just starting out or an experienced greenie. Fine tune, cut through the hype and go right to profitable, creative solutions. The Benchmark engages your green champions, and lets you move away from ineffective, piecemeal tactics to vision-steered strategy.

Green Business Acceleration
Accelerate your greening results with visible "wins" that save time and money right away. This 6-month program, which includes the Green Business Gateway, provides ongoing mentorship, education, masterminds, accountability, and leadership laser coaching.

Green in 15
Refocus and reinvigorate your Green Team's efforts. 15 days x 15 minutes x 15 actions = 15 green results. Online teleclass with recordings and supplemental materials. Content and schedule can be customized for your team.

Julie Gabrielli, founder of GOforChange, is an award-winning, leading green business expert. She is an industry-changer who was instrumental in starting the sustainable design movement in her region. Her work has included helping large businesses and institutions develop sustainability initiatives and Climate Action Plans.

Her years of competitive sailboat racing taught Julie that when good design is combined with clear vision, steering for changing conditions, and a healthy respect for the forces of nature, great results are possible!
 

Gabrielli's Green Business is a publication of Gabrielli Design Studio LLC.
All rights reserved, copyright 2010.
2224 Crest Rd
Baltimore, MD 21209

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