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Green Data Centers: Environmental Stewards Within the Tech Industry
Once upon a time, there were flip phones that allowed you to exchange tiny pictures with a few people. Data wasn’t an issue back then. But today we have a multitude of devices that take high resolution videos and pics and we share our lives with each other via uploads of data, streaming across the world wide web (don’t stop by the way – I love your updates). The result? Data is compiling at unprecedented rates. And that means power consumption. At unprecedented rates.

In 2013 alone, data centers consumed an estimated 91 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. By 2020, that number is expected to grow to 140 billion kilowatt-hours annually. At a time when nations around the world have reached a collaborative agreement to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change, energy consumption and sources are key.

Data centers operators around the world are taking the lead to keep up with the demand for energy in ways that not only meet demand, but are efficient and environmentally-friendly by greening the data center from the inside out.
1. Design and Construction: It’s not just about finding a building and turning it into a data center. For new and existing buildings, companies are incorporating measures that address how to utilize the space to get the most use for the least consumption of resources. The first data center to achieve LEED certification did so in 2005. Since then, more and more builders are incorporating methods like improved cooling efficiency, clean backup power, green construction, and intelligent design to build and recommission sustainable data centers from start to finish.
2. Renewable Energy: Around the world data centers are harnessing the power of natural resources. From purchasing renewable energy credits to on-site installations. Salesforce contracted for 40 MW of wind power in West Virginia. Google just agreed to buy 842 MW of wind and solar globally to offset energy consumption at its 14 campuses. Switch SUPERNAP data centers has committed to run its data centers by 100% renewable energy. And LinkedIn searched the planet before it chose Infomart’s West Coast data center for it’s environmental sound reliability.
3. Improved Efficiency: But it doesn’t stop at construction and energy sources. Green data center operators are implementing efficient practices across their infrastructure to reduce energy use. For instance, using ENERGY STAR qualified servers paired with server consolidation improve performance and consume less energy. Even server arrangement is being addressed to ensure that heat flow is efficient and reduces energy use caused by simultaneous heating and cooling.
Imagine if every business everywhere were as aware of their energy consumption and invested in energy efficiency and renewable energy implementation at the rate the data center industry. Data centers, while consuming unprecedented amounts of energy are also blazing the path for renewable energy adoption and efficiency practices. They’re changing the world, right now.
04/22/2016
What’s Fueling the Tech Revolution?

“An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator… these are NOT three separate devices! And we are calling it iPhone! Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone. And here it is.”
– Steve Jobs

In 2007, we were introduced to the first iPhone. It’s campaign slogan was, “This is only the beginning.” You remember that, right? It was like yesterday and it was WHOA at first site and created a tech revolution that changed the world as we knew it.

Today, our lives are digital and analog, and new and better ways to connect to each other and the world around us are everywhere. The expansion potential continues to be huge. Yesterday, we came together over in awe over a new phone. Today, revolutionary tech is just waiting to bring the world together to replace current technology with a new generation of amazing.

So, what’s fueling the revolution? Everything. Every facet of our worlds has reached the right time and place to create the perfect storm for advancement.

More devices, more data.

Wearables, homes, mobile, and cars are coming online faster than ever. Connected devices are the new life hack – they count the steps we take, map the way, dim the lights, organize our thoughts, and provide a billion ways to digitally share our lives with each other.

The information collected, in turn, is providing valuable insights that will drive future development and help to create snapshots of society and user behaviors as a whole.

Drones are here.

They’re taking selfie stick and RC helicopters to Heisenberg levels. They’re also being utilized for government and commercial use. 2015 ended with mandatory drone registration and has sparked the rise of a whole new set of regulations and data tracking industry.

More data is streaming.

Every picture, post, video, live game, everything. It’s all 1’s and 0’s, transferred and output as meaningful information to the end-user. And the technology driving data transfer is only improving. Processors are faster. Camera and video resolutions are better than they’ve ever been. Gaming consoles and VR are integrating better graphics and experience capabilities with every iteration.

Right now, real time transfer is such that Formula One racing group monitors everything from tire pressure and temperature to aerodynamic effect issues and makes adjustments trackside, and apps like Periscope and SnapChat make sharing videos to large audiences so simple that they’re exposing a world of content sharing opportunities at a crazy fast pace.

High performance data centering is becoming standard.

There was a time in the energy industry when investing in efficiency and high-performance products made more business sense than building new power plants. The datacenter industry has reached that phase. Providers are being sought out by educated buyers that want green power and efficient design, not necessarily for sustainability purposes, but because of the long term effectiveness.

We’re seeing unprecedented levels of user adoption of connectivity. The global population consumes 3.9 exabytes of data per month right now. By 2019, that number will be 24.3 exabytes. It’s not enough to have some racks in a datacenter. You need to be in a datacenter that will be able to support your needs when 24.3 exabytes are being streamed across the world wide web.

Artificial Intelligence is killin it!

Devices are streaming data real-time.. and getting smarter. Tesla shocked the world with an autonomous driving system that allows Model S drivers to take their hands off the wheel and allow the car to essentially do the driving for them. And then they added the Summon feature, where the car “learns” to start itself, and drive out of your garage and around the corner to pick you up, sans driver. They’re not alone in their AI investments. Last year more than $2 billion was invested in companies focused on developing AI-like technology.

The integration of artificial intelligence and cloud computing has given rise to “fleet learning” across connected devices, meaning that where the human brain has to be taught one brain at a time, what one AI device “learns” can be immediately transferred to all devices. This means, machine learning that transcends human learning capacity is being created all around us right now. Existing compute power limits potential to a degree, but is there a time when this generation of faster thinking and learning intelligence expands that? Even Stephen Hawking has concerns.

The energy storage investment is paying off.

With more people coming online than ever, power use continues to rise. Experts predict that total energy demand will increase 21% by 2030. 2015 saw renewables record nearly $330 billion in investment around the world. New wind and solar alone accounted for 121 GW of new power installations.

With energy use on the rise and frequent changes in demand peaks by season and time of day, the market for energy storage is also growing. We’ve seen innovative energy storage solutions from a number of capabilities including; air energy storage, batteries, conservation, efficiency, and more. The market is expected to reach 10.8 billion by 2018.

Technology will continue to change all of our tomorrows, at rates faster than any change in history. Advancements in tech are already beginning to automate many of the jobs we see in the market today. In fact, 65% of children starting primary school today will work in jobs that haven’t even been thought of yet.

We’ve come a long way, Baby. And, if you’re thinking this is just the beginning, you’re right.

01/19/2016
Native American Students Tour Five States to Explore the Best in Energy and Technology
Native American Students Tour Five States to Explore the Best in Energy and Technology

PORTLAND, OR — August 2015 – On August 15, students representing tribes from Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho will depart from Portland, Oregon on the third annual Inter-tribal Energy & Tech Tour. The Inter-Tribal Energy & Tech Tour is the nation’s first summer camp committed to educating tomorrow’s tribal leadership on energy, technology, and partnership potential.
Students were selected by application process to participate in a memorable 9-day tour of state-of-the-art energy and technology organizations in Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada. The Tour was launched in 2013 by Redbridge, Inc., an 8a Certified, Native American owned marketing services company based in Portland.
The mission of Redbridge’s Energy & Tech Tour is to introduce tribal youth to state-of-the-art energy and technology projects and generate awareness for tribal organizations that are active in the industry.

This year, students will visit to learn how people and projects from these progressive organizations are changing the world.
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory – World-class programs and capabilities at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory span one square mile, what many consider to be “the smartest square mile on Earth”
- SUPERNAP Data Centers – Award-winning Tier IV Gold SUPERNAP data centers are certified as the highest-ranking colocation data centers in the world and are maintained by the highest-rated mission critical operations teams
- Southern California Edison – One of the nation’s largest electric utilities, delivering power to 15 million people in 50,000 square-miles across central, coastal and Southern California, SCE is also the first utility in the nation to create a Tribal Liaison position dedicated to advancing utility and tribal energy partnerships
- and more!
For generations, tribes have practiced sustainability and environmental preservation. Today, with over 5% of the nation’s natural resources located on tribal lands, tribes have the opportunity to share sustainable practice and lead the nation toward energy independence on and off reservation lands. Department of Indian Energy estimates 14 billion MWh utility-scale rural solar resources exist on tribal lands. “With over 500 tribes across the US and 5% of the nation’s natural resources on tribal reservations, energy and technology savvy tribal communities are in a position to bring change to their communities and really utilize energy and technology to create jobs and make a dent in the universe. And it starts with educating tribal youth about the potential. Get them inspired and asking questions and there’s no limit to what they’ll achieve,” said Shannon Hulbert, Yurok Tribal Member and President of Redbridge, Inc. “And, witnessing organizations like Schneider Electric, Opus Interactive, Infomart, and more come together to support these students and make it happen just speaks volumes for their commitment to youth and the environment. It’s pretty cool!”
08/15/2015
Shannon’s Top 5 in Energy & Tech (Week in Review from July 20th)

What a great week for energy and technology – everything from ice cream to ludicrous mode!

I was road tripping this past week from Portland to Arizona and back, but I believe that in the middle of great coffee and finding yourself under bridges you should make time to take it all in. And there was a TON of amazing happening in the fields of energy and technology. How can I NOT share my favs with you?! If you’re into energy and tech, maybe you’ll be fascinated too!

Either way, here are the top 5 things that I found mind blowing:

1. Vermont, you’ve done it AGAIN!

I’m in serious love with all the progressive movement this state continues to generate. This past week, Burlington Electric Department announced that they’re providing residents energy using 100% green power! The utility company is utilizing innovative mixes from multiple resources to deliver green power to over 40,000 residents. Their renewable portfolio includes biomass, wind, solar, hydropower and natural gas. And, because Vermont continues to raise the bar and surprise the nation with it’s efforts, in February, they began installation of a 500-kilowatt rooftop solar panel on the Burlington International Airport parking garage. So, yay, Vermont.. I can’t even wait to see what you come up with next!

2. What could be better than Ben & Jerry’s on a summer afternoon?

Try Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, delivered by a Tesla.. and sharing a commitment to change the world! Yessss!

Yup, in the spirit of sustainable marketing efforts, Ben & Jerry’s has teamed up with THE electric car company to spread awareness and inspire the world to get involved in the global climate change movement. To prove how they’re walking their talk, the Vermont-based company converted a Tesla into a 100% electric ice cream delivery vehicle. So be on the lookout for the branded ‘Save Our Swirled‘ car!

3. Data centers. Green, baby, green!

In all honesty, the Internet of Everything (IoE) is only gaining momentum. We all have connected apps, phones, cars, and wearables – at work and home. All that data demands storage and compute, which demands data centers, which demand energy, which demands efficiency to ensure that we all stay connected. So, as more data centers are coming online, companies are exploring ways to increase efficiency by using renewable energy sources and high-efficiency hardware. Case in point, Facebook’s latest data center in Texas will be 100% powered by renewable energy by way of 200 MW of new wind power. And, per the Greenpeace screen cap, they’re not alone. Pretty cool!

4. A Solar plane made history!

Last week, a carbon-fiber plane flew 120 hours from Japan to Hawaii and broke the record for the world’s longest nonstop solo flight! The previous record was 76 hours. And, that’s even the best part. The best part is that it was a solar plane! The Solar Impulse 2 flew the entire distance without fuel. The plane was equipped with 17,000 solar cells on its wings that powered the propellers during the daylight hours and charged batteries for use at night. The solar plane’s world flight plan has been suspended temporarily to complete battery repairs. Either way, yay for solar.

5. How do you go from Insane to Ludicrous in .4 seconds?

By adding 200 amps. Yup, Tesla announced that it’s dual-motor version of the Model S can go from zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds. If you’re a car enthusiast, or an earth enthusiast, this is exciting news. The upgraded batteries in the new P85D will now runs 259bhp in the front motor, and 503bhp in the rear. And that’s how you get Ludicrous. So, if you’re looking for a sleek car, that’s easy on the environment and made in America, AND runs the quarter-mile spring within a second of a Porsche 918 Spyder.. the Model S is the one. It’ll be good to you, and the planet! Win-win.

(Credit: Tesla Motors)

Wrapping up, when it comes to energy and tech, there are a billion exciting things happening, and more on the horizon. Cheers to making amazing stuff happen!

07/22/2015
Drones. Are they poised to take over the universe?
Remember that first time you ever watched I, Robot and the robots started to take over? Me too.

I don’t have cable, but last week I happened to be staying in a hotel in my very favorite city in the US and “I, Robot” was playing on one of the channels. Have you seen it? It’s the movie where Will Smith is living in a future where artificial intelligence has evolved to the point that robots are in every household and assisting humans on all levels of day-to-day activities. In the movie, everyone except Will Smith has come to accept the integration of artificial intelligence as the norm. Will maintains that without the ability to feel and think freely, robot “logic” makes them untrustworthy to make decisions regarding the health and welfare of human lives. In the end he’s right and the robots make the decision that as humans we’re our own worst enemy and therefore need to be contained to keep us from harming ourselves further. Anyway, good movie.

Watching the movie led me to think about the drone controversy and how people fall on opposite ends of the argument. Some are excited about the idea of this new technology and the possibilities, while others are skeptical and concerned about how drones are being integrated into our lives. I love technology, but the subject of drones left even me a little apprehensive. So, I set out with a list of questions and have Googled, listened to presentations, and attended drone events to learn as much as possible about the subject.
- How are drones being used?
- What are some of the positives?
- What challenges they’re facing?
- What’s next?
Current Use

If the question is who’s doing what with drones right now, the answer is everyone, and everything. Right now, the “selfie stick” is all the rage, but that might only be because most people aren’t aware of DJI’s Phantom 3, the easy to fly camera drone that takes consumer selfies to Heisenberg levels. And, much like the gas powered remote control racing cars that hobbyists used to dedicate dollars and hours to, a subculture of drone enthusiasts are now taking to recreational drone racing. Check out the Aerial Action Sports League’s Game of Drones! Amazon and Google are both looking at drone technology for package delivery solutions. In some cases you could receive a package faster than getting pizza delivered. Pretty crazy, right? Well, that’s not all. An Oregon-based company named HoneyComb, is poised to advance agriculture by using an agricultural drone that looks just like a mini stealth bomber! The AgDrone System incorporates dual cameras, software and data processing, and smart analytics for enhanced pest identification and water deficiencies.

Positives

Cup half full? There’s a lot of ways our lives can be positively impacted by drones. Obviously recreational racing, who doesn’t love that?! And the cameras are like taking GoPro to the extreme. Imagine getting a full 360 degree video view of the next sweet stunt you pull on a snowboard without having to worry about having hardware strapped on. That’s pretty neat! And for every farmer in California who is affected by the drought, imagine if you knew only 1/10 of your crop needed to be watered, or that pests only lived in a corner of the crop. You’d save energy and water. Win win! And, I don’t know about you, but getting my next Hubble picture delivered by a flying smiling box in 30 minutes vs. 1 week is kind of intriguing. And, on the most serious side, the day we didn’t have to risk human lives in war.. I’m all about that.

Negatives

Downside? For every positive, there’s a negative. And… like any new technology, there are going to be those people who don’t fly above board. There’s the www, and there’s the deep web. There’s the pharmacy, and there’s the Silk Road. Jobs may become obsolete as new career paths emerge. Security breaches will likely happen when people focus mainly on production and processes in early development stages. We’ll begin to hear more stories of accidents and injuries reported across the board as the technology becomes more mainstream. As a for instance, last week a woman was knocked unconscious while attending a parade. And of the 20 cars on the road since 2009, Google’s self-driving cars have been in 11 accidents. One accident involved a car rolling through a stop sign. No injuries were reported, but can you imagine being at a stop light and seeing an unmanned Google drone rolling through? Whoa. It gives new meaning to that song “they see me rollin’.. they hatin.”

What’s next?

It’s like every new technology without clear boundaries, there’s a learning curve as the culture catches up with the industry. Three of the biggest advancements for the industry will likely include regulations, education, and improved battery technology.

Both Amazon and Skyward, are already working with the FAA to develop rules and tools to aid commercial drone use. Amazon has already filed a petition to conduct flights using drones that travel up to 50 mph. Skyward’s Urban Skyways Project is working with NASA to create an aerial robotics network to direct drone traffic much like the FAA does with commercial airlines.

When regulations are clearer, we’ll begin to see more mainstream training around drone use, In the meantime, organizations like Roswell Flight Test Crew are making it their mission to educate people around best practices when operating drones.

Currently, lithium-ion batteries are used in most drones, so usage is limited by power. And, while the field of battery technology hasn’t seen much advancement in decades, companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla are in constant innovation mode along with universities to bring batteries into a brand new era. It’s just a matter of time.

To close, Wayne Dyer once said, “Everything that exists right now was once imagined, which means that everything that will exist is now being imagined.” There have been other times in history when culture was disrupted by new technologies. The Model T replaced a much slower alternative before our existing roadway infrastructure was developed. At a time when consumers were satisfied with flip phones and cd players, Steve Jobs once told riveted audiences that his new phone would not only answer calls, but store and play music and provide access to the internet. The lesson can only be, technology will always advance. Your best bet is to be proactive. Educate people and develop standards and guidelines as needed to stay as far ahead of the development as possible, with the knowledge that there will be instances where you are forced to be reactive.

(Special thanks to New Tech PDX for providing such a comprehensive view of Oregon’s drone industry.)
07/04/2015
6 Steps to Branding for EDM Artists

A giant mouse head fist pumped behind the biggest rubix cube ever and the crowd went wild.

When @Deadmau5 became the house DJ at the 2010 VMAs, electronic music gained mainstream recognition. Today, everyone has a pair of fluffies. And why not? EDM’s recognition in the music industry is long overdue.

So, what’s the difference between @Deadmau5 and every DJ that hasn’t had the opportunity to play the VMAs? Some produce using the same equipment and have loads of musical talent. Why is he successful when so many other talented DJs still go unrecognized? Well, for one, DM5 is a freaking musical genius and for two, he has those ears that light up.

But there’s more to it than a sweet pair of ears and a ginormous rubix cube. Deadmau5 has a distinguishable brand and continues to build support by marketing himself successfully. He’s everywhere and doing everything to connect with his followers and establishing his brand. From Facebook to Minecraft to Instagram and gaming – the Deadmau5 brand is in constant interaction with his audience. And, his brand is him. That simple.

From a marketers perspective, here are 6 things every aspiring DJ can do to keep the dream alive.

1. Be Professional.
In every interaction, be respectful, committed and reliable. It’s the foundation for every career. Music is no different. Bring your “A-Game” 110% of the time. If you have an audience of 2 or 2,000, play like you’re playing for your MOM, or someone else of equal awesomeness. You never know who is watching and what doors can open or close based on how you perform.

2. Build a following.
Anyway, if you’re professional, that’s half the battle. If your personable, that’s the other half. There’s something mysterious about musicians that makes people wonder about what makes them tick. Establish portals (not the game) for people to connect with you. A website is a must-have and can serve as a central hub for your musical marketing efforts. And push your music out to the world wide web – it loves great stuff. YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter, Facebook…and pretty much all things social media.

Music and dancing are personable and social – so make your music available on those venues and watch as the support grows. I don’t know about you, but I follow all my favs. People want to know their favs and see how they exist in the world. How many people know that Meowingtons has a seriously cush life? I’ll tell you how many…ALOT.

Social media is amazing for building awareness for your music. And, not just about your music, but about what’s going on in your world so your audience can relate to you as a person — your brand. Trust me, it’s a good thing, even though it can be time consuming. If you don’t have a ton of time and do NO other social media, I recommend;

– Facebook Page
– Twitter
– Instagram
– Soundcloud

Post at least once a day, except on Soundcloud. Soundcloud, just stay active and upload new music as you complete it.

3. Make your music accessible.
Seriously, you might end up in the right place at the right time…and if someone says, “Where can I go to listen to your music” you should be able to hand them a jump drive or direct them to your Soundcloud. And have a business card that shows you’re taking your music serious. Again, be professional. Make it look like you and gave it the same amount of professionalism that you put into your music.

4. Make media connections to distribute media kits to
Uh, the big part of getting your name out there is getting your name out THERE. Get active in the local music scene. Connect with local newspapers, magazines, venues, radio stations, etc. When something newsworthy comes your way, let your list of connections know. But remember, they’re busy doing news-y stuff so be relevant and succinct. Don’t fire off an email to your connections because you’re going to be playing at the same venue you always do. As much as your following wants to know those things, your media connections are looking for stories that will get both you and them noticed. So…wait till epic happens and grab the nearest megaphone to share the news.

5. Create marketing materials…aka GEAR.
Design a website and some tshirts. Burn some CDs. There’s so much…MUCH.

6. Be YOU.
This is the most important thing I’m going to write. Be yourself. You are your own story. Tell it. What are your ears? What’s unique about you that comes out in your music that no one else has. Know what it is about your music that makes people stop and listen and want to share. If you don’t know, ask. Music is a very personal expression so in order for your listeners to get invested in your music they need to understand and relate. We’re all humans with the same range of emotions. Share the emotions behind what drives your music and people will know it’s genuine and react. Be yourself. Know who you are, why you play, and what’s inspiring you.

If you happen to rule at Destiny, drive an energy-efficient car, like Charlie the Unicorn, or just got the new iPhone6 Plus…share that. People like to know what makes you tick. And they’ll love you and your music for just being you. :)

So, if music is your dream/passion – be yourself and be professional and do everything you can to make the dream come true.

My favs:
@Deadmau5
@Kaskade
@MorganPage
Ridium
Evan Alexander (Seriously, when it comes to Step 1, this dude is the epitome of professional. You’ll want to work with him.)

Oh, and…don’t stop believin. :) Hard work and perseverance will open doors.

PS: If you read this and want to get started but don’t know how/where – you can email me.
PSS: That is NOT the real Deadmau5 in the picture, nor do I do any of his marketing. Buuuuut, his brand is so recognizable, that I bet you saw it and thought it was. I’m telling you, he’s a marketing GENIUS!

10/03/2014
Sustainable Marketing in 3 Steps
I may have mentioned a time or two, I pretty much love Earth…leaves, butterflies, oxygen…love…all of it. So, yes, I’m pretty passionate when it comes to sustainable marketing practices.

Before I became the CEO for @redbridge, I was a marketer of energy-efficiency programs. I called what I did, saving the world one kwh at a time. Anyway, when you promote energy-efficient products and choices you need to lead by example or people get skeptical. Nobody wants that.

My 10+ years of sustainable marketing practices can be boiled down into 3 simple steps. Here they are:

1. Think “green” brainstormy thoughts!
2. Design to make green “the new black”.
3. Buy green. It’s just nice. :)

Have I wowed you with my brilliance yet? Well…I hope NOT because I can talk about this ALL DAY! So, here I go, the 3 secrets revealed in 5…4…3…2…1…:

1. Think “green” brainstormy thoughts!

In my perfect world, a marketing plan serves as a road map for upcoming marketing activities. You’ve planned out as far as a year in advance. Relaxed brainstorm sessions happen in the quarter prior to the deliverable’s deadline allowing you to glance out further in the timeline to see if there are other materials forecasted that can be combined. I also have a pet unicorn in that world.

In my real world experience, you plan out as far ahead as possible and stay flexible. So the more you can think green thoughts on the fly, the better Earth is going to get. Whether your next item is well-planned, or a marketing emergency, consider what you’re trying to accomplish and how the end result can be created, greenly. For instance:
- Email vs. Direct Mail: Get email addresses for your target audiences and send email campaigns versus direct mail. They have similar return rates, AND e-mail can be re-purposed easily for a follow-up emails. It’s also got analytics for capturing data and saves paper and ink.
- Web ad vs. Print ad: Think about it…you can be more targeted, include animation and capture analytics. I’m giddy just thinking about the possibilities! Animate a .gif, or better yet, add flash or link to a video that shows your audience how much you love them. Expand your advertising dollars by linking your ad to an even more targeted page inside your website etc., etc. That’s…uh-mazing!
- Web-based contest vs. Print: Printing can be both beautiful and expensive. Why not create a wildly exciting web-based contest solutions and encourage users to forward their invite to non-participants? Use Scvngr and create a web-based n hunt and get your participants interacting in all sorts of picture-taking, webby goodness. Or, maybe create a video contest. Here are some cool samples of how others like are doing it. Go @Zappos!Web based contests can increase activity without increasing budget. You could have a full-fledged viral contest without adding labor resources or printing dollars. Analytics provide direct return on investment results. And, by letting technology do the work, your resources are freed up to focus on the next great thing.
- Online forms vs. Printed forms: This one should go without saying…direct input to database…genius and earth-friendly. And think of the paper you’ll save! You stand to benefit from real-time data and your customers will love that you’ve sped up rebate processing times. It’s a Win-Win. Even Steve Covey would love that!
- Less deliverables vs. more: Why create a multiple pieces that serve the same purpose as one. Sustainable marketing encompasses more and lasts longer. Think “timeless content and multi-use materials” and watch your marketing dollars stretch.
- Online events vs. In-Person events:Cloud computing has enabled conference hosts to stream live audio, video and collaboration of events. Companies like Social 27 have created full-fledged ways to share valuable knowledge over the world wide web while saving attendees travel expenses. It’s the ultimate “green” conference.
2. Design to make green “the new black”.

You know black. It’s always in, always sexy, and always in demand. Well, let’s bring green’s sexy back, yes?

There was a time when making green materials meant spendy and with some quality sacrifices. But great news…those days are history. There are so many cost-effective and beautiful marketing alternatives that are eco-friendly. And not just digital solutions, marketers have an opportunity to take green marketing to a whole new level. From concept through production, there are tons of things that can be considered.
- Size to maximize paper usage. Yes, bigger is big, but take creativity to the next level. Instead of producing a single sheet 8.5×11, consider minimizing content at half the size. Work with your printer to find out what sheet size the project is printing on in order to get the most from one sheet. If you can get two by reducing the size by a 1/2″, why not? You’ll save materials and cost. :) Uh…yay!
- Paper materials. Recycled paper stocks are available for all sorts of things. Eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean that your materials look like chipboard, even though chipboard can be pretty, too. @NewLeafPaper produces Reincarnation paper stocks that print beautifully, and feel like velvet…velvet. Recycled paper is available in cover and text weights. There are also biodegradabe substrait substitutes for Banner materials and event very beautifully done event displays – all earthy-goodness. Whoda thunk?
- Design for long-life. As you’re developing your marketing plan, look at the current materials, but also see what you’ll be developing further out to see what you’ve got on the radar. Consider what materials could be combined into multi-use items.
3. Buy green. It’s just nice. :)

Everyone says buy green, right? And it means a LOT of things to different people. Here’s my interpretation…
- Use recyclable materials. If you’ve got a short-term promotion, create marketing materials that can either be reused or will easily break down into the environment. Vendors usually have recycleable substrate options on hand or easily accessable, so ask for an environmentally friendly option.
- Consider environmentally friendly promotional products. Think about what products can be both useful and and memorable to your end user and work with a vendor to see what sustainable products are available that fit your needs. Stress balls and those little flashlights are inexpensive and fun, but when we’re 100, there’s a pretty good chance, they’re still going to be in a landfill.
- Give love to local. Local vendors mean a few things…support for local businesses and no shipping. And, look for FSC Certified vendors…that’s gold star worthy. Establish ways to dispose of used materials in sustainable ways. Include messaging on your materials to let users know where they can recycle.
So there you go — 3 steps — planet…saved. Feel free to comment with additional ideas! And if you’re interested in greening up your marketing, let’s connect! Ooh…and if you want to know if I’m paid to promote the companies/products mentioned my answer is…Nope. I just love what they do and how they do it. Earth does too.
08/08/2014
Play Ball! (And Other Effective Methods of Presenting.)
Discovering Effective Ways to Present Information

He took the stage at the Portland Business Journal event, waited for silence and then said something like, “My mother was a drug addict, I grew up poor and a red ball saved my life and now I’m here to change yours.”

In that one sentence, Kevin Carroll had my undivided attention and the attention of the other 200+ people in the room for the next hour. And when he’d finished his story, the entire room was different. A red ball really can change lives!

It’s amazing what can happen when you bring together the right audience with the right content. If what you say makes people think, act or begin to dialogue, then you can say you’ve found your red ball.

One key component to getting your message out to the audience depends on the type of presentation you choose to deliver the subject matter. There are multiple ways to deliver content. When you begin planning for your presentation, clarify your presentation objectives by considering these questions;
- What type of information is being presented? Is it a process or project? Does it involve multiple stakeholders?
- Who is the audience? Are they familiar with the subject matter? What information might they be looking for based on their role in a similar process?
- What information or knowledge would you like the audience to walk away with? Do you want them to feel informed? Heard?
- How do you want to communicate with the audience? Are you looking for feedback? Do you want to discuss the project or process with them?
Once your objectives are clear, determine what presentation type will most effectively deliver your information and satisfy the objectives.

Discussion Panels

If you’re subject matter involves multiple stakeholders who’ve each played a role in the completion of a process or project, a discussion panel is a great way to present the material, particularly if the audience is a diverse mixture of stakeholders as well.

The audience will benefit from hearing how each stakeholder was involved and will learn from hearing the viewpoints from stakeholders they may not normally interact with.

Allow each panel guest 5-10 minutes. And include enough panel members to effectively present the entire process. Limit the number of panelists to 6 or less to keep the audience engaged.

Seminars/Webinars

If you’re looking for feedback and direct engagement with the audience, a seminar/webinar can provide the perfect opportunity.

Seminars are small group teaching and learning arrangements that use group interaction as a means of engaging participants. New technologies have increased the reach of seminars through the introduction of webinars, or interactive seminars conducted in an online forum.

Seminars/Webinars usually begin with a presentation or mini- lecture to provide the basis for discussion and include an opportunity for the audience to present questions or feedback. A typical format for this method of presenting includes four basic steps.
1. Introduction
2. Methods/Strategy
3. Results
4. Discussion
Time and participant guidelines for seminars and webinars can be scaled up or back depending on level of interest and forum limitations.

Case studies

If you want to present the “story” of a program process in your subject matter, a case study can be very effective.

Case studies present a comprehensive overview of a client’s experiences and results regarding a program or process. Case studies are used to organize a wide range of information and seek patterns and themes in the data, and through cross comparison with other cases.

Ideal length for online and printed material case studies is one-page. Case studies can be presented by a single person to conference attendees and later designed for online distribution to larger audiences.

Workshops

If you have many people interested in a related topic and want to provide opportunity for two-way communication, a workshop is the perfect venue.

Workshops are similar to seminars and webinars in format, though typically longer. Generally speaking workshops are conducted for more comprehensive subject matter and typically last for 4 – 8 hours.

Attendance for workshops ranges from 25 to 200, depending on venue size and interested individuals. Registration is customary to provide seating and catering quantities. A fee is sometimes associated as well.

In order to provide opportunities for larger groups, breakout groups within the session may allow attendees to interact with each other and provide more intimate space for feedback.

Presentations

Kevin Carroll, the guy with the red ball, delivered his thought-provoking message in this style. If you’re the common denominator that links the subject matter, or you ARE the subject matter, a standard presentation might be the most effective means for delivery.
- Development subject matter that attendees are interested in learning more about.
- Utilize effective presentation mannerisms known to engage the audience such as, how you position your body in reference to the audience, inflection in your tone, and making eye contact.
- Use visuals to tie content to imagery.
- Use humor, personal stories and conversational language to connect with the audience.
- Relax.
There you have it – whether you’re information is about the latest in cloud technology or inspiring social change, there are multiple ways to deliver the message in ways that effectively engage the audience. Happy presenting!
09/06/2012
Product Review: The Starbys App Makes Me :)!
Sooo…it’s Peppermint Mocha time at Starbys and I love love looooove red cups. Imagine my sheer glee when I realized that I can not only pay for a venti with my phone, BUT that I can send one via the world wide web to a high school friend who lives 10 hours away…Neat-o!

Yup, Starbucks has an app. (Well, actually they have three, but I’ll go into that later.) Two of my favorite things combined — technology + coffee = download ASAP.

It’s free and it’s in the App store. The interface is very user-friendly and does a little bit/LOT of everything. Here’s a list of features:
1. Drinks: Create and store your favorite drinks AND those of your friends
2. Favorites: Create and store locations, coffee types and foods
3. Coffees: Get full descriptions, photos and recommendations for the entire line of Starbucks Coffees
4. Food: Find nutritional, allergens and calorie info for foods available at Starbucks
5. Drinks: Create and store customized drink builder with nutritional information using a step by step process
6. Jobs: They have a pretty green brand…
7. Settings: Your profile
8. Help: Help
9. Scanner: Hellooooooo, QR Code scanner…LOVE
10. My Card: Store card and transaction history, PLUS allows easy balance reload by storing card info
11. Rewards: Birthday Coffee?! Yes… I’m so in!
12. Gifts: Brighten someone’s day – no matter how far away they live!
13. Stores: Location, location, location…
14. It’s sustainable – no cards, no paper, just environmental goodness
Long story short, if you love coffee or know someone who might enjoy getting a coffee, you might want this app. You can gift, buy and discover all things Starbucks Coffee. I am a Starbucks maniac and had heard about the app from a friend a few months ago. Since I first downloaded, I’ve tracked over $100 in purchases, reloaded and surprised a friend with a free coffee on his Facebook wall.

Aside from Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks seems have the coffee company app market cornered. In comparison, the Dunkin’ Donuts app is limited to locating stores and feedback via a discussion forum, versus the fully customizable interactive app from Starbucks.

A word of caution, as I mentioned before there are three Starbucks apps available; the actual Starbucks App, the Starbucks Card App, and the interactive Christmas Starbucks App, for the real brand enthusiasts.

To locate and install the correct app, just search for Starbucks and look for the green mermaid. Or, download right now.

(Oh, and if you want to test it out, feel free to send me a coffee…shannon@redbridgeonline.com…yes? No?)
12/01/2011
People Who Inspire Me: Sarah Hulbert Creates Holidays

Personal narrative written by Sarah, the fun-loving, caring best little woman you’ve ever heard write about the red bridge. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree, she’s pretty inspiring. From now on, September 3 will be called San Francisco Day. I love this!

San Francisco Day
By: Sarah Hulbert

It was a sunny summer morning in San Francisco California; it was a hot 90 degree day in the big city of San Francisco. As I got up out of the hotel room bed, changed from my blue pajamas to my blue t-shirt, and my short shorts with the rhinestones. It was our third and last day in San Francisco. We had gone to the bike rental shop to get bikes, it was a clean shop. The shop was teal blue and had white tiles for the floor. There were light green walls with all different types of bikes, all different shapes, colors, and sizes. There was an old fashion bike with purple and pink accents on the wheels. It was a very special day for my dad.

My dad was wearing his blue jeans, black t-shirt, and his funny looking sunglasses. My dad’s girlfriend, Shannon, was wearing her black wolf hat, the short black dress, and her fuzzy black boots. Tyrah and Alex, my little siblings were riding on bikes attached to the adult’s bikes. Tyrah was wearing her pink striped t-shirt with her brown skirt and her rainbow belt. She had her small bike attached to her mom’s, pedaling away on the little orange pedals. Nick, my little bro, was wearing his cool black Tap Out shirt, skinny jeans, and his Nike shoes. He had a little black and gray bike. Antone my big brother was on his own bike, and Nicole my big sister was on her own bike. Also of course I got my own bike too, it was blue with white patterns going down all sides of the bike it had black handles and black pedals. It wasn’t a big bike but it wasn’t a small bike either. It was just the right size for me.

We stopped at this playground. It was blue green and had swings, monkey bars, and a slide. The slide was small when I tried to go down it I almost broke it. I think it was for 2 year olds. I went to the water fountain bent down and took a slurp before we set off again. I could just see a mere glimpse of the bridge. The bridge was easy to see. I could only see the little grey fog above the top of the bridge. Only a little further to see the glimmer of the sun, it looked beautiful. I looked up to the bridge just past the gravel road. I honestly don’t know why they call it the Golden Gate Bridge, it’s red and there is no gate. So off we went up the concrete hill it was pretty steep. This hill was steep and I was tired. There was a dirt path just among the road on the big hill, to be safe we rode on the dirt path. We had a little further to go and I felt exhausted.

Finally we got to the top of the hill; we were in a very sticky situation. I didn’t like all the people and cars around me but I just kept trekking on. When I finally got to the bridge I rode my bike to the first tower and I got off and put the kickstand down. The bike stood perfectly. I then waited for my dad to get to the tower. I stopped, got off, walked over to my sister and handed her my phone. She’d asked for the whole ride. When we were all there my dad took a hold of Shannon’s hands, he bent down on one knee, pulled out the orange case with the diamond ring inside. He was about to say the words “will you…”

“Say no say no,” said the passerby. Then when he realized what my dad was doing he said to say yes.

We all laughed, “ha ha ha.” That was going to be memorable.

“Of course I will,” Shannon said with a smile. That was a happy ending to our new beginning. And one more thing we saw a little seal swimming down below the big red bridge!!! Now that’s a happy ending.

My response: I love love LOVE this and her. And…when dreams come true.

10/19/2011