Jeff Stephens
exploring the confluence of energy, water, and people. More →
Sharing Videos to Promote Communication
It seems that almost everyone with an Internet connection has seen at least one video on YouTube. Well not quite, but according to a recently released report (January 9th) from the Pew & American Life Project, roughly 48% of Internet users have been to video sharing sites like YouTube. Last year the figure was 33%. [...]
Using Social Media to Rise Above
For at least the last 6 years, I've been focused on green building, either as director of communications for a third-party certification firm or through Planet Relations. Well today that has finally paid off! According to Grist.org, "green building is the new black". Apparently, the press is just gushing about all aspects of green building. [...]
Peddling the Truth
Artist Robert Shetterly from Maine has painted over 68 portraits of "Americans Who Tell the Truth." According to Rob's website, he 'intends to remind people of the dignity, courage and importance of some of America's truth tellers…" The portraits, along with short bios, are available on his website. A collection of the first 50 [...]
From Airports to Detention Facilities
Two articles that I wrote appear in the October editions of two widely circulated green building publications. Both magazines will also be distributed at next month's GreenBuild conference in Chicago. Look for a copy at the show, or download PDF versions below. O'Hare Modernization Program, eco-structure Magazine, October 2007. (bylined) Justice for the Environment, Environmental [...]
Signature Communications
Sometimes it's the littlest of things that help us communicate in more effective ways. The following phrase was at the bottom of Bill Reed's (Regenesis Group and Integrative Design Collaborative) email signature block. Things happen – Please follow up critical Emails with a phone call if you have not had a reply to your message Straight, [...]
Amazing Accomplishment
Who: Haile Gebrselassie What: New Marathon Record = 2 hours, 4 minutes, 26 seconds (beat old record by 29 sec) Where: Berlin Marathon Sept 30, 2007 How: 4:45/mile! Share and Enjoy:
(dis)Functional PR
Many posts (here, here, here) have debated whether PR works, and if not who’s to blame. Some have approached the topic from the company’s perspective; others from the PR firm’s perspective. Here’s my short take on it, especially when working with smaller companies. 1. Ensure that clear goals are set – what are you trying [...]
Communicate to the Converted
Success usually brings critics out of the woodwork (hopefully FSC-certified wood). When that happens, it's important that companies and organizations don't forget about their base of support. Clear and proactive communication to those 'already in your camp' is vital so that they 'stay in your camp'. More importantly, if these supporters know the facts they [...]
Tangible Communications
For the last 6 months, the green building community has been hearing about the mkLotus modular home; it's a one-bedroom prefab constructed in San Francisco's Civic Center plaza as part of West Coast Green. Actually, it was built offsite in a factory, which is supposed to reduce construction waste (50-70%), reduce construction time, and increase [...]
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