Rolls-Royce Joins Jupiter in U.K. Green Jobs Trade Plan in U.S.

Britain’s Energy Minister Greg Barker is leading a delegation of companies ranging from Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc to Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. to the U.S. to identify business opportunities relating to low-carbon energy.

The minister will visit Georgia and Texas from May 6 to May 10 with executives from KiWi Power Ltd., Parhelion Underwriting Ltd. and of PB Energy Solutions Ltd., according to a statement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change in London.

Britain is trying to build up its carbon-cutting industry from offshore wind power and smart grids to clean technology finance after Prime Minister David Cameron pledged his government will be the “greenest” ever. The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimates the green economy is worth more than 3 trillion pounds ($4.9 trillion) worldwide.

“What is good for the planet can be fantastic for business too,” Barker said in an e-mailed response to questions. The visit is “about demonstrating that the shift to a green economy is beneficial for businesses and growth, as well as promoting bilateral trade opportunities.”

Accompanying Barker are Andrew Baker, who heads government and environmental affairs at Rolls-Royce (RR/), the second-largest aircraft-engine maker; Emma Howard Boyd, sustainable investment director at Jupiter; KiWi Power Chief Executive Officer Yoav Zingher; Parhelion CEO Julian Richardson; and PB Energy Managing Director Phyllis Boardman.

“Reducing carbon and reducing costs are both issues that all countries face and we have the chance to be at the cutting edge of that development,” Zingher said in a comment e-mailed by the ministry. “Trade with the United States is a huge part of this.”

KiWi Power is an electricity demand-management company.

Barker’s delegation will meet with business leaders in the three cities, as well as San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro and Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, according to his office.

“I am taking U.K. business leaders to learn more about what real America is like outside Washington, New York and California, to learn about their energy landscape and the opportunities for investment,” Barker said. “I want to see the U.K. and the City of London, with its unique expertise in innovative financial products, become a global hub in green growth finance.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Morales in London at amorales2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Reed Landberg at landberg@bloomberg.net

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How to start a Green franchise

http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/ presents information on opening up your own green franchise. For a list of available green franchises go to http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/green-franchises

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OilLift Green Business Opportunity 2

http://oillift.net/ A real green business opportunity, backed by proven products and a great cause is a recipe for success. Save the Oceans Inc is looking for serious and ethical business people that want to put their skills to work changing the consumer habits that are destroying our aquatic world. Visit the distributor page at www.oillift.net, dont forget to download the free book How to Kill your Cleaning Staff

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How to start a Green franchise

http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/ presents information on opening up your own green franchise. For a list of available green franchises go to http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/green-franchises

View the original article here

How to start a Green franchise

http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/ presents information on opening up your own green franchise. For a list of available green franchises go to http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/green-franchises

View the original article here

Wisconsin offers travelers a cheese wheel of tasty opportunities - Green Bay Press-Gazette

Former Gov. Anthony Earl in the 1980s dubbed Ellsworth, population 3,200, as Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The 102-year-old Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery produces 160 pounds of curds every day.

"They're fresh and ready at 11 a.m.," says the creamery's Beth Ingli, while busily distributing samples at this month's annual Wisconsin Restaurant Association Expo in Milwaukee.

Wisconsin produces 2.6 billion pounds of cheese a year. The Ellsworth creamery encourages visitors and has begun working with neighbors to market the hilly, rural area near the St. Croix River as a day trip, especially from April to October.

A flyer encourages visits to the creamery and four other family-operated businesses within 25 miles. In the mix:

Crystal Cave, W965 Wisconsin 29, Spring Valley; acoolcave.com, (800) 236-2283. A farm boy discovered the spot in 1881. Open seasonally, starting March 31, for hour-long tours.

Sailer's Meats, 600 W. Winter Ave., Elmwood; sailersmeats.com, (715) 639-2191. The five-generation butchery wins many state awards for its meats, especially sausages. Closed Sundays.

Vino in the Valley, W3826 450th Ave., Maiden Rock; vinointhevalley.com, (715) 639-6677. Open Thursday through Sunday. Business hours change with the seasons; Italian meals sometimes are served outdoors amid five acres of grapevines.

Flat Pennies Ice Cream, W6442 Wisconsin 35, Bay City; flatpennies.com, (715) 594-3555. Hot dogs to sundaes are served from a Soo Line caboose.

The five represent a combined population of well under 10,000, and these Pierce County businesses are south of Interstate 94.

The cave opens at 9 a.m. For more: tasteandtours.com.

The creamery produces white cheddar curds and four flavored versions: ranch, taco, Cajun and garlic. Other flavors are taste-tested by visitors before moving to large-scale production.

Watch facebook.com/WICheeseCurds for taste-testing details. For more about the creamery, 232 N. Wallace St., Ellsworth: ellsworthcheesecurds.com, (715) 273-4311.

? ? ?

Think you make the perfect grilled cheese sandwich, or that grilled cheese requires no cooking skill? Get enlightened at the Iowa County Fairgrounds, Mineral Point, during the state's first Grilled Cheese Championship, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 21.

Competition occurs on two levels: professional and amateur. Up to 60 entrants will compete in up to two of four sandwich categories.

In all categories, "interior ingredients must be at least 60 percent cheese," and the cheese must be made in Wisconsin. Each cook gets 15 minutes to prepare an entry.

All competitors pay $10 to $20 per category entered and will use the company's 12-inch fry pans to prepare the sandwiches.

Admission for spectators is free, but registration is advised. For more: grilledcheesewisconsin.com.

? ? ?

The cheese event is a project of the Iowa County Area Economic Development Corp., which opened the Wisconsin Innovation Kitchen in Mineral Point in 2010 and provides work for 35 people with disabilities. The commercial kitchen prepares ingredients for chefs and helps launch new food products in small batches.

Executive Director Rick Terrien wants to establish similar facilities throughout Wisconsin, especially in marginalized neighborhoods. Next up: north Milwaukee site development.

In Mineral Point, Innovation Kitchen customers include RP's Pasta in Madison (workers prepare a pumpkin-squash filling for ravioli) and Raw Dog Relish in Portage (workers prepare, jar and label the product for retail sale).

Innovation Kitchen also sells its Farmhouse Recipes product line. A gift shop at 851 Dodge St. is open on weekdays. For more: innovationkitchen.org, (608) 341-6797.

? ? ?

Carr Valley Cheese Cooking School has added "pairings classes" to its popular visiting chef cooking classes. That means cheese-wine and cheese-beer pairings.

For more about the 1?- to 2?-hour classes at 807 Phillips Blvd., Sauk City: carrvalleycheese.com, (608) 643-3441.

? ? ?

Small-batch and handcrafted gouda from Holland's Family Cheese, Thorp, has won at least 50 national and international awards since the business began four years ago. The cheeses are pressed into 18-pound wheels, and one of the newest versions is the tasty Burning Melange, which incorporates nettles, parsley, chives, celery, dried onion and garlic.

Also in the farmstead cheese shop (closed on Sundays) are European ? especially Dutch ? products. For more about this enterprise, operated by Netherlands natives Rolf and Marieke Penterman at N13851 Gorman Ave., Thorp: hollandsfamilycheese.com, (715) 669-5230.

? ? ?

Fifty is the magic number for Madison-based Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream this year. The family-owned business has begun a 50-week celebration of its golden anniversary by featuring 50 products.

"Throughout the year, we'll have random days ? 50 days ? when ice cream cones will cost 50 cents for 50 minutes," says Dave Deadman, vice president. Stay tuned to the company's Facebook page: facebook.com/chocolateshoppeicecream to learn when this happens.

The official birthday party, at the company's three Madison stores, is June 16. Expect Happy Birthday ice cream ? which tastes and looks a little like angel food cake with blue butter cream icing and specks of colored candy ? to be served.

New products include Bang!, a caffeinated ice cream. It comes in four flavors (mint with cookie and chocolate chunks; chocolate with peanut butter cups and ripples; espresso with chocolate chunks and fudge swirls; and dark chocolate with Heath candy).

One scoop contains the amount of caffeine found in an average energy drink. The caffeine comes from a natural stimulant, guarana seeds from Brazil.

Madison stores are at 1726 Fordem Ave., 555 S. Midvale Blvd. and 468 State St. For more: chocolateshoppeicecream.com, bangicecream.com, (608) 221-8640.

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Green Asset International Inc. Dedicates Unprecedented $100 Million Funding Facility to Medical Marijuana Division

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Green media executive Cheryl Shuman announced today that Green Asset International Inc. (GreenAssetInc.com) is dedicating an unprecedented US $100 Million funding facility to develop the corporatization and rebranding of the cannabis industry's ancillary businesses.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120314/CG70009)

Green Asset International Inc. C.E.O. Cheryl Shuman will review and acquire legal businesses within the medical cannabis industry. Shuman estimates at least a billion dollars in current ancillary business opportunities.  As one of the world's most respected voices of the movement, it's Shuman's challenge and responsibility to remove the negative stigma and stereotypes of the cannabis user.   Real men and women in the corporate world are taking a stand to make a change by boldly 'coming out to the closet' to show their support and the validity of this great, growth-potential business by investing in the cannabis sector.

Green Asset announced the formation of the cannabis industry's first acquisition vehicle to take advantage of the $1.7 billion medical marijuana market.  To further assist investors, Green Asset will host a series of symposiums to share information and present opportunities to these potential investors.

Green Asset plans to target for acquisition cutting-edge medical and social media companies, with a focus on consolidating those sectors.  The funding agreement is broad and allows Green Asset to fund its objective of finding and acquiring established companies in expanding medical and social media fields and consolidating them for maximum efficiency and profitability. Green Asset will target for purchase profitable and successful companies that need more capital to reach their full potential.

"This creates a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs and smart investors to be on the ground floor of this exciting and groundbreaking industry.  There are great financial rewards coupled with a chance to be involved in a hot ticket business that is on the cutting edge", said Green Asset CEO Cheryl Shuman.

"The beautiful thing about the cannabis plant is that it not only has the ability to heal a multitude of illnesses, it also has the power to heal the economy by creating desperately needed jobs that can grow small businesses.  Even in the face of this dismal national economy, the legal medical cannabis industry is growing and creating those jobs.  There is a huge network of educated and sophisticated cannabis consuming investors that envision enormous rewards financially, environmentally and socially.  It's a win-win-win," said Shuman.

Many investment groups and businesses have shown serious interest in the great opportunities inclusive in this sector but have not done so yet, partially due to a lack of information.  Green Asset addresses this by educating with market data and knowledge.

Experts and investors agree that this industry has a great deal of promise.  The formation of Green Asset, and the subsequent great response to it, is indicative of the evolvement of this industry and provides investors with the best opportunities.

The Green Asset Symposiums are the next logical step for the medical cannabis industry and follow in the footsteps of the many other industries that have educated investors on start-ups, such as the bio-tech and green industries.

The medical marijuana business has a five-year market potential of $8.7 billion and sales in 2011 were reported at $1.3 billion according to the See Change Strategy market report. (http://medicalmarijuanamarkets.com/)

CEO Cheryl Shuman brings 25 years of experience working with media, celebrities, marketing and health care in Beverly Hills. Since 1996, Shuman has been pursuing her passion in the alternative health and social movement working as a medical cannabis activist and legal cannabis patient.   Using cannabis and other alternative health options, Shuman has survived cancer and injuries from two car crashes. She is the former Executive Director of Beverly Hills NORML and Director of Celebrity, Media and Public Relations for KUSH Magazine.  She is an expert in anti-aging, alternative healthcare and community activism.

"The therapeutic value of socialization and the building of community cannot be overstated. The right of patients to peaceably assemble - to socialize and build family and community, and network and organize - is paramount for their health and recovery. Our social networking platforms and development and marketing of alternative medical treatment options will provide fellowship for consumers, patients and activists internationally," states Shuman.

"We as a modern society can fiscally improve our budget by moving cannabis from the criminal sector into the lawful sector," Shuman said. "This is not a left or right issue -- it's really common sense. Regulation and taxation of marijuana could produce billions of dollars in additional tax revenue, as well as save on the enormous costs of law enforcement. Bottom line is the prohibition of marijuana has been a fiscal fiasco. Green Asset's group of investors is the answer to resolving these issues. Green Asset represents the largest financial commitment for cannabis related investment in history. For additional information see: www.GreenAssetInc.com"

Media Contact: Cheryl Shuman Green Asset International Inc., 310-779-4797, Cheryl.Shuman@GreenAssetInc.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

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Green Asset International Inc. Dedicates Unprecedented $100 Million Funding Facility to Medical Marijuana Division - PR Newswire

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Green media executive Cheryl Shuman announced today that Green Asset International Inc. (GreenAssetInc.com) is dedicating an unprecedented US $100 Million funding facility to develop the corporatization and rebranding of the cannabis industry's ancillary businesses.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120314/CG70009)

Green Asset International Inc. C.E.O. Cheryl Shuman will review and acquire legal businesses within the medical cannabis industry. Shuman estimates at least a billion dollars in current ancillary business opportunities.  As one of the world's most respected voices of the movement, it's Shuman's challenge and responsibility to remove the negative stigma and stereotypes of the cannabis user.   Real men and women in the corporate world are taking a stand to make a change by boldly 'coming out to the closet' to show their support and the validity of this great, growth-potential business by investing in the cannabis sector.

Green Asset announced the formation of the cannabis industry's first acquisition vehicle to take advantage of the $1.7 billion medical marijuana market.  To further assist investors, Green Asset will host a series of symposiums to share information and present opportunities to these potential investors.

Green Asset plans to target for acquisition cutting-edge medical and social media companies, with a focus on consolidating those sectors.  The funding agreement is broad and allows Green Asset to fund its objective of finding and acquiring established companies in expanding medical and social media fields and consolidating them for maximum efficiency and profitability. Green Asset will target for purchase profitable and successful companies that need more capital to reach their full potential.

"This creates a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs and smart investors to be on the ground floor of this exciting and groundbreaking industry.  There are great financial rewards coupled with a chance to be involved in a hot ticket business that is on the cutting edge", said Green Asset CEO Cheryl Shuman.

"The beautiful thing about the cannabis plant is that it not only has the ability to heal a multitude of illnesses, it also has the power to heal the economy by creating desperately needed jobs that can grow small businesses.  Even in the face of this dismal national economy, the legal medical cannabis industry is growing and creating those jobs.  There is a huge network of educated and sophisticated cannabis consuming investors that envision enormous rewards financially, environmentally and socially.  It's a win-win-win," said Shuman.

Many investment groups and businesses have shown serious interest in the great opportunities inclusive in this sector but have not done so yet, partially due to a lack of information.  Green Asset addresses this by educating with market data and knowledge.

Experts and investors agree that this industry has a great deal of promise.  The formation of Green Asset, and the subsequent great response to it, is indicative of the evolvement of this industry and provides investors with the best opportunities.

The Green Asset Symposiums are the next logical step for the medical cannabis industry and follow in the footsteps of the many other industries that have educated investors on start-ups, such as the bio-tech and green industries.

The medical marijuana business has a five-year market potential of $8.7 billion and sales in 2011 were reported at $1.3 billion according to the See Change Strategy market report. (http://medicalmarijuanamarkets.com/)

CEO Cheryl Shuman brings 25 years of experience working with media, celebrities, marketing and health care in Beverly Hills. Since 1996, Shuman has been pursuing her passion in the alternative health and social movement working as a medical cannabis activist and legal cannabis patient.   Using cannabis and other alternative health options, Shuman has survived cancer and injuries from two car crashes. She is the former Executive Director of Beverly Hills NORML and Director of Celebrity, Media and Public Relations for KUSH Magazine.  She is an expert in anti-aging, alternative healthcare and community activism.

"The therapeutic value of socialization and the building of community cannot be overstated. The right of patients to peaceably assemble - to socialize and build family and community, and network and organize - is paramount for their health and recovery. Our social networking platforms and development and marketing of alternative medical treatment options will provide fellowship for consumers, patients and activists internationally," states Shuman.

"We as a modern society can fiscally improve our budget by moving cannabis from the criminal sector into the lawful sector," Shuman said. "This is not a left or right issue -- it's really common sense. Regulation and taxation of marijuana could produce billions of dollars in additional tax revenue, as well as save on the enormous costs of law enforcement. Bottom line is the prohibition of marijuana has been a fiscal fiasco. Green Asset's group of investors is the answer to resolving these issues. Green Asset represents the largest financial commitment for cannabis related investment in history. For additional information see: www.GreenAssetInc.com"

Media Contact: Cheryl Shuman Green Asset International Inc., 310-779-4797, Cheryl.Shuman@GreenAssetInc.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE Green Asset International Inc.

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Tim Cook’s Leadership Opportunity: Painting the Apple Green - Wired News

Apple CEO Tim Cook may never be able to compete with the myth of Steve Jobs, but he now has a golden opportunity to fix two things Apple’s brilliant and mercurial founder got wrong: workers’ rights in China and outsourcing. Should he do it, he’ll place his own indelible mark on the brand, while also serving shareholders and consumers.

Because of its success Apple has become a lightning rod for concern about health risks, a rash of suicides and workers’ rights violations in the Chinese plants of major supplier Foxconn, and it has also become caught up in a heated domestic debate about outsourcing high-technology manufacturing.

The focus has intensified in recent weeks, and it is brought to the forefront as Apple unveils the third iteration of the iPad.

The challenge is significant. But because business has never been better for Apple the timing is especially opportune to address the company’s most visible blemishes by allowing it to answer its critics from a position of strength. These negatives provide Cook an opportunity, very early on in his tenure as CEO, to steer Apple in a direction that would cleanse the brand, invigorate the Apple community and begin to create a legacy of his own, out of the shadow of Jobs.

A substantial threat to Apple’s brand may seem remote over citizenship issues. The company also benefits from the fact that many of its principal competitors — such as Amazon – don’t seem to be doing much better improving the working conditions in their supply chains.

All of the Apple’s customers willingly pay a premium for Apple products, while only some consumers (so far) say they expect companies to uphold environmental and human rights standards. But Apple is vulnerable because its prowess relies heavily on its brand. This brand is valued at two times the Brand Strength of what is typically found among consumer electronics brands and 4.5 times the overall brand equity, according to the BrandAsset scores calculated by BAV Consulting, a Young & Rubicam company).

Tim Cook has begun to seize the leadership opportunity to paint the Apple green through a few important steps, such as the creation of standards and supply accounts that are subject to third-party review. Cook’s decision to engage the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to audit labor practices at the Chinese assembly plants that manufacture Apple products in a short amount of time has also practical benefits.

As the first electronics company to partner with FLA, Apple has the opportunity to reshape the standards regarding working conditions. Tighter monitoring and auditing of plants will raise costs for Apple, but competitors, who will be pressured also to adhere to third-party audits, have less leeway to tolerate cost increases. After all, in the upscale markets toward which Apple drives competition, they are already struggling to match the cost advantages that come from Apple’s large scale and scope — and Apple’s customers are already used to paying a premium.

Publishing its supply chain policies and audit practices is a good step, but falls short in demonstrating that Apple is willing to sacrifice a penny saved for a principled commitment. The next step is to move proactively to demonstrate by action that it will cancel big contracts for these principles. If these audits mean anything, they must result in costly actions that demonstrate this commitment.

Parenthetically, Foxconn has only gotten part of the message. In response to visits by the FLA and bad press, Foxconn has announced base salary increases of 16 percent to 25 percent for workers in the inspected plants and to limit the work week to 60 hours a week. But this announcement, however welcomed, lends credence to the original criticisms of its harsh employee treatment.

The bigger leadership question for Tim Cook is whether he should address the U.S. domestic debate over technology, jobs, and outsourcing.

For a company whose growth depends upon overseas market expansion, conceding too much to the American political debate may end up satisfying no one. But here Apple has an admirable legacy upon which it can build: It can work with schools to improve technical training and expand intern and employment opportunities.

Cook can also learn from the missteps of other firms, like Nike and Wal-Mart, which got caught in similar controversies.

Over a decade ago Nike’s founder, Phil Knight, was the bane of human rights activists for failing to curb the well-documented abuses of workers in the plants of their contractors. Though slow to react, Knight succeeded in turning the story to his advantage when he set a new industry precedent for Nike by addressing these abuses through a series of highly publicized measures.

More recently, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott implemented late in his tenure a similar transition, leading a consortium of suppliers, communities, and customers in “Global Innovation Projects” to remove non-renewable energy from the products the company sells.

Though slow learners in this regard, both Knight and Scott used these legal and ethical threats to their brands to renew the strategic vision of their enterprises.

By painting the Apple green while the company is enjoying historical benchmarks in stock price, market capitalization and consumer acceptance a proactive Tim Cook could turn negatives into positives. He could reinforce Apple’s association with elegant solutions. And he could quickly burnish a successful transition to new and distinctive leadership.

For Cook, this is not be self-aggrandizing ego; it is what he will have to do to liberate Apple from the legacy of a remarkable founder.

With some risk, but the prospect of great reward, Tim Cook can polish Apple as a company willing to change while emphasizing its greatest asset: the love of a design aesthetic that also meets the moral and lifestyle expectations of its customers, its fans — and even its critics.

Professor Bruce Kogut directs the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Center for Leadership and Ethics at Columbia Business School. Jerry Kim is an Assistant Professor, Management, at Columbia Business School.

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Area businesses connect at Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo 2012 - Green Bay Press-Gazette

N.E.W. Printing of Appleton was among the first-year participants at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo.

Like others, N.E.W. Printing was looking to make connections with potential clients in the Green Bay area.

"We've been pretty steady," said Daniel Woolf, an account executive with the commercial printer "But we've had to do a lot of legwork to stay where we are at."

He said the market seems to be showing movement with some businesses allocating more money to their marketing budgets.

"From our point of view, things are starting to turn around," Woolf said. "Back in 2008 and 2009 it was pretty tough. It hasn't been an immediate turn around, but it's slowly picking back up."

More than 175 businesses attended the annual event held Wednesday at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Networking and promotion are among the main focuses of the expo, which also included educational seminars on topics such as providing customers with a "winning" experience and best practices for using social media.

Jamie Strohmeyer of Green Bay struck out on his own with Green Bay Floor Restore in April after his previous employer eliminated his job.

The expo offered his startup business a chance to get its name in front of potential customers ? as well as networking with other businesses from the area.

"Being the first year, I can't complain. I'm paying my bills and covering my overhead," Strohmeyer said with a laugh. "But I'm constantly working it. That's what brings me here, to get my business out to people and let them know what I do."

Green Bay Floor Restore specializes in cleaning indoor and outdoor hard surfaces like tile, natural stone, grout and carpet.

Strohmeyer said he was confident he'd find jobs directly linked to the expo.

"If I get 10 leads out of this and two of them turn into jobs, it pays for itself," he said. "Even if they don't call you today, or next month or the month after I want them to remember who Green Bay Floor Restore is.

"It's always staying in front of that customer somehow," said Strohmeyer, the sole employee of the business.

Established expo businesses also made a return this year doing the same thing as the new additions ? getting their names in front of potential customers.

"It's a good way to get our name out and remind people we're around," said Christie Dvorachek of Biebel's Catering & Rental in Bellevue.

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Area businesses connect at Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo 2012 - Green Bay Press-Gazette

N.E.W. Printing of Appleton was among the first-year participants at the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Expo.

Like others, N.E.W. Printing was looking to make connections with potential clients in the Green Bay area.

"We've been pretty steady," said Daniel Woolf, an account executive with the commercial printer "But we've had to do a lot of legwork to stay where we are at."

He said the market seems to be showing movement with some businesses allocating more money to their marketing budgets.

"From our point of view, things are starting to turn around," Woolf said. "Back in 2008 and 2009 it was pretty tough. It hasn't been an immediate turn around, but it's slowly picking back up."

More than 175 businesses attended the annual event held Wednesday at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. Networking and promotion are among the main focuses of the expo, which also included educational seminars on topics such as providing customers with a "winning" experience and best practices for using social media.

Jamie Strohmeyer of Green Bay struck out on his own with Green Bay Floor Restore in April after his previous employer eliminated his job.

The expo offered his startup business a chance to get its name in front of potential customers ? as well as networking with other businesses from the area.

"Being the first year, I can't complain. I'm paying my bills and covering my overhead," Strohmeyer said with a laugh. "But I'm constantly working it. That's what brings me here, to get my business out to people and let them know what I do."

Green Bay Floor Restore specializes in cleaning indoor and outdoor hard surfaces like tile, natural stone, grout and carpet.

Strohmeyer said he was confident he'd find jobs directly linked to the expo.

"If I get 10 leads out of this and two of them turn into jobs, it pays for itself," he said. "Even if they don't call you today, or next month or the month after I want them to remember who Green Bay Floor Restore is.

"It's always staying in front of that customer somehow," said Strohmeyer, the sole employee of the business.

Established expo businesses also made a return this year doing the same thing as the new additions ? getting their names in front of potential customers.

"It's a good way to get our name out and remind people we're around," said Christie Dvorachek of Biebel's Catering & Rental in Bellevue.

View the original article here

Australia's premier green business conference garners attention from major businesses - PR-USA.net

Designed for like-minded executives and professionals of organisations and companies across diverse industries who would like to position themselves as leaders within the corporate sustainability agenda, the Opportunity Green Summit is a must attend event that will offer delegates elite networking opportunities. Supported by Global Compact Network Australia, Fairtrade Australia, and Sustainable Business Australia, the event will bring business leaders together to discuss sustainability in their core business strategies. Melbourne based global conference organiser Expotrade has been chosen to deliver the Opportunity Green Summit 2012 that will focus on accelerating sustainable business initiatives, highlighting the priorities, and providing insights into the future direction of this new business imperative while exploring the dynamics of this emerging and growing market. The United Nation's Global Compact Survey 2010 states that 96% of CEOs believe that sustainability issues should be fully integrated into the strategy and operations of a company. Business need to effectively capitalise on sustainable business practices and leverage new market opportunities. This conference will focus on how sustainability, from the periphery of business concerns has now graduated and evolved as the imperative element steering business success.

According to 'Corporate Sustainability: A Progress Report by KMPG' nearly two-thirds of the companies worldwide have already adopted unified, authentic, and transparent sustainability into all elements of their core business strategy, which will grant future generations the benefit of this investment in the long run. Over 100 delegates including CEOs, GMs, Senior Decision Makers, and Sustainability Managers from major Australian businesses including AAMI, Accolade Wine, Australand, Bendigo & Adelaide Bank, Bupa Australia, CISCO Systems, Colgate Palmolive, David Jones, CSIRO, Dexus Property Group, GM Holden, Harvey Norman, Hewlett Packard, HSBC Bank, IBM, James Hardie, Linfox, Primus Telecom, Suncorp, Telstra, VicRoads, Alstom, Greyhound, Hertz Austrlia, Canon and many others have already confirmed their attendance for the Opportunity Green Summit to be held on 28th and 29th March at The Sebel Albert Park Hotel, Melbourne. Australian representative of United Nations Global Compact, Matthew Tukaki will talk about the impact of Government policy and regulation at both the local and global level, the changing nature of consumer and buyer behaviours when it comes to validation of the business response to climate change and sustainability, and he will also highlight the importance of understanding the machinations of organisational supply chains.

Brendan Fearn of Green Team Australia will provide an introduction on "The Awakening Consumer(TM) ", recognised as one of the most influential audience segments on the planet, The Awakening Consumer(TM) already makes up over 25% of the Australian population. David Keenan, Vice President Industry, Siemens Ltd, and Chairman of Silcar will explain how technology and sustainability are inextricably linked and he will share the technology giant's blueprint; environmental sustainability being a cornerstone. Other key speakers at the Summit include Michael Edwards, General Manager of Boeing Research & Technology-Australia, Ross Pilling, Chairman & Managing Director of BASF Australia, Adrian King, National Partner in Charge, Climate Change & Sustainability Services of KPMG Australia, Prof Carol Adams, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Sustainability at Latrobe University, Olivia Tyler, and GM of Environment & Sustainability at Treasury Wine Estates.

The Opportunity Green Summit will evaluate supply chain credentials, scrutinise the intensifying regulatory obligations, and analyse the transition to greater integrated reporting and emerging developments in sustainability management. This event will examine how this fundamental shift is transforming the business idea of value moving beyond the profit balance sheets to incorporate nonfinancial metrics.

Expotrade is a global conference and event organiser with its head office based in Melbourne, Australia. For almost 10 years, Expotrade has delivered some of the largest, most successful and top quality B2B industry conferences and events using their unique blend of knowledge, experience, and flexibility.

For more information on this article, visit http://www.greensummit.com.au

 

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OilLift Green Business Opportunity 2

http://oillift.net/ A real green business opportunity, backed by proven products and a great cause is a recipe for success. Save the Oceans Inc is looking for serious and ethical business people that want to put their skills to work changing the consumer habits that are destroying our aquatic world. Visit the distributor page at www.oillift.net, dont forget to download the free book How to Kill your Cleaning Staff

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3M sees opportunity as libraries ramp up e-books - Green Bay Press-Gazette

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WTW) — Millions of Americans now own Kindles, Nooks and other e-readers. And libraries are taking notice, expanding their collections of e-books they can loan to patrons.

That trend has 3M's attention. The company has a long history of serving libraries. And 3M sees a big business opportunity in helping libraries build, manage and lend their collections of electronic books, Minnesota Public Radio reports (http://bit.ly/xP8d7X).

The St. Paul Public Library next month will begin a formal trial of 3M's "Cloud Library" system, along with 10 other major public libraries around the country.

For the past month, Stephanie Harr of St. Paul has been a volunteer tester of the 3M system. She reads a lot of books while getting her caffeine kick at the Swede Hollow Cafe on St. Paul's East Side. All she needs to get a book from the St. Paul library is her iPad and an Internet connection.

"So, this one is available. I just hit the check-out button. That little blue bar shows it's downloading into my device," Harr said. "So, when that's done, I can read it."

Harr has had an e-reader for about two years and is glad to see the library expand its e-book collection.

"As a dedicated library user, I wasn't used to paying for books. So, as soon as the library started having e-books, I was on board right away."

Harr says she prefers the sign-up process and book browsing features of the 3M system to a competing service the library had used last spring. But she says otherwise the two services are pretty much the same.

From a business standpoint, 3M is behind. The company has been serving libraries for over 40 years, providing them with devices and software to check out physical books and protect them from theft. But an Ohio company called Overdrive already provides e-book services to 18,000 libraries in 21 countries.

Still, 3M sees an opening.

"Being a company with a strong technology history, we have an opportunity to really come in and innovate and create the best platform for libraries to lend e-books to a community," said Tom Mercer, who is leading the marketing efforts for 3M's Cloud Library service. At this time, e-books are just a small part of library collections. But Mercer says those collections will grow and libraries will need help managing them.

"We see a very large opportunity as libraries shift their spend from physical material to digital material," he said. "By about 2015, a third of all books sold will be digital in the United States."

With the 3M Cloud Library service, library patrons can read e-books on many portable devices including 3M-branded e-readers that libraries can loan to patrons.

But OverDrive has a head start and company spokesman David Burleigh says it's growing fast. "We had about 35 million checkouts through the system thorough all our libraries in the network last year, which was up from about 15 million the year before," Burleigh said.

Overdrive won't comment on 3M's intentions, but Burleigh says there's good reason to be bullish about the business opportunities to help libraries with e-book collections.

In Minnesota, most public libraries will stock e-books by mid-June, according to state librarian Nancy Walton.

The St. Paul Public Library started its e-book collection last April and now has about 4,500 e-books to lend.

Digital library manager John Larson expects e-books will eventually account for 10 to 20 percent of the St. Paul's book lending. There are advantages for both patrons and libraries, he said. E-books can't be damaged or lost. And patrons don't have to worry about returning them. "You don't have to worry about any overdue fines. It just automatically disappears at the end of the loan period," Larson said. "And you don't have to come to the library to pick them up. It just comes straight to you. If you've been waiting for it on hold. If it's available, you can check it out on the spot."

But that convenience may be offset by the refusal of some publishers to license their e-books to libraries. Still, there seems little doubt there will strong demand from libraries for e-reader technology. Market analysts at Forrester Research estimate that about 70 million Americans will be using some kind of e-reader by 2016.

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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Green start-up business opportunities revisited - Examiner

, West Palm Beach Green Business Examiner West Palm Beach Green Business Examiner

Robert Stricklin is an author and free lance writer whose articles, short stories, critiques and commentaries have appeared in more than 100...

Grammy-winning musician Branson Marsalis dishes on his new album.

Did Steven Tyler botch the national anthem?

Joe Paterno has died after a battle with lung cancer.

Your votes will decide who shares $100,000 in prizes.

The Patriots and Giants are heading to the Super Bowl.

It's time to surprise your sweetie with a romantic escape.

Newt Gingrich has been declared the winner of the South Carolina primary.

Slideshow: See Heidi Klum and Seal in happier times.

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Pasco Business Owners Recognized by USHCC Foundation Green Builds Business Program - YAHOO!

To: ENVIRONMENTAL AND STATE EDITORS

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation announced today that five business owners from the Pasco, WA area have been selected as winners of the USHCC Foundation's national Green Builds Business (GBB) Program. The Pasco GBB participants were honored with a special welcome from Pasco Mayor Matt Watkins on the first day of the training program and Kennewick City Mayor Steve Young on day two of their training.

Green Builds Business, underwritten by Walmart, is a signature program of the USHCC Foundation. The two-day training program encourages business owners across the country to incorporate sustainability measures into their overall business plans by teaching best practices for lowering operating costs, increasing revenues and motivating workers with green initiatives.

"As evidenced by their projects, the winners of the Pasco Green Builds Business program demonstrate a commitment to the continued education surrounding environmental sustainability," says USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "It is this type of training, and these types of proactive entrepreneurs who will help ensure the health and success of both of our business and our environmental landscapes for years to come."

The GBB program, held in Pasco, Washington on December 9 and 10, 2011, was co-hosted by the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (TCHCC). The five business owners selected will receive a combined 24 hours of one-on-one green coaching with Bill Roth, Green Business Coach for Entrepreneur.com and Founder of Earth 2017. Roth will help the winners formulate a green business plan or implement a green project that holds the potential of creating jobs, growing profits and reducing emissions this year.

The winners from the 2011 Green Builds Business program in Pasco include:

-- Derek Brandes and Brett Riley of Columbia Basin College. Brandes and Riley aim to establish a LEED certification program at Columbia Basin College and will take this additional training opportunity to learn the details of what is required for a LEED certification program, and how to implement that process effectively. -- Rudy Pena of Rudy's Pepper Blends, a homemade chili powder company, who is looking to expand his current business to canned goods, and beyond. Pena will use this training to learn how to expand his company with environmentally-conscious and sustainable business practices. -- Isabel Quiroz who works in the candle making business will maximize this opportunity by learning how she can develop environmentally friendly packaging for her products. Quiroz' goals include website development, branding and marketing initiatives for a business model that will donate a percentage of earnings to charity. -- Martin Valadez, in Business Consulting and Development at Tonatiuh Consulting. Valadez aims to help local business attain their own green certification and will utilize his one-on-one opportunity to gain the knowledge, training and green certification necessary to accomplish his goals.

"The Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is grateful to the USHCC Foundation and Walmart for working with us to make this program possible, and we are proud of all of the individuals who participated," says TCHCC President Martin Valadez. "It is encouraging to hear how our local business owners will integrate these new skills and knowledge into effective, sustainable and prosperous businesses and we look forward to seeing the impact and influence they have on the surrounding community."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $420 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The USHCC Foundation is committed to giving Hispanic entrepreneurs alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture their entrepreneurial spirit. The Foundation leverages corporate and public support to ensure that existing and aspiring Latino entrepreneurs gain access and achieve success in the world of business. Please visit www.ushccfoundation.org for more information on the USHCC Foundation.

GREEN BUILDS BUSINESS CONTACTS:

USHCC Foundation Jennifer Tarazon, Director (202) 715-0493 jtarazon@ushcc.com http://www.ushccfoundation.org

Earth 2017

Bill Roth (925) 323-2304 bill.roth@earth2017.com http://www.earth2017.com

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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Green panda exploits opportunities in the home of the red dragon

EMIGRANT BUSINESS LEADERS ON OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD :  Shane O’Neill - Co-founder, Enter the Panda, Beijing

“I WAS so sure I’d be back, I didn’t even visit the Great Wall,” says entrepreneur Shane O’Neill of his first visit to China in 2006.

Now a Beijing resident for more than five years and co-founder of Enter the Panda, a company that assists Irish and British SMEs doing business in China, the Dubliner says it was the country’s sense of scale and possibility that drew him in.

“I arrived in Beijing before the Olympics and there was massive development and great hype in the city. It reminded me of Ireland at the start of the boom, but on a much bigger scale,” he recalls.

“I just fell in love with the city and the idea of working here, so I came over and started studying Mandarin.”

Training in film in Ballyfermot College of Further Education, followed by a Fás course in new media and design, had led O’Neill to set up as a freelance web designer and strategist in Dublin. While business was good, he felt the work had become repetitive and so, aged 25, decided to take on a new challenge. Moving to China and learning Mandarin was just that.

“You have to completely rewire your brain when you are trying to learn the characters, it was tough. My reading and writing isn’t perfect now but I can certainly speak it very well,” he says.

Working at first on web design for a recruitment company while there, it was a meeting with Dave White, a young British entrepreneur also fluent in Mandarin, that led to the formation of their company Enter the Panda.

“We got into a discussion about how hard it is for young companies and SMEs to get a foothold in China,” O’Neill says. “We saw a potential niche for us to support Irish and British companies to develop their products and deal with factories here.”

Four years on and the pair have clients in Britain, Ireland and Latin America. O’Neill says having someone on the ground in the country can be critical to getting things done.

“A large part of doing business here, particularly dealing with product development and factories, is managing relationships with factory foremen – there are huge cultural differences and if you are not here applying selective pressure, shaking their hands and sometimes going for a drink with them, you can’t expect to stay top of their priority list. That’s where we come in.”

O’Neill says his days can range from auditing factories to overseeing the quality control of products to checking orders before they are shipped.

In terms of the business philosophy in his adoptive country, he says “you can get an awful lot done in a short space of time, you can basically work around the clock”.

An obstacle, however, is what he sees as short-term thinking.

“Very often, suppliers or factories would rather take a euro today instead of €10 tomorrow. They won’t see that you are bringing in business that might grow.”

Setting up his own business in an environment of ever-changing government regulations is something he describes as “a six-month-long game of poker”.

“There’s no systematic support for SMEs trying to launch a business here as there would be back home,” O’Neill says. “You have to be here for the long haul . . . most of the bureaucracy or visa issues you might come across in China are in place to weed out the weak to certain degree.”

While he misses the fresh air at home – “the pollution does get quite bad here” – he says the country affords him a nice standard of living.

“I love the culture and the food and I do generally find the country fascinating. I’m still finding out new things about culture and the people all the time and in that sense, it’s very exciting.”

And with western economies in the doldrums, does he feel lucky to be away from the tumult at home?

“It does sometimes feel like we are in a safer place here,” he says. “But China and Europe are so intertwined and have been for so long that it’s not in China’s interest to see the West crumble. It’s in their interest to see trade between China and the West continue.”

Of his company’s name, Enter the Panda, he says it gets a laugh from most people.

“There’s all this iconic imagery, some good and some not so good about China. The panda represents a much softer side of Chinese culture and we wanted to make it not so scary or difficult to do business here. If people have a bit of a chuckle and remember the name, it’s no harm.”

For Irish small companies struggling to bring their costs down, he believes China presents an opportunity.

For young emigrants thinking of following in his footsteps, he advises that Mandarin lessons will go a long way.

“China is certainly a place of opportunity if you have the guts to go and try and do something for yourself.”

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OilLift Green Business Opportunity 2

http://oillift.net/ A real green business opportunity, backed by proven products and a great cause is a recipe for success. Save the Oceans Inc is looking for serious and ethical business people that want to put their skills to work changing the consumer habits that are destroying our aquatic world. Visit the distributor page at www.oillift.net, dont forget to download the free book How to Kill your Cleaning Staff

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How to start a Green franchise

http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/ presents information on opening up your own green franchise. For a list of available green franchises go to http://www.nextbigfranchise.com/green-franchises

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OilLift Green Business Opportunity 2

http://oillift.net/ A real green business opportunity, backed by proven products and a great cause is a recipe for success. Save the Oceans Inc is looking for serious and ethical business people that want to put their skills to work changing the consumer habits that are destroying our aquatic world. Visit the distributor page at www.oillift.net, dont forget to download the free book How to Kill your Cleaning Staff

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