Boyer's Coffee

 

Boyer’s Coffee was established in Colorado, 1965.  The unique flavor comes from being grown and roasted in high altitude.  The environment coffee is roasted in attributes to the flavor for example the humidity and batch size roasted.  Boyer’s Coffees can be found at these supermarkets throughout Colorado: Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart, King Soopers, City Market and Albertsons.  And online Boyer’s ships coffee around the world.  Boyer’s sustainable practices focus on consumers, company and environment.  Boyer’s only roasts the finest hand-selected Arabica beans.  Environmentally Boyer’s found a way to re-use coffee chaff which is used to make wood starters, compost and bedding.  They have also implemented a packaging system which saves 450,000 boxes a year.  Boyer’s headquarters is a remolded school house made into a coffee bar.  Uniquely they found a 1920’s wood gymnasium floor and repurposed it for their coffee bar area.  They provide a free meeting space to the community which is available to anyone.  To learn more, call: 303-289-3345 or visit: www.boyerscoffee.com.

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

Good Company Convergence with Laurie Bassi

Laurie Bassi  

Laurie Bassi lead author of Good Company, takes an in-depth look into the worthiness era.  The worthiness era is a convergence of economic, social and political forces requiring companies to be better employers, sellers and stewards of community and environment in order to make more profits.

Good Company systematically compiled information on the Fortune 100 and dispersed grades; A through F.  Good company index focuses on going beyond social responsibility.  Companies who use their core capabilities to make contributions to community and society are good companies such as Disney and FedEx who earned A’s.

Consumers require and buy more from a good company so the good guys make more money than the bad guys.  At the micro level power shifts show technology fueled people power which forces companies to be better.  To be good a company must be simultaneously caring, exacting and inspiring for example boards of directors should be involved and know about all levels in a company.

Go to www.glassdoor.com to see into that which is normally blocked and discover employee reviews about what it is like to work in 100,000 companies.  Salaries and interview processes are shared.  Also, www.wratings.com shows consumer experiences on 4000 companies.

Book signing:

November 15th

12:00P.M.

Barnes and Noble Downtown Denver

Also available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and Berrett Koehler Publishers

Enhanced by Zemanta

Vic Ahmed

Vic Ahmed Plug and Play Colorado  

Plug and Play Tech incubator will open in November 2011 in Colorado.  It is the first branch opening outside Silicon Valley in the nation.  Plug and Play Tech incubator also has three international locations. Vic Ahmed, CEO of Plug and Play incubator in Colorado is well versed in growth challenges and exiting companies once successful.  He has experienced the gamut of being an entrepreneur.  He offered advice to young and young at heart entrepreneurs.

Find mentors to avoid obvious mistakes.

If you fall on your face, GET BACK UP!

Ahmed relates entrepreneurship to swimming.  Practicing strokes outside the pool doesn’t teach you to swim.  You have to get into the pool and into the water to learn.  Being an entrepreneur is just like that.  Taking the first step is always the toughest.   And the spirit of becoming an entrepreneur is contagious which makes Plug and Play a hot spot for innovation.

Ahmed collaborated with university students in researching best practices for incubators and discovered Saeed Amidi’s first Plug and Play in the Silicon Valley.  Plug and Play provides access to financing, partners, mentors, networks and ecosystems for collaboration.  Individuals in software, social media, clean tech, gaming, animation and video are encouraged to contact Ahmed for both on-site and virtual opportunities at [email protected].

Enhanced by Zemanta

Trade Wind Program

BillBurwellBlairWoodring  

Bill Burwell, director of the U.S. Commercial Service in Baltimore, MD and Blair Woodring of Custom Alloys were guests on Connect and Collaborate with ICOSA radio.  Together they shared the robust opportunities of participating in the Trade Winds program offered by the U.S. Commercial Service.   The Trade Winds Forum connects business to exporting opportunities.   For information on the Trade Winds program, visit: http://export.gov/pennsylvania/tradewinds.  The program is geared towards senior executives such as CEOs and vice presidents.  Up to 300 people are present at Trade Winds conferences making networking with both U.S. and foreign companies possible and are held in the exporting region.

Gold Key services are available at Trade Wind conferences.  Starting at $700 for small to medium sized companies the USCS will screen, verify and arrange meetings with qualified companies.  Even though only one in 100 U.S. companies export this federally funded program results in 100 million in sales overall for companies who have been part of Trade Winds.

Blair Woodring of Customs Alloys sees value in exporting with the U.S. Commercial Service due to the competitiveness and the U.S. Commercial Service brand.  He recommends the Trade Wind program for not being a typical government service but one with extreme customer service and commitment to success.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Become a Sustainable Company.

Pete Dignan Executive Director of CORE  

To get your business connected and ready to take action join Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE).  This business association is dedicated to making your business sustainable in Denver, CO.  Pete Dignan, executive director of CORE advises businesses to find similar associations in any city by searching the Internet for keywords such as, “business, sustainability, (insert your location)” and associations in your area will generate.  A CORE membership allows companies to unload their sustainability baggage and determine specific actions to become sustainable.  This covers the areas of energy and materials use as well as community engagement.  For example Molson Coors calculates its carbon foot print, by calling it their “beer print.” They realize that 88 percent of customers are looking for companies practicing sustainability.

Colorado is leading the nation in having the most “green” companies.  Following the triple bottom line of people, plan and profit is not a partisan issue.  Everyone can follow these four steps:

  1. Asses your sustainability
  2. Set sustainable goals
  3. Engage employees
  4. Report progress

CORE can help companies identify the four steps.  Being completely sustainable is possible.  NREL in Colorado actually produces more energy than they consume.  There model is one to aspire to.  For more information, visit: www.corecolorado.org.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Energy 101 with Kelly de la Torre

Kelly de la Torre Access to power is key and we are so very plugged into it.  U.S. consumers need to realize consumption has global affects.  Think of every plastic object and know oil energy probably powered its creation.

Energy production has a bad reputation of harming the environment even though regulatory practices are enforced to protect it.  “Fracking is the process of initiating and subsequently propagating a fracture in a rock layer, by means of a pressurized fluid, in order to release petroleum, natural gas, coal seam gas, or other substances for extraction,” Charlez, Philippe A. (1997), Rock Mechanics. This process can have detrimental environmental implications.

To learn more about energy regulatory practices, visit the Rocky Mountain Energy Blog: http://rmenergyblog.blogspot.com.  Blogger and energy sector attorney, Kelly de la Torre, blogs about energy regulation, energy innovations in wind, solar, geothermal, hydro and biofuel.  De la Torre believes collaboration involving all energy sectors is needed to maintain and support both consumption now and the expected doubling energy needs that will come with year 2030.

Energy production is an issue at the forefront―consequently so is the energy grid.  Discussions on grid accommodations and security such as cyber-attacks, pipeline security and energy transmission are needed.

Leaner energy users are considered a 5th fuel.  Innovation will propel us forward, says de la Torre.  Tough issues in innovations using garbage, biofuels, wind, solar and geothermal need to be collaboratively worked so that energy is sustainable.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Cathey McClain Finlon’s Career Lessons

Cathey McClain Finlon  

Determine if a company’s mission matches your vision and values.  Early in her career Cathey McClain Finlon did just that.

Finlon’s expertise in matching vision and values is found in reviewing the following:

 

 

  1. “For things to change, I have to change.” In growing the McClain Finlon advertising agency to Ad Age Top 100 U.S. agencies responsibilities were given to those who were trained.  It is a challenge to give up things to other people as a company grows.
  2. Spend time working with industry and community boards to build skills and let those skills flow into the company, (Finlon spent 30 percent of her time on boards).
  3. Mentors pick you, and you earn their mentorship.  People who identify themselves as serious doers are chosen to be mentored.  “Show me your friends and I will show you, you,” Finlon.
  4.  Unbalanced work and home make life rich and full.  Unbalance is fun and intense which can allow you to achieve more.
  5. Work harder than the next person, leave no rock unturned.
  6. Check fear at the gate; don’t let it run your business.
  7. Run, don’t walk from bad work situations.
  8. Be optimistic.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Global Commerce Forum and the Alberta Oil Sands

Reliable energy discussions continue on the burgeoning demand in emerging countries.  The question is which is best clean or traditional?  A base energy infrastructure is needed in Africa to ensure a sustainable economy.  The discussion begins October 13th and 14th at the Global Commerce Forum.  To register for the event, visit: www.globalcommerceforum.org or watch live, at: www.livestream.com/icosamedia.  Keynote speakers include former Governor of Colorado, Bill Ritter; chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer at Coorstek, Inc., Dr. John Coors; permanent secretary, Kenyan Ministry of Energy, Patrick Nyoike; executive  coordinator of sustainable community development services in Kenya, John Maina and; co-founder of Envirofit and Solix Biofuels, Dr. Bryan Willson.  

Michael Conners toured Alberta, Canada to get the total picture on the Canadian oil sandsCanada exports 9 million barrels of oil per day to the U.S. The oil sands in Alberta Canada are stripped mined in an in-situ process.   In-situ uses a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operation.  The Pembina Institute, Syncrude and David Sands of the Alberta government/Public Affairs Bureau partnered with Jennifer Cook, communications and cultural affairs officer for the Consulate General of Canada to provide an in-depth look into the oil sands production, including the Keystone Pipeline Project.

Please continue to check ICOSA Magazine’s website for the future article on the oil sand tour.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Clean Energy Company, Nokero Solar Light Bulbs

 

 

 

1.4 billion live without electricity.

1 billion live with intermittent electricity.

Kerosene lighting equals smoking 40 cigarettes a day.

Nokero’s keystone product is the world’s only solar light bulb developed to be safe and environmentally-friendly which helps eliminate the global need for harmful and polluting fuels. Most importantly they are affordable to impoverished communities. Benefits include stopping the poverty cycle and creating a sustainable economy.

The bulbs features are:

Durable

Rainproof

Ni-MH battery lasts 1.5 years, and is replaceable

Hangs outdoors for charging

Portable

One state-of-the-art, high quality solar panel

AA-sized recyclable battery

Automatically switches off in bright light to save charge

On/Off switch

Steve Katsaros toured the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and four days later filed a patent and registration for the Nokero Solar Light Bulb. From idea to market took six months. Katsaros, inventor of the Nokero Light Bulb differs from most inventors he knows how to make a company out of an idea.

Tom Boyd, Nokero’s co-founder said, “If you have an idea, make it happen, connect with people who can make the product and protect your idea.” He advises all inventors to register for patents as soon as possible. Boyd uses the reach and power of the media to partner with several other energy industry companies such as Eureka Forbes who will be distributing Nokero’s bulbs. Nokero’s triple bottom line: people, plant, profit expands into emerging markets across 126 countries. Give Light, a Nokero philanthropic program partners with the Navajo Nation, ICOSA in Tafert/Morocco, Project C.U.R.E. and Solar Sister in Africa.

Nokero distribution network is growing, to become a dealer, visit: http://www.nokero.com/dealers.php

Enhanced by Zemanta

PeaceJam―Youth and Nobel Peace Laureates Working Together to Change the World

Nobel Laureate Professor Jody Williams  

Figure 600,000 youth taking part in one million acts of kindles and then one will comprehend what PeaceJam has accomplished.  Yet PeaceJam also connects youth globally with Nobel Peace Prize laureates to build character traits and inspire.

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate will speak the 3rd Annual Hero Awards Luncheon.  Williams is an international ambassador for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and was awarded the Nobel Peace Peace Prize for her work within that organization.  She is also spearheading the Nobel Women’s Initiative with Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire.

Jody Williams with youth

Ryan J. Hanschen, development and program coordinator at the PeaceJam Foundation, Gianina Horton, former PeaceJam participant and Colorado College PeaceJam club organizer and Ana Dodson, the keynote speaker for the upcoming PeaceJam Slam on November 19th are part of what makes PeaceJam all-age-encompassing.  Peacejam gives participant’s voices power by providing tools and global connections such as building hope and skillsets.  PeaceJam’s youth can relate to other disadvantaged youth globally and can take action now by joining the PeaceJam Slam.

Anna Dodson quoted Mother Teresa saying, “If you can’t feed 100 people, then just feed one.”  She challenges other youth, “Don’t wait for tomorrow, make small difference today,” simply by opening the door for someone or helping cook dinner.

Enhanced by Zemanta

“Entrepreneurs are Change Agents of the World,” Dr. James W. Jackson―founder of Project C.U.R.E, award-winning author and humanitarian.

Dr. James Jackson  

 

A business of goodness has made Dr. Jackson a fortunate man.  He has spent the last 25 years traveling to 150 countries.  Dr. Jackson explains that he was “stuck on stupid” meaning addicted to accumulation.  Now, Dr. James W. Jackson says, “I’m such a lucky guy,” since Project C.U.R.E. has 150,000 volunteers and sends medical supplies to 123 countries.  To change from being a taker to a giver follow these insightful principles; 1.What is horded is lost, 2.Giving multiplies and, 3.Doing more to accumulate will not equal happiness.  Dr. Jackson advises to be sustainable in humanitarian efforts organizations must use best business practices.  And in doing so, Project C.U.R.E is successful.

Collaboration is defined by Dr. Jackson with principles found in his book,

100 px

“The Happiest Man in the World: Life Lessons from a Cultural Economist.” Two such principles are everyone in the deal needs to be better off, and utilize your leverage to make each other better off.  Dr. Jackson advises to be sustainable in humanitarian efforts organizations must use best business practices.

What is the secret to happiness?  According to Dr. Jackson it’s letting go to the addiction of accumulation. And, how you reconcile the consequences of your actions determines your level of happiness.

To purchase Dr. James W. Jackson’s book, visit: www.winstoncrown.com

Getting involved is simple, visit: www.projectcure.org.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Camp Bow Wow―Where a dog can be a dog®

Heidi Ganahl  

 

Founder, president and CEO of Camp Bow Wow, Heidi Ganahl owns the largest pet care as well as women owned franchise in North America. Camp Bow Wow―the largest global doggy day care company, and a $50 million leader in the $47 billion United States pet sector now has 115 camps, one Canada camp, 25 home buddies, and 30 behavior buddies franchises.  Interest in potential franchisees grew after being featured on America Online. Camp Bow Wow’s future is growth with a goal of 500 units in the next four years, then international growth to Australia and the United Kingdom.

Ganahl financed Camp Bow Wow herself by putting her own equity and credit into Camp Bow Wow, which is never recommended but she knew the franchise business concept was best for her and her passion since she enjoyed growth, public relations and marketing, and charity.

She created the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit organizationdedicated to improving

Camp Bow Wow Calendar Contest

the lives and health of dogs.  Her greatest accomplishment is being at the forefront of a collaboration that has found homes for 5,000+ dogs.  Ganahl advices to, follow your gut, collaborate, and don’t listen to the nay-sayers when following your passion.

For more information, visit: www.bowwowbuddies.com

Enhanced by Zemanta

95% of the population lives outside the United States.

The lists below can help companies begin the process. THE CONTACTS:

Paul Bergman―Director of the U. S. Export Assistance Center in Denver

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 303-844-2643

Brett Gerson―attorney-advisor with the Department of Commerce, Office of General

Counsel, and Office of the Chief Counsel for International Commerce (OCCIC) where he serves as legal counsel to the Department’s International Trade Administration.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 202-482-5595

Glen Roberts―Director of the Bakersfield & Fresno U.S. Export Assistance Centers

[email protected]

Phone: 559-348-9859

THE RESOURCES:

The STEP Initiative increases

Seal of the United States International Trade ...

small businesses exporting and the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. This program builds on the President’s National Export Initiative which works to double U.S. exports. For more information, visit: www.export.gov

The Department of Energy and National Renewable Energy Laboratory have open discussions with U.S. Exports Centers for matching companies in the solar, wind, bio and water industries.  Creating partnerships are validated through embassies and consulates.

U.S. Export Centers across the nation host events to enlighten the exporting process.  One such event is the 2011 U.S.-China Legal Exchange.  CLE credits available.

10/17

San Francisco, CA October 17, 2011 Location: TBD Website and Registration: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=4817bd

10/19

Denver, CO October 19, 2011 Location: Denver University, Sturm College of Law Website and Registration: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/newWebinarRegistration.jsp?SmartCode=2Q0Z

10/21

Atlanta, GA October 21, 2011 Location: Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Website and Registration: http://metroatlantachamber.com/content/Event.aspx?Code=54a6a540-2e75-413c-9165-5e84319a212f

Enhanced by Zemanta

PROCESS WILL SET YOU FREE!

 

 

 

Jeanne Brown, Chair of the Board of Rocky Mountain Performance Excellence (RMPEx) helps organizations improve performance and achieve results through the Baldridge criteria. She is a quality management and performance excellence professional with more than 30 years of leadership experience in the high technology and utilities industries.  Three simple steps to freedom are defining, writing down, and keeping current the processRobert Galvin of Motorola said, “To get the process exactly right is going to be cheaper and it is going to be better.” He received one of the first Malcolm Baldrige Awards.  “Common knowledge grows the entire organization towards the goal of excellence,” say Brown.  This can be accomplished by having a central repository that is accessible to anyone.  The bottom line is that, “taking time, money and materials out of the process and streamlining them but still maintaining a high level of quality and service for customers will increase profits,” Brown.

These 12 steps are good reasons to document, provided by Jeanne Brown:

  1. Establishes a Baseline from which to improve - this creates a point of reference for where you are now and which direction you need to go to improve your process.
  2. Streamlines and standardizes training - when the process is clearly defined, training is easy, and everybody is doing the job the same way.
  3. Keeps everyone current - in a document control system, there is revision control that assures everyone is using the most recent document.
  4. Captures subject matter expertise for the benefit of all – it is important to capture expertise from knowledgeable individuals.
  5. Assures smoother transition during change - proper documents provide a stable foundation when people move to other jobs or organizations.
  6. Frees up time & energy for innovation & creativity - once you have the basic directions, you and others will be able to look at ways to move forward rather than spend time learning the basics over and over.
  7. 7.    Reduces and eliminates redundancy - documenting the process helps to identify places where there may be duplicated efforts or steps.
  8. Identifies and fills in any gaps in the current process - as you document, you may discover places where things might drop through the cracks.
  9. Clearly defines resource requirements - defining responsibilities in the documents helps everyone know exactly what the job requires.
  10. Reduces risk on the job - clearly defined processes lead to concise and useful training, which helps to reduce the risk to the employee.
  11. Provides a document change history for future reference - the document control system will provide a method to research a past event and determine the process that was being used at that time.
  12. Offers a one-stop-shop for an organization’s work activities - the central location for controlled documents allows for cross-function learning and sharing.

For more information, visit:

http://www.coloradoexcellence.org/

http://www.baldrigepe.org

Enhanced by Zemanta

Leading by Example and Small Business Success and Community Engagement

Jeff Wasden  

 

Jeff Wasden, owner of PROformance Appeal took a failing company and turned it around to being awarded Business of the Year and Best of the Best. Wasden points out during difficult economic times businesses pull back on promotional items and professional memberships which handicap businesses. People do business with people―that is what draws business in.  Industry and community partnerships have businesses value―it can be everything to a business.  Equally as important is building a culture of involvement. Wasden noted, evaluate where you want to go, what your passion is, and join business chambers to establish yourself and not just to grow your business.  Growing your business is something that follows.  Establishing business relationships and giving back are at the forefront.

By following his interest in politics Wasden (chair of Business Leaders for Responsible Government and the Legislative Action Committee) within the South Metro Denver Chamber organized the Elevate Colorado 2010 Governors Forum, an event for business and community leaders surrounding the gubernatorial conversation featuring former Governors Bill Owens, Richard Lamm, Mayor John Hickenlooper, Dan Maes and Tom Tancredo.  Wasden commented that it was an event not to steer people a specific way but to inspire people to stand-up and do something.

www.proformanceapparel.com and www.bestchamber.com

Enhanced by Zemanta

“Every Conversation Is an Opportunity for Success”

  Debra Fine

 

 

Rotary is an international service organization with thousands of members.  One of those members is best-selling author and communication expert Debra Fine.  “The Fine Art of Small Talk: How To Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression!” has been featured on the Today Show, the Early Show, NPR, CNN, Fox Business News, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Men’s Health Magazine.  Fine mentioned that small talk develops interconnected relationships and in essence is a necessity in growing any relationship; personal or business.

Fine is president of the Rotary Club Denver Southeast.  She knows "a desk is

Cover of

dangerous places to view the world," John Le Carre.  And as such Rotary’s current project is Race Across Africa a “virtual” race up the Nile River raising money for water projects in Africa; www.raceacross.org.  Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Rotary’s members comprise of like-minded people who follow The Four-Way Test;

  1. Is it the truth?
  2. Is it fair to all concerned?
  3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
  4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

These questions can be asked to ensure ethical projects are being accomplished.

Rotary International emblem

Enhanced by Zemanta

THE PARADIGM PROJECT― Sustainable Development and L3C Social Enterprise

Wood Walk  

A group of talented, passionate people who want to use “Paradigm” as a vehicle for connecting commercial markets in Europe and America with developing world communities in such a way that makes drastic impact on people and the environment in a sustainable way.

The Paradigm Project’s Greg Spencer has a passion for Africa and leveraging the valuable carbon market to nonprofits and communities.  “Commercial business concepts applied to nonprofits are key to successful development work,” according to Spencer.  Carbon offset projects are typically planting trees, water efficiency based, and prevention of overharvesting and deforestation whereas cook stoves increase social benefits by enabling financial redistribution, time, and increase health creating a more sustainable lifestyle.

THE NUMBERS­

28,973 stoves sold 52,000 trees saved 14,000 tons of carbon avoided 1 million+ hours of time saved

THE COLLABORATORS

Collaboration between investors, donors and communities such as the Clinton Global Initiative, Global Alliance for Clean Cook Stoves, World Vision, Food for the Hungry, and Compassion International brings these stoves to communities for $40.00 per stove.  These stoves release 60% less toxins and 50% less wood is needed equaling cleaner combustion and fuel efficiency.

For more information, visit: www.theparadigmproject.org or to read the article featured in ICOSA Magazine, visit: www.theicosamagazine.com/a-burning-desire-to-change

Enhanced by Zemanta

The U.S. Department of Commerce and Frederick Exports

Martha Butwin and Zach Frederick  

Martha Butwin, Senior International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Denver Export Assistance Center facilitates exporting goods and services for a variety of companies.  The Gold Key Service program (starting at $700) serves as a starting point for companies working towards exporting.  The International Partner Search (starting at $550) pairs companies who are potential partners.  Each program starts with questioners to determine a match.  An international company profile is prepared to reduce the amount of scammers.

Butwin recalls the high point in her career as working with partners, Project C.U.R.E. and CAP World Wide to provide not only medical supplies but life supplies to Afghanistan people.  To view the video “From Colorado to Kabul”, visit: www.theicosamagazine.com/videos

For more information, visit: www.export.gov

Zach Frederick, founder of Frederick Export, an export management company attributes five practices for sustainable success: 1. Management must buy into exporting, 2. Global pricing parody, 3. Knowing industry contacts, and 4. register your trademarks in every country you export to is vital, (as company control can be lost to a distributor), 5. Qualify the leads.

For more information, visit: www.frederickexport.com

Enhanced by Zemanta