scott's Blog

Selling With Your Ears -8 Steps to Improving Sales

scott messinger (energreen) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:53:49 -0700

"Nothing happens in this business until somebody sells something."

Are you a salesperson? If you are in a small business or a startup I would be stunned if you said no. I have been with several companies throughout my business career, small, medium, and a large Fortune 100 company, some as an employee and some as an owner. My role currently as a business broker is to help people with the process of buying and selling businesses. How do you find people wanting to buy a business or sell a business- prospecting. Whats the first thing I do when meeting this prospect- listen. My job of working with those in the buying and selling of businesses is really really a job of listening. I recall one of my first jobs out of college I was hired by a Fortune 100 company, and they would send all new employees off to corporate headquarters for 45 days of fairly intensive training. Training as a salesman/woman for that company involve quite a bit of technical knowledge on their products along with sales/marketing/time management skills. I studied the technical aspect of this product extensively. I felt when I got in front of a prospective client I just had to let him know all I had learned about this product without really slowing down to hear what they wanted to know. It seems a little silly to me now, but then I felt it was my job to tell them all I knew.

Today to me selling is listening to a customers needs and proposing a solution. As I work with those buying and selling businesses there is so much that goes into such a complex process that include the emotional side, the financial side, the timing, family, friends, employees, loyalties, that without listening to what a persons true interest is seems so mis-guided.

Overall, I've found Salespeople can seem to be looked at in a negative way by other departments within an organization, can be looked at disparagingly thru movies and stories, but my perspective on sales process or the sales person is a little different. I have a strong admiration of those involved with the sales process. The sales process can be defined in many different ways from taking orders over the phone to the full cycle process of identifying a target market, prospecting that target market, approaching that target market, and ultimately trying to parlay those contacts into gainful customers. The production department, or the service department may not like all the actions of the sales department, but very often the jobs in the production department or the jobs in the service department are dependent upon the sales department. I guess its ok to not like the salesmen or saleswomen in your company but from a business perspective you can not discount their value.

Some thoughts on Selling:

Were not selling stuff, were selling solutions
Selling is not trapping a prospect in a room or on the phone and subjecting them to our "pitch", selling is maybe 80% listening 10% asking followup questions and 10% wondering if you have asked all the pertinent questions
When selling are we telling them what we want to tell them, or responding to what they are asking for
The true full selling cycle from development to implementation to closing a sale is an admirable achievement. Most that are successful at this can find many successes in business.
Many (maybe most) Presidents, CEOs, Vice-Presidents began their careers as a salesperson
All in the company should have a role in sales from CEO/President to receptionist- Do you think Steve Jobs- Apple, Bill Gates- Microsoft sells? - Absolutely
Listening is a skill... and maybe a salesperson biggest potential asset. - Like many others, I was fortunate to be born with 2 ears and just one mouth.
STOP- and pretend you are the buyer of your product or service- what do you want to hear?

I cant imagine meeting a person that wants to buy a business and not asking them what type of business do you want to buy?, where do you want to buy that business?, how much do you want to spend on that business?, what is important to you when buying a business? and so on.

When a person wants to meet with me regarding selling their business- I would like to know why do you want to sell your business? When someone runs a business for 5,10,20 ,30 years the why can be a pretty compelling answer. I continue to ask more questions and listening. It almost doesn't even sound like selling, and I think there is nothing wrong with that. Maybe listening is a byproduct of experience, or maybe it is taught, or maybe some people are just better listeners than others. And maybe that's what makes one a better salesperson than others. For more info please visit www.sellabusinessflorida.com

Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur Experts Wanted

scott messinger (energreen) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:11:09 -0800

What is an expert? Are you an expert? Do you call yourself an expert? Do your customers refer to you as an expert? Undoubtedly, it provides value to be viewed as an expert in a certain field or line of work. Is aspiring to attain such status a worthy goal, or is attaining such status really just a byproduct of ones efforts towards larger, bigger picture goals?

My current business is helping people and business in the process of buying and selling businesses. My perspective or "area of difference" is from the perspective of a small business owner that has personally bought many businesses over a 20 year period to add to my existing business . The interesting component of what I do in helping people buy and sell businesses is that most people only buy or sell a business once in their life once, most never do at all. So when someone is looking to buy a business or sell a business and only do it once, it can be accurately stated that that person cannot be an expert in that process. Maybe when buying a business or selling a business one should seek advise or help from an expert- but that is not what this article is about.

My opinion is that the term expert is a widely used term and its use has only been growing as the internet is reaching further through social networks and into our daily lives. Maybe the term is getting over-used and "watered down." We all get on Google, search, and run into experts everyday suggesting, telling, guiding so many of our everyday actions and even views, or way of thinking. Personally, while trying to further educate myself on internet marketing, or internet business opportunities, or gaining greater website traffic, I consistently find the following guidance by experts in the field.

"Establish yourself as an expert and provide feedback, advise, opinions on the various forums, user groups, etc. to increase your Internet visibility and viability." It is kind of intimated that gaining the expert status is relatively easy. I personally think the goal of aspiring entrepreneur is to achieve the status of expert or having expertise in a selected field - but the real goal is to have that "tag" or description of you applied by others. - Undoubtedly it carries so much more impact and value when applied by others. But beyond the impact stop and do the math. If you think of yourself as an expert - 1 person thinks of you as an expert. Now if 100 people think of you as an expert and they tell their 10 friends that comfortably refer and think of you as an expert, you have 1000 people thinking of you as an expert. From that fact, goods things may happen on your way to bigger goals.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners very often perform similar or the same function within your field of choice over and over does that make you an expert? You very well may be an expert in performing that task or service. Again the goal I believe is to have others apply the term expert to your business efforts.

The one common element among the people I associate with and think of as "experts", is the fact that I never hear them refer to themselves as experts. Actually, I find myself referring to them as very knowledgeable or accomplished people, as I find it difficult to apply this lofty term to most any professional. Again, part of me says expert is a term that should rarely need to be stated in the first person.

I was intimately involved with starting, running, and growing a non-internet related business for 20 years and interacted consistently with testing labs, lawyers, equipment manufacturers, regulators, inspectors, trade associations, and educators within the industry. Did I consider myself an expert? I never felt I was. But maybe I was.

Please find what Wikipedia says about the term EXPERT.

An expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable of technique or skill whose faculty for judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely is accorded authority and status by their peer or the public in a specific well-distinguished domain. An expert, more generally, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability based on research, experience, or occupation and in a particular area of study. Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field.

What are you calling yourself? What are others referring to you as? Do you display a unique expertise in you field? Is that expertise recognized by those around you?

I think aspiring to be the best in your field, continuously seeking education, and always looking for means to self improvement is the road to success. For some that road may be longer than for others. But remember in lieu of reaching "expert" status, you can be pretty damn good at what you do, and for your customers or target market that may be just what they are really looking for.

For more please see www.sellabusinessflorida.com

Custom Framing Cross Stitch Biz for Sale- Tampa Florida

scott messinger (energreen) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:15:21 -0800

Custom Framing and Cross Stitch Business for Sale. Owners Retiiring. Good business for Husband Wife Team. Turnkey business located on well travelled Roadway in Tampa FL area. $150,000 for more info www.sellabusinessflorida.com

Small Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Dreamer? What is your Status?

scott messinger (energreen) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 08:58:46 -0800

2010 is approaching. In our professional and personal world we use this time of year to think/plan ahead on where or what we may want to accomplish in the upcoming year. The first part of trying to figure out where we are going is determining where we are. What is your status? In Facebook and Twitter we want to tell others of our status in our personal life, but do we tell others or even really tell ourselves what our professional, business or financial status really is.

Are you happy with your status? Are you better off this year than last year? Did you start that business you wanted to start, get a new job, buy a business, sell a business, retire... ?

It is said when planning "How do you know if you got there if you dont know where you were going." But preceding this above-mentioned planning tenet is the need to know where you are starting from.

A person wanting to start a business or buy a business and has $1,000,000 in the bank will plan to start or buy that business different than a student that just graduated from college and owes $40,000 in college loans and $0 in the bank. It's always a good time to plan ahead - it's almost 2010. What is your status?

1. Working for a wonderful boss and company and love my job.

2. Own my own business and business is good and look forward to continuing my success.

3. Own a struggling business and barely hanging on. Want to sell my business and do something else.

4. Retired, happy, plenty of financial resources.

5. Retired, very little money, thinking I need to get a part-time job.

6. Just getting out of college worried that I cant find a job.

7. Working in a dead end job, want to quit and start my own business.

8. Want to start my own business but have no money to do so, nor know how to get such money.

9. Working in a job I hate want to find another job.

10. Have a great idea for a new business but too afraid to take the next step.

11. Own a successful business thinking about selling it to pursue other business challenges.

12. Work from home a few hours a week and make more than enough money to live and do what I want. Is this anyone's status?

13. Hate my job, hate my boss, hate my commute, underpaid, just want to scream!

14. Sold my business made lots of money but starting a new business.

15. In business with family or friend, and now hate my family or friend.

16. Have a friend that is making a lot of money on the internet, I want to try same, but don't think I have the time.

17. Just got laid off my job.

18. Been out of work for 6-12 months and no good prospects.

19. Want to sell my business but don't think now is a good time to do that.

20. Nothing is going well for me but today - will make changes to improve my status.

21. My status???? ITS COMPLICATED.

Success is a Journey - Not a destination

scott messinger (energreen) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:10:59 -0800

Success is a Journey - Not a destination.

A well repeated phrase that ones reads, nods in approval and then moves on to other matters. But what does it really mean? Taking a moment to interpret the meaning can provide a strong foundation for business and personal planning of a small business owner or entrepreneur.

Consider these 3 Scenarios of "Success":

1. Just consider all the investors in the late 1990's that made millions in the stock market Dot-Com boom.

Buy low, sell high, make millions- you are a success. Three months later the Dow loses 600 points in one day, the market continues to fall, those millions are lost and investors are left with no gains or worse - are you still a success?

2. Fast forward to the Real Estate Collapse that we are now experiencing.

Buy an entry level house, "flip it" make some good money- Are you a success? Now take those gains, leverage those monies, buy a bigger house, "flip it" make a lot more money.-Are you a success? Things are good, this real Estate thing seems almost automatic, so you take all those monies, buy a $1,000,000,000 property with plans to fix and flip it for $1.5M, but the market turns south and all the real estate gains have gone away and you cant find a buyer for your house at $740,000- are you a success?

3. Now Consider the Entrepreneur/Small Business Owner.

You successfully start your own business. You reach break-even. Are you a success. You reach $1,000,0000 in annual sales, then $2M, then $3M - Are you a success? You sell your business for several million dollars- Are you a success? I say you have reached certain successes, but the journey continues.

Starting a business and reaching a level of success may make one feel successful. Successfully selling your business and making a lot of money can make you feel successful. Maybe what you do after you sell your business has more to do with your feeling of success. I have associated with several people that have successfully sold businesses, and several of them have not waited until the age of 65 to do so. Those I've been around that have sold their business have been more of the "whats next" and treat the successful sale of their business as a "success along the way".

As an entrepreneur the idea of selling your business for large gains is alluring, and perhaps both inspiring and strongly motivating. The existence of a small business owner/entreprenurs is a series of successes and failures. As an entrepreneur, I say enjoy the successes you attain-heaven know the failures may be more prevalent, but effort yourself to appreciate the successes that come your way.

I have successfully sold my own business, do I consider myself a success - not really. I really think my success, as by my measurement will get determined by what I do next. Planning for your success is very important,. And planning how you will reach your goals and levels of success is important. Very often selling the business that you may have started and nurtured for so many years can be very fulfilling, yet keep in mind it is not always the end-game. "Success is a journey not a destination."

You are in a great relationship with a great family life, and have good friends - Are you a success? To that I say - So far so good... keep it going. for more www.sellabusinessflorida.com

Small Business owners , (Most All) Affected by Real Estate Downturn

scott messinger (energreen) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:49:18 -0700

The real estate downturn is affecting most all business owners.

The real estate downturn is far reaching. Very often we hear about the impact on Realtors, construction trades, mortgage companies etc... But what about the small business owner that is a printer, a restaurateur, or growing web based company. Most all businesses are affected by the overall slow down of goods and services, but the real estate downturn has affected business owners in possibly a more significant way.

Many small business owners own real estate. They own the businesses building, they own their private residence, or they own real estate investment property. These business will have financial needs, loans, line of credits, etc.. The bank needs/requires personal guaranty and a personal financial statement, and a significant part of that small business owners financial wealth is tied to those real estate holdings and the bank determines this small business to not qualify for a loan or L.O.C.. So often in the business world it is said that "it doesn't matter what an employee or a business does when he/she is on personal time or outside the business". I find this approach to be flawed. What happens to an employee or small business owner outside the business does matter. The small business owner will find it more difficult to convince the banker of adequate security.

It used to be that you knew you had a lot of money if you lived in a nice neighborhood and had a nicer house/car than your neighbors, now you know you have a lot of money if the bank is willing to loan you money. What happens to a small business owners money outside of his business DOES affect his business. As of today, September 18, 2009, it is hard, but certainly not impossible for a small business owner to get money from a bank. But you better look good and have "layers" of security for the bank. In the past, I have experienced bank loans for business acquisitions that the bank appeared to have the value of the deal as security, but ultimately tied up the valuable real estate that was associated with the business. The sooner the real estate market turns around, the sooner small business owners will realize the benefits of that turn-around, and use those benefits to help/grow and or sustain their business.

For this and additional articles and information for small business owners and entrepreneurs www.sellabusinessflorida.com

Cost of Electricity in our Homes Florida and other states

scott messinger (energreen) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:12:41 -0700

Residential Electricity cost varies greatly from state to state. Prices can range from a low of $.073/ kwhr to over $.20 kwhr in Connecticut. It is $.24 in Hawaii.

Here in Florida the avg. cost is about $.124/kwhr

So a home that uses 20,000 kwhr/year would spend from $1400 - $4800 annually on electricity for that same quanity. Here in Florida that 20,000 kwhr would cost about $2800/year (depending on where you live). Many evaluations on the cost / benefit of energy saving improvements are based on saving on these electricity cost both today and very often for many years. An important part of trying to determine ROI of any of the many energy savings improvements a home could use is to try to look at what those energy cost will be in the future to evaluate savings. If electricity cost increase at say 4% a year, our electricity cost will double in 16 years. If cost go up 7% a year cost would double in ten years. So if I install a Solar (6-8kw) PV system today that produces (saves)10,000 kwh per year , and expected life of that solar pv system is 25 plus years, what will my system be saving in years 10-25+. Will it be saving $1400/ year (todays rate) or a number like $4800/savings per year ( 6% annual increase would have electricity cost at approx. $.48/kwhr. Here are some graphs that speak to electricity price increases. The one graph is denoted as provided by FP&L. The other 2 graphs are produced by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). FP&L is currently seeking a rate increase.

http://WWW.Energreenusa.com

Politicians remind me of my teenage sons-good intentions."Unusual decsion making"

scott messinger (energreen) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:45:07 -0700

Florida Policy makers are in session for 2 more weeks, hopefully passing significant energy Policy...

I strongly think to advance energy independence in the US, various means of energy production should be utilized depending on resources available in each state. The US needs a mix of oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy sources (wind, solar biomass, hydro,etc.) Florida has good solar resources available. But including nuclear in policy directed as a Renewable Energy is Apples and Oranges. And Florida should know about oranges.- and not divert policy efforts away from oranges greatest renewable energy source the Sun.

Florida Energy bill SB-1154. This bill is intended to pass a (RPS) Renewable Portfolio Standard of 20%. Summarizing, this means of the Power produced by certain utilities for Florida residents, 20% of it is to be made up from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Governor Crist has been a strong proponent of "20 by 2020".

Recently, part of the process of getting the bill setting this "Renewable Portfolio Standard" has been the removal the words/requirement of renewable, changing the wording to "clean energy" and allowing Nuclear to make up part of that mix. I never had considered Nuclear to be inclusive with Renewable energy discussions. Kind of like including daily meals at McDonald's in my strict diet?

Solar power use will increase in Florida.But not today or tommorow.

for more info www.energreenusa.com

Democrats and Republicans Agree? Solar is good for Florida March 24th 2009

scott messinger (energreen) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 08:22:38 -0700

Below is info from recent FARE email:

Thousands of New Jobs, Megawatts of Renewable Energy, Florida's Green Economy BOOMING ONLY YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN Legislators tell us they MUST see YOUR Faces in Tallahassee in order to pass a Renewable Energy Dividend policy state wide

Now, in an unusual showing of bipartisan support, a pair of Southwest Florida legislators, one a Democrat and one a Republican with major clout on energy issues, are collaborating on a bill that would take the Gainesville model statewide

Advocates of effective renewable energy policies will gather at the State Capitol on March 24th, 2009 to show their support for the most effective renewable energy policy our legislature can adopt: Renewable Energy Dividends. Join renewable energy businesses, experts, and advocates, including manufacturers and representatives from the world's largest renewable energy industry companies. Replicating the success of Gainesville, Florida and introducing a Renewable Energy Dividend policy will bring widespread economic recovery and job creation to Florida, while establishing energy security and environmental stewardship.

For More info see latest Post at www.energreenusa.com

Florida May soon EARN the name of the Sunshine State-and spread to the rest of US

scott messinger (energreen) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:23:38 -0800

Floridas Solar landscape is changing . The below is information from FARE (Florida Alliance for Renewable Energy). They are going on a statewide tour to explain this movement and meet with legislators, industry experts and homeowners. I will be attending the Feb.27 meeting in Fort Myers Florida and will share those findings.

Job Creation, Economic Stimulation, Energy Independence & Environmental Stewardship

As we climb our way out of the current economic cycle, new leaders are created and new industries will lead the way back to a strong, robust economy. Those who look to the future of the energy market know that Renewable Energy is an industry that is boiling over with potential. A growing new Renewable Energy industry in Florida will create untold thousands of jobs, collect millions in long term tax revenues, and bring us to the forefront of the national stage on energy independence and environmental stewardship.

Renewable Energy Dividends (REDs), also known as Feed in Tariffs (FITs), are a policy mechanism that have proven to promote the fastest, cheapest, and most widespread growth of Renewable Energy anywhere in the world, with implementation in over 45 countries. Currently at least 8 states in the U.S. are considering a Renewable Energy Dividends (also known as Feed in Tariff) policy mechanism. Today the State of Florida is positioning itself ahead of the curve and providing a beacon for the rest of the country to follow by considering this policy mechanism.

A Renewable Energy Dividend (RED) provides a fixed contract to the producers of Renewable Energy. The contracts, which are fixed for twenty years, afford the producer the ability to borrow against a guaranteed payment from their utility company. Also, these contracts, which are transparent, simple to understand, and open for inspection, include long-term agreed upon prices that the utility company will pay the producers for the energy it buys. The prices are set high enough to be an incentive to new producers and encourage existing producers to maximize their capacity.

The key components to a proven successful RED model:

•· Anyone can access the grid, democratizing the new market and allowing anyone to produce renewable energy.

•· All producers will receive a fixed payment, at reasonable rate of return, for a fixed period of time, typically 20 years, for the renewable energy that they produce.

•· There is no limit to the amount of renewable energy that can be produced.

•· The contracts are transparent and simple to understand.

With these features included in the design, a Renewable Energy Dividend policy would create a stable and competitive renewable energy marketplace. Imagine if homes, churches, schools, hospitals, condo associations and ranchers could all install solar, wind and other renewable energy sources on their rooftops or land and then produce energy and sell it to the utilities for profit.... It could completely transform our economic landscape. Floridians are owed the chance to participate in the Renewable Energy market with a level playing field, and Renewable Energy Dividends are the single most effective way to make sure this happens.

For more info www.energreenusa.com

or www.farenergy.org

Is it Ever the Wrong Time to do the Right Thing? -Green Energy Efficient Homes

scott messinger (energreen) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 07:55:14 -0800

We have been working on this venture for quite a while. The market WAS moving along at a fast pace, then slowed and in some eyes almost stopped. Now we have completed the concept and design and are prepared to introduce our Energy Efficient Green Homes to the Southwest Florida market. How bad is our timing?

A local greenbuilder and I got together to pursue our mutual interest in green building and energy efficiency. Greencastle is a local Southwest Florida Greenbuilder that is a member of the FGBC. I recieved my degree in Energy Management "many" years ago and provide representation of Photovoltaic in Florida for a Photovoltaic Distributor/Integrator out of California. I sought and acquired the EcoBroker certification specifically to assist in the representation of these energy efficient homes. What are these homes about?

1. Size- Efficient use of space- maximum use of footprint mininum requirement for heating/cooling etc.

2. Envelope- Use of ICF Insulated Concrete Forms. - Creates a tight energy efficient envelope that is moisture resistant and hurricance/wind tolerant. Effective Icynene insulation and metal roofing are also used to add green/energy efficient and comfort value to this home.

3. Orientation- Along with building envelope this home works with sun instead of against it to utilize overhangs,eves, and windows to minimize direct solar impact in this southern environment.

Solar Photovoltaics, solar water heating, LED lighting, Energy Star Appliances, water efficiency, low maintenance landscape, and green building practices are all components of this effort.

Most successful results in life begin with a strong foundation. Our homes are built on that premise. A home creates a footprint on this earth that can last 60-70-90-100+ years. Reducing cost both environmentally and financially for that many years can be ones most significant impact incurred on this earth. For more info visit WWW.ENERGREENUSA.COM

Florida-lots of sun, little Solar Electric... Germany, little sun lots of Solar- Why?

scott messinger (energreen) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:50:30 -0700

Florida is the Sunshine State. Germany is the world leader in Solar Photovoltaic. Florida has way more sunshine than Germany, and Germany has way,way,way more solar electric installed. Florida has met with German officials and have learned of- Feed-In-Tariffs (FIT).

Presently, Gainesville,Fl is considering implementing a FIT program. Currently Florida and other states offer rebates, the money runs out and the industry slows down. This scenario has played out in several states. IF we want to be serious about solar energy there needs to be a better way. And Germany, and other Europeon countries think that FIT is that better way. The Basics of a FIT- (Simplified) 1.You install a system on your home. 2. You buy power from power company at regular rate-ie $.12kwhr, 3. You sell power from your system back to power company at say $.25 kwhr. This difference helps pay for the investment in solar, the program gets funded by everyone paying a little more for electricity from the grid-utility.(In Germany it is said that for the monthly cost of a loaf of bread the program is funded). As Capacity increases, cost goes down, the price power is sold back to utility goes down, and at a projected date, the cost of electricity from a solar system equals the regular price we pay for electricity from the grid (which here is Florida is probably coal powered), and we accelerate our move to solar energy independence. A program like this would make Florida THE SUNSHINE STATE.

for more info visit : www.energreenusa.com

I can increase the value of my Florida Home and not increase my tax basis?

scott messinger (energreen) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:29:30 -0700

Renewable Energy devices installed on Florida homes will be addressed in upcoming Nov. 2008 vote. A pending Amendment addresses those measures that inherently increase the value in ones home but will not increase the tax basis of this home if passed. Below is brief description of this Amendment.

Amendment 3

What it would do: Amendment 3 authorizes the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit the consideration of the following in assessing the value of real property used for residential purposes. -Ensure that people who take steps to harden their homes against hurricanes or install renewable-energy devices don't get hammered by higher property assessments, which translate into higher taxes. This would apply, for example, to people who install storm shutters or who put in solar-energy panels to help power their homes.

Florida should encourage homeowners to protect their homes from hurricanes, as it should encourage them to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. It makes no sense for people to take these positive measures only to get increased property tax assessment.

Copies of the proposed constitutional amendments for the November 2008 ballot are available on the Florida Department of State Division of Elections Web site

To see other energy related blogs see:www.energreenusa.com

Represent Buyer looking to Buy Large Trucking Co. in NE or SE

scott messinger (energreen) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:26:16 -0700

Working with trucking company looking to make acquisition(s) of trucking and or transportation brokerage companies in the Northeast or Southeast. Must be co-broker. Revenues $5M-$25M+.

94% of Americans Say It's Important for the U.S. to Use Solar Energy

scott messinger (energreen) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:37:21 -0700

MAYBE THE REMAINING 6% IS IN CONGRESS??

Poll Reports 94% of Americans Say It's Important for the U.S. to Develop and Use Solar Energy

Poll Reports 94% of Americans Say It's Important
for the U.S. to Develop and Use Solar Energy

- 98% of Independents, 97% of Democrats, and 91% of Republicans support development of solar.
- 74% of Independents, 72% of Democrats and 72% of Republicans favor extension of Federal tax credits for renewable technologies.
- 77% of Americans feel Federal government should make solar power development a national priority

June 10, 2008 (Washington, D.C.) - A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy. Ninety-one percent of Republicans, 97 percent of Democrats and 98 percent of Independents agree that developing solar power is vital to the United States.

These and other findings were reported today in the SCHOTT Solar Barometer(TM), a nationally representative survey conducted by the independent polling firm, Kelton Research.

"The U.S. Senate has an opportunity to act decisively by passing the Renewable Energy & Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049) this week. This is smart policy that will help solar become a powerful economic engine for the country, stabilize energy prices for consumers and businesses and improve America's national energy security. A vote against this bill is a vote against what the vast majority of Americans are demanding," said Mr. Resch

June 10, 2008.....Energy Bill Fails In Congress (H.R. 6049)........

for more info please see energreenusa.com LATEST NEWS

Solar Energy 2008 Conference

scott messinger (energreen) — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:36:19 -0700

I just got back from attending the 5-day Solar 2008 Conference sponsored by the American Solar Energy Society. This was held in San Diego CA May 3-7.
Along with my interest in realestate related to energy efficiency, I have been starting a new business after selling previous business, and I elected to attend this conference for educational purpose. My college degree was in energy management, I worked in the energy industry prior to starting last business of 20 years, and presently pursing energy saving products/services business with focus on solar and realestate related to energy efficient homes. The renewable energy industry is greatly affected by state and federal policy. For example Florida has a solar rebate program fund for 07-08 which the funds ran out before the year ended, subsequently approx $3.2 million in new applications has accrued, it was recently approved to re- fund program with $5 million (2007-2008 had been funded at $3.5 Million). I learned at the conference that the solar Industry had been looking for $10 million. I spent 3 days with the CEO of a German based solar company talking technology but the biggest message I come out of this event is not necessarily the technology (which is solid and getting better) but is the global market and global perspective of this industry. Germany, France, Spain, and many other countries are increasing solar usage by large, large amounts. They have instilled strong incentive programs. Why? Is it because it makes sense? Do we in the USA know more? Are they right and are we wrong? Does the world wait for X years until technology drives the cost per kwhr down to acceptable numbers in comparison to our coal, nuclear provided energy. Or do we incentify the accelerated use. Many of the other countries we share this globe with has elected to not wait. I think while we share concerns about potential effects of global warming on our children that energy independence for USA might not be bad to pass along as well. On a "cooler" not really real estate related, but check out this solar bike I saw at the conference. Ironically, I travel from Fl to CA, to see a bike designed by University of Florida...

CNBC interview with EcoBroker

scott messinger (energreen) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:37:28 -0700

Not sure if all had seen this short interview on CNBC with Founder CEO of Ecobroker John Beldock and first Eco broker of Denver CO Brad Sandler. This video is also posted on the Ecobroker website at www.ecobroker.com