If there is one single most important ability one takes away from business school, it’s the ability to conceive of the world in quadrants and to publish reports based on these perceptions. You know what I mean: Perhaps the Y-axis is affordability and the X-axis is functionality. Only the dinosaurs are in the lower-left quadrants (unaffordable products with limited functionality); everyone wants his product to be placed in the upper right—as far up and as far to the right as possible. I’m sure I will not live to see the day that these representations (normally oversimplifications) fall out of favor. (more…)
A friend wanted my comment on this, a notification that Ford is offering a service that offers local rides for people, not unlike Uber and Lyft. I hate to sound cynical, but:
a) This sounds like a terrible solution versus Uber et. al. as (from its description, anyway) it will take longer to get from A to B. Do you know anybody who wants that? (more…)
My marketing associates and I are available to take on additional work for clients at this point. If you’re struggling to find a world-class source of talent in any of the following five arenas, please let me know and let’s talk about your particular situation.
• Strategic Business Planning. Over the years, I’ve learned a heck of a lot about the technology, the economics and the politics (at least in the U.S.) that affect each of the dozens of sub-industries underneath the cleantech umbrella. Often, this comes in handy in helping clients make top-level business decisions.
• Writing and Other Aspects of Content Creation. This can mean anything from ghost-writing a book to generating content for your blog, presentation materials, proposal templates, email marketing campaigns, newsletters, infographics, corporate website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, etc.
• Marketing Strategy, Branding, Positioning, and Research. This, of course, is my core strength as a businessman; it’s how I was successful in my “past life” with my clients that included IBM, H-P, Philips Electronics, FedEx, Sony, AT&T, 3M, Porsche, Penske Logistics, Deloitte Consulting, Unisys, ABB, 3Com, Oracle, Microsoft, Fujisi, Mitsubishi, etc.
• Establishment of Strategic Business Partners. Again, this is fairly broad, but it can include: the development of sales channels, technology licensees, beta-customers, contract manufacturers, OEMs, distributors, and rep organizations–as well as your relationship with regulatory and advisory bodies and industry luminaries.
• Demand Generation. Once the core message is in place and the sales channels are established, business success is a matter of getting your story in front of the right people.
I hope you’ll get in touch, and I look forward to the conversation.
One thing that can help give a home a distinctive look is its windows. Windows are also a determining factor in how energy efficient a home can be. However, you don’t have to sacrifice style for energy conservation. Below are a few different window fashions that will make your home more energy efficient. (more…)
When I write my column for the Hedge Connection’s blog which I call “The Cleantech Deal of the Month,” I try to do so with the sensibilities of the reader in mind. Suppose you’re an “allocator” (neologism for “skilled and trusted investor of significant amounts of other people’s money”). You’re obviously looking for some sort of alternative investment, or you wouldn’t be on the site in the first place. You also have a limited amount of time and patience for reading material that doesn’t really make a point. (more…)
It’s the 527th birthday of Thomas Hobbes, an Englishman widely considered the father of modern political philosophy.
Hobbes certainly was no idealist; in fact, he’s best known for his belief that the core of human life is so centered around greed, selfishness, and the passion to acquire wealth, through violence if need be, that we need to sacrifice a significant amount of our liberty and hand it over to a strong government, which we ask to protect us from one another. (more…)
(I hope readers will enjoy this very thoughtful article on the drought we’re experiencing here California; it was written by my friend and colleague Gary Tulie, of Buckinghamshire England. – ed)
How serious is the California drought? That is the multi-billion dollar question.
Already, the governor of California has brought in the state’s first mandatory water restrictions, requiring a 25% reduction in water consumption by residents. Farmers who are not directly covered by the restrictions are required to develop drought management plans including measures for cutting back. (more…)
The reader who sent me this piece in Eestor notes: Thanks for your insight Craig. With the claim of a millisecond to recharge is a game changer plus almost unlimited recharges. All we can do is hope it is real.
I respond:
Keep in mind that the time required to recharge is a function of the power applied. (more…)
Craig, you might want to look at Zenn Motors (majority owner of Eestor supercapacitors) again. Their annual meeting March 31 was interesting. Eestor has two outside testings and verification of their game changing technology. One of the top experts in the world has written a substantial report on the findings for the capacitor market. They are lining up partners as we speak. I know you like to be on top of things in the electrical market.
If there is one single most important ability one takes away from business school, it’s the ability to conceive of the world in quadrants and to publish reports based on these perceptions. You know what I mean: Perhaps the Y-axis is affordability and the X-axis is functionality. Only the dinosaurs are in the lower-left quadrants (unaffordable products with limited functionality); everyone wants his product to be placed in the upper right—as far up and as far to the right as possible. I’m sure I will not live to see the day that these representations (normally oversimplifications) fall out of favor. (more…)
