Learning how to provide value in a dynamic space that is always changing. As the green marketplace expands there is no one expert to know ALL the ways to add value to the project. Environmental specialties are expanding every day. For example: energy efficiency, water efficiency, green janitorial, LEED Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, recycling, transportation, etc..

Learn all you can, then collaborate with other professionals (who are also actively learning) and the value available to your clients' increases exponentially. It is important to be open to new ideas and fresh perspectives in this process. "Mind-Sharing" or brain-storming techniques can facilitate the process and maximize the number of useful ideas. (Results from the Profitable Green Strategies Course, www.ProfitableGreenSolutions.biz)

Fortunately, education is a low-cost investment. Collaboration and even joint-ventures/partnering can be done inexpensively as well and the returns can be huge!

Environmental and Energy Education Links

https://www.aeecenter.org/seminars/

http://www.eere.energy.gov/

http://www.ashrae.org/education/

http://www.usgbc.org

http://www.ase.org

http://www.energystar.org

http://greeninginterior.doi.gov

In addition, there are many innovative ways to bring more value to a project. Some include:

Win/Win Business Agreements

Joint Ventures

Free Tax with Utility Rebates and Incentives

2 Way Business Agreements:

For Example: After presenting a $1,000,000 service contract for a global car rental company, the deal was sweetened with an agreement on our part to choose that car company while traveling, which generated over $1,000,000 in extra car rentals for them.

Our client was benefiting with the additional $1,000,000 in revenue from us compared to our compeition's offer. The question is are there partners, colleagues, suppliers, professionals that you can do similar deals with? Think about how you can help 2 clients (or a vendor) benefit from each other? Is there a way you can assist in making them more environmentally friendly?

Another Example: We helped client #1 supply green solutions to client #2. Both clients were extremely happy to generate more sales / save money. When it was time to approve our next round of projects, there was little resistance, because we had helped them earn / save far more than the costs of the proposed projects. This illustrates the value of being the "trusted advisor".

JV's:

For example: A travel agency who is "green" gives back half of its commissions to their clients in exchange for their travel business. What the client does is use this found "green" money to dund their green social programs, initiatives and scholarships. The end result for the travel agency is a business that doubles because they are delivering more value with their joint venture relationships.

Free Tax and Utility Incentives/Rebates:

For Example: In California, 50% of a solar project was funded by federal and state rebates. Utility incentives lowered the installation costs even further. There are numerous free tax and utility incentives available, and some are discussed in the next section.

It is our desire to see that some of these techniques get your projects approved. Why is this important the research results are in and make no mistake they don't lie. Our children are counting on us.