Green Selling Tip: Positioning Green Cleaning in Tough Economic Times

The news about the economy is everywhere - and unfortunately it's generally been bad. And as much as I feel the need to "cheerlead" and put a positive spin on the Green Cleaning Movement, I also think it is important for us to be pragmatic about what’s going on. And while I truly believe that these times are actually a good opportunity for the Green Cleaning Movement, I need you to help keep the Movement going.

As I have talked and written about in recent issues of DestinationGreen, as well as other articles and interviews for both the trade and consumer media - Green Cleaning can continue to accelerate during these tough economic times because it becomes a superior option due of its "cost neutrality" compared to other opportunities that require significant upfront investment capital (e.g. solar panels, green roofs, adding insulation, replacing the HVAC system, automating building controls, etc.).

But the reason I need your help is that I fear that our message is not being heard.

Greenbuild 2008 a Success. Next Step: Take Green to "Main Street"

In numbers alone, Greenbuild 2008 was nothing short of a complete success. Attendance was up 25 percent from 2007, registering over 28,000 attendees! These people came from all 50 states, from 85 countries and six continents. Exhibitors were also up 68 percent, using 62 percent more square footage.

A release from Kimberly Lewis, Vice President of Conferences & Events for the U.S. Green Building Council, addresses the importance now in the "next step" we must take to help us harness our momentum.

From the Green Selling Tips Archive:
Green Selling - Needs vs. Product Selling

When selling a product such as a case of toilet bowl cleaner or paper towels, there is very little consideration given to the type of account we are selling to. Whether it is a school, university, hospital, nursing home, commercial office building, etc. – barrowing a line from Shakespeare, “a toilet by any other name is… well a toilet”. And whether that toilet, mirror, carpet, floor, etc. is in a school, university, hospital and so on, it really doesn’t matter when it comes to product selling. We sell the product basically the same way regardless of the account.

Lessons Learned from Award Winners

The best way to end the year is by recognizing the outstanding schools and universities who are the 2008 winners of the Green Cleaning Awards for Schools & Universities sponsored by the Green Cleaning Network, Healthy Schools Campaign and American School & University Magazine.

This year we recognize winners in three categories; universities, colleges and K-12 schools & districts. In each category we recognize one Winner and an Honorable Mention. And because there were so many outstanding entries from universities, three were recognized as Honorable Mentions because of their outstanding accomplishments and the value that each could contribute to Green Cleaning practices.

Last Minute Green Gift Ideas

Are you stumped as you are tying to think of some affordable and Green gift ideas? One of the benefits of giving "green" is the creativity you can demonstrate while selecting the right gifts during the holidays.

Consider these ideas that can be easy on the pocket and have minimal negative impact on our environment.

Green News Roundup: This Month's Top Headlines

Green Economics Green hits red light with cash-strapped consumers. U.S. consumers' enthusiasm for all things clean and green is being overshadowed by their urgent need for a different kind of green -- the one that pays the mortgage and puts food on the table. Read More Here

Green Policy Obama chooses Chicago Schools Chief for Dept of Education President-elect Barack Obama intends to name a big-city schools chief, Chicago's Arne Duncan, to help fix the country's ailing schools as education secretary, people familiar with the decision said. Duncan has run the country's third-biggest school district since 2001, pushing to boost teacher quality and to improve struggling schools and closing those that fail. Student test scores have risen significantly during Duncan's tenure. This should be a terrific opportunity for Green Cleaning and both The Ashkin Group and the Healthy Schools Campaign has worked with CPS for years. Read More Here

Green History History of environmental movement full of twists, turns. It was one of the most surreal images in American history: A river, so fouled with industrial waste that it caught fire and burned. In June 1969, Cleveland's Cuyahoga River become the poster child for the birth of the modern American environmental movement. Read More Here

Green Psychology Clean People Are Less Judgmental. A vigorous hand wash or shower could cause a person to be less judgmental. A new study, set for publication in the December issue of the journal Psychological Science, reveals that when a person feels physically clean, he or she cuts others more moral slack. Read More Here

Green Business The lining is silver for Wal-Mart. Many viewed Lee Scott's attempt to rebrand Wal-Mart as mere "greenwashing." But a growing number of eco-warriors have beome convinced that the firm is sincere and can have a positive effect on the environment. Read More Here

Green Labor Project brings unusual merger of union bosses and environmentalists. Environmental activists and union bosses have historically disagreed on key issues -- drilling in fragile environments, logging ancient forests -- pitting jobs against the environment. But times are changing. Read More Here

The Ashkin Group Calendar of Events

Click below for The Ashkin Group's schedule of upcoming events and presentations.