Volume 2 Issue 12 - December 2006
Welcome to DestinationGreen!
Looking back at 2006 as we approach the New Year, I feel tremendous satisfaction about the accelerated adoption of sustainable business practices and the anticipated expansion of this trend across all industry sectors during 2007. Some important indicators of the past 12 months have been new Green Cleaning standards; new Green Cleaning commitments made by national industry associations; an increasing number of industrial Green Cleaning product manufacturers; a growing demand for Green Cleaning products and services; The Ashkin Group launch of Green Cleaning University(!) and other positive developments.
As the market for green products for virtually every aspect of building maintenance and cleaning continues to expand, the future of Green Cleaning looks brighter than ever. There's no doubt about, all these developments are "glad tidings" for anyone involved in selling Green Cleaning products and services.
Happy Holidays and happy selling in the New Year - Steve Ashkin
P.S. A DestinationGreen subscriber sent us such a great industry joke that I just had to share it with everyone. You'll find it on the lower right hand column of this page. Enjoy!
Expert Interview: Stephen Kennedy, Plant Administrator
A few years ago, Stephen Kennedy, plant administrator for the Trumbull Board of Education in Connecticut, started looking for a Green Cleaning product supplier that understood the meaning of PARTNERSHIP. The Ashkin Group recently interviewed Kennedy about that quest and the innovative strategies he implemented to help find just the right supplier.
Sales Tips for Extraordinary Achievers: Adding Value
Larry Geller—nationally renowned consultant to high performance executives, professionals, salespeople, and owners of small businesses—offers some excellent insights on how to avoid the pitfalls of inaction by creating new, "intentional goals and resolutions" for 2007.
Fedrizzi Inspired Us All at Greenbuild 2006
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) President, CEO, and Founding Chairman, S. Richard Fedrizzi, has always brought passion and commitment to the mission of expanding green building practices. His remarks at the opening plenary session of this year's Greenbuild conference in Denver were no exception. The Ashkin Group is pleased to share a complete transcript of Fedrizzi's speech with our
DestinationGreen readers.
Bhopal Chemical Leak Still Hurting Residents 22 Years Later
On the 22nd anniversary of the devastating chemical leak in Bhopal, India that killed thousands and injured thousands others, survivors must cope with yet another tragic result. Children born to survivors suffer from genetic damage.
EU Governments Strike Deal on Chemicals Bill
The European Union lawmakers and governments have drafted a new law designed to make companies prove that substances in every-day products like cars, clothes or paint are safe.
EPA to Regulate Nanoproducts Sold As Germ-Killing
A new technology—nanoparticles—is raising concern at the Environmental Protection Agency. Recently, the EPA announced it will regulate the use of these microscopic articles in consumer products, including some cleaners.
Nation's Capital Likely To Adopt Green Building Rules
Washington, DC may soon become the first major city that requires developers to adhere to the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council.
Green Group of the Month: Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems has cemented its status as a pioneer in green building by being the first company to earn triple platinum LEED certification for its three headquarter buildings in San Jose, Calif.
Ashkin Group News - The Ashkin Group Presents Green Cleaning Champion Awards
The Ashkin Group recently recognized two firms for their unprecedented green building and Green Cleaning achievements by presenting them with our highest honor—The Green Cleaning Champion Award.
The Ashkin Group Green
Cleaning Champion Plaque
The Ashkin Group Calendar of Events
Click below for The Ashkin Group's schedule of upcoming events and presentations.
Regular Features
Subscriptions
Quick Links
Quote of the Month
“I was looking for a vendor that would be a partner in our cleaning program, a vendor who would feel it had a stake in the outcome, a business that defined their success selling cleaning products to the school district the same as we defined the success for our cleaning program”
- Stephen Kennedy, plant administrator at Trumbull, Conn. Board of Education
Cartoon of the Month
Chew on this one...
Five cannibals get good jobs as engineers in a manufacturing company.
During the welcoming ceremony the boss says, "You're all part of our team now.
You can earn good money here, and you can go to the cafeteria to eat when you are hungry.
So please don't trouble any of the other employees and we will all be very happy."
The cannibals promised- no problem.
Four weeks later the boss returns and says, "You're all working very hard, and I'm very satisfied with all of you.
However, one of our janitors has disappeared. Do any of you know what happened to him?"
The cannibals all shake their heads no.
After the boss has left, the leader of the cannibals says to the others, "Which of you idiots ate the janitor?"
A hand raises hesitantly, to which the leader of the cannibals replies, "You fool! For four weeks we've been eating Team Leaders, Supervisors and Project Managers and no one noticed anything, and you have to go and eat the janitor!"
- Submitted by a subscriber
