I spoke with Bull City Forward founding Executive Director Christopher Gergen and Resource Manager Roshen Sethna, who convinced me that social entrepreneurship is where the next generation is headed and that Durham’s social innovative spirit is changing the very fabric of the community…By: Lesley Lammers

LL: How did you start BCF?

CG: In a nutshell, this is an extension of my career. I started my first entrepreneurial venture with a coffee shop/bar/restaurant in Santiago, Chile. Through that process, I ended up meeting a guy in Santiago who started a university with two classrooms that grew to 5,000 students. He introduced me to the concept of social entrepreneurship or what he called cultural entrepreneurship at the time.

I ended up launching a for profit education company coming out of business school in the late 1990s. But at the same time I also started teaching leadership and entrepreneurship to high school students. I really loved both being an entrepreneur myself and also helping to unleash this entrepreneurial potential of the next generation.

I also love being an entrepreneur myself. Four years ago I ended up co-authoring a book called Life Entrepreneurs, which looks at how people have been able to create extraordinary lives for themselves by embracing the entrepreneurial mindset.

As I continued to go down this path, I kept thinking about how could we create maximum change in the world? I got turned on by some work that folks like Henry McKoy, who is now the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development in North Carolina (he is a Durham leader) and what they were starting to say, ‘Durham is in the process of reinventing itself. Here is an opportunity for us to intentionally cultivate and create a community of innovation.’ I loved that concept.

My teaching assistant at the time, Alison Dorsey, was similarly excited about the idea. I was able to raise a little bit of money and we looked at best practice models around the world to try to learn from other communities that were doing some really exciting work to harness innovation. We looked at places ranging from London, Helsinki and San Francisco to Pittsburgh, Providence and Indianapolis.

We also looked at the assets that Durham already had against some of the models that we started to see. We were able to develop a bit of a theory of change, that here were the major levers that a community could pull to be able to build up a community of innovation. Then we said, now what kinds of resources do we have against each one of these interventions and we did some asset mapping on that.

We took all of that, went and raised more money and took it to a broader set of stakeholders. The city came in as investors, the Chamber of Commerce came in as investors and we said now let’s work through a community development process where we bring the community around intentionally home growing the next generation of change makers in your city. We engaged about 150 people in that process of developing what would also be a set of strategic recommendations. Then out of that work we came up with a strategic plan for BCF.

In parallel with that we also felt that we needed to get some early wins. So we branded the concept and we opened the co-working space we have in downtown Durham. We wanted people to see and visualize what this kind of community could be.

RS: I was the brought on in the first round of hires at BCF. I went to school with Alison Dorsey who was one of the co-founders. We went to Duke together and met freshmen year on a trip to Argentina working with a social venture called Nourish International. We worked on sustainable community gardens in a district an hour outside of Buenos Aires called Merlo.

We came back to Duke and started a chapter of Nourish, which started at UNC. Ours was the first non-UNC chapter and then it grew chapter-wise. They have about 23 chapters in different schools. I was really involved in that and that was my first official foray into social entrepreneurship, although I had always been a proponent of public sector/private sector collaboration. Social entrepreneurship was just a better way to define that for me.

I graduated in 2009 from Duke with Public Policy and Global Health degree. I moved to Houston to work for a year as a financial counselor for first time homebuyers. I kept in touch with Alison and Christopher while they were in the beginning stages of BCF doing a lot of asset mapping and community development research. I grew up in Durham so I was helping connect them to folks they should be talking to. I then moved back in the fall of 2010 to work with them officially. At that time, I was brought on as Resource Manager. I’ve been working the past year and a half building resources for our entrepreneurs, whether they are in our co-working space, our peer leadership groups or workshops. My background is largely also in nonprofit. I’ve done a lot of policy research and international development. I studied abroad in Switzerland and have traveled a lot.

LL:  What is it about being a social entrepreneur or social enterprise that is appealing to you?

CG: I see it as a way of being able to get the best talent with the most innovative ideas, to give them the resources they need to be able to scale those ideas and create significant positive impact in the world.

I’m attracted to innovation, entrepreneurship and being able to create real value for a community. I’m also attracted to having a long-term positive impact in our community. My wife and I have two kids who are seven and four. What kind of world do we want to leave for them?  This is the best shot I’ve got to make it a better place.

RS: I have a friend Jon Leonardo who did [co-founded] Triangle Entrepreneurship Week and he defined social entrepreneurship, which I thought was a great definition because it defines why people are so appealed to it, is that social entrepreneurs look at problems that other people think are unsolvable and say, ‘I know how to solve that and I’m going to do it.’

All the problems that social entrepreneurs are tackling are very tough. They haven’t been solved for a certain reason because the market doesn’t allow for the incentives to solve it. Maybe the problems involve a lot of different stakeholders, maybe the problems are in a resource-poor setting. Whatever the obstacles are, social entrepreneurs tend to work in fields that have a ton of them [problems] and feel like they have the solutions to those issues.

Increasingly, people don’t just want to go to work. People want to live really meaningful lives and they want to make a living at the same time. People are going into it saying, ‘How can I do both?’ I think social entrepreneurship is a really good place to do that. Plus, going back to resource-poor settings and disenfranchised settings, social entrepreneurs already exist in those settings. People grow up being social entrepreneurs because they have to. Out of life necessity they have always been social entrepreneurs.

By Alison Duncan

Read any good annual reports lately? Not likely.

Few parts of any annual report get read at all — except maybe by the most invested shareholders. So how is an organization to get its message across… to communicate yearly growth and achievements?

First, get creative with the format. Second, cut down on text.

Venture Beyond the Book. Like most designers, I keep a box of samples… pieces that I keep on hand for times when I need an extra dose of inspiration. My favorite piece — one that I’ve kept longer than most — is, oddly enough, an annual report.

This report stands out because of the innovative format. Far from the traditional catalog-style book, this tidy 5.25 x 8.5-inch package consists of eight cards and an accompanying eight-page financial booklet, bound together with a simple rubber band.

The heavy cardboard (yes, true cardboard) cards immediately grabbed my attention, as did the bold graphics on the top card — large greater-than and less-than signs with the headline, “MORE PARTNERS. LESS WASTE.” The organization? Metro Waste Authority (Des Moines, Iowa).

Their message and the purpose of their organization are obvious — clear through the verbal and graphic message on the front and through the format of their report. The choice of paper, the small size, and the use of only two inks show that the Metro Waste Authority is concerned about reducing waste to the point of doing so in the production of their report.

Say it with Fewer Words. The “Less Waste” report also deserves kudos for not wasting words. To cut back on text, the organization honed in on what really needed to be said.

No text-laden, magnifying-glass-required pages here; each of the eight cards displays a side of one-to-two comfortably set, well-written paragraphs. The sides opposite the text feature more bold graphics that hint at the text on the other side.

The pesky, but necessary, financial charts are confined to a short, no-nonsense booklet at the back of the stack of cards so that they don’t interfere with the visual communication of the report’s message.

To borrow from the cover graphics, < words equals > words read.

Make it Stick. The purpose of an annual report is to communicate, and the best way to communicate is with clear, simple messages — both verbal and visual. The “Less Waste” report does this in a memorable way. The rubberband-bound stack of cardboard has stuck with me for more than fifteen years, and it won’t be seeing the inside of my recycle bin anytime soon.

By Lesley Lammers “Sharing is caring,” or at least that is what they teach you in kindergarten.  With the advent of such service platforms as Craigslist, Netflix and ZipCar, one might say that tech and social entrepreneurs took this lesson to a whole new level. But the idea of sharing the commons for the common good is nothing new. Community development resource-sharing initiatives like bike coops, food banks, book exchanges, clothing swaps, tool trades and community gardens have been around for decades.

So while the internet didn’t reinvent the wheel here, social networking tools make bartering, sharing, swapping and renting out our own goods more widely acceptable and accessible. Now start-ups can harness these alternative resource-distributing communities using supporting technology, making “people power” a real game changer financially, environmentally and socially.

As of 2012, the concept of sharing has moved from a community practice into a legitimate business opportunity. This increasing legitimacy is reflected in the more polished terms used to describe the phenomenon like peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, collaborative consumption or the access economy.  Some advocates wax philosophical that this emerging sharing economy has come about because society has collectively arrived at a more altruistic place in our evolution.   Others simply attribute it to Clinton’s old adage, “it’s the economy, stupid,” with trying financial times forcing us to reevaluate the way we interact with one another and with the resources we have at hand.

Whether it is a monetary or social paradigm shift, Time considers the access economy to be one of “10 Ideas That Will Change the World.” We agree. Read the entire article as originally published: http://sustainableindustries.com/trendwatch/legitimization-of-the-access-economy/

By Deb Hepp

Have you ever forgotten to check about attire only to show up at an event completely overdressed? That extra step of preparation could have saved you time and maybe even the money you spent to get that new shirt. The same is true with preparing for a trade show. Here are five quick tips to plan for trade show success:

1. Decide what you want to get out of the trade show or conference. Announce a new product? Solicit new leads? Solidify existing relationships? Keep tabs on your competition?

2. Find shows that best fit your budget (including travel and accommodations!), your goals, and your audience. The ideal shows will be those where most of the attendees will be potential customers.

3. Consider if you should have an exhibit booth, host an event, make a presentation, or just register to attend the conference. If you’re convinced the audience is a good fit, compare costs of exhibiting with those of hosting an event. Being a conference speaker gives added exposure, and can drive people to your booth and/or event.

4. Set measurable goals such as a specific number of leads, meetings with some number of customers, or a targeted number of product demonstrations.

5. Prepare a written strategy and budget to meet your goals. Be sure to include every step that needs to be taken to implement the strategy and who will be doing the work.

Once you have your strategy, it’s time to market your participation. Next in the Series: Marketing Tactics for Trade Show Success.

Thought you may want to know a little more about who we are, what we do, and how we work together to serve our clients. You can find out more about any one of us here.

Thomas Duncan and Alison Duncan are our design champions. Both do wonderful logo and print work. Thomas also excels at creating beautiful and well functioning websites. (Plus they happen to be in-laws.) Alison and I have been working together since 2001. Thomas joined in the fun around 2005.

Deb Hepp is our project manager and assists me in creating strategic direction for Comma. She’s a perfect fit for what we do as her background is marketing and graphic design. She gets the internal workings of a firm and she knows the value of working well with clients. I think of her as my right hand.

Lyn Jackson is a pro at messaging, PR, media training, video development, and non-profit work. She brings her experience in television production and reporting as well as knowledge gained through serving on local, regional and national boards of directors.

Maria Mauriello is editor and writer par excellence. She’s fast and she’s thorough. She has great PR and development skills honed in both the non-profit and for– profit worlds. She’s passionate about public education and has been instrumental in keeping up the good fight for that in Wake County.

Lesley Lammers is a great blogger and is as passionate about CSR (corporate social responsibility) as I am. She’s part of Comma’s service expansion in this area. You can catch some of her work at the US Green Chamber of Commerce, Triple Pundit, and the Environmental Defense Fund.

So that leaves me, Libbie Hough. I am out there doing business development, leading on client strategy, and serving as primary point of contact with clients. I love engaging my team to come up with solutions to turn a business’ challenges into opportunities for growth.

]]> http://cmatters.org/whos-who-at-comma/feed/ 1 http://cmatters.org/green-homes-in-the-triangle/ http://cmatters.org/green-homes-in-the-triangle/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:13:19 +0000 admin http://cmatters.org/?p=874 Green Homes in the Triangle!

Betty Cross of Silverwood Inc. and a realtor with Keller-Williams in Chapel Hill, N.C. shares with Comma how the green home revolution has hit the Triangle and why sustainability means sticking to your message even when you think no one is listening…By Lesley Lammers

LL: Tell me a little bit about Silverwood and what sparked your interest to build a focus around high performing, energy efficient homes?

BC: Silverwood has been building homes for a long time. It started with small sunroom additions in the late 1970s. We built passive solar homes in the 1980s, and in the early 2000s began developing of green home communities. We knew homes could be better and wanted to bring high performing homes to the mainstream market. And with site-integrated design, material choices, and construction techniques any home can be energy efficient with healthy indoor air.

LL: How has being “green” helped you build your business?

BC: Consumers interested in reducing their carbon footprint or living in houses with healthy indoor air have sought us out to design and build homes for them. My husband Bob Hartford, has developed a series of green house plans available at Silverwood Design. He has four plans — one of them the featured home — in ePlans’ winter issue of Luxury Homes, the Sustainable Lifestyle Issue (available wherever home plan books are sold).

LL: What should buyers look for when shopping for a “green” home?

BC: There are many components to being “green” and depending on the customer some components may be more important than others. Here are some questions I would ask:

• Are there are renewable energy systems in the home, such as solar hot water?
• Do the windows and doors have high efficiency ratings?
• Is the crawlspace sealed?
• Were low VOC paints used?
• Are the faucets, toilets, and showerheads water saving fixtures?
• Does the home contain any reused materials such as flooring or interior doors?
• Does the landscaping require lots of water and fertilizer?

Consumers should also look for Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) values that measure how efficiently the house will operate. All ENERGY STAR certified homes receive a HERS rating. Look for other certifications such as NAHB Green certified, LEED certified, etc.

LL: Would you say that the real estate industry in general is heading in a more sustainable direction?

BC: Building codes continue to evolve as new technology and research becomes available. No longer can you buy a toilet that uses seven gallons per flush. Insulation values are regulated. Light bulbs are more efficient. Government must lead the way with regulations; the market will follow.

LL: What about being sustainable appeals to you?

BC: I believe we can live rich, fulfilling, and comfortable lives while maintaining the Earth’s ability to sustain life of all kinds.

LL: If you had words of wisdom to share with folks considering a similar business path what would they be?
BC: Stick to your message even when it seems no one is listening.

Hillsborough, N.C. — January 9, 2012

Communication Matters, the Hillsborough-based marketing firm, announces it has a new name, new look, and new services. The company, now called Comma, has a new identity and refreshed website. Contractors specializing in media training and corporate social responsibility as well as a dedicated project management specialist have joined the Comma team. The new assets are built on the company’s commitment to excellent customer service and dedication to the triple-bottom line. To find out more about Comma, visit www.cmatters.org.

Throughout the move to a new name and identity, Hough reflected on comments she heard delivered by the keynote speaker at a public relations conference. “He said we must transition from strategic planning to strategic doing,” Hough shared. “Unanticipated events have a way of pushing you to ‘do.’ ”

Hough is referring to the day she discovered the Communication Matters logo was strikingly similar to that of another company’s in the area. She had already been aware others outside the area were using a similar, if not the same, name. She consulted with an intellectual property attorney, mentors, and colleagues before deciding to seize this as an opportunity to evolve and grow.

Repositioning a company is no small undertaking, even for a business that offers those services. Hough points to Comma’s core business values as a grounding force. “From the start, we have embraced our role as our clients’ marketing partner, viewed people, planet, and profit as interrelated business concepts, and fostered fun, creative dialogue with clients and colleagues,” Hough said. “That foundation pointed the way as we navigated new territory.”

Based in Hillsborough, N.C., Comma produces powerful marketing strategies for sustainable business growth. Libbie Hough launched the company in 2001 and uses a virtual business model to achieve her clients’ marketing needs. To take projects from concept to completion, Hough calls upon independent, award-winning marketing, design, and communication professionals from around N.C. and the United States. The company is a certified vendor with Green Plus, a sustainability certification and education program and has been awarded HUB status by the N.C. Department of Administration. For more information, visit www.cmatters.org.

# # #

Contact: Libbie Hough
libbiehough@cmatters.org
www.cmatters.org
ph: 919.967.8070

Embracing Change in the New Year!

Sometimes change is planned for and sometimes it just comes at you. No matter how it happens, it’s what you do with change that counts. Last year presented plenty of chances to throw in the towel on managing my own company.

The first bump was learning that my husband’s work could be greatly diminished. Second bump: discovering another company in the same market and industry had a logo like mine. Third bump: realizing I was exhausted from working on my business while working in it as well. In April, I found myself wondering: is it time to do something different?

After some soul searching, and talking with friends, members of my professional network, and relatives, I decided it was, indeed, time for something different.

Allow me to introduce you to Comma, our new company name complete with a new visual identity and a refreshed website that includes this blog. I’m also pleased to announce we’ve expanded services to work with companies around their corporate social responsibility efforts and leverage those efforts to build their brand. And to further improve service to clients, we now have a dedicated project manager.

Maybe it’s time for a change in how you do business as well. If so, give me a call or drop me an email. I welcome a chance to talk with you about how Comma can be of service as you transition to bigger and better things.

Libbie

Linda Foxworth
Executive Director
KidSCope

Mike Mathers
Executive Director
Chapel Hill Training Outreach Project