Creativity

Creative Thinking

Archive for June, 2009

Accounts Receivable Financing- Cleantech

Jun 14

Posted by admin in Innovation Creativity | No Comments

Look at the headlines in your newspaper. Environmental concerns are major concerns today and every day: people are worried about the price of gas; scientists and governments are debating the issue of global warming and what to do about it; stories abound regarding solar energy and other alternative energy sources such as nuclear energy, biodiesel fuel production, and energy produced by wind farms. The price of a gallon of gas and how many miles to the gallon a particular car can achieve- both are familiar topics. The quality of our air is reported regularly and in some areas alerts are posted on particularly polluted air days. The purity of our water and whether or not we will have enough water for humans and agriculture are serious concerns. Is it any wonder that world wide concerns regarding our environment are subjects of intense debate today? What are governments and businesses doing about these issues? What is cleantech?

According to the Cleantech Group: â??Cleantech is any knowledge based product or service that improves operational performance, productivity or efficiency; while reducing costs, inputs, energy consumption, waste or pollution.â? In other words, cleantech may be a product, a technology, or an application (way of doing things) that achieves environmental and social goals with economic benefits superior to the status quo.

Another definition by Diana Propper of Expansion Capital Partners states: â??On one side, cleantech is really about resource efficiency and productivity in supply- how to manufacture and produce to save energy, water, materials, etc. On the other side, these technologies are enhancing the bottom line of customers.â? Solar energy, subsidized by government and the Prius automobile come to mind.

Thomas L. Friedman in the New York Times, January 2006 said: â??Sorry, but being green, focusing the nation on greater energy efficiency and conservation, is not some girlie-man issue. It is actually the most tough-minded, geo-strategic pro-growth and patriotic thing we can do.â?

The meaning of cleantech is changing with innovations and new thinking. For instance, polluted land, called brownfields, may be remediated i.e. cleaned up into greenfields- land suitable for homes or industry- this is cleantech. New technologies like sensors, monitors and scrubbers to reduce pollution from factories in Singapore that manufacture semiconductors- this is cleantech. Fuels for cars that pollute less like electric cars or ethanol engines- this is cleantech. Energy efficient light bulbs and double pane windows for superior insulation- this is cleantech. Other cleantech examples are wind turbines, fuel-efficient engines, geothermal energy, energy-efficient appliances and water treatment systems.

The momentum of cleantech is growing because of international political issues such as climate change, energy security issues and concerns about CO2 emissions. Consumers are demanding faster, cheaper, lighter and cleaner products. Large corporations are responding with greening efforts. The potential growth in the cleantech industry is a worldwide opportunity for business of all sizes to participate in a huge marketplace. Entrepreneurs have unprecedented opportunities to create transformative technologies in the cleantech industry.

Cleantech starts with an idea, an entrepreneur, and a new business to incubate a technology, a processes or an innovation. Until the company has proven the technology and has significant revenue and growth, it is unlikely to draw attention from large industrial conglomerates, angel investors or venture capitalists. Entrepreneurial start-ups have a much higher risk tolerance to nurture fledgling technology and retain the talent that start-ups attract. Accounts receivable financing can provide capital for start-ups to achieve profitability when other types of financing are not available.

The dominant cleantech markets are solar energy, efficiency technologies (sensors, monitoring and control devices), energy storage, and water technologies. The emergent cleantech markets are bio-based materials, marine energy technologies, superconductors and waste-reducing plasma technologies. Government subsidies may be a blessing and potential curse because if removed, an entire industry economically based on subsidies such as the solar energy industry might go bankrupt.

The creativity and ingenuity of small entrepreneurs cannot be underestimated. They will invent ways to make products, services, and processes cheaper, faster, longer and cleaner. As soon as they can bring these innovations to market and receive purchase orders for sales, accounts receivable financing companies will take the financing risks by purchasing the receivables which will create virtually unlimited capital for growth. Exponential growth for business is needed in a world that needs exponential growth of cleantech.

Attention: entrepreneurs! Here is a partial list of businesses that need cleantech innovation: car batteries, hybrid engines, lighting, toys, photograph tools, appliances, watches, calculators, medical equipment, diving equipment, cell phones, cordless phones, portable computers, power tools, industrial instruments, cranes, elevators, portable power generators, lawn care equipment and energy storage devices. Opportunities abound.

The bottom line: as the meaning of cleantech expands so do the opportunities for entrepreneurs. Accounts receivable financing may be the capital source to help you succeed in the cleantech industry.

Copyright © 2007 Gregg Financial Services

www.greggfinancialservices.com

Gregg Elberg
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/accounts-receivable-financing-cleantech-132625.html

Loan Officer Marketing: Getting Realtors to Read Your Brochures

Jun 14

Posted by admin in Creativity Training | No Comments

You invest a lot of time and money in developing a loan officer marketing brochure that will get results. But maybe your materials are starting to have the same look and feel as your competition. What can you do to solve this problem?

First, think about why it is a problem. Maybe consumers are not as focused on differentiating loan officers, but Realtors certainly are. If you focus on building a thriving business (one that relies on them), materials that make you look just like everyone else brings it to a dead stop.

Most loan officer marketing brochures have three common mistakes:

Feature Focused Messages

Most basic sales training programs focus on delivering features and benefits as a standard part of the sales process. But this is a huge mistake when developing your brochures for mortgages.

Imagine writing a brochure that focuses on: quality of service, loan rates, refinance plans, origination, points, APR, mortgage insurance, etc. Developing a list of features does not tell the reader anything. In fact, it may only confuse them.

Basically, you are in the service industry. But the service you provide is hard to quantify. To get the reader to pay attention, you need to talk about problems. And even more importantly, you need to tell the reader how you have solved those problems.

Messages with Jargon

Jargon is such a part of our everyday language that we rarely give it any thought. But many readers lack familiarity with much of the jargon used in loan officer marketing materials. To them, brochures filled with jargon come across as pretentious. If they do not understand, they certainly would not be encouraged to ask questions.

The use of jargon also makes it harder for the reader to focus on your true message. They stop or slow down to try to analyze the buzz words. Your goal is to engage the reader and encourage them to read on.

When you incorporate elements into the brochure such as pictures, graphics, charts and quotes, you make the materials come alive for the reader.

Copy Cat Messages

Have you ever seen your competitions brochure and thought you should copy the work to make your own materials more compelling? Guess what, so have a lot of other loan officers. We all do it, using someone else creativity starts us thinking about how we can incorporate their ideas into ours.

But this simple act does the one thing you want to avoid. It makes you seem just like every other guy. In this instance, it is true. You are just like everyone else or at least, the person you used for inspiration.

It may be more challenging to be unique, but that is what will set you apart in a field crowded with loan officers.

A good brochure is a lot like a favorite movie. It has a storyline that keeps the reader going. It shapes perception and makes the reader think. Just as important, it makes you memorable. It will not be long before you stand out from the crowd with your loan officer marketing brochure.

Jeffrey Nelson
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/loan-officer-marketing-getting-realtors-to-read-your-brochures-66429.html

Getting Started – Your Own Home Based Business

Jun 14

Posted by admin in Creativity Thinking | 5 Comments

Are you looking to establish your own business in the comforts of your home? That means flexible working hours, lesser traveling time and expenses, and no boss nagging at you everyday! Of course, home based business enables you to have more quality time with your family too.

Being employed means getting a fixed basic pay, plus commission, if any, depending on the nature of the work. Then, again depending on your work performance, you may get a small percentage of wage increase for the next year. But, this is only a tiny portion of the total revenue of the company.

Now, if you establish a home based business, you will perhaps be able to bring home more than what you get if you remain in your employed job. You are the BOSS and you take home every cent you made from the home based business.

What are some of the benefits of home based business? Other than what was mentioned in the beginning of this document, a home based business helps you to get an income using your creativity and doing what you like, that is, your passion. Most importantly, you could be the next millionaire!

How do you start your own home based business? To begin, if you are still uncertain about this new business, try it out on a part time basis. For financial security reason, you can hold on to your employed job, and at the same time, start your home based business, until you are comfortable and confident about your home based business.

The current trend is home based business on the internet. You must know what are your skills, interests and experiences. You can even turn a hobby into a home based business. There are many areas that you can explore, such as baking, gardening, catering, and even trainings. Put on your thinking cap and consider all the areas of interest for your home based business.

Do not rush into a business venture. Remember, the business must fulfill the basic objective of establishing the home based business, that is, more flexible working hours and getting an income doing what you like.

Chang Wee Teo
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-business-articles/getting-started-your-own-home-based-business-86019.html

Creative Napping and Other Power Tools – Part 2

Jun 14

Posted by admin in Creative Thinking | No Comments

Creative napping is my favorite power tool, but it’s followed closely by Creative Goofing Off.

My favorite place to creatively goof off is the library, but the techniques I use here can be used in a shopping mall, art museum, auto parts store, at a baseball game, wherever.

Again, I get my problem clear and think about my current options.

Then I get up from my desk, put on my shoes, because I don’t wear shoes at home, and go to the library. Usually I go to a different branch than my “normal” one.

I wander through the library, not going to any particular section, and pick up books that have interesting titles or covers. I usually pick up about ten books, and then take them to a table and sit down with them.

I don’t read these books, of course. I look at them. I look at the covers, the titles, the pictures inside, the words on the back. Sometimes I pick a page, put my finger down in the middle of it, and try to get an idea from that word.

The main thing I’m doing is exposing myself to things that have nothing to do with my problem, and trying to wrestle a solution from them by creatively connecting unrelated ideas.

Creative Goofing Off also works well if you go to the dollar store and try to find a solution for a dollar, or sit in the park watching kids and thinking of ways they’d solve the problem.

The point of Creative Goofing Off is to get away from your normal routine.

The rules are very simple. You have to leave your office. You have to go somewhere you don’t spend a lot of time normally. And you have to expose yourself to something that does not seem related to your problem.

Most Creative Ideas Come . . .

One of my friends, early in our friendship, was surprised to learn that I often take a bath in the middle of the day, sometimes two, in addition to my nightly relax-for-bedtime-bath. She asked if I take the baths because of my back problems.

“Sometimes, but mostly because of creative problems.”

Many people say their best ideas come in the shower. Mine usually come in the bathtub, maybe simply because I spend so much more time there than in the shower.

I get ideas on walks, too, especially if I take my dog, Sirius Black Dixon, and we have to go slow so he can smell EVERYTHING.

If you’re having a problem, get it clear in your head, and then take a shower, or a bath, or a walk. Do something where your mind is totally unengaged and not at all required to do anything, except maybe remember to pick up after your dog.

I can’t guarantee an answer to your problem using this technique. I can guarantee that if you really turn your mind off, you’ll feel more relaxed and less stressed, and that almost always helps solve the problem.

Angie Dixon
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/creative-napping-and-other-power-tools-part-2-53539.html

Powered by Yahoo! Answers