Bizsuccess

Thursday, June 10, 2010
By Pattie Baker

Green building.  Energy efficiency.  Water conservation.  Transportation alternatives.  Local food.   The list about which cities nationwide are not only talking but taking action to implement goes on and on.  Federal and state mandates as well as a growing groundswell of support to pass local policies that create “greener” cities means the sales opportunities have never been riper for eco-focused companies to strike.  I know about this because I was the founder and first chairperson of the sustainability commission for the newest city in the United States, and I was getting emails from companies that ran the gamut from electronics recycling to solar power to pervious pavement every single day.

If you haven’t considered municipalities as potential customers, you might want to give them some thought.  Cities are promoting their eco-actions loudly, with media releases, ribbon cuttings, e-newsletters, and more.  You’re bound to get a great shout-out if your company is the one that designed and installed the “green roof” on the local library.

However, even if you don’t want to slog through the typically arduous requests-for-proposals that you’d have to complete in order to submit a bid and be considered for a city project, you may want to get up to speed about these cities and use that knowledge in your marketing efforts to their citizens.  Marketing messages may be particularly timely if they say something like: “Your city is saving money on heating and cooling, and now, you can, too!”  or  “Why not get out there and enjoy that new city bike path by getting your old bike in the garage tuned up today?” or “Want to get ‘growing’ on your city’s community garden plot?  Let our expert gardening team help you out!”

To find out which cities in your service area are making major eco-strides, get your hands on local newspapers, check out web sites and blogs, and tap into regional commissions and non-profit organizations that deal with energy, water, transportation, greenspace, green building, recycling and waste management.  To reach eco-conscious consumers, make sure you include your Green Credentials on your Kudzu profile.

Here’s an example of a terrific regional website full of information designed to help cities use their collective resources wisely for a prosperous future.  Be part of the prosperity by marketing your products and services to cities like this near you.