Something Different

The sun shone down on San Francisco last week welcoming one of North America’s largest solar conferences, Intersolar North America. This year, the exhibition floors reached record attendance with more than 20,000 visitors.

The B+G team had a chance to check out the exhibitions at the Moscone Center and catch up with some of our favorite solar reporters and companies on solar’s hot topic this year, finance.

We discussed the ins and outs of solar finance with Jessica Lillian, Solar Industry editor, and learned all about the Export-Import Bank, which, according to Jessica, is the solar industry’s secret finance powerhouse. The bank offers loan guarantees, export credit insurance, working capital guarantees and other services under a 1992 congressional charter. In 2009, the bank authorized $363 million in financing to support an export value of $640 million in “environmentally beneficial” goods and services. Great news for those solar companies looking to export their expertise, and yes, exporting to Canada’s new solar market, Ontario, is covered, but what about U.S. solar companies looking to stay within the country limits?

Our very own Jeff Glavan, MP2 Capital managing director, gave Dave Brearley, SolarPro editor, the run down on acquiring PPAs (power purchase agreements) under the national RPS (renewable portfolio standards) program. The national implementation of a mandatory RPS for all 50 states requires retail electricity suppliers to procure a minimum amount of eligible renewable energy. Each state creates its own incentive programs to reach the minimum requirement. One example Jeff provided was based on MP2’s 225kw solar PV project at the City of Winter’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, in that some of these incentive programs do not provide tax cuts for public buildings. However, if MP2 as a private company finances the solar project and then sells the energy back to the public building, those tax cuts are ultimately given to the building through the PPA. Not only that, but the building’s electricity costs drop for its own use or it can then sell that energy back to the electricity companies through MP2 ’s PPA.

With the new energy bill pushing its way through congress, we believe we’ll see more financial incentives sprouting up around the country. While the solar industry has been a bit like the Wild West over the past few years, we have confidence that this industry is in full force, and we are excited to watch it grow.

While Americans celebrate the country’s 234^th birthday with barbeques and fireworks, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the millions of independent contractors in the United States. Going independent means being your own boss and finding work that fits your skill sets. With the advancement of online technologies and work tools, one can only expect the number of independent contractors in the United States to continue growing. And with nearly one in eight Americans being independent contractors, part-time or temporary staffers, and/or self-employed, there is certainly cause for celebration.

Our client Elance is a big part of this trend, connecting independent professionals with small businesses worldwide. Case in point: Rebecca Brink, Elance provider of six years and PR pro. Every time Rebecca started a new job, she loved the first three months of work. However, as time passed, she would grow tired of office protocol. Finally, she realized that it wasn’t the work that bothered her, but the lack of freedom. Rebecca decided it was time for her to go independent and she’s never looked back. “I work with a variety of clients on my time,” says Brink. “I love the freedom I have working as a freelancer and how Elance helps me and other independent contractors secure that freedom with special functions like the escrow account.”

This Independence Day, take a moment to celebrate yourself as an independent thinker, and think about using independent contractors for your next project.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

We’re growing by leaps and bounds and are looking for a new intern to join the team!

Responsibilities include:

• Attending client meetings
• Compiling media coverage into quarterly clipbooks
• Researching reporters, blogs and social media sites
• Contacting media
• Conducting customer interviews
• General organizational and administrative tasks
• Drafting pitches and press materials

Internship Requirements:

• College graduate
• An enthusiastic self-starter with a ‘can do’ attitude and strong interest in technology and communications
• An eye for detail and an ability to multi-task
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Ability to navigate and master social media and social networking sites
• A background and/or experience in PR, journalism, English, political campaigns, technology and/or marketing is preferred

This is a paid 30-hour week position, for a minimum period of three months with a possible extension to six-months. We are looking for the position to begin mid June. The deadline for consideration is Saturday, June 12.

If you meet the requirements and have an interest in pursuing a career in public relations, send a cover letter, resume and two writing samples as attachments to intern (at) bordersgratehouse.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Each month, MyBuys, the leading provider of personalized recommendations for multi-channel retailers, releases its Ecommerce Wellness Index™, which measures the overall health of U.S. e-commerce and tracks key trends among etailers. MyBuys has a unique perspective on e-commerce, based on their ability to closely monitor consumer shopping patterns and create profiles that predict purchasing habits.

Launched in August of 2009, with Borders + Gratehouse, the Index has successfully showcased MyBuys’ expertise in online retail and consumer shopping trends. Below is a graph depicting the rise and fall of discounted and full-price revenue since MyBuys has begun capturing this data in August of last year.

The Index creates a regular dialogue not only with trade and business publications, but also with MyBuys customers and prospective customers who can follow consumer buying trends and see the power of personalization on retail sites. The MyBuys Ecommerce Wellness Index has been featured in Time, The Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and is covered in a monthly column in Internet Retailer.

So what does MyBuys predict for ecommerce in 2010? MyBuys expects that retailers will continue to wean themselves from discount pricing tactics as their main growth engine through the remainder of the year, and focus on innovative merchandising tactics instead. Month after month, MyBuys has demonstrated that retailers that leverage personalization on their web sites deliver higher average order values (AOV).

You may have read on our blog about the “New Way to Work” contest for Elance. Participants were encouraged to show the world what the “new way to work” means to them through any medium they chose, including video, text, song, photography, or tweets. We wrapped up the contest recently and it was hard to pick just one winner. We wanted to share with you some of our favorites in case you missed them. The folks below really are leading the revolution of the world of work as we know it.

One of the earliest entries in this competition comes out of Aspen, Colorado from the mobile marketing company Qittle. CEO Casey McConnell and his team takes us through some of the business history behind Qittle while also telling the story of how location doesn’t matter in the New Way To Work regardless of if you’re on the slopes of Aspen or out in Wisconsin. Watch Qittle’s story here.

Michael’s lighthearted video showcases his interpretation of the New Way To Work: Let Smart People Work Hard for Your Business. Sit back and watch how Michael took advantage of Elancers to take his small business to the next level. Take a look here.

Pamela Swingley’s creative usage of Prezi.com’s innovative presentation system gives us an inside look into their operations, their story, and the tools they use to connect and build software that helps you to remember when your next health checkup is. Give it a spin here.

Lastly, freelance writer Benjamin Gran won the grand prize with his message of workplace innovation and change, likening the end of the era of cubicles to the end of the era of phone booths. His entry showcases how the world of work is changing dramatically and old constructs are being challenged with the new way to work. Just as the mobile phone replaced the traditional phone booth, cubicles are being replaced by the online office. Check out the winning submission here.

Congratulations to all the Elancers living “The New Way to Work” every day.

Borders + Gratehouse is simply a better PR partner for innovative companies.

We offer a unique combination of drive, imagination and experience that only comes from decades of success in PR and journalism. Our commitment to partnership means that you get the most senior level attention when you need it most – always.

The result is more than awareness – it’s action. It’s building the industry credibility and standout reputation that leads to increased sales, improved valuation, and lasting business value. In the end, it’s about meeting your business objectives through strategic communications by turning ideas into action.