Sunday, August 2, 2009

Publishing | Articles-Leveraging Technology to Further the Green Goal

The Green movement often occupies controversial and challenging terrain. By way of example, throughout this year, the United States Congress will be debating a carbon trading regulatory scheme designed to cut carbon emissions in an effort to combat global warming.

Meanwhile, skeptics are increasingly seeing their voices embraced. Case in point: Czech President Vaclav Klaus, an economist, contends that the regulatory aims of today's global warming activists are caused by a communist impulse. He cites a number of influential scientists who critique the connection between carbon emissions and temperature increases. Or, more precisely, he points to research indicating that the causality runs the other way in that rising temperatures cause greater carbon capture in the atmosphere.

Against this backdrop, it is no small wonder that the green community encompasses such conflicting views over strategy. Many of these differences relate to essentially opposed worldviews about the impact of technology. Ironically though, it is nothing other than technology that holds the promise of empowering the entire green community to achieve its aims.

Indeed, many green groups could benefit from the use of new technologies that enable networking. From free conference call systems such as Rondee that enable scaleable teleconferencing to sophisticated email newsletter platforms, there has never been a more ideal time to adopt new technologies to help the green cause.

Use online networking tools

The most successful green lobbying groups create networks of supporters who believe in their values and mission. While the word networking frequently gets an undesirable connotation, the simple reality is that these networks can provide significant help. Today in the Bay Area, the expectation is that professional folks will have at least a rudimentary profile on Linked In.

Meanwhile, other networking applications such as Facebook are starting to experience usage by more professional users. Such applications also provide a relatively easy method of augmenting your network.

Use a free conference calling system

In the last few years, there has been increasing levels of collaboration between geographically diverse green lobbying groups. One cause of this trend has been lower flight travel costs – a trend that may now be going the opposite direction with leaping oil costs.

A separate driver is the accessibility of free conference calling services. Most of these companies, including those offered by Rondee work on the same underlying principle. They provide you a personal access number and a toll number to dial. If all teleconference participants dial the same toll number and enter the same code, they are put into the conference call.

Deploy an automated electronic newsletter system

It was not that long ago that sending out an email newsletter was time consuming and difficult. That has now changed. On-line systems such as Sevista, Yesmail, and Campaign Monitor are making it possible to use templated and scalable newsletters. These solutions slash the work load by at least eighty percent and in so doing enable green groups to focus on content development as opposed to content delivery.

Investigate desktop sharing technology

Some green advocacy groups have far flung leadership teams, and it is difficult to have face-to-face meetings. Technology is addressing this problem by way of desktop sharing. Whether it's displaying a PowerPoint document displaying the group's development plan or a spreadsheet showing the performance desktop sharing can be extremely useful for many green groups.

Use data based decision-making

One of the most significant trends recently affecting not for profits in the green community has been the escalating reliance on evidence driven decision-making. Managers can apply the same practices with simple to use Excel or Lotus spread-sheeting applications to determine what works and what does not work. Increasingly, the hurdle for excellence in decision-making is rising and thus reliance on conjecture is being replaced by empirical data to justify decisions.


Originally hailing from the Bay Area, Mindy Carpenter talks about communications technology and other fields of interest to green enthusiasts. Mindy helps the free conference call service that was initially pioneered by Rondee.

Article Source: http://freewebcontents.com

No comments:

Post a Comment