Gonink - Design & Print

I don’t know what it is about me feeling the need to come up with some catchy subject line and mirror it with something going on with my life and the environment, but I some how find a way to do so almost every time.

For one I’ve been slipping on my posts these past couple of weeks because I’ve been pretty busy. I’ve also been contemplating the true idea behind my environmental posts and how I can make it even better. I get so tired of all the negative press from killing polar bears to ignorant EPA heads, that it’s hard to keep a positive spin on this very serious subject.

So if I keep up the absenteeism please understand that I’m just slipping and have not gone anywhere.

Oh, by the way, the “slipping” correlation between life and my blog? It’s been very snowy, rainy and sleety here in Indiana as of late. Hence the “slipping” idea. Hey, I’m a designer, not really a comedian.

Actually that’s not the correct number asked of presidential candidates last year about global warming according to www.moveon.org. How many times do you think TV reporters asked about the climate crisis?

A.) 514 - It is one of the top priorities facing not only our nation, but the world - right?
B.) 165 -  This was the tally for illegal immigration. You think it was higher or lower?
C.) 3 - Believe it or not, these three questions were about UFO’s. Are you serious!?

If you guessed 3, you’re spot-on. That’s how many questions were asked of these candidates on the climate crisis. Three. The same amount for the whacky and insane idea of UFO’s landing here or elsewhere.

And as a business owner, have you asked yourself any questions as of late on how you can help the climate crisis? Maybe you could start a carpool incentive for employees? Is that recycling program idea still sitting on your desk collecting desk? Or do you have the ability to reach a politician or two and get this problem at the forefront of our nations leaders?

What questions would you ask the politicians or even ask me about the climate crisis?

Hey, everyone else does a year in review so why not us?

Basically I just kind of want to recap what I’ve done, where I’ve been and where I’d like to be in the future.

This year I learned that I need to work more at selling. It’s not so much that I can’t sell, it’s that I don’t sell enough. I don’t get out there and work on finding more and more clients. I fall into that feast or famine category where I have work and don’t take the time to market and then when it gets slow I focus on marketing. About the time I get a plan going I get busy again and put marketing down at the bottom of the priority list. My goal is to make 2008 a better year in sales, profit and marketing.

Speaking of goals, I joined a small group of like-minded friends in helping each other achieve goals. We meet once a week via an IM chat room and list out 3 goals we hope to achieve for the upcoming week. At which time all other members are given an opportunity to suggest ideas, encourage and discuss any/all of said goals.

In honor of Kermit The Frog, I’ve learned it ain’t easy being green. I really started focusing on this element of my life both at home and at my business. And what I found was it’s not as simple as recycling a few cans or milk jugs. It encompasses more than just that - such as fuel consumption and efficiency. It’s how we heat or cool our businesses and homes. And so much more.

Quite honestly, winning is everything and this year we won two awards. The first one came at the beginning of the year when we won a Summit Creative award for our company logo. The second one came at the end of the year when we were honored at the Churubusco Chamber of Commerce banquet as business of the year. And we don’t look at the winning as something to gloat about, but as a business tool. It provides us with credibility as a creative company and one who is involved with other businesses and our community.

Everyone has had to deal with this at one time or another and whether it’s in the status as an employee or a business owner, you’re going to find those customers/clients who push your buttons. You’ll have those who get too busy to help you finish a project and then when they’re ready, they’ll ask for a date for completion. It’s not their fault, it’s just the way business works sometimes.

And finally I’ve come to a realization that being a business owner is fun. I can recall those long and boring nights at my 9-1-1 job, where watching paint dry was more entertaining. I can remember those nights when the officers did everything they could to push my buttons and push they did. I would sit in that room dreaming of owning my own business. Thoughts of being around ‘Busco during the day and having an actual lunch hour floated through my head like any good day dream should. And now those days seem long ago, but I’m right where I wished I would be. A business owner. It has it’s ups and downs, but it’s a lot better than saying “9-1-1″ and hearing “HolysonofamothermarykissmyrightnoworI’llshootthemintheface ((((garble))))” all day long.

I was amazed this morning to find an RSS feed, a forwarded email and a newsletter informing me that the EPA has denied tighter emission goals. Are you serious!? The last time I checked, the EPA stood for Environmental Protection Agency and the last time I checked emissions from cars and industry affected the environment.

So what or who is the EPA protecting? Yet again I feel that a lobbyist or some fat gray-haired politician has their dirty little hands in this affair. It seems to me that the EPA administrator Stephen Johnson has been influenced by someone else in this decision. What other excuse could he or his organization have for ignoring these goals?

And as of right now (12/20/07 11:24EST) there is no mention of this outrageous decision by the EPA.

I hate the idea that politics gets in the way of improving our world and improving our future. But from now on I might have to refer to the EPA as Empowering Political Asses or Every Politician is an Ass. Because that’s whose stopping all of these proactive bills and what’s turning our country into the dirty little next door neighbor. You know the one who has junk cars, weeds and a horrible looking yard? That’s who we’re becoming people because our country and politicians refuse to think ahead about the future of our environment.

So I ask the EPA, who are you protecting then?

Just over a week ago I wrote about Xerox exceeding a goal and here they are again doing more for the environment.

As part of its long-standing commitment to preserve biodiversity through responsible forest management and to provide customers with “greener” paper choices, Xerox Corporation earned “chain of custody” certification from both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

I wonder how many more businesses will follow suit to try and keep up with Xerox? I know at least one designer who has been certified as environmentally friendly and more designers should follow that trend.

So what’s your next “green” business move? Reduce paper? Recycle more? I’d like to hear from you.