Obama’s State of the Union calls for Infrastructure Spending. Huler’s “On The Grid” Explains Why.

Scott Huler’s book, On The Grid (2010, Rodale), should be required reading for every voter in the United States.

I limit it to voters, because they will ultimately determine how our citizenry stays connected – and I mean physically connected.

In a humorous and very readable narrative, Scott overviews the critical infrastructure that literally ties our country together. From land development and geographic information systems, to sewer and water pipelines, roadways, airports, energy and communication systems, On The Grid provides a compelling tour of the importance of our utilities.

While the book is encompassing, and provides intriguing historical references, it is surprisingly compact and technically attainable. After reading it, I appreciate so much more the serious, and critical work (not to mention investment) involved in constructing and maintaining the systems I access by simply dialing a phone number, flicking a switch, or even more basic: flushing my toilet.

Now I am thinking more about what it means to run my garbage disposal, leave my lab top plugged in, and about the men and women I see fixing a broken water main.

Finally, Mr. Huler’s book has made me realize how dependent we are On The Grid and how we’ll never be able to get off it. Consequently, I’m ready to support its maintenance with my vote and tax dollars.

Check out this great On the Grid web site that will help you learn more about your sewer, water, gas, electric, communications and roadway systems:

On the Grid: A Plot of Land, an Average Neighborhood, and the Systems that Make our World Work

Geology Event Accomplishes Nonprofit Goals

I’m confident that events must be a critical part of any nonprofit’s business and marketing plan (See my blog: Meaningful Events Benefit Nonprofits – 7 Reasons Why!). This report explains how the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) met several of its goals in hosting a Family Exploration Day associated with geology on January 14, 2012.

First: Obviously, geology is directly related to mining, and WMMI presented a terrific educational program related to this part of its mission.  In this picture, Geologist, and long time museum supporter, Steven Veatch relates to visitors with “hands-on” science demonstrations.

(Steven Veatch is prolific in research, publication and education associated with the science of Geology in the Pikes Peak Region. I encourage you all to visit his fascinating blog site: Colorado Earth Science.)


Second: This event allowed WMMI to add value to its beneficiaries. Many members attended, and the event allowed the museum to partner with other nonprofits with similar missions. Here, the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds (Friends) presented at the museum. This benefits the Friends organization by increasing the exposure of their remote facility, and benefits WMMI through association with a highly credible organization.

Third: This well-managed event provided a profitable revenue stream in ticket sales and it affirmed the financial support WMMI receives form the Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society.  Individuals representing the Society were in attendance talking about their organization, doing hands-on demonstrations, and recruiting new members.

By delving into a facet of its mission in new ways, this event provided a diverse revenue stream from normal operations, and allowed WMMI to build and re-enforce key community relationships. This demonstrates a few of the ways nonprofits can achieve a return on investment from successful events.

Effective Social Media and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

Before we get to far into 2012, I wanted to share a link to the following video from the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC).

(FAC: 2011 in Review)

In addition to documenting the tremendous year the FAC’s had in 2011 (By the way, it was their 75 Anniversary!), I think it’s a terrific piece of social media marketing for the following reasons:

1. Notice this piece is aimed at the FAC’s target market (aka: Community!). It includes visitors to their gallery; Lectures; Artists; Families; Plays; Classes; and, of course, their members, supporters, and volunteers.

2. In social media, content keeps your target market coming back to your web platforms (FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, Webstie, etc.) to see what’s new. As a mater of fact, if you begin to think of your organization as a media company, and these platforms as different channels, this content can be multi-purposed across those channels. This can increase the return on investment of both your content and your social media marketing.


3. Social media marketing is perfect for organizations like the FAC that produce content. Make it fun! If you are a non-profit, have your staff, members and volunteers, take pictures (or video) and share those with the person who leads your social media marketing efforts. These can be utilized in posts throughout the year, and like this video, as a retrospective at the end of the year.


4. Lastly, but highly important, the FAC has effective profile pages on all their social media platforms. Basically, their digital trail can be followed back to their website where their target market can get more information about the FAC; What their upcoming schedule is; Where they are located; How to get in contact and support this amazing nonprofit and the important work they do in the Pikes Peak region.



Thank you to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center and keep up the good work!


Please feel free to comment if you are fan of the FAC; or, if you have any insight into their use of social media marketing.

Three Simple Ways to Make a Resolution into a Business Plan

As the old year closed and the new began, I’ve been thinking about making “resolutions” for my business, but haven’t found time because I’ve been busy planning for 2012.

Then it hit me, a plan can be as simple as a resolution, or as marketing pro, Brian Jud, likes to say: “Planning is as simple as P.I.E.” 

Of course he is referring to an acronym that stands for: Plan, Implement, and Evaluate (P.I.E). Notice that Brian uses the word simple...not easy!

I think the key ideas here are to resolve to:

1. Not be overwhelmed with the planning process. One step leads to another, and you have to start somewhere. I start with a piece of paper and write down Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (S.W.O.T.).

2. Identify your target market. I know how hard it is to realize that your product or service is not for "everybody." I think a better way to understand this is to recognize that your marketing budget is not big enough to sell to "everybody." I start by imagining all the details I can about a person who is using my services and where they get their information. These characteristics can lead me to my target market.

3. I think of the word plan as a verb. I keep a one page, edited version, of my plan with my calendar and make notes on it throughout the week. Many times these notes become action items, or I use them to revise my plan latter. In other words, as I evaluate my plan it evolves.

So on further thought, here’s my resolution: I’m going to keep my planning process simple, active and evolving.