Sustainable clothing and new business models

Very interesting business model.

http://www.projectnvohk.com/

Four Green Goals for a Painting Project

1. The first goal I have is to be aware of the health issues for both the painter and home owner. As the paint dries what is released into the air? If the paint is going to be sprayed how will the over spray (dust/solids) effect painters if breathed.? Some paints are safer than others. When a paint is sanded the dust can be harmful if it is inhaled.

2. Durability-Is this a product that is durable. A high quality paint lasts longer and does not need to be repainted as often. Our goal is to use durable high quality paints.

3. Limiting Extra Paint- it is our goal to buy the appropriate amount of paint. I have not always succeeded at this, but we have gotten much better. It is good to have some touch up paint, but not to much.

4. Disposal and Recycling- This has been my largest challenge. It is our goal to recycle as much paint as possible. Frozen or defective needs to be kept to a minimum. Each project should be taken care of properly. It is also very important to select products that can be recycled or disposed of without lasting harmful impact on the environment. An example would be oil based paint and thinners that are considered hazardous waist.

Some Basic Goals For 2008

How can we keep moving forward in our quest to be use more sustainable, healthier, with less waist.

1. Create a written vision and a strategy
2. Get accurate measurements and spread rates so that you buy the right quantities of paint.
3. Devise a plan to donate extra and old paint. (recycle)
4. Continue to stay informed on the lates paint innovations.

Please help me to add detail to this post. Feel free to add your comments and ideas.

Healthier Paint in 2008

Technology is helping inspire an excitement about using healthier paint products. Sherwin William's, Benjamin Moore, Pittsburgh and other major paint suppliers are trying to keep ahead of the competition by putting out new products. This is a list of some of the products that I have used.

1. Sherwin William's: Harmony, ProGreen, and Duration Home


2. Benjamin Moore Paints: Aura (has special low voc tints), and EcoSpec


3. Pittsburgh Paints: Pure Performance

I have to try product out for myself. All of these product have worked well for me. Happy Painting!

How to Serve and Lead the Customer?

Customers who are new to your company may want to lead you in a direction that you are uncomfortable going. How do you deal with this? Sometimes giving the customer what they think they want violates what you have learned is best way to serve their interest. Sometimes if you follow the customers lead you will be hurt financially and loose their respect when things go wrong.

First why does the customer come in and try to make all the decisions. Most of the time it has to do with insecurity. They don't know what you know but they do have some knowledge. This insecurity can almost always be overcome. You must establish yourself as professional and knowledgeable. You must also be patient. Find out the specific concerns. When a customer feels that you understand them and answer their concerns satisfactorily then they tend to ease up and give you more trust.

The next issue that I run into is that some friend or family member says that such in such is the only paint to use. This is something that I am running into less and less as we establish ourselves as a respected and professional company. When it does happen I talk through my reasons why and ask the customer to question the expertise of the person with the opinion. If the customer does have valid reasons I gladly use their products. In cases where I am asked to use lacquers in a residential new construction home I will pass on the job if it comes to that. Respect is always central when dealing with your customers.

I used to think that doing what ever the customer asked was the way to serve them best. Now I know from my experience at the school of hard knocks that the best way to serve your customer is in and through the wisdom and expertise that you have accumulated. Relationships and trust will always be as fluid as a dance and in need of constant maintenance.

Keep it simple

Sometime the biggest challenge for me is being overwhelmed by the immensity of a task. When it comes to being "green", I have felt overwhelmed. Instead of giving into this I have made a choice to grow in understanding and to begin to put in place what I know. There is no magic button that we can push to make ourselves "green".
If you compare becoming greener as a painter to a health plan you can see what I mean. As you get into the details of what kind of diet and exercise program to implement you can become disillusioned by all the intricacies and differing opinions. How should we react? Should we just say who cares and give up. I say NO, let's take what we know and start at the foundation. Simple steps like cutting out the obvious things like sugary drinks, and applying moderation. We always have at least one step in the right direction that we can take.
I see cutting out oil paints and stains as the same as not drinking the cola's and sweet tea (if you live in the south). Using moderation in food and drink is like not over buying paint and having a plan for what to do with the extra.
The big tasks are always daunting but if we take steps in the right direction we will get to where we want to go eventually.

Roots- Why not use a Water Based Trim Paint?

The Root reason to not use water based trim paint?

What are our roots and how did we get here? Chances are through much difficulty. Something is always worth what you will give up for it. Even to the point that we are willing to give up our lives. Are the reason I held on to oil based trim paint so long worth my quality of life or someone else (not to mention physical heath). Why not choose a paint that is healthier. What is the real root reason. I think it is that we are comfortable with what we have known. Change is hard for some. When making the decision to use a healthier product you are making the choice to better someone else life.
Years ago I decided to make the commitment to use water based paints on trim instead of oil. I felt that I would have to sacrifice quality. As I made the commitment I worked out the bugs. I only gained benefits and quality. Once in a while I have a customer that want to use oil base trim paints, but I get to be the one to tell them the success that I have had with water based enamels.
The key question for me was; was what I was giving up more important then what I was gaining. I realized that the differences in quality were not significant even before I learned which products to use and how. The benefits far out weigh the costs. When you half try a new paint system chances are you will not stick with it. If you take your current knowledge and commit to what you know is best you will learn how to make it work for you.