Colin Mangham 0:10
Thank you, Mitch. It’s great to be here.
Mitch Ratcliffe 0:15
Let’s dive right in. The Net Zero Accelerator has been running for a couple of years now, working with over 100 companies in the building sector. Can you share some insights into what you’ve learned about scaling up net-zero solutions?
Colin Mangham 0:30
Absolutely. One of the key things we’ve learned is the importance of real-world pilots. By placing technology pilots in actual buildings with committed partners, we can track the results and show the impact of these solutions. This approach has led to over 60 successful pilot projects in California and beyond, providing tangible results that founders and investors can use to move forward.
Mitch Ratcliffe 0:55
That’s impressive. Can you give us an example of a successful pilot project from the Net Zero Accelerator?
Colin Mangham 1:05
Sure, one great example is ByFusion, a company that makes construction-grade blocks from unrecyclable plastic. Their pilot project in Boise was a success not because of a breakthrough in materials science, but because they focused on building a community of stakeholders, overdelivered on their pilot, and demonstrated predictable, repeatable outcomes. This approach has been key to their success.
Mitch Ratcliffe 1:30
That’s fascinating. It sounds like collaboration and community engagement are essential for scaling up these solutions. Can you speak more about the role of partnerships in driving innovation in the building sector?
Colin Mangham 1:45
Absolutely. Partnerships are crucial for driving innovation in the building sector. Companies like ePAVE, which makes a patented reflective pavement coating, have been able to turn failed applications into deeper partnerships by reframing their products as precision technology that requires careful application. By working closely with partners and stakeholders, companies can ensure the success of their solutions.
Mitch Ratcliffe 2:05
It’s clear that innovative business models are essential for scaling up net-zero solutions. What advice do you have for founders in the green building sector who are looking to break through and make a real impact?
Colin Mangham 2:20
Founders in the green building sector need to focus on building business models that make sustainability a reliable investment rather than a gamble. By tying financial rewards to performance and guaranteeing outcomes, companies can attract investors and scale their solutions more effectively. It’s about aligning incentives with results.
Mitch Ratcliffe 2:40
That’s great advice. Thank you, Colin, for sharing your insights with us today. Where can our listeners learn more about the Net Zero Accelerator and the work you’re doing at the US Green Building Council of California?
Colin Mangham 2:55
Listeners can visit NetZeroAccelerator.org to learn more about the Net Zero Accelerator and USGBC-CA.org to learn about the US Green Building Council of California. We’re always looking for partners and collaborators who are passionate about driving innovation in the building sector.
Mitch Ratcliffe 3:10
Thank you, Colin, for joining us today. And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to Sustainability In Your Ear. We’ll be back next week with more conversations about accelerating the transition to a sustainable, carbon-neutral society. Until then, take care and stay green.
Colin Mangham 3:25
Thank you, Mitch. It’s been a pleasure.
And that wraps up our interview with Colin Mangham, Chief Experience Officer at the US Green Building Council California’s Net Zero Accelerator. Stay tuned for more episodes of Sustainability In Your Ear, where we explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
And so, when I advise companies, I often bring up the concept of keystone species and how their actions can have a ripple effect throughout an entire ecosystem. I encourage them to think about how their business decisions can not only benefit themselves but also create opportunities for others in their industry or community. Just like beavers create habitat for other species by building their dams, businesses can create opportunities for growth and innovation by implementing sustainable practices.
Furthermore, biomimicry teaches us to look to nature for inspiration in design and problem-solving. By studying the way organisms have adapted to their environments over millions of years, we can find innovative solutions to complex challenges. I encourage companies to think outside the box and consider how nature has already solved many of the problems we face today.
Overall, my background in biomimicry has shaped my approach to advising companies by emphasizing the importance of sustainability, innovation, and collaboration. By learning from the natural world, we can create businesses that not only thrive but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Mitch Ratcliffe 9:12
That’s fascinating. It’s clear that your unique perspective and expertise are invaluable in guiding companies towards more sustainable and innovative practices. Thank you for sharing your insights with us today, Colin. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
Colin Mangham 9:28
Thank you, Mitch. It’s been a pleasure discussing these important topics with you. I look forward to continuing to work towards a more sustainable future together.
And that concludes our conversation with Colin Mangham, a biomimicry expert and advisor to companies seeking to integrate sustainable practices into their business strategies. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on sustainability and innovation in the built environment.
When starting a business, it is important to consider the broader implications and ripple effects of the product or service being created. Colin Mangham, an expert in biomimicry thinking, emphasizes the importance of creating better living environments for not only humans but also other organisms. He highlights the need to focus on externalities and ensure that the business is contributing positively to the world around it.
In designing a business model for a new company, Mangham suggests approaching it through the lens of resilience. Resilience, in this context, means having multiple options to achieve the same goal and not presenting the solution as a silver bullet. By providing customers with confidence in the ability to overcome challenges, the business can promote resilience and mutualism.
Mangham encourages founders to look beyond the traditional balance sheet for value exchanges. He emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and mutualism in business relationships, where all parties benefit from an honest and fair exchange. This approach to business model innovation can lead to sustainable and meaningful growth.
Traditional accounting often ignores externalities, but Mangham believes that this is where true business model innovation can occur. By recognizing the value of ecosystem services and the interconnectedness of all living beings, businesses can create solutions that benefit both people and the environment.
As the transition to a sustainable built environment accelerates, Mangham suggests focusing on key industries such as architects, engineers, and construction professionals. These individuals play a crucial role in shaping the built environment for years to come. By involving them in sustainability efforts early in the design process, businesses can ensure that buildings are built to last and contribute positively to the world around them.
Ultimately, the goal of building a business should be to create a setting for others to experience abundance and success. By considering the broader implications of their actions and promoting resilience and mutualism, founders can create businesses that not only thrive but also contribute to a better world for all. The conversation between Mitch Ratcliffe and Colin Mangham delves into the importance of finding the real leverage point in a business model to drive success. Colin shares a fascinating story about a startup called ByFusion, which creates construction-grade blocks from unrecyclable plastic, producing 83% lower emissions than concrete alternatives. The key to ByFusion’s success was the collaboration between various stakeholders, including the City of Boise, Dow Reynolds Consumer Products, and the Hefty Renew program.
Colin explains that ByFusion’s system required certainty in feedstock, which was provided by Hefty Renew’s existing relationship with homeowners. Additionally, the presence of a pyrolysis plant in Boise allowed ByFusion to process the plastic efficiently. This co-location of facilities exemplifies the value of finding synergies within a system to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
One interesting point raised in the conversation is how ByFusion underestimated their processing capacity during the pilot project. Colin suggests that sustainability-focused companies often either overestimate or underestimate their opportunities. By under-promising and over-delivering, companies can learn valuable lessons from their successes and failures to refine their business models.
The discussion highlights the need for 21st-century business models to evolve beyond traditional formats to adapt to the complexities of sustainability-focused ventures. By focusing on collaboration, system optimization, and continuous improvement, companies like ByFusion can achieve success in creating innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
Overall, the conversation between Mitch Ratcliffe and Colin Mangham underscores the importance of identifying the real leverage points in a business model and leveraging collaboration and system optimization to drive sustainable innovation. By learning from successes and failures and adapting to changing conditions, companies can create impactful solutions that benefit both the environment and society as a whole. When it comes to transitioning from product selling to system selling, founders face a unique set of challenges that require a shift in mindset and approach. Colin Mangham, an expert in the field, sheds light on the importance of understanding the shift and the implications it has on business strategy.
In the 21st century, the focus has shifted from simply selling products based on features and benefits to selling systems that engage with stakeholders on a deeper level. Founders who are deeply entrenched in the technical aspects of their solutions often struggle to see beyond the features of their product and understand the broader system in which their solution operates.
One of the key differences in system selling is the need to consider the impact of the solution on various stakeholders, even those who may not be direct customers. This requires founders to look at the competitive landscape as a map of opportunities rather than just a list of competitors. Identifying potential partners among competitors and understanding how the solution fits within existing networks is crucial for success.
An example highlighted by Mangham involves a company facing challenges in selling to a specific audience due to the reluctance to disrupt existing relationships. This illustrates the importance of understanding the system in which the solution operates and navigating the complexities of stakeholder relationships.
Mangham also discusses the benefits of testing a solution in multiple settings, as exemplified by the case of Feedback Solutions. By testing the technology in different environments, founders can assess the replicability of their solution and identify key factors that contribute to its success. This approach enables founders to prioritize resources and focus on areas with the highest potential for growth.
Furthermore, Mangham emphasizes the importance of transparency and learning from failures, as demonstrated by the case of ePAVE. Despite facing setbacks in their initial implementation, the company’s willingness to acknowledge and rectify their mistakes ultimately led to a stronger relationship with the real estate firm involved. This highlights the value of honesty and openness in building successful partnerships and fostering cooperation for mutual growth.
In conclusion, the shift from product selling to system selling requires founders to adopt a more holistic approach to business strategy, considering the broader ecosystem in which their solution operates. By understanding the impact on stakeholders, testing in diverse settings, and embracing transparency in the face of failure, founders can navigate the challenges of system selling and position their companies for long-term success. Raving fans are the lifeblood of any successful business. These are the customers who not only love your product or service but are also willing to sing your praises to anyone who will listen. They are the ones who will stick with you through thick and thin, who will defend you against any naysayers, and who will ultimately help you grow your business through word-of-mouth marketing.
But how do you turn a regular customer into a raving fan? It all starts with how you handle complaints. When a customer reaches out to you with a problem, it’s an opportunity for you to show them just how much you care about their experience. By addressing their complaint promptly and effectively, you can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one. And when you do, that customer is more likely to become a raving fan for life.
Take, for example, a recent incident where a customer had an issue with the application of a product, rather than the product itself. Instead of sweeping the problem under the rug, the company took immediate action to address the issue transparently. They reframed the situation as a precision product that required careful application, rather than a faulty product. By doing so, they not only solved the customer’s problem but also showcased the quality and efficacy of their technology.
This kind of proactive approach to customer service is what sets businesses apart and creates raving fans. It’s about going above and beyond to make sure that every customer interaction is a positive one. And when you do, you not only retain that customer’s loyalty but also gain their advocacy.
One area where businesses can make a big impact is in water conservation. Despite the vital role that water plays in our lives, it often goes unnoticed until there’s a problem. By focusing on reducing water use, businesses can not only help the environment but also save on energy costs associated with water transport and heating.
When it comes to household water use, there are a variety of solutions available, from capturing rainwater for non-potable uses to optimizing sprinkler systems for landscaping. By encouraging small behavior changes, businesses can help customers become more aware of their water usage and its impact on the environment.
Ultimately, the key to creating raving fans is to show customers that you care about their experience and are willing to go the extra mile to make things right. By turning complaints into opportunities, businesses can not only solve immediate problems but also build long-lasting relationships with their customers. And in doing so, they can create a loyal fan base that will support them for years to come. The issue of homeowners in LA watering all year round when they shouldn’t be is just one example of a larger problem rooted in outdated 20th-century ways of thinking. The mindset of “I can turn it on, leave it on, and not worry about it” is no longer sustainable in a world where the cost of water is rising and its availability is diminishing. It is clear that we are living in a different time, and we must adapt accordingly.
For climate tech founders who are struggling to scale up their validated pilots, it is crucial to focus on the system and the partners with whom they have validated their solutions. Networking and building relationships with validating partners can lead to further implementation and replication of successful pilots. Case studies and testimonials from partners can also be highly beneficial in pitching to new customers and investors.
The conversation then shifts to the larger question of transforming the built economy towards sustainability before irreversible damage is done. While the task may seem daunting, it is essential that we continue to strive for progress. Turning the economy and global warming around may not be feasible in the short term, but small incremental changes can make a significant impact. Embracing a mindset of innovation and “Why not?” thinking, as seen in the solar industry, can lead to positive environmental effects and economic benefits.
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to lean into frustration and focus on creating solutions that address inefficiencies and challenges. By fueling their passion and dedication towards creating quality solutions, they can drive positive change and inspire others to follow suit. Ultimately, it is about pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and striving to do better for the environment and society as a whole.
In conclusion, the key to achieving a sustainable built environment lies in embracing a systems thinking approach and advocating for innovative solutions that prioritize efficiency, environmental impact, and economic benefits. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and passionate dedication to creating positive change, we can work towards a more sustainable future for all. The red-and-blue political divide in the United States has only seemed to deepen in recent years, with each side becoming more entrenched in their beliefs and unwilling to see eye to eye with the other. But what if there was a way to bridge this gap, to see beyond the surface-level differences and recognize the depth that lies beneath?
Colin Mangham, Chief Experience Officer of the Net Zero Accelerator, offers a unique perspective on how we can move past this divide. Drawing on the analogy of stereoscopic 3D glasses, Mangham suggests that by combining the red and blue lenses, we can see a fuller, more nuanced picture of the world. Instead of getting caught up in the surface-level differences between us, we should strive to see the depth and complexity that lies beneath.
Mangham also emphasizes the importance of diversity in our perspectives. Just as biodiversity is essential for the health of our ecosystems, so too is diversity of thought and experience essential for the health of our society. When we see the world from different angles, we can offer something unique and valuable to the world, leading to a richer and more vibrant exchange of ideas.
In a story he shares from a keynote speech in Houston, Mangham highlights the importance of finding common ground. By focusing on the shared love of a tree, despite seeing it for different reasons, we can begin to build bridges and find connections with those who may seem different from us.
The work of the Net Zero Accelerator and the US Green Building Council of California exemplifies this approach to sustainability. By bringing together professionals from a wide range of disciplines, they are able to tackle the complex challenges of building a sustainable, circular, and bio-based built environment. This systems-based approach requires a different sales pitch than the typical Silicon Valley disruption model, focusing instead on creating consistent, predictable outcomes that improve lives and business performance.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming the red-and-blue divide lies in recognizing the depth and complexity of the world around us, embracing diversity of thought and experience, and finding common ground with those who may see things differently. By working together, we can create a more sustainable and vibrant future for all. There is a shift happening in the world of sales strategies, moving away from disruption-first approaches towards more predictable and repeatable outcomes. This new approach, as discussed by Colin in a recent conversation, emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable and collaborative environment for long-term success.
Colin raises a thought-provoking question about the lost mentality of “we can do better together.” He draws a parallel to nature, highlighting the enduring innovations that create habitat for others and foster new habits. Just like beavers engineer streams to benefit a variety of wildlife, businesses should aim to build a foundation that supports other organizations while preserving the environment in which they operate.
The key takeaway is to see beyond individual interests and consider the greater ecosystem at play. By recognizing the needs and contributions of others, even those with differing perspectives, businesses can unlock success and build a community of shared prosperity. Collaboration between different parties, akin to combining red and blue lenses, can lead to deep pools of goodwill and sustainable growth.
As we continue these conversations on sustainability, it’s essential to share these insights with others and amplify the message. Writing reviews, sharing episodes, and spreading ideas can help create a ripple effect of positive change. By working together and caring for our planet, we can build a legacy that future generations will be proud to inherit.
So, stay engaged and keep the dialogue going. Whether it’s through podcasts, discussions, or actions, let’s strive to make a difference in our world. Together, we can nurture a green and sustainable future for all. The importance of mental health in the workplace
Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and it is essential to prioritize mental health in the workplace. With the increasing demands and pressures of modern work environments, employees are facing more stress and burnout than ever before. This can have a significant impact on their mental health, leading to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and a higher turnover rate.
Employers have a responsibility to create a supportive and healthy work environment that promotes mental wellness. By prioritizing mental health in the workplace, companies can improve employee morale, engagement, and retention. Here are some key reasons why mental health should be a top priority in the workplace:
1. Improved productivity: Employees who are struggling with mental health issues are likely to be less productive at work. By providing support and resources for mental health, employers can help employees manage their symptoms and perform at their best.
2. Reduced absenteeism: Mental health issues can lead to increased absenteeism as employees may need to take time off to address their mental health concerns. By promoting mental wellness and providing resources for support, employers can reduce absenteeism and ensure that employees are present and engaged at work.
3. Increased employee satisfaction: Employees who feel supported and valued by their employers are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs. By prioritizing mental health in the workplace, companies can create a positive and supportive work environment that fosters employee satisfaction and loyalty.
4. Enhanced company culture: A workplace that prioritizes mental health sends a powerful message to employees that their well-being is valued. This can help create a positive company culture that promotes open communication, empathy, and support among colleagues.
5. Retention of top talent: Employees are more likely to stay with a company that prioritizes their mental health and well-being. By creating a supportive work environment that promotes mental wellness, employers can attract and retain top talent who are looking for a company that values their overall well-being.
In conclusion, mental health should be a top priority in the workplace for both employers and employees. By promoting mental wellness and providing resources for support, companies can improve productivity, reduce absenteeism, increase employee satisfaction, enhance company culture, and retain top talent. Prioritizing mental health in the workplace is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense.
