 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We also have a report regarding population dynamics and our commentary discusses the Greatest Power of the Universe. Finally, if you haven't already, mark your calendars for December 13th and plan to be in Madison, Wisconsin to learn about the latest information, trends and opportunities in forest certification and green building. The complete agenda and registration form are available at our website. Enjoy! - Jeff
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forest Certification & Green Building Programs Great Opportunities or Great Big Headaches?
9 am – 3 pm Wednesday, December 13th , 2006 Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI
First there was the alphabet soup of FSC and SFI and now there is LEED, GreenGlobes, and something called “MR7”. This workshop will provide the latest information about forest certification, the trends in green building programs, and strategies for the wood and building industry to find opportunity within the maze of programs and acronyms.
For the Agenda and Registration details, click here.
The Forest Products Society Midwest Section and Dovetail Partners are hosting this workshop. For more information, please contact Scott Bowe at 608-265-5849, sbowe@wisc.edu or Dovetail Partners at 612-333-0430, info@dovetailinc.org
The work upon which this program is based was funded through a grant awarded by the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, USDA Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Adam Johnson,
F&C Construction Writer
The 1,300-square-foot demonstration house sports flooring and external siding certified by the Forest Stewardship Council—which is why people are calling it the “FSC Home.” Using wood certified by the international standard-bearer for sustainable forestry was, in fact, a primary motivator for the project, said Ross Wagner, Aitkin County’s economic development director and forest industry coordinator. Construction of the FSC Home is part of an effort to supply low-cost housing for the county’s residents. Aitkin County holds the distinction of being the first public land managers to achieve certification from the 14-year-old forestry organization. But the county’s interest in the project – partially funded by a grant from the McKnight Foundation – went beyond responsible forestry, as did the interests of the project developer. Dovetail Partners, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that encourages rural economic development, took on its first residential project with the FSC Home in order to promote housing construction as a development tool in rural Minnesota. St. Paul-based Talor Building Systems is the project’s construction manager. To read the full article, click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D o v e t a i l C o m m e n t a r y All commentaries are available online at: http://www.dovetailinc.org/commentaries.html
Providing the New Congress with the Greatest Power in the Universe! Dr. Jeff Howe It would seem remiss if we were to completely ignore the election this month. With all those new bright sunny faces arriving in Congress, certainly there is reason to expect some change. From my perspective, there is also an irresistible opportunity to comment and provide advice. So what words of advice would I give them if they were listening? Actually, that's easy; I'd just say “it's the economy, stupid.” To read the complete commentary, click here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- D o v e t a i l R e p o r t s All reports are available online at: http://www.dovetailinc.org/reports.html Three
Hundred Million and Counting Jim Bowyer On October 17, 2006 U.S. population numbers officially reached the 300 million mark. Images from that day include a group of people clustered around a population clock in the nation's capitol, applauding as the number surpass 300 million; a New York Times editorial stating that the 300 millionth person should receive a bouquet and a thank-you card; a statement from the Secretary of Commerce to the effect that America's growing population is good for the economy and necessary to enable the support of aging populations; and an Associated Press article noting that the 400 million party is likely less than four decades away. Overall the press coverage presented a celebration of a milestone reached.
In
all the celebration, the potential negative aspects of growing population
numbers were given virtually no attention in the popular media.
Yet, as memory of recent events fades, and as numbers continue to quietly
advance toward 400 million and beyond, it is worth thinking a bit about
what these population numbers imply. There are some tough questions
about population that need to be answered in the United States, and now
is as good a time as any to start asking them.
Positioning: Who Does Your Customer Think You Are? Jeff Howe For many people, positioning is about the location of their building, or the spot their product takes on the shelves of the retailer. Both may be relevant to the discussion, but only to a minor extent. An organization's position is really about the image the customer has of that organization. A key role of an organization's marketing programs is to ensure that the organization's image matches the values and goals of the organization. In other words, it is vitally important that the image your customers have of you is the image you have of yourself. Above all, the positioning process is strategic, as it sets the context by which the relationship between the organization and its vendors and customers is built; and it establishes the basis upon which the organization attempts to compete. Whether you are a nonprofit fighting for funding or a for-profit competing for sales, how you position yourself in the marketplace is critical to future success.
|
528 Hennepin Ave, Suite 202 Minneapolis, MN 55403 Phone: 612-333-0430 Fax: 612-333-0432 info@dovetailinc.org |
| © 2006 Dovetail Partners, Inc. |  |
info@dovetailinc.org |