This Week's Herman Trend Alert The Consequences of Virtual Meetings

The Herman Trend Alert February 3, 2010 Green Banks Thrive Capitalizing on the green movement, a growing number of financial institutions have sprouted up in the United States and elsewhere. Promoting earth-friendly policies, these green banks have appeared in numerous US cities and other countries, including France, Mexico, and elsewhere. The concept originated in Europe with the need to finance "alternative projects", socially and environmentally desirable developments. Committed to ethical and responsible banking practices, France's Credit Agricole supports producing responsible products and services and reducing effects of climate change. Green banks support environmentally friendly strategies by providing lower interest rates on loans to green builders and borrowers who buy fuel-efficient cars, as well as incentives to depositors who opt out of paper statements. Consumers feel positively towards these green improvements. A recent survey found that 56 percent of respondents believe paperless statements to be ecologically friendly---not just a cost-cutting ploy on the part of the banks. As the economy emerges from its contraction, GreenChoice Bank, located in the Midwest, hopes to be one of the region’s first green lenders. GreenChoice’s chief operating officer, Steve Sherman, is accredited in green building practices by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). GreenChoice will reward green builders and consumers who opt not to receive paper statements. They will soon provide envelope-free ATM deposits and "remote deposit capture", a way for business customers to deposit checks without visiting a bank. Another example: First Green Bank, which opened last February, offered zero-interest loans to workers who bought cars that get more than 30 miles a gallon. Another traditional lender, PrivateBank, financed part of a USD $1 million-plus loan for the Little Green Tree House that opened an environmentally friendly day-care center. Jumping on the bandwagon, the major banks of the US have embraced green practices. HSBC donated $100 million USD to four environmental organizations and Wachovia, now a subsidiary of Wells Fargo, announced that it would build only "green branches" as it expanded into California and Texas. Expect more financial institutions and other enterprises worldwide to join in this green movement; it makes organizations more attractive to both internal and external customers. © Copyright 1998- by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: RETENTION SPECIALIST PROGRAM A growing number of people have expressed an interest in attending our Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program. We'd like to schedule on that's convenient for those who want to attend, but need your feedback to do so. Please place RETENTION SPECIALIST in the subject line and Joyce will personally call you back to schedule the workshop. Or you can call Joyce directly at 336-210-3548 (PDT this and next week). BUSINESS IS PICKING UP Most employers are unprepared. The recovery will bring a new set of challenges for employers that have been in prolonged contracted mode. They will need more skilled workers or will need now to begin to upskill their current staffs. But organizations can not engage in Strategic Workforce Planning, when they don't know how. That's where The Herman Group can help. We can help you with your "People Review"----large or small---so that you will know who you will need and when you will need them. . . and we can also guide you to the best sources for the people you will need. For more information, call Joyce at 336-210-3548 or e-mail joyce@hermangroup.com. FIND OUT WHAT YOUR EMPLOYEES REALLY THINK AND FEEL Discover what’s really going on in the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-416-7066, or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. 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