Innovating Green Drinks 2.0
Markets evolve. When was the last time you rented a movie at a store, bought non-concentrated laundry detergent, or attended a Chicago Green Drinks? As one of the few sustainability organizations in town that primarily supports itself through charging for what it does, rather than with foundation grants, Foresight is acutely aware of shifts in demand. Green Drinks attendance, for instance, has been declining for about a year. The trend has been the same in New York and Seattle, whose monthly events were 2-3 times as large as ours. What this means, can be debated. For us, it’s an indication to pivot, to step back, reassess, and consider a revised path. I don’t view this as failure, but rather an opportunity, a natural part of what we do. Foresight is foremost about innovation. Chicago Green Drinks spawned many others throughout the area and country, and inspired, connected and empowered thousands of people. Mission accomplished, for the time being. The question now is one of my favorite: what should come next? I welcome and will respond to your input posted on our blog. What’s needed? What would get you excited? What will help change the world?
Peter Nicholson, Transformationist
FORESIGHT DESIGN INITIATIVE
6 Responses to “If Not That, Then What?”
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Until sometime last year, I would not miss a Green Drinks. I thought the event were helpful to me, not so much to make connections, as to learn. The night you had the pannel on the Chicago energy plan was just terrific.
Lately Green Drinks for me has sort of disappeared. I get you announcements but cannot figure out when the Green Drink event is occuring or if it is something that I am invited to attend.
There is now an enourmous need for meetings like yours. We are facing disaster and Republicans can trash the idea of Global Warming and the Democrats are afraid of it. We must turn up the volume on the problem.
Green Drinks might deal with the problem of how get solutions out into the public in a way that is not wrapped in politics.
Thanks for considering my thoughts. Jim Dickert
Jim: Thanks for sharing those thoughts. We agree, the urgency of the cause has not lessened, but only increased, despite the issues having largely fallen off the public’s radar. Green Drinks had its time and place. A greater understanding of the issues, perhaps, calls for a different sort of response and event. We’re considering the possibilities and value all input.
-PN
Peter, I’m sad to see Chicago Green Drinks fizzle, but I like how you frame it as an opportunity to pivot. I’ve been inspired lately by virtual interactions in the form of Google Hangouts, live twitter chats using hashtags, hackathons, crowdfunding, community-mobilized mapping and data collection, mobile apps, and other technology-enabled citizen participation methods. I’ll leave the monetization question in your capable hands.
Jen: Thanks for your message. Glad to know you’re still getting the Forecast despite having relocated. The rise of social media has brought lots of changes, evolutions that hadn’t occurred when we started the event. We have some ideas about moving ahead employing some of these technologies, but still believe that meaningful and insightful in-person interaction is still crucially important.
-PN
I am one of those that has disappeared. For me, the need isn’t there as much as it used to be and the format seemed a little tired at the one GD I attended this year (sorry!). Or maybe it had to do with the dark lighting. The mood just seemed a little down. You, however, were as dynamic as ever.
I do miss the connection to the community though. I would be thrilled to hear about a transition to something new. I like the idea of trying to connect smaller groups of people with something in common. There are so many people now that have attended a green drinks that it’s gotten harder to connect on a deeper, longer lasting level. Maybe also community outreach/service days? I liked the museum event when we landscaped the lawn. Now that I’m a parent, I’m looking forward to teaching my son about giving back so maybe something family-oriented.
As long-time GD attendee I particularly appreciate your comments, Kari. The world has evolved. Hopefully Foresight Green Drinks contributed to that. As an innovation focused enterprise, Foresight will consider a new iteration of the event. Ideas are already fomenting. I’ve also noticed a not inconsiderable sustainability-population boomlet lately. You are among perhaps no fewer than 15+ sustainability-focused people I know who have recently had kids! Time for a family Green Drinks?
-PN