We were recently discussing the latest economic mega trends with a good friend and business associate. When we suggested that climate change was going to be the biggest driver of business demand in the near future, he asked, “How long have you been on this kick?” as if just the recognition of the fact was some kind of a fad or political statement, some kind of a temporary advocacy.

The National Geographic, in their recent series on the subject, entitled The Years of Living Dangerously, explores the parts of the world now experiencing the beginning of the collapse of the ecosystem that sustains them. In the series, each week a well know celebrity hosts the documentary which goes on location to interview scientists and document the changes. Every scientist says the same thing, “I only wish I was more effective in getting the word out sooner!”

One development they investigate that will surely impact the western world in the immediate future is climate migration. Not migrants seeking political asylum, but seeking food! Many of the so called political asylum seekers from central Africa are actually leaving because of extended drought-cause starvation. On the other side of the world, If the Golden Coral Triangle which feeds the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Micronesia collapses, it will directly affect 400,000 people. A huge demand for more food is a mega trend.

The documentary goes on to identify the major culprit, carbon emitters. The carbon acidifies the seas and destroys the reef, one of the building blocks of the marine food chain.  Just like the anti-war protesters of the 60’s and 70’s and just like the Civil Rights activists, this new millennial generation has a cause that unites them: Carbon fees.

They, and most of the scientific community agree that carbon emitters are not paying the true price for burning carbon, giving them an unfair business advantage over alternatives. The reasoning goes, if you have to pay to have your garbage taken away, then shouldn’t carbon emitter have to do the same? The movement is building among the millennials who will ultimately control the vote. Whether you agree or not with the scientists and millennials they are going to persevere.

Up till now the carbon producers have been able to prevent a national carbon fee, but state after state is passing the fee in one form or another. More and more provinces and countries are doing the same. The demand for alternative energy, alternative transportation, and carbon sequestering is on the rise. It’s a mega trend!

More intense world-wide droughts are already a reality. The need for clean drinking water, either recycled or dehydrated is growing rapidly. It’s a mega trend!

United Nations Messenger of Peace, with a Special Focus on Climate, Leonardo DiCaprio hosted another telling documentary, Before the Flood, about the effects of climate change on the immediate and long term future of the planet. If you have any doubt that any of this is happening right now, and not in 20, 50, or 100 years, take a look!

Climate Change and its mitigation is the fundamental driver of the economic mega trends in motion today. These mega trends are pregnant with investment potential and will affect business dramatically. Smart business would be wise to make some thoughtful investments in alternative power production, desalination, hydroponic food production, carbon scrubbers, and carbon credits, just to name a few.

This is not just a “kick”. This is an economic mega trend!  To deny it is not just bad for our health, it’s bad for our economy! Want to clean up the environment? Put a Buck on it!

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Climate Change Will Change More Than Climate appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.

An Established Brand. Brand recognition is incredibly motivating for shoppers. By flying the franchise flag over your car wash or other business, you may be able to draw in more customers than you would with an independent concept. Investors should think of both the positives and negatives of working with an established brand. In most cases, increased brand awareness is a positive thing, but if the brand has been blemished in recent years, becoming affiliated with it may do you more harm than good.

Novel Ideas. When you create your own company, you have a large outlet for your creativity. You don’t have to worry about whether or not a certain product or service is allowed under your franchise model. If you decide to open a car wash, for instance, you can invent your own methods and techniques to make your clients’ cars as clean as they can be. On the flip side, however, you will also have to invent all of your own ideas from the company name to the company logo. Luckily, there are organizations in place that can help you with that. Logo Garden, for example, helps independent entrepreneurs create logos. Other companies can be used for website design, advertising and key development themes.

Franchises May Be Recession-Proof. Entrepreneurs often become interested in launching their own company in the midst of a recession. Due to lost jobs or pay cuts, prospective business owners want more control over their earnings. Starting a mom-and-pop business during an economic downturn can be scary, but opening a franchise during this same time period can be incredibly liberating. According to Forbes, a recession can be a bonanza for a franchise. The combination of relatively cheap real estate and better locations give franchise entrepreneurs the edge that they need.

Cost. The ultimate factor in your decision may be the cost of your project. If you opt to take the franchise route, you will have to pay a franchise fee, but overall, your costs may be cheaper than opening an independent shop. Franchises have greater purchasing power than their independent counterparts. Because franchises purchase in bulk, you will get on discount on all of your products and supplies.

Potential for Success. If you like to control your own potential for success, an independent operation may be better for you, but if you want to rely on a concept that has a proven track record for success, you may want to opt for a franchise. In addition to providing you with a model of success, a franchise may provide you with additional training and other support.

Who We Are

Michael Houlihan and Bonnie Harvey co-authored the New York Times bestselling business book, The Barefoot Spirit: How Hardship, Hustle, and Heart Built America’s #1 Wine Brand. The book has been selected as recommended reading in the CEO Library for CEO Forum, the C-Suite Book Club, and numerous university classes on business and entrepreneurship. It chronicles their humble beginnings from the laundry room of a rented Sonoma County farmhouse to the board room of E&J Gallo, who ultimately acquired their brand and engaged them as brand consultants. Barefoot is now the world’s largest wine brand.

Beginning with virtually no money and no wine industry experience, they employed innovative ideas to overcome obstacles, create new markets and forge strategic alliances. They pioneered Worthy Cause Marketing and performance-based compensation. They built an internationally bestselling brand and received their industry’s “Hot Brand” award for several consecutive years.

They offer their Guiding Principles for Success (GPS) to help entrepreneurs become successful. Their book, The Entrepreneurial Culture: 23 Ways To Engage and Empower Your People, helps corporations maximize the value of their human resources.

Currently they travel the world leading workshops, trainings, & keynoting at business schools, corporations, conferences. They are regular media guests and contributors to international publications and professional journals. They are C-Suite Network Advisors & Contributing Editors. Visit their popular brand building site at www.consumerbrandbuilders.com.

To make inquiries for keynote speaking, trainings or consulting, please contact sales@thebarefootspirit.com.

The post Franchise Vs. Mom-and-Pop Business: A Guide to Smart Investment appeared first on The Barefoot Spirit.