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This introductory webinar will focus on how your business can utilize broadband to increase efficiency and expand your market. We will be sharing local MN Business stories to exemplify the ease and benefits of fully utilizing broadband services. Learn how others have reduced staffed costs and the impact and benefits of utilizing social media.
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Broadband for Business
Minnesota Renewable Energy MarketplaceAs part of the Minnesota Rural Intelligent
Communities (MIRC) Project
Benefits of broadband
• Increase Efficiency• Expand Market
Increase Efficiency: Knowledge Mgmt
• E-Learning• Online documentation• Automation
San Francisco public Utilities mapping & video• On-demand training
and documentation (Ask Fred)
• Automated processes• Employment
reimbursement time cut in half
Increase Efficiency: Intranets
• Shared calendars• Customer
Relationship/Info Management (CRM or CIM) database
• Renewable Energy Clearinghouse
Midsized utility company moved payments online and CIM.• Allows for
communication with field devices.
• After implementation number of customer agents is reduced.
Increase Efficiency: Remote Access• Staff in the field• Telework/telecommuting
• H.R. 1722 Telework Enhancement Act of 2010
Hennepin County: • Problem: Environmental
engineers, do inspections, come back and then write reports at their desks.
• Solution: Laptops write where you are or at home.
• Increased completion of reports and met deadlines
(eWorkPlace-MN.com)
Increased Efficiency: Remote meetings
• Collaborative Workspace• Webinars• Telepresence
Great River Energy• “The technology is helping us
achieve our rigorous goals to become more environmentally and energy efficient through the use of innovative ideas.”
• Going for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification
Increased Efficiency: Smart Grid
• Customer access to energy usage information (dashboard)
• Intelligent appliances
• There is federal support for Smart Grid advancement and deployment
Smaller Examples
• Expensify – apps for expenses www.expensify.com
• CrossLoop – share computer screen www.crossloop.com
• Skype – free phone www.skype.com• TripIt – a virtual travel assistant
www.tripit.com
Expand Market
Expand Market: Web Site
• Reach customers• Reach investors• Reach policymakers• Reach potential employees
Expand Market: Social Media
• Facebook• YouTube (video)• LinkedIn• Blogs
• Research Discovery Renewable Energy www.facebook.com/elsevierenergy
• NYT Green blog http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/
• Renewable Energy Community www.facebook.com/pages/Renewable-energy/106000689432123
• MNREM Blog www.mnrem.com/blog
Expand Market: SM Management
• Get professional help• Find someone who is
interested• Use tools you can
manage
Next Steps
Future sessions• February – Webinar “Strategic Websites”• March “Strategic Websites” more in depth training in
regions/communities• April – Webinar – “Social media”• May – “Social media” more in depth training in
regions/communities• June- Webinar – “Strategic Online marketing and web analysis”• July – “Online marketing and web analysis” more in depth
training in regions/communities
