December 24, 2005
Father and Husband first...
Well it's finally here..the very first two week break I have ever taken since starting ICP SOLAR back on September 26th, 1988.
Today I was honored by Mitch Joel who accepted a position on our Board of Advisors. Mitch and the Twist Image team are simply an awesome crew of people to which ICP will always be appreciative for having helped us create the greatest brand in solar. Now what we have to do is honor it by delivering to customers the expectation we have created of the simplest solar power solutions which will improve their lifestyle choices.
As for me and the next two weeks, its daddy and hubbie time with solar energy of a different kind...the beach! My kids and wife just can't believe I will be without laptop nor mobile phone for two whole weeks and even miss the Consumer Electronics Show (our largest show of the year) for the first time since inception of ICP. I can finally do this because I have a partner I can trust to take the team to heights its never been and create partnerships with our customers like they've never seen. What a feeling!
So from me to all the readers out there who bother to take of their time to read my thoughts, please have a wonderful holiday season and all the best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year in 2006.
Over and out,
Sass
Posted by sass at 12:39 AM | Comments (3)
December 22, 2005
Discount to death?
Anyone that believes that you can discount solar to death down to a point where people will buy simply because its so cheap need to learn the lesson that one mail order company is learning in the USA right now.
They have taken what was a $99 folding portable solar charger, discounted it to $35 and they are still stuck with 3000 pieces (near what they bought originally) that a floundering manufacturer just wanted to get rid of, and an able salesman wanted to make commissions on. What were they thinking?
Well in typical retail style, they believed that the discount of 65% from the regular retail would make these units disappear in no time flat. Did they? Nope. So now the item is featured as a blow-out on their home page.
I know this company well and they are led by a fine gentleman who has built his reputation on being straight forward and dedicated to his company. They specialize in tools, yet have built up an impressive solar selection. The trouble is that like others, price leads rather than a method of selling which really delivers to consumers what they need.
We certainly cannot blame the retailer for this folly. They are buying (and selling) what they are offered. They are not solar specialists nor wish to be. And yet if you look at the selection, you can see that there is neither rhyme nor reason to the assortment. Ask a customer service person what the difference between an 80W and 125W panel is, and they simply rattle off what is on their screen.
So for those who feel that they should just search the web for the lowest price, nothing wrong there, IF and only IF you are absolutely sure that what you are buying fulfills your need, is backed by someone who can help you through the configuration, install or service process, and is fairly priced. In a category like solar, price is not the leading factor in a purchase decision. The old adage goes "if its too good to be true..it probably is".
Sass
Posted by sass at 07:58 PM | Comments (1)
December 18, 2005
Technorati listing
Well, apparently to get listed on a directory of solar power blogs, I have to put this code on my site. So here it is!
More blogs about solar+power.
Posted by sass at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2005
Welcome, solar power partner!
Well after 18 years of total control and virtually sole ownership, ICP Solar and myself are blessed with a new partner.
Her name is Arlene Ades. She hails from a long history of professional accomplishments that are too long to mention. Growing up through the ranks of a professional sales organization for over 17 years, Arlene and I lived on the same block for almost 20 years. We grew up in the same community and share many of the same family and work-ethic values.
However it goes far beyond that. Arlene and I share a common vision which will become obvious to all as it's execution rolls out. We also share a dedication to make ICP Solar the #1 solar company to work for, the #1 solar company to work with, and the #1 solar company to trust.
Trust is a big issue with me, since I was robbed internally three years ago. It has also been the biggest hurdle to recover from. And yet Arlene has seen me go through much of that and as a result, understands from whence I come. Yet as importantly, Arlene is the consummate professional who brings process, rigor and a tough "take no prisoners" attitude in her work methods. She is a tremendous strategist and a HUGE asset to ICP.
Recently, her former team gave her a going away party that she still raves about. What did Arlene do? She brought a solar panel to the party, insisting to share a bit of where she was headed. From an industry in the world which is hundreds of billions to one that is just billions, to make such a move takes a huge leap of faith in me and in the solar industry's continuing growth path.
I can't speak for the solar industry, but I can speak for myself. Arlene, I hope I won't disappoint. I can promise you it will be a fun ride filled with opportunity and challenge.
Welcome aboard partner. It's not a moment too soon...
Sass
Posted by sass at 09:24 AM | Comments (1)
December 16, 2005
Solar Power Camper
Now if I told you there was a solar powered RV in the parking lot of the recent RV show in Kentucky, you'd probably wonder how that worked. Frankly speaking, the RV pictured in this blog entry was NOT solar powered, yet it professed all we are talking about in the simplicity about our new brand SUNSEI.
It certainly got the attention of many of the visitors at the show as a "different" way to promote solar in this industry. Whereas 75% of RVs that are made in Australia come off the production line with solar panels already installed, the percentage in the USA is negligible. That is changing though. The RV you see in the picture is a Winnebago, a company that has just expanded its program with ICP Solar.
Peace, quiet, value, worry-free, easy, reliable, flexible, quality. All attritubes one may find in our solar panel selection. You didn't see the word "cheap" though. I am a firm believer that "cheap" is "expensive". You figure it out.
Sass
Posted by sass at 08:49 PM | Comments (1)
December 15, 2005
Parisolaire?
Vive la France. I spent almost a year in the south of France on a student exchange when I had been selected to represent Concordia University in an MBA exchange program in the early 80's (does that date me or what?). The sun shines all year long in that area.
I remember playing tennis outdoors in January, and then all of Europe arrives starting in May (norwegians provided me with my "best memories"). Being a 22year old single guy, living in Cagnes-sur-Mer, it really couldn't have been better at that stage of life.
As with other sunshine stories, the one in France that is now developing only points upwards. Finally, some serious incentives are being put into place which could have France rival Germany soon for solar power installations. Seems that they are about to move forward on a serious renewables policy which will see major net-metering paybacks for systems installed, as well as tax rebates.
So when strolling along a shoreline in St-Tropez, the topless beaches may soon have major competition from the villa rooftops when counting the number of "solar" dishes...
Sass
Posted by sass at 08:25 PM | Comments (1)
December 11, 2005
L-IPO-suction
For any of you who has been following the solar IPO's of late, you'll find that while solar investors are able to cash out with substantial multiples on their initial investments, those who buy post-IPO are now finding that a certain plateau has been reached.
I suspect that investors do not want a repeat of the dot.bomb era where everything in sight was bought up and then some, only to have a huge crash. It is probably quite prudent of the investment community to be more careful this time as solar energy seems to be the new industry to invest in.
Many solar companies are finally profitable and that in itself is a positive sign for a maturing industry. However there remain the solar supply challenges which are reaping havoc on prices across the board, thereby putting margin squeeze on everyone in the supply chain. We all expect that continued growth in demand will continue to put such pressures for a good two years. And none of this counts in further governmental programs and initiatives worldwide to increase the use of renewable energy. Seems like every day there is another announcement of some government supporting solar energy technologies.
So if you feel that the IPO-craze has had the balloon sucked out of it, my suspicion is that while you won't see wild increases, you will still see a generally positive trend in the months to come...
Sass
Posted by sass at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2005
The solar energy within.
What a difference a year makes! Last year we were caught in a spiral due to fake solar products entering our main market in North America and thus a margin squeeze. With layoffs last December, you can imagine the mood at the "holiday party".
Well one year later, and "vive la difference" is all I can say. We had our annual party this week and what a lively, fun and upbeat event it was! Nobody put a lampshade on their heads, although Richard did wear a pink "boa" necklace and did one of the best "yabadabadoos" (part of our corporate initiation process to newbies).
It has been just a fabulous week. The acceptance of our new solar brand SUNSEItm has been outstanding. Yes, people are literally SCREAMING for more and we're pumping up the factory production (luckily we have our own solar cell factory to drive). It's good that this is happening now rather than "in season" so we have the time to catch up. We shipped huge lots this week of SunseiTM and as you all know, the market is just so wiped out of solar supply that we have all kinds of requests each day for more.
More solar price increases are threatened worldwide by the silicon based industry, so its going to be an interesting January. I guess you can say that the "energy within" our company and solar industry is going to new heights... :)
Sass
Posted by sass at 06:43 AM | Comments (0)
December 05, 2005
Loving what you do, doing what you love...
It's a real privilege to walk into an office each morning loving what the day is going to bring. ICP Solar like many companies caught in a major market shift, had a hard time keeping that spirit going. The necessary staff changes took a definite toll on the team. Imagine changing brands, products, manufacturing locations all within a few months time. But now we've done it and we are finally reaping the rewards. How do I define them?
Well, I have a brand new equity and managing partner in the solar business. SHE is amazing. The energy level at the office just skyrocketed today and I hope that is translated across the water to our UK and EU partners shortly. The office is buzzing as we began to ship the solar SunseiTM products last month and the demand keeps growing (largest order book in our entire history).
The greatest accomplishment of any leader is to be able to have his team take the credit whilst he exerts gentle influence on the company's direction and supports his/her team in their efforts. Just as giving ownership to a consumer of your brand is one of the best things you can do (if your brand stands for an expectation beyond all others), giving credit where its due (your team) is a great sign of having reached a level of leadership that one can label as successful.
I have much work to do in that regard, yet with enthusiasm I take that challenge each day. Our factory has achieved productivity and quality neverbefore seen from its machines and our team is busier producing plate at a torrid pace compared to years gone by. We've never run at four shifts and are about to turn on that tap. And nothing can make them happier than having to work hard to satisfy the demand that our marketing partner Twist Image helped us create through a tremendous branding initiative. Now our objective is to surpass the expectation of the brand with delivery, service, quality and ethics every step of the way.
We're not used to having to stay open Christmas week to satisfy demand. These are the woes a CEO dreams of...
La vita bella,
Sass
Posted by sass at 08:51 PM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2005
Yeehaaa......
So there we were, riding around in our RV with our Sunsei brand plastered all over the Winnebago in Louisville, Kentucky all week (pronounced LOOVILLE, as I quickly discovered). What a blast! So much so that I have been convinced by my wife and her partner in crime (Arlene the RV Queen) to go on an RV vacation this summer.
For those of you who know me, you'll understand when I write that this a big leap for me. Despite the fact that ICP Solar is the only accredited vendor to Winnebago for their RV's, I have never in fact ridden inside one, until this week in LOOVILLE. We were there supporting our distributors. I even received a nice visit from Terry of Camping World. He is a true gentleman who knows how to keep a door open. I admire that a lot in businesspeople.
In fact, I would say that the vast majority of people I have been exposed to in the RV industry are very down to earth, honest and ethical people. Perhaps its the influence of the RV lifestyle itself.
Anyhoooo, we had a good time, received a tremendous welcome to our new products and are very pumped about 2006's potential to once again turn the RV industry on its head when it comes to solar offerings. Hey, I guess every 5 years I wake up and say "its time to turn something on its head". As long as its not me, I'm OK with that!
C'yaah (they also drop the "LL" from "y'all" in Kentucky),
Sass
PS. We also had an interesting adventure with the built-in generator in the RV (We had not time to install solar!). It made so much noise and rumbling that we chose instead to turn off the appliances that were using it instead of running it. Great first hand experience at how solar can be a lifestyle enhancer! Power without fuel, direct from the sun!
Posted by sass at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)