Post 26.

From Buffalo to Austin, Boston to Detroit, there are dozens of t-shirt companies selling slogan-decorated apparel that appeals both to locals and to people who’ve moved away. But beyond showing support, urban t-shirts also have become a ticket to entrepreneurship.

I don’t think anyone is getting rich by selling place-specific t-shirts. But there’s something to be said for pride of place (remember, I’m a Texan), and everyone loves an inside joke.

One of my favorites:

Post 25.

Looks like I’ll be seeing more of y’all in Houston. 

P.S. It’s better than Dallas, I promise.

Read the full story here.

Post 23. 

How awesome is it that cities are using classical music to deter loitering? I’m amazed that it actually works. I rather like the idea of feeling like I’m about to invade Poland every time I wait to board a bus or train. 

Really I just love what a clever and innocuous solution this is to a menacing problem. No guns, no tasers, just good ol’ Ludwig van and friends. 

Remember when the Army used Rock ‘n’ Roll to annoy Manual Noreiga out of hiding? You can find some of the songs used in “Operation Just Cause” here.

Use this if you have a problem with teen loitering. Too bad my Dad never thought of this when I was in high school.

Post 22. 

The folks at TerraChoice have come up with Seven Sins of Greenwashing to help consumers and marketers avoid deceptive claims. 

They seem important enough to list here.

1) Avoid the Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off.

 a) Start with an honest understanding of all of the environmental impacts of your product across its entire lifecycle.

b) Emphasize specific messages (particularly when you know your audiences care about those issues) but don’t use single issues to distract attention from other impacts.

c) Don’t make claims about a single environmental impact or benefit, without knowing how your product performs in terms of its other impacts, and without sharing that information with your customers.

d) Pursue continual improvement of your environmental footprint (across the entire lifecycle), and encourage your customers to join you on that journey.

2) Avoid the Sin of No Proof.

 a) Understand and confirm the scientific case behind each green marketing claim.

b) Make evidence readily available, or rely on third-party certifications whose standards are publicly available.

3) Avoid the Sin of Vagueness.

 a) Use language that resonates with your customers, as long as that language is truthful. b) Don’t use vague names and terms (e.g. ‘environmentally-friendly’) without providing precise explanations of your meaning.

4) Avoid the Sin of Worshiping False Labels.

 a) If third-party endorsement of your claims is important: Get it, don’t fake it.

b) Favor eco-labels that are themselves accredited, and that address the entire lifecycle of the products.

5) Avoid the Sin of Irrelevance.

a) Don’t claim CFC-free, unless it is a legitimate point of competitive differentiation.

b) Don’t claim any environmental benefit that is shared by all or most of your competitors.

6) Avoid the Sin of the Lesser of Two Evils.

a) Help each customer find the product that is right for them, based on their needs and wants.

b) Don’t try to make a customer feel ‘green’ about a choice that is harmful or unnecessary.

7) Avoid the Sin of Fibbing.

a) Tell the truth. Always.

b) Always tell the truth.

Post 21.

Inforgraphic-palooza harvested from the social media blog, Get Satisfaction.

1. How Brands Listen in the Digital Age.

2. Consumers Breaking Up With Brands.

3. What Makes People Want to Follow a Brand. 

(Via Dr. Ward @DR4WARD)

Post 20.

I love all the companies popping up with the buy-one, donate-one model. The beloved and oft-imitated Tom’s shoes is probably the most well known example.

My favorite is the eyeglass frames company Warby Parker. Not only are their products stylish, they are also a fraction of the price of what fashionable eyeglass frames normally cost. And of course, you can look good AND feel good knowing that your purchase helps someone in need. Don’t worry, you 20/20s can still take part by purchasing from Warby Parker’s line of sunglasses. 

Isn’t it about time fashion stopped being exploitative? 

Post 19.

Women are still being paid less money than men for doing the same work.

Why in the world is this still happening? Can we throw what our mothers taught us out the window and start talking about what we make openly in the workplace? 

We already know we make workplace intelligence greater. Maybe we can start billing for IQ elevation surcharges.