OPOWER: A Minnesota demonstration of feedback and norming

In 2007, bringing together the call to save energy and research on social psychology and behavior change, OPOWER launched a utility customer engagement platform that revolutionizes the way the average consumer relates to their energy bill.  OPOWER has made incredible advances in researching the power of Feedback and Social Norming through their platform, and Minnesota is actually one of their main testing grounds.  I participated in a webinar that included two OPOWER staff and Centerpoint Energy’s Conservation Improvement Program Manager, Todd Berreman and heard some very hopeful news. 

“Wasting Water is Weird”: Example of vivid communication and injunctive norming

I just came across this website (thanks to NextStep e-Newsletter) that has three great examples of vivid communication and injunctive norming, two tools that can be used to help further sustainable action.  These three short commercials effectively show everyday water-use activities that can waste energy while providing a memorable and strong message that says “it’s weird to waste water”.  Check them out at: http://www.wastingwaterisweird.com/

Community-based social marketing: A simple summary

It occurred to me earlier today (thank you to one of my readers who pointed it out), that the post I have been referring back to, here, describes what I find most compelling about the community-based social marketing (CBSM) framework, but does not actually explain the framework itself.  

This post offers a very basic and succinct summary of the CBSM framework.

CBSM is a research proven approach to achieve sustainable outcomes in your community.  

Trial by fire: Community-Based Social Marketing for Small Non-profits

Over the last few months,  I’ve led several presentations and workshops about community-based social marketing (CBSM) and facilitated several conversations with an array of smaller non-profit and public organizations about how the framework can be used to enhance their work and the difficulties they face or anticipate.  

One of my goals in my fellowship is to understand how MN communities/organizations/institutions can use CBSM to enhance their work around energy and sustainability.  I’m interested in learning how CBSM works “on the ground” and what is needed to make this an accessible framework to enhance the effectiveness of community projects.  This post summarizes a couple of challenges and benefits my experience so far has uncovered… (If you are less familiar with the CBSM approach, I invite you to visit my previous summary blog here.)

CERTs Right Light Guide: How CBSM helps us get it right

When I present community-based social marketing (CBSM) to others, I like to use examples of how I use it at my work at CERTs.  At CERTs, we use the CBSM framework in designing our programs and our materials.  As I mention in a previous post, information can play an important role, addressing barriers, or also just raising awareness.  Using CBSM can help you design your materials to meet the needs of your targeted audience.