A big downside to living in Hawaii is the cost of electricity. As you may or may not know, Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. in terms of average annual electricity cost, running 200 to 400 percent higher than other states.

So naturally, as a resident of the Aloha State, my interest turned to solar power as a means to lower my utility costs, not to mention reducing my carbon footprint. Solar power in Hawaii seemed like a no brainer.

The company I chose to go into partnership with presented me with a business model that was too good to pass up. I didn’t have to invest a single dime – the company owns, installed, and provides maintenance for the eight solar panels currently on my roof, for the life of the panels. It was they, not me, who also paid for costs including permitting, inspection, and connection to the grid.

All I do is simply use the electricity generated from the panels, at half of the cost I was previously paying. Any energy not used during the day that my system overproduces goes back to Kauai’s electrical grid, where it can be resold to another customer in my neighborhood. I have a smart meter where I can track usage costs daily, if I so chose. Offers like these, where households pay nothing up front, are undoubtedly driving up residential use of solar panels across the country. Forecasts predict that by 2020, between 900,000 and 3.8 million homes could have solar panels in the U.S.

I found about the company through a grass roots campaign, when somebody actually knocked on my door to tell me about it. They were friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Once I expressed interest, what followed was some of the best customer communication that I have ever experienced. Every single step of the way I was emailed with a detailed explanation of exactly what to expect. From my “welcome” email to kicking off my system design, to scheduling my installation to my system inspection notification, I was always fully aware of what to expect, and when to expect it.

This really drove home a point to me: the importance of customer communications to building a company’s brand. Even though every single item in the process didn’t go exactly as planned (sometimes inspections and other items are delayed or need to be rescheduled, for example), my expectations were always set through constant communication by the home office.

I liken this to my own company, Interprose. We take pride on consistent and reliable client communications. It is what makes our clients really appreciate us and helps build our own brand. And yes, in our line of work, things don’t always go as planned – circumstances are sometimes just out of our control. What we CAN control however, is how often we communicate with our clients to help set expectations, guide them to their desired outcomes, and achieve their goals.

Here’s a quick snapshot of some of Hawaii’s solar installations:

My dog in front of the solar array and storage system currently being built in Anahola, Kauai. A cloudy day such as the one in the pictures is a perfect day for the battery storage system to be in use.

There are two major solar projects underway in Kauai, listed below. Once completed, Kauai will have one of the highest percentages of photovoltaic power of any utility in the United States, and half of Kauai’s daytime needs will be met by solar power. Techniques for connecting solar and other distributed-generation technologies are informed by the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA). One standard in particular, IEEE 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, is quite relevant in that it is the standard that provides the requirements for how renewable energy sources are connected to the grid.

Kauai Island Utility Co-Op (KIUC) runs Kauai’s electrical grid. KIUC’s goal is to generate 37 percent of its daytime electricity with renewable resources by the end of 2015, and a lofty 50 percent 2023. According to estimates, this would mean a reduction of oil consumption here by approximately 1.7 million gallons per year. Needless to say, locally produced solar power will be more reliable than fuel shipped from the mainland. This means that Kauai’s ability to restore power quickly and efficiently after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, will increase dramatically with the increase in solar power usage.

A solar storage installation in Kauai

Koloa, on Kauai’s sunny south shore: Officially running since September 2014, this 67-acre a 12-megawatt solar farm built on a former sugar cane field contains more than 45,000 solar panels. Its goal is to produce enough electricity to power approximately 4,000 homes.

Anahola, on Kauai’s east side: Also a 12-megawatt solar farm, this 60-acre site with 59,000+ solar panels, is the largest in the state of Hawaii, with output slightly higher than the one in Koloa. Also under construction is a substation that will feed electricity from the array into the grid, along with a lithium-ion battery storage system. The system will be able to store 6 megawatts of power that can be used when bad weather reduces output from the array.

Solar power is gaining popularity everywhere because it is easy on the budget when getting started, reduces utility costs, is environmentally friendly, provides local “energy independence”, and offers the ability to more quickly restore power after a natural disaster. Yet even with all of those benefits, one mustn’t forget the need for exceptional customer communications, as it is a critical piece to consumer satisfaction and to achieving greater consumer adoption of solar power.

Foreword by Monti Lacombe

GOOOAAAALLL!

Although I became somewhat addicted, it seemed strange to see and hear people in the U.S. gathering together in various locations and shouting, “GOOOAAAALLLL!” for their favorite team.

Social media scored its own goal with the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Perhaps watching so many masculine, trim, and physically fit players running skillfully on the field mesmerized me – their agility to slide, trip, jump, pivot, kick, fall, limp, and run was impressive. On top of that, they were pleasant to look at even if when hot and sweaty or perhaps looking as though they were having a bad hair day or showing off a unique hair cut. Personally, I enjoyed their colorful shoes – it made things easy to follow.

I often hear it said that the U.S. is not very involved in soccer. I recently remembered playing kick ball with other kids when I was young many years ago. I wonder if that was an early form of soccer? Watching recent clips of children in other countries playing soccer barefooted in an open field makes me wonder if they are also practicing how to shout, “GOOOAAAALLL”?

While watching various games this year, I noticed a correlation of the soccer team players and Interprose’s team members. Both the World Cup teams and Interprose alike have a mix of talented and focused members from diverse geographical areas working together to deliver results – for their fans, country, and in the case of Interprose, for its clients. All of the team players have a great deal of stamina; they each bring such high energy and determination. Their individual skills keep them focused on their teammates (and in some cases the opponent of the moment) with help from fans and clients.

GOOOAAAALLL!

The World Cup and its Mobile, Global Stadium

The World Cup 2014 and the latest advancements in technology connected the world’s soccer fans before our very eyes. Gone are the days where our eyes (and bodies) had to physically be in the soccer stands themselves. In the past, most folks not lucky enough to be in attendance have turned to that old standby method – television – to watch the World Cup games.

Germany’s team celebrates its 2014 FIFA World Cup win

For now, I won’t call the TV a “legacy” method to view the World Cup (not yet, anyway). For many of us in 2014, our eyes were indeed glued to the games, but from our smartphones, tablets, and laptops. These devices were streaming the matches in places like airplanes, trains, buses, cars, and I bet even on boats with nary a lick of land around them. ESPN stated that on Sunday, June 22^nd, 490,000 people streamed coverage of the U.S. versus Portugal match on their mobile devices through the company’s app. That’s almost a half-million people, and that was only one game in the U.S. alone.

The camaraderie, team spirit, cheering of teams, cries of defeat, razzing of friends, and bonding of fans (many who were previously strangers) – the absolute BLISS of experiencing the World Cup live – has gone mobile and global through social media. And I love it.

Mick Jagger’s tweet heard ’round the world?

For example, for the first time during a World Cup, I’ve been following Mick Jagger on Twitter (to say I‘m a big fan is an understatement). On June 19, he tweeted, “Let’s go England! This is the one to win!!” So when England lost to Uruguay 2 to 1, Mick received some friendly twitter teasing from around the globe (and lets not talk about the flood of tweets about the “Jagger Jinx”).

On Facebook, I sent a virtual hug to my friend who lives in the Canary Islands, in real-time, when Spain got their butts kicked by Holland 5 to 1. I mean, she really needed one!

And that final game between Germany and Argentina? It smashed world Twitter and Facebook records. Specifically, the World Cup set new Twitter and Facebook records with more than 32 million tweets and 3 billion Facebook interactions.

But to be serious for a moment – advancements in technologies are providing the globe with meaningful advantages that our societies benefit from in countless ways. Advancements in areas such as telecommunications, smart cities, the Internet of Things, electric vehicles, and cloud computing are all pushing us towards a more sustainable, healthy, energy-efficient, and smarter lifestyle. But back to a lighter note, one has to appreciate all these technological advancements simply for allowing us to have some plain old FUN.

So even though Germany won the World Cup, I’m still happy. Because thanks to all the inventors, entrepreneurs, thinkers, risk-takers, venture capitalists, techies, marketers, sales folks, social media, fans, and individual consumers… we are one, big, connected planet celebrating our global connection and competitive spirit of the World Cup together—no matter how physically far apart we may be.

I was in Maui in early May of this year, kitesurfing with a friend. As I chatted with other kiters there – who have subsequently become friends – I learned about Maui’s MaiTai Global events. This unique annual networking gathering brings together elite kiteboarders, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and tech companies.

For me, being a PR professional in the tech space, living in Hawaii, and a kitesurfer, this networking event not only sounded like absolute bliss to me, but also got me wondering: what makes the best networking event? What do extreme sports enthusiasts, tech entrepreneurs, PR professionals, and VCs have in common?

In my opinion, the best places to network are where you share a common cause or interest, combined with some kind of physical activity. This means that you’re there because you want to be, not because you feel like you have to be. Next, the participation in a physical activity makes it incredibly easy to break the ice with others. You are more likely to return to these places again and again, making closer connections and building trust each time you visit.

Whether participating in an extreme sport like kitesurfing, or something a bit calmer like playing Frisbee, or even participating in an endurance sport like road biking, physical activity can be an excellent way to bond with others. Participating in physical activity together builds camaraderie and respect and often leads to a new business deal or the beginning of a lifelong relationship. Mind you, you don’t have to be a top athlete or even a competent athlete to create these bonds. Your participation and attitude are what counts, and is truly what creates the strongest impression among your peers.

Golfing is the best example of this to date. Thousands of relationships have been built and deals made on the golf course, some of them by really great golfers, and others who are only so-so golfers. Another benefit is that pitching ideas, or giving speeches or presentations at a networking event tends to feel less stressful when you’ve already bonded with attendees on the field (or in the case of kitesurfing, in the water).

Although extreme sports-and-technology networking events are still relatively uncommon, it is indeed growing in popularity. There are some skill sets that kiteboarders, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and PR professionals have in common, that are driving its popularity:

Jill and friends kitesurfing in Maui.

Moving out of your comfort zone – No doubt about it, success for PR professionals, entrepreneurs, VCs or extreme sport enthusiasts requires moving out of one’s comfort zone, on a regular basis. Being willing to act boldly when the situation requires it, especially when the probability of success is low, is a skill set that we all share.

Persistence – We share the “never give up” attitude. In the eye of adversity, we continue to move forward; a positive mindset is key to success. A setback to us simply means that we are making progress. If we crash our kite, or get turned down by a reporter or an investor, we don’t get discouraged and give up. We just try again.

Being active and social – Human beings are social animals. We all like to have friends and enjoy life. Today, as more and more people work remotely from their homes, it has become even more important for us to socialize and be active outside in the sunshine, on the beach, or on the track. We see work and play to be one in the same and truly relish in both.

Clear goals – Clear goals give us all direction and purpose. The power and drive to overcome the obstacles comes from knowing our goals. Kitesurfers and other athletes are continually setting goals for themselves, as do PR professionals and entrepreneurs. Having a goal, and the drive to push through to it, is a very admirable quality.

Intelligent risk-taking – This is a lot different than just “risk-taking.” Successful communications experts, tech leaders, and extreme sports athletes often engage in this. We all possess “situational awareness”, meaning we are aware of our physical surroundings, our markets, our target audiences, or our customer’s needs, and based on that knowledge, we intelligently decide when and where to take our risks. By doing it intelligently, we reduce the chances of danger and increase the opportunities for success.

The lessons and skill sets that we learn playing sports, at school, or at work, all tend to cross over in our multi-dimensional lives. So it makes sense that next-generation networking events will do the same, by combining tech leaders, entrepreneurs, PR professionals, and VCs with an interesting and challenging sport such as kitesurfing, just as the Maui MaiTai event does. The exposure to new people, technology, and sports is a recipe for some terrific bonding and relationship-building. I can’t wait to participate in them!

Check it out! Bloomberg TV reported on one of the MaiTai Global events:

Teamwork
Without teamwork and great teammates, a team will struggle to win an Olympic medal, or even succeed at all, no matter how bright one or two individuals may shine. By the same token, a company without a cohesive team of co-workers is likely to meet the same fate. Young or old, newbie or veteran, each member of a team has something special to offer, and brings his or her own unique perspective to the table. Respect, trust in one another, and having a support system all contribute to creating a successful team.

Focus
Making Olympic history takes time. Most Olympians experience setbacks, dozens or even hundreds of times, along their road to the winners’ podium. Noelle Pikus-Pace is a terrific example of this. Her leg shattered by a bobsled in 2005, Pikus-Pace missed her chance for Olympic Gold in the women’s skeleton during the 2006 Turin Games. In 2010’s Vancouver Olympics, she placed fourth. She’s suffered from vision and back problems. Yet, she won silver in Sochi, something she calls a “fairytale ending”. Pikus-Pace never lost sight of her long-term vision, despite the many hindrances along the way. May your business do the same – when mistakes happen or difficulties arise, know you can recover through hard work, and stay focused on the long-term goal.

Perseverance
There are attributes that every Olympic athlete undoubtedly possesses, and we as employees or employers should aim to master them as well: pride, perseverance, and poise. Jeremy Abbott, four-time U.S. Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist in men’s figure skating, truly embodied these three attributes after an agonizing fall during his short program. Despite the physical and emotional pain he experienced after falling in front of the world, he pulled himself up and finished his program flawlessly. He may not have won a medal in Sochi, but Abbott’s poise and perseverance won him the respect of hundreds of thousands around the globe. In the business world, positive results can happen as well, even when circumstances are embarrassing or painful, if those involved possess pride, perseverance, and poise to manage the situation with dignity.

Leadership
Coaches and CEOs have similar roles, in terms of leadership and management. They both play a critically important part in the building of extraordinary teams, whether on the ice, the snow, or in the workplace. Successful coaches and CEOs assist individuals in developing to and realizing their full potential; set meaningful goals and expectations; help reduce friction among team members; provide constructive feedback; offer inspiration; and lift emotions when they are down. U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey coach Katey Stone’s interview after the U.S.’ gold medal loss to Canada in Sochi underscores her ability to support and lead her team, even through disappointment. My own CEO, Vivian Kelly, has built a terrific organization through her superb coaching style, which naturally elicits the best from each member of her team.

Strategy
Olympians can win or lose the gold medal by 1/100th of a second…or in the unusual case of Slovenia’s Tina Maze and Switzerland’s Dominique Gisin, tie for gold. In today’s high-tech, fast-paced world, Olympians and businesses alike must be incredibly fast –

Womens downhill 2014 Winter Olympics podium

either down the slope, or fast to produce products or services, and get them to market successfully. There is very little margin for error; delay, and you can easily lose your position in the game. So, timing is everything. Or is it? I listened to several medal-winning athlete’s interviews, and it is clear that they all had well thought-out strategies in place to help them optimize their times. They had analyzed their own strengths and weaknesses, researched accomplishments and styles of their competitors, tried varying forms of equipment or gear, and sought input from third-party experts, all of which became part of their successful strategy to become the world’s fastest. So timing – whether in sports or in businesses – may seem like everything, but it can’t exist without a good, solid strategy supporting it.

While viewing this year’s Olympics in Sochi, it became evident to me that the combination of teamwork, focus, perseverance, leadership, and strategy are all equally required for success. Excelling in just one of those areas won’t take you to the gold. Take a moment to recognize your company’s key strengths and then weave in all of the others to mold your champion.