I’ll admit it, I love paper. I print on it, I read from it, I file it, and, yes, I toss it - mostly into the recycling bin. But I still have an office full of paper.

Waaaay back in 1975, Business Week published an article titled that posited we would all be soon (!) working in offices where no paper changed hands. Well, actually, it didn’t really say that, read the article here to see what was really said.

What they did say was that “if we are to generate real efficiencies in the office, we’re going to have to alter traditional structures. The idea of one secretary for one executive is no longer efficient or economical. And we have to reduce and reposition the role of paper.”

Agreed!

But can I do what a friend of mine has done? Can I reduce all my office files to a single file drawer and have access to everything at my fingertips - on my hard drive? (Read the article)

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Marketing executives are challenged these days; they are dealing with greater demands and higher pressures every year. The “life expectancy” of a CMO in his or her position is getting shorter and shorter; expected tenures are dropping and have fallen below 2 years.

According to the CMO Council in their CMO 2008 Report, 53 % of more than 800 survey respondents said that quantifying and measuring the value of marketing programs and investments is their top challenge. Growing customer knowledge, insight and conversations, and upgrading the efficiency and effectiveness of marketing groups are also key priorities.

How does one measure the ROI of marketing programs when traditional media measurement approaches no longer work? (Read the article)

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When someone mixes the phrases “inkjet printing” with “solar cells” it always gets my attention. Technology has moved ahead by leaps and bounds; now we have something called Power Plastic®, an inexpensive, lightweight, and flexible light-activated photo-reactive material that is printed using roll-to-roll printing processes.

Konarka Technologies, headquartered in Lowell, MA, has developed a process to use currently-available coating and printing machines and technologies to produce continuous solar cells virtually anywhere. They can be incorporated in tents, awnings, roofs, windows and window coverings.

Imagine what custom colors and patterns could mean for architects; buildings could be wrapped in appealing images and designs, avoiding the panels that have to be used today. Interior designers could implement window shades that generate power when lowered - great for that southwest exposure that drives up air conditioning costs!

Even the Defense Department is exploring fabrics with solar capabilities. You too could be a walking power generator!

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