CA Green Business Network operates a CA Green Business program to animate restaurants to operate their businesses in a more sustainable way. I spent this summer researching the best approach to get more businesses to apply for CA Green Business Certification. Continue Reading Don’t Fret the Rejections, Persevere and Opportunity Will Follow [Mohammed “Farid” Kayali,…
CA Green Business Network operates a CA Green Business program to animate restaurants to operate their businesses in a more sustainable way. I spent this summer researching the best approach to get more businesses to apply for CA Green Business Certification.
I explained to local restaurants how by joining CA Green Businesses program they can take a leadership role in their community to make businesses better stewards of the ocean and protect our greatest natural assets.
Working with the City of Monterey, I explored two avenues of social behavioral change: monetary incentives and social pressure. Using social pressure technique, I approached local restaurants talking about the unique marine features of Monterey bay and how we should protect our ocean and local beach. Also, I explained to local restaurants how by joining CA Green Businesses program they can take a leadership role in their community to make businesses better stewards of the ocean and protect our greatest natural assets. Using monetary incentives technique, I explained how local restaurants can save, energy, water, and money.
Changing businesses behavior is not easy to approach. However, with hardworking, determination, and persistence everything is achievable.
I interviewed a total of 50 restaurants. The whole interviewing prosses was great experiences to me. I struggle a lot at the beginning facing rejection and rudeness until I almost gave up of convincing restaurants officials to sign up for the Green Business program. Suddenly, during the middle of my journey, restaurants started to join the program. That gave me hope and I learned that I should not give up so fast. Changing businesses behavior is not easy to approach. However, with hardworking, determination, and persistence everything is achievable.
I gained several professional skills working on this project. This project has allowed me to understand how to work with local stakeholders and improved my communication skills. I encourage our fellow MIIS students to keep working on any project, research, or issue and never give up no matter what.
Persistence refines the miserable piece of carbon in you into the purest form of diamond.
Tobi Delly