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Eco Business - A Separate Forum Section?

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  • Start date Start date

Should UKBF have a Category for Eco/Ethical Business Threads?

  • Yes

    Votes: 43 51.8%

  • No

    Votes: 28 33.7%

  • Not Fussed Either Way

    Votes: 12 14.5%
  • Total voters
    83
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R

RayB

Right - I think we have a whole load of eco/ethical businesses here - seen a few join up in the last week alone.

I think a case is building for a separate Forum Section for all things eco business - do you agree?
 
Me too - I think that there are some distinct challenges to running this type of business (which are different to those experienced by the mainstream) and it would be helpful to share :)
 
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maruby said:
Me too - I think that there are some distinct challenges to running this type of business (which are different to those experienced by the mainstream) and it would be helpful to share :)
Click to expand...

Also, I try to find an eco supplier wherever possible and I know there are LOADS here - but so difficult to keep on top
 
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RayB said:
Also, I try to find an eco supplier wherever possible and I know there are LOADS here - but so difficult to keep on top
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Agreed - I know I can go to your for print as a result of this forum but it would be great to know how much more I can source via the forum which fits in with my business.
 
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maruby said:
Agreed - I know I can go to your for print as a result of this forum but it would be great to know how much more I can source via the forum which fits in with my business.
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Hi Alison - If you know any other members that are eco please alert them to this thread so they can vote - these things get buried quickly under newer posts :)
 
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It would be helpful the "no" votes perhaps posted a reason - at the moment the posts and votes are not reflective :)
 
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I can't see the point really. I'd understand if the forum was being over-run with Eco Business related threads so it required more separation, however it isn't. The fad of the new section might keep it alive for a while but the fact is the incentive to post (just because the sections there) isn't strong enough, I can almost guarantee that it would eventually barely get used.

If there's something worth sharing about eco/ethical subjects then I can't see why everyone can participate in it in one of the already existing sub-forums. Like I said if there were so many eco/ethical threads that it was over-running an existing forum then fair enough, but from what I can see.. Well actually I can't find any recent Eco related threads after having a brief look.

So if there's no threads like that already, then members would start making them when the new section arrived, doesn't that mean you're making them just for the purpose of using the section? Doesn't seem like the best way to spark natural, active discussions to me.
 
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By all means have a thread or even a section on eco advice for all businesses (how we can save money and save the planet too) but why single out eco businesses for special attention. There are lots of web design businesses in her, PR businesses, copywriting businesses, consultancy businesses and so on. No other businesses are categorized on UKBF. Sure we have ecommerce but that is a way of doing business. If you want to segment the forum by business types by all means but I think you would be losing something as posts which might relate to any business would be lost and actually very little of the posts are totally business specific.
Chris Kaday
 
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Chris,

I have 3000 online customers now - a third of which specifically want eco friendly business solutions. (That is a whole buch of business owners who might prefer to chat online elsewhere)



Chris Kaday said:
By all means have a thread or even a section on eco advice for all businesses (how we can save money and save the planet too) but why single out eco businesses for special attention. There are lots of web design businesses in her, PR businesses, copywriting businesses, consultancy businesses and so on. No other businesses are categorized on UKBF. Sure we have ecommerce but that is a way of doing business. If you want to segment the forum by business types by all means but I think you would be losing something as posts which might relate to any business would be lost and actually very little of the posts are totally business specific.
Chris Kaday
Click to expand...
 
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Hi,

Just to say a quick hello really, I think that there should be a separate forum section, quite often they are used, for example in MoneySavingExpert online.

It's not a fad, and anyone seeing the devestation across the world on TV is going to become acutely more aware of that as the extent of the damage interupts, and interfers with their lives over the coming years.

Eco businesses are really hard to find, they tend to be more ethical, some are non for profit, most are doing more for the environment, and giving far more back to either their local community, or communities abroad ( that's not China btw).

I think they deserve more recognition, and as businesses slooooowly wake up to the fact that Eco is the way to go your going to find more and more people searching for relevant information, which is exactly why you need an Eco Section in this forum.
 
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Eco2You said:
Hi,

Just to say a quick hello really, I think that there should be a separate forum section, quite often they are used, for example in MoneySavingExpert online.
I think they deserve more recognition, and as businesses slooooowly wake up to the fact that Eco is the way to go your going to find more and more people searching for relevant information, which is exactly why you need an Eco Section in this forum.
Click to expand...
Exactly - embrace it here or lose the audience - if you dont believe there is an audience you are behind the times :rolleyes:
 
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RayB said:
Chris,

I have 3000 online customers now - a third of which specifically want eco friendly business solutions. (That is a whole buch of business owners who might prefer to chat online elsewhere)
Click to expand...
Great Ray I am not surprised at your response as you started the thread but as you will see a fair percentage of members say no but it is only a few people like me who will put our heads over the parapet and say why. You are clearly convinced but there are other views.
If you think there is such a high demand then why don’t you set up an eco forum – OK OK only joking!
Chris Kaday
 
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Chris Kaday said:
but it is only a few people like me who will put our heads over the parapet and say why. You are clearly convinced but there are other views.
Click to expand...

Shocking from the man who plastered all over this forum how he a had bought a "significant" share in Nigels Eco Store
If you think there is such a high demand then why don’t you set up an eco forum
Click to expand...
I'd rather this Forum stayed at the forefront by embracing the reality now - rather than losing audience and playing catch up later :)
 
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Eco2You said:
Hi,

Just to say a quick hello really, I think that there should be a separate forum section, quite often they are used, for example in MoneySavingExpert online.

It's not a fad, and anyone seeing the devestation across the world on TV is going to become acutely more aware of that as the extent of the damage interupts, and interfers with their lives over the coming years.
Click to expand...

So where are all the Eco related threads and discussions? Why haven't you or any of the other Eco-friendly business owners started some already?

Surely if it was such a worthwhile topic with enough interest to require a sub-forum, there would be lots of threads and discussions about it which have come naturally?
 
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Chris Kaday said:
Great Ray I am not surprised at your response as you started the thread but as you will see a fair percentage of members say no but it is only a few people like me who will put our heads over the parapet and say why. You are clearly convinced but there are other views.
If you think there is such a high demand then why don’t you set up an eco forum – OK OK only joking!
Chris Kaday
Click to expand...

There are some Eco forums, where you can promote your products in certain sections, but that doesn't really relate to day to day business.

It's more a case of people joining the main forum, posting one post about their product/service and leaving. That's not really contributing to a forum, I think what Rob is talking about is pulling together those that are already actively involved in a forum, which sounds much better.

Good idea there Chris, and thank you for the email you sent me a week or two ago, just realised that it was from you.
 
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Scott-SCD said:
So where are all the Eco related threads and discussions? Why haven't you or any of the other Eco-friendly business owners started some already?

Surely if it was such a worthwhile topic with enough interest to require a sub-forum, there would be lots of threads and discussions about it which have come naturally?
Click to expand...

You wait :) I've just joined......
 
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Sorry Ray I just have another view on this based on business segmentation strategy for the forum in general - sorry. It won't carry any weight so no idea why you are getting so mad.

Also as has alreayd been said where are all the eco based threads if so many are concerned about it? The ususal way of establishing another segment to the site is to group a lot of existing interest and I don't see any.

Chris Kaday
 
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Scott-SCD said:
Surely if it was such a worthwhile topic with enough interest to require a sub-forum, there would be lots of threads and discussions about it which have come naturally?
Click to expand...

There have been at least 3 new members this last week with an eco business - perhaps if there was an obvious place for them to post this would be more obvious to other members.

Or, we can all adopt the cynical attitude you propose - and hope this "fad" goes away?
 
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RayB said:
There have been at least 3 new members this last week with an eco business - perhaps if there was an obvious place for them to post this would be more obvious to other members.

Or, we can all adopt the cynical attitude you propose - and hope this "fad" goes away?
Click to expand...

This is what I mean. Making a sub-forum active over the long-term is a lot more difficult than it sounds. Many people think it's easy to set up forums about various subjects but once it's finally done they realise how difficult it is to maintain active discussion.

IF this topic had the activity, longevity and survivability for long-term, active discussion then I'm almost certain that there would have been some natural discussions on the topic sprouting up many times by now.

I'm not saying this Eco subject is a fad, far from it. I'm saying a unique sub-forum for the subject would act as a fad and for the short-term provide a reason to post discussions. However I genuinely think the discussions will wear off and it will become rarely used. Like I said if it had long-term capabilities as a strong topic (requiring a sub-forum all for itself) then I'm sure discussions would have come naturally by now.

Feel free to prove me wrong though. If you want to start up some discussions on the Eco-friendly subject and see how it goes then by all means do so. It would provide some kind of evidence in the potential of what you're proposing.
 
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OK to coin a phrase, let me tell me where I am....

DOH! Those bloody dragons!!!!

I voted no because...

I personally don't think there is enough demand to justify a separate category entirely although there may be enough demand for a sub-forum off the general business area.

It is a concern for many business owners, I have to be totally honest and say it is not particularly high on my priority list purely that I don't give the attention it would/should* demand/deserves* *delete as appropriate.

I would suggest that rather than being drawn into an argument Ray that you contact Darren Falkingham directly? Put forward a reasoned and justified argument for having a separate area and I'm sure he will listen.

There is no right or wrong on forums, just difference of opinions. The problem is those differences often have a way of manifesting themselves into mountains ;)
 
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RayB said:
Sorry - I dont recall being drawn into an argument - when did that happen? :)
Click to expand...
OK I'll rephrase :D

It seems at first speed reading the thread that this is obviously a topic that you are passionate about and rightly so as it forms the cornerstone of your business.

There are also others who have contributed to thread who possibly may not feel as strongly about the subject matter as you do.

No-one is barnying (yet) but I would hate to see a justified thread possibly descending into an argument. I've seen it happen on quite a few threads recently here and I simply thought contacting the bloke who "pushes the buttons" so to speak may be a more successful and direct method.

Of course I could be talking out of me bum again which is also a possibility as I've now slipped out of business mode and into my normal brain ;)
 
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I voted yes.

Perhaps the "Eco Forum" could be a sub-forum of general business. An Eco-section would make UKBF that little bit special compared to other business forums around. :)
 
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Carl-CSNM said:
I voted yes.

Perhaps the "Eco Forum" could be a sub-forum of general business. An Eco-section would make UKBF that little bit special compared to other business forums around. :)
Click to expand...

Cheers Carl,

My point is there is a growing eco business community in the UK - and I would rather the natural home for that voice is here on UKBF, rather than on other forums.

A tiny little sub category would be fine!

Nowt to do with enforcing beliefs or arguing :)
 
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RayB said:
Sorry - I dont recall being drawn into an argument - when did that happen? :)
Click to expand...

It happened when you created one by repliying to me in the manner you did Ray.

You might find my views 'shocking' but I have not actually 'plastered anything all over' anywhere. I am a business mentor not a decorator. You clearly feel very strongly about this but you will see that those in favour are currently in the minority.

Chris Kaday
 
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RayB said:
Scott,

You always speak a lot of sense IMO, and you also have a point this time, BUT, eco issues are a slowly growing feature of business (and Forum) life, which is easy to be blind to, you want an example - here is one:

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=44836&highlight=gore

The point is - this aint going away anytime soon - and UKBF can choose or otherwise to be at the forefront of these debates
Click to expand...

I understand what you mean but this is where we have to work out just what a sub-forum is for, to split subjects up where it would otherwise be too congested. UKBF could be at the forefront of this growing subject but it all comes down to the members and whether they have the passion to get some debates and discussions going on here. Then if the subject takes off it could be well within rights to require it's own sub-forum.

I say many specific areas of Business all have rights for their own sub-forum, so it's only fair that it's kept to a requirement basis; if a specific subject starts congesting a general forum too much, then give it it's own sub-forum.
 
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Chris Kaday said:
It happened when you created one by repliying to me in the manner you did Ray.

You might find my views 'shocking' but I have not actually 'plastered anything all over' anywhere. I am a business mentor not a decorator. You clearly feel very strongly about this but you will see that those in favour are currently in the minority.

Chris Kaday
Click to expand...

Chris - it was "plastered" all over your sig (in bold) for a while when you bought into Nigels Eco Store. I notice that is no longer part of your sig.

Now - the reasons for that (appearance then disappearance) are none of my business - BUT - if a member proudly displays affiliation to a green business one minute and then poo poo's my eco thread the next, well I'm entitled to have a light hearted pop at you.

BUT - I'm not getting into an argument - this thread is too important :)
 
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Sorry to interrupt....

I have voted for an 'eco section' on the forum. I can't get here much and when I do it's helpful to go where I want immediately.

Due to the manner of my job, (landscape gardening) I am interested in green initiatives. I recycyle absolutely everything I can. However I am also interested in sales and there is not a section for that on here either! (I don't mean PR or marketing or telesales..I mean proper F2F sales!)

Carry on as you were before I butted in!:D

Simon
 
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OK

I am afraid I voted No as well.

Here is my reasoning, I think that the Eco issue is very important and try to be as Eco friendly as I can but this is a busy forum with very busy people on it.

I think that the Eco issue needs to be in the forefront of everyone's mind and if it was hidden away in its own forum or sub forum then with the best will in the world people would not visit it whereas if you just mingle in with all us other businesses you are more in our faces. Not putting this very well so hope you have understood my logic.

Another thought is: I remember about a year or so back we had a similar debate as to whether SEO should have its own forum, it was decided at the time that no it wasn't necessary but hey ho we have a separate forum now. So it is probably only a matter of time. ;)
 
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BUT - I'm not getting into an argument - this thread is too important :)

Yes best get back to arguing your case not arguing with me, especially when the yes vote is falling.

Chris Kaday
 
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Eco is niche, there are not enough people who care.

Sorry Ray.

Certainly my game, eco would cost the Earth (couldn't resist the pun) and people will not pay.
 
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I have just read this thread with great interest.

As small (in the main) business owners we should still take a part in CSR (coporate social responsibility) we do, we recycle where we can and use sustainable resources (again where we can). I agree that a seperate section could be a good idea as people who search for a certain topic can find it.

It can sound pompous, to be green, eco, etc etc but ultimately it benefits us all and should be addressed. All credit to the OP. I for one am a follower both in business and domestic life.

Believe me it will come and bite you one day!:p

Caroline
 
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