Did You Miss the 2017 California Emerging Technologies Summit? We’ve Got Your Top Takeaways

May 4, 2017 | Bryan Jungers, Essie Snell, Andrea Salazar | 5 min read
Didn’t get a chance to attend this year's California Emerging Technologies Summit? Never fear! E Sourcers Bryan Jungers, Essie Snell, and Andrea Salazar were there and are ready to fill you in! Read our top takeaways.

Five Steps to Crafting an Apology That Builds Customer Loyalty

May 2, 2017 | Joy Herbers | 6 min read
Most corporate apologies are insincere, noncommittal, and so scrubbed by marketers and lawyers that you can’t tell who’s apologizing for what. There is, however, a right way to mend fences with your customers, win back their trust, and turn them into brand loyalists.

The Shift to Customer-Side Management

April 4, 2017 | Beth Fitzjarrald | 2 min read
Rising goals, rising baselines, rising customer expectations ... what's a demand-side management program manager to do? We dove into leading states' preapproval filings and discovered some key themes about working with your new business partner: your customer.

The Changing Climate Makes Utility DSM More Vital Than Ever

March 30, 2017 | Essie Snell | 4 min read
Despite uncertainty around federal climate change action, utilities are playing—and will continue to play—a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by promoting energy efficiency and setting the stage for increased renewable energy production by adding resilience to the grid.

YouTube and the Water-Energy Nexus

March 17, 2017 | Logan Jacobson | 3 min read
An amateur chef on YouTube treats water as though it's free, but what does it actually cost? People in the energy industry have trouble justifying measures that would address the water-energy nexus because our society fails to appreciate the true value of water.

Simple Websites Lead the Way in Utility Marketing and Brand Storytelling

March 13, 2017 | Sarah Howie | 3 min read
After years of effort and investment, many utilities are launching new websites that do double duty as information hubs and powerful marketing and brand communications platforms. Site redesigns can be pricey and labor-intensive, but the payoff is worth it.

Turning Up the Heat: The Rapid Surge in Smart Thermostat Programs

March 9, 2017 | Eric Wilczynski | 3 min read
For the last few years, utilities have been offering discounts and incentives to customers who adjust their smart thermostats in the winter or summer. Our updated report looks at more than 100 programs that empower customers with additional control over their energy use.

Are Microgrids Now Worth the Risk?

March 3, 2017 | Bryan Jungers | 2 min read
We’ve been watching the evolution of microgrids for a few years now, and they never gained traction in the marketplace. But now, APS sees microgrids as the right solution for the customer and the utility.

OK Google, How Much Energy Does Alexa Consume?

February 20, 2017 | Essie Snell | 4 min read
Voice-controlled devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home are rapidly gaining market share and may prove to be a key interface for the smart home over the next year or two. But for energy nerds like me, there’s a persistent and nagging question: How much energy do these devices actually consume?

Creating a CX Culture Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

January 19, 2017 | Shawn Silzer | 3 min read
Customer experience (CX) leaders are generally highly driven, but sometimes we need to step outside of our comfort zone and demonstrate patience if we're to succeed in implementing a CX culture at our organizations. AGL Resources offers a success story that we can all learn from.