Companies Go Green When They’re Assured Of Still Satisfying Their Customers
Published: May 26, 2010
As the host of The Lazy Environmentalist, I often meet with businesspeople who would like to make their companies more environmentally responsible, but they view the proposition as risky. Typically, the biggest concern I encounter is the fear that going green will prevent them from delivering the kinds of products and services that have already made them successful in the marketplace. Green is viewed as risky because many businesspeople think that it will detract from or change (usually for the worse) the quality of their product or service.
Successful businesspeople know that making sure the customer is satisfied is the most important rule for staying in business. I’m most successful on the show when I can demonstrate how going green not only doesn’t detract from customer satisfaction but actually increases it.
Two clips below demonstrate the point.
In this episode, I’m working with Stealth Auto, a successful auto customization and repair shop. Here, I’m checking with the owners to see whether the green solutions I suggested would enable them to more efficiently run their business operations and boost their customers’ perception of the quality of service Stealth Auto provides.
In this episode, I’m working with the Sunshine Boys, a successful moving company. Here I’m checking in with its clients who have just been subjected to a green move to see how they feel about it. As you can see, they were in pretty good spirits though a little white wine would have been nice.
Designers Embrace Green When It Helps Them Deliver What Customers Want
Published: May 26, 2010
In this episode of The Lazy Environmentalist, I’m working with two jewelry designers in San Francisco whose jewelry lines are rapidly expanding. Customers are drawn to the exquisiteness of their pieces and their affordable price points. My task is to find beautiful and affordable green materials for them to easily integrate into their design process. I don’t want green to be too difficult for them or detract from their current business objectives because I know that success depends upon ensuring that they can go green in ways that maintain or increase sales and help build their brand image. Otherwise, they won’t do it, not because they don’t care about the environment but because they care more about creating beautiful designs and growing their business.
Season 2 of The Lazy Environmentalist premieres tonight on Sundance Channel
Published: April 20, 2010
I’m in New York City all week to promote the new season. Last night, we had a launch party for the new season at Terracycle’s pop-up store just off Times Square. For me, it’s incredibly gratifying to have that kind of party and reconnect with so many people in the green movement that have played a role in getting me to this point.
It’s corny, but I remember a friend’s wedding a number of years ago that was held at the Mandarin Oriental hotel here in Manhattan in the banquet room, which had a commanding view of the city’s skyline. I remember stepping outside for air with some friends and possibly for some form of extracurricular activity to enhance the evening though I can’t fully recall. As I looked out on the view, I remember thinking that one day I’ll make my mark here in this city.
I know it’s cheesy, but I thought about that last night during the party as I gave a little speech thanking everyone for being there. I never predicted this future for myself. I never imagined I’d produce and host a television show. But here I am and I’m really proud of the work we’ve done on this season.
So check out the show tonight at 8pm on Sundance Channel. Here are some links to press we’ve received about season 2. So far the reviews are very favorable. I think our message is hitting at the right cultural moment.
Washington Post – ‘Lazy Environmentalist’ suggests easy ways to be Earth-friendly
Wall Street Journal – ‘The Lazy Environmentalist’ Josh Dorfman on How to Be, Yes, Lazy and Environmental
Los Angeles Times – The Recyclist: Celebrate Earth Day from your recliner with ‘The Lazy Environmentalist’
Philadelphia Daily News – Ellen Gray: ‘Environmentalist’: Solutions for the eco-challenged
Apple’s Meet The Filmmaker Series – Meet The Lazy Environmentalist (downloadable podcast from iTunes)
Meet The Lazy Environmentalist at the Apple Store in New York City
Published: March 31, 2010
Next Friday, April 9th at 5pm I’ll be at the downtown NYC Apple Store in Soho to talk about the new season of “The Lazy Environmentalist.” The event is open to the public. If you’re in NYC, come on down and say hello. Michael Parrish Dudell, senior editor for ecorazzi.com and editor-in-chief for vegdaily.com will moderate the discussion.
You’ll see a sneak preview of one of the new episodes. I also plan to talk about:
* What I say to environmental skeptics to get them on board with change
* Why failing on the show is sometimes a good thing
* How we balance entertainment and education goals to make a compelling show about a serious topic
From the Apple Store Website
Meet The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman
April 9, 5-6pm
Join Josh Dorfman as he discusses season two of his Sundance Channel television show, “The Lazy Environmentalist,” which premieres on April 20. In the show, entrepreneur and author Dorfman meets with environmental skeptics to prove that there are innovative, cost-effective, ecologically sound alternatives that also meet high professional standards.
Green Beer with Comedian Frank Nicotero and Beer Sommelier Chrstina Perozzi
Published: February 11, 2010
It’s not all that often that I get to hang out with a professional beer sommelier. Such was my luck when I visited The Bruery, a craft brewery located in Orange County, CA. I was there on a mission to see whether I could convince comedian and avowed beer guzzler Frank Nicotero that beers brewed with an inherently smaller environmental footprint could taste crazy delicious. Author of The Naked Pint: An Unadulterated Guide To Craft Beer Chrstina Perozzi (see image below) was our tour guide. This beer chick is very persuasive. After several pints we were all tempted to get naked and probably would have had our television crew not been so bashful.
Testing an Electric Motorcyle for the TV Show
Published: January 31, 2010
Man, I’ve been really caught up filming the show and have been slacking here. So now it’s time to start reporting about it. Here’s a pic from this past week in which Terrence Hayes, our awesome DP, is rigging a video camera to my helmet to get some POV shots while testing the Zero S electric motorcycle. I was trying to convince comedian Frank Nicotero to give up his sweet sweet BMW and turn instead to electric power. The Zero S tops out at about 70 mph and gets 40 miles to a charge so it’s a pretty viable commuting option, and it’s definitely fun to drive. At least, I thought so.
Some Eco Fashion Gear That I Rock On-Screen in Season 2
Published: November 24, 2009
Thanks to eco-fashion stylist Bahar Shahpar, I’ve been rocking sustainable fashion looks everyday on set. Here’s the first with more to follow.
**Shirt by Hess Natur
**T-shirt by Topo Ranch
**Pants by Apolis Activism
**Shoes by Simple
Filming Lazy Exterminator: Green Bugs & Pest Control with the Experts
Published: November 23, 2009
We’re not filming today or tomorrow as we prepare for our upcoming trip to Tucson next week. There will get into episodes such as Lazy Teenager, Lazy Camper and Lazy Daycare. On Wednesday will wrap up Lazy Exterminator and Lazy Makeup Artist. Both of those segments were particularly fun for me since neither eliminating rodents nor applying mascara falls into my daily routine.
The pic below is of me and our exterminator hero (on right) and our green exterminator expert (on left). Wearing that uniform, I felt surprisingly strong and competent, so I was disappointed to have to return it once the day was over.
Winning “Best Reality Show” at the Environmental Media Association Awards
Published: November 5, 2009
At the 20th annual Environmental Media Association Awards “The Lazy Environmentalist” took home “best reality show” honors. Pretty big shakes for a show after just one season The event was held on the lot of Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.
(Photo from Left: Actress Ginnifer Goodwin, Executive Producer David Metzler, Executive Producer Mala Chapple, Yours Truly The Lazy E, and Actress Olivia Wilde)
We started filming season 2 today and got off to an excellent start. First up are Lazy Fashion Designer and Lazy Interior Decorator. They’re both stellar. We’ve got some interesting wrinkles this year, most of which includes ratcheting up the energy level, taking on some big challenges to solve with green solutions, and providing a little more room for levity. I was a little rusty at first having not been on camera for about 9 months, but we found our groove pretty quickly. Looking forward to shooting more tomorrow.
Filming For Season 2 Begins in November
Published: October 26, 2009
The Lazy E is back for another season on Sundance Channel this time with 8 episodes. I’m currently in L.A. to work with our production team and super awesome Executive Producer David Metzler. The lineup this year is going to be extremely fun. We’re looking at segments such as “Lazy Exterminator” as well as “Lazy Surfer”, so we’re going to ratchet up the stakes and the challenges. It’s also going to give me more of a chance to do some hands on work along the way.
Last night the TV show was honored at the 20th annual award ceremony of the Environmental Media Association where it won in the “best reality show” category. It’s a particularly gratifying honor considering that we’ve won after just one season on air. We have a strong foundation to build upon and are looking to push further in the upcoming season as we continue to put eco-solutions to the test in real-world situations.
