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Thoughts to ponder

One of the first rules of marketing is to be where your prospects are. What do they read? What do they watch or listen to? Where do they live and work? Where do they hang out or spend time? What websites do they frequent? What Social Media are they part of? What organizations do they belong to?

There have been numerous Marcellus and Utica conferences in our region. Orion Strategies and Thrasher Engineering decided that it was important to go where the prospects were instead of hoping they come to the Shale Crescent learn about us. They took a risk and produced the first Marcellus-Utica conference ever held in Houston. Shale Crescent USA was asked to be one of the speakers.

They had a diverse group over 80 attendees from contractors, economic development groups, petrochemical companies and consultants. Although turnout was small compared to conferences in our region, it was effective and opened the eyes of the attending companies on the Gulf. Jerry James, vice chairman of Shale Crescent USA and president of Artex Oil did the Shale Crescent USA presentation that concluded with the video of our Wally Kandel, senior VP at Solvay, on Bloomberg TV talking about the Shale Crescent USA. He held the attention of all attendees.

One large chemical company told us that they believed labor, construction and operating costs were 25 percent higher in the Shale Crescent USA than the Gulf Coast. They even explained their reasoning to us. Our IHSMarkit- Shale Crescent Study said labor, construction and operating costs were just 5 percent higher in the Shale Crescent USA than the Gulf Coast. This company was convinced their numbers were right. Jerry and I had some one on one discussions with them. I visited with them at the end of the day after Jerry’s talk and their closing comment was, “Your 5 percent number might be right.” Minds can be changed. We would have missed that opportunity if we had stayed home.

We talked to another company that uses natural gas as a petrochemical feed stock. They were considering another US location. We showed them how in the Shale Crescent USA their natural gas is literally under local plants reducing energy and transportation costs. We also talked about our other advantages. If all goes as planned they will be visiting “The Crescent” after Thanksgiving.

We had five companies request copies of the presentation and others that want the full study. We made a number of other contacts that will help us achieve our goal of bringing high wage jobs to the region. Based on comments I heard, other attendees felt they got value by attending. I expect that this conference will grow next year.

Besides our successes there are other lessons we can learn from last week in Houston:

* Nothing good happens without taking some risk. Orion and Thrasher took a risk by putting this on. The sponsors and attendees like Shale Crescent USA spent time and money to attend and be involved with no guarantee of success.

* We need to become uncomfortable sometimes to be successful. I remember my college dating days. For me asking for a date was uncomfortable but necessary to have a social life. A Marcellus-Utica conference in our Region is safe and comfortable. One held in Houston, a leading petrochemical center for over 75 years where some companies would see Shale Crescent USA as a competitor can be uncomfortable but necessary to tell our story and dispel myths of potential prospects. We need to be where our prospects are.

* We have a compelling powerful message. It can change minds. We need to continue to get it out to the world.

This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. It is a day to count and appreciate our many blessings. I encourage you to stop and spend a few minutes considering all that you have to be thankful for. Being grateful is how we should start every day.

I open every day with gratitude for at least 6 things. This habit helps us to build a positive attitude by understanding the abundance we have instead of focusing on what we don’t have. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a Team of business and community leaders in the Shale Crescent USA organization to make a positive difference in the lives of the people in our Region by helping to create high wage jobs. I’m also grateful for my family and the opportunity to spend quality time with them, like getting to see two of my granddaughters in a high school play last weekend. I’m grateful for being able to live in this country with its freedom and economic opportunities. I’m grateful for being able to still run half marathons with my daughter and spend quality time talking to her. That is just a start. You may be surprised how long your own list is.

Success and the achievement of a big Dream doesn’t happen in a day. It happens by what we all do day by day.

Thoughts to ponder.

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Greg Kozera is the Director of Marketing for Shale Crescent USA www.shalecrescentusa.com. He has over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert with a Masters in Environmental Engineering and the author of four books and numerous published articles.

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