Today we are joined by Bart Calame, CEO of Compass Dermatopathology, to discuss his journey into renewable energy. From how he transitioned his business to solar energy to valuable lessons for leaders considering sustainable solutions, this episode is full of key insights from someone with firsthand experience.
Listen in as we delve into Bart’s meticulous supplier selection process, as well as the benefits of investing in renewable energy. You’ll learn how balancing hard data with relational insights and vendor site walks can refine decisions, ensuring smoother project execution and aligning stakeholders for success.
Listen To The Episode
What You’ll Learn in Today’s Episode:
- Transitioning to solar energy in business.
- The benefits of renewable energy investments.
- Vendor site walks’ importance in supplier selection.
- Balancing technical evaluations with personal relationships.
- The impact of local market knowledge.
- Ensuring stakeholder alignment in projects.
- Strategies for handling grid failures.
Timestamps:
- 00:00:00 – 00:00:39 – Intro and Welcome: Dan Roberts kicks off the podcast by welcoming Bart and introducing the initial topic of passions.
- 00:00:40 – 00:01:59 – Bart’s Passions: Bart shares his love for running and discusses his unexpected journey into dermatopathology.
- 00:02:01 – 00:03:32 – Business Background: Bart elaborates on his business in dermatopathology and how the lab operates nationally from San Diego.
- 00:03:36 – 00:06:26 – Energy Concerns: Bart discusses the power consumption and costs affecting his business, and his experience with renewable energy at home.
- 00:06:27 – 00:07:12 – Impact of Personal Experience: Calvin and Bart explore how personal renewable initiatives influenced Bart’s business decisions.
- 00:07:13 – 00:08:47 – Challenges In Finding Solutions: Bart recounts the difficulties in finding reliable energy suppliers for business.
- 00:08:49 – 00:11:09 – Supplier Experience: Discussion on the inconsistencies in supplier capabilities and the role Vecta played in setting a level playing field.
- 00:11:11 – 00:13:10 – Time Management and Priorities: The balance between daily business operations and prioritizing energy solutions.
- 00:13:11 – 00:13:38 – Opportunity Costs: Calvin reflects on the potential savings which could have been enjoyed earlier.
- 00:13:39 – 00:16:24 – Overcoming Challenges: Bart discusses the challenges of making informed decisions amid other business priorities.
- 00:16:25 – 00:17:04 – RFP Process Insight: Bart delves into the structured RFP process used to find the right energy solution.
- 00:17:05 – 00:19:50 – Building An RFP: Bart and Calvin detail the steps involved in creating a robust RFP to address business energy needs.
- 00:19:51 – 00:22:30 – Site Inspections and Q&A: Bart highlights the importance of site visits and initial engagements during the RFP process.
- 00:22:31 – 00:26:56 – Selecting Suppliers: Bart explains how values and personal connections affect choosing the right business partners.
- 00:26:57 – 00:31:39 – Defining the Energy Solution: Dan asks Bart about the final energy system they selected and the process adjustments.
- 00:31:43 – 00:38:05 – Navigating Stakeholders: Bart shares how he handled stakeholder engagement and tax implications in the decision-making process.
- 00:38:05 – 00:39:43 – Signing and Next Steps: Discussions on moving forward post-contract signing and the upcoming project timeline.
- 00:39:44 – 00:40:16 – Power Surge Round Introduction: Dan introduces a rapid-fire segment inviting Bart’s spontaneous insights on energy.
- 00:40:18 – 00:42:42 – Future of Energy: Bart shares his thoughts on future energy technologies, inspired by sci-fi innovations.
- 00:42:42 – 00:47:06 – Personal Success and Closing Thoughts: Bart reflects on personal achievements, health, and life goals beyond business.
Resources In Today’s Episode:
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