Employee ownership, progressive business practices, building science, high performance building, affordable housing, renewable energy, and carbon footprints – we think seriously about these topics and others, and share our findings as widely as possible.
As a business, we have always been committed to staying small and local, but to make a greater difference in our world, we communicate what we are learning to a larger constituency. We do this in many ways: by writing, speaking, teaching, consulting, and consistently providing internships for students and young emerging professionals.
Writing
In 2005, Chelsea Green Publishing released SMC Founder and CEO John Abrams’ book, THE COMPANY WE KEEP: Reinventing Small Business for People, Community, and Place. In 2008 a significantly revised second edition was released, re-named COMPANIES WE KEEP: Employee Ownership and the Business of Community and Place. The book found a following. Dr. John Todd, ecologist and University of Vermont professor, calls it “a sleeper. It’s a Pilgrim’s Progress of ecological and economic explorations, woven together with a deep-rooted sense of place.”
And you can read our blog here.
Speaking
For many years, John has done speaking engagements about employee ownership, progressive business practices, and affordable housing. SMC Director of Engineering Marc Rosenbaum is in constant demand in the Northeast and elsewhere as a speaker and trainer on high performance building and building science. Energy Services Manager Rob Meyers speaks about solar and energy topics. Others in the company teach about particular architecture and construction topics.
Consulting
We also consult, on a regular basis, with companies transitioning to employee ownership.
Please email John at jabrams@southmountain.com to inquire about SMC consulting, speaking, writing, and teaching.