The Motor Decisions Matter Webinar on March 14 educated CEE members and trade allies about the opportunity to collaborate in co-promoting motor management in the C&I market.
The presentation, and a transcript of the question-and-answer session that followed, are posted on the MDM Web site.
Well supported by MDM sponsors, the Webinar attracted more than 220 participants, who learned about the basics of motor management, the benefits of these strategies and opportunities for cooperation.
“We were very happy with the turnout,” said CEE Program Manager Ilene Mason, who manages MDM and served as the Webinar narrator. “Campaign sponsors have long seen value in the pursuing motor management strategies and they did an outstanding job of promoting the event to others in their organizations and to their immediate trade allies.”
Motor Decisions Matter is sponsored by CEE members, motor manufacturers and service centers, trade associations and the Department of Energy. Many of these industry stakeholders took advantage of the opportunity to invite their sales and marketing staff, account representatives and other trade allies to participate.
The Webinar served many purposes. For some in the motors industry, it was a learning experience, hearing about the benefits of motor management for the first time. For others, the Webinar served to reinforce motor management concepts and messages. It also provided guidance on how to adopt these concepts to support their business objectives.
For CEE members, it was opportunity to understand how motor management can enhance the more traditional motor and drives programs. It highlighted the benefits of connecting with motor service professionals in their service territory, and provided methods for developing program integration strategies.
Specifically, the Webinar focused on the basics of motor management:
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the cost of running a motor and life-cycle costing
- the cost of electricity and understanding electricity charges
- the value of proactive planning
- specific motor management strategies that can improve customer productivity and reduce energy costs
- how these concepts can help motor market stakeholder reach their own business objectives.
The Webinar aso highlighted a new MDM tool, “The How-To Guide to Bringing Motor Management to Your Customers.”
One of the primary goals of MDM's new three-year extension is to create more of a local focus on motor management, encouraging utilities to work with trade allies in their service territories. Xcel Energy, for example, used the Webinar as an opportunity to convene trade allies and staff members.
In so doing, Xcel Energy staff members were able to promote their programs and explore strategies for working with trade allies to reach common customers. Xcel hosted two Webinar sites, attracting more than 50 participants.
Webinar participants were able to view an Internet slide presentation as Mason added commentary and details via a conference call. In addition, Tom Bishop of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association narrated two case studies that illustrated “real-life” motor management projects. The slide presentation took about 40 minutes and was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
A panel of MDM sponsors was on the line to answer questions. In addition to Mason and Bishop, the panel included Bruce Peterson of Xcel Energy, Priscilla Richards of NYSERDA, Dale Basso of Baldor-Dodge-Reliance (and Chair of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association Motors Section) and Dave Ahlberg of MidAmerican Energy.
“A subcommittee of MDM sponsors developed the content and delivery for the Webinar," said Mason. “Careful attention was paid to using everyday language and case studies to make theoretical concepts tangible.
“We also wanted to emphasize that everyone on the call was here to support the same ideas, to impart a sense of connection and cooperation between the Webinar participants.”
A subsequent survey of participants indicated that this mission was accomplished. A large majority of the survey respondents found the Webinar relevant and useful. Many participants responded specifically about content, noting that the program provided useful information with an appropriate level of depth and breadth, and that it served as a good overview of motor management basics.
The Webinar also sparked interest in the recently revised MDM Web site. On the day of the Webinar, the number of visitors to the site nearly tripled and MDM's Motor Planning Kit was downloaded more then 200 times, about four times the usual rate. Another similar surge occurred on the following Monday.
As this initial Webinar was an unqualified success, CEE expects to utilize this low-cost networking tool with other programs areas in the future. Motor Decisions Matter's second Webinar will take place on May 11, focusing on messaging and the campaign's delivery tools.
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