From the X.Commerce Blog Post:

We’ll be live blogging and tweeting from the road, so you can keep up here and by following @X_Commerce on Twitter for real-time updates, videos, photos and more. You’re also invited to join the conversation by using #XbusTour on Twitter and if you happen to spot the bus out on the road, snap a photo of it and share it with us!

Don’t forget to register for the X.commerce Developer Conference, where you’ll be able to join thousands of other developers to learn firsthand how to fully utilize the X.commerce platform opportunity, along with the full range of eBay Inc. assets and technologies.

You can also track the progress and upcoming stops of the XbusTour.

This was my first time attending such an event for eBay. While the crowd had no problem delivering me some tough questions during the eBay panel – I was impressed by how inviting and community minded the crowd was. In just two short days I have made connections that will last for years. And the collective eBay knowledge presented in the room was second to none. Check out this lineup.

Janelle Elms showed sellers how to make Best Match work for them. John “ColderICE” Lawson told sellers how to make their business bigger, badder, and bolder (John’s presentation was quoted multiple times after it was given). Cindy Shebley showed us how to use Facebook for our businesses. Cliff Ennico spoke on tax and legal answers. Marsha Collier spoke on customer service as the new marketing. Melinda Jackson showed sellers how to start and market Bay seller groups. Debbie Levitt spoke on store and listing designs that drive sales. Lynn Dralle covered product sourcing. And Alex Shui, Amanda Thomas, and Griff joined me on an eBay employee panel.

Informative and fun has been one of the unspoken mantras of eBay Radio and eBetsy, Griff and Lee kept the legacy going in grand style.

And on a side note, I want to thank Melinda Jackson and all of the twitter folks for campaigning to get me to the party. Let’s hope I can make it back next year! (Hopefully alongside RBH)

I’ll update this page with additional clips as I upload them to our YouTube channel.

Cheers,
RBH

Developed by Bloom Energy Corporation, the Bloom Energy Server is an SUV-sized box that corporations install outside their buildings to generate their own electricity from almost any fuel source. Bloom Energy introduced its groundbreaking technology at eBay Inc. headquarters along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, General Colin Powell, and several of its early customers.

The Bloom Box was previewed on CBS 60 Minutes this past Sunday that included an on-location interview with eBay CEO, John Donahoe, as he showed the futuristic servers eBay has had in place for months now:

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Fuel cells are effectively skinny batteries that can run at all times. Bloom fuel cells work by feeding air and fuel–often natural gas or biogas, but even energy from solar panels–into its system, which converts the two into electricity that can be used by homes, offices or even cities. What makes these fuel cells so appealing is how inexpensive yet efficient they can be. According to Bloom Energy, a stack of fuel cells the size of a brick would be good enough to power an average US home.

Unlike other fuel cell types, Bloom’s technology takes ordinary beach sand, bakes it and compresses it into a ceramic disc about the size of a Polaroid image. Special inks are applied to either side of the disc where chemical reactions will take place that will ultimately create energy.

In order to power a larger facility, hundreds of those discs get stacked upon each other and go into a box the size of an SUV. At eBay, five of these boxes were installed just behind the LEED-Gold certified San Jose North campus nearly nine months ago. In the first six months of having the system installed and running, it generated 2 million kWh of electricity, or enough to power over 150 average U.S. homes for over a year.

“eBay believes in the power of our business model to make a real difference in the world, and that includes how we embrace innovation to reduce our carbon footprint,” said eBay Inc. CEO, John Donahoe. “When Bloom came to us, it was an easy decision to become an early-adopter of their cutting-edge new technology. As a result, we’re meeting financial and environmental goals with the project while fueling a more energy efficient global marketplace. That’s good for us, our customers and the planet.”

According to Bloom, customers like eBay who purchase Bloom’s systems can expect a 3-5 year payback on their capital investment from the energy cost savings. Depending on whether they are using a fossil or renewable fuel, they can also achieve a 40-100% reduction in their carbon footprint as compared with the U.S. grid. Customers announced today include Bank of America; The Coca-Cola Company; Cox Enterprises; eBay; FedEx Express; Google; Staples; and Walmart.

Since the first commercial customer installation in July 2008, Bloom’s Energy Servers have collectively produced more than 11 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, with CO2 reductions estimated at 14 million pounds – the equivalent of powering approximately 1,000 American homes for a year and planting one million trees.

I’ll be covering the live event this morning via Twitter. You can see the full Twitter conversation by searching the hashtag #BloomEnergy. Look for photos and video from the event shortly thereafter.

Cheers,
RBH

Contest participants register at diamonds.ebay.com, and customize and upload their unique ring design in three simple steps. Through the Share function, which houses more than 50 social media channels including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and MySpace, entrants are able to spread the news about their gems and encourage voting, since the winner of “Build Your Bling” will be determined by public poll. America is asked to vote on its favorite sparkler, with the designer of the most popular ring winning their customized carat. Voting is open for two weeks, culminating February 19.

The contest kicked off earlier this week and with almost 7,000 submissions already entered to the “American Idol” of engagement rings at http://www.diamonds.ebay.com, currently the most popular cuts are Cushion, Round and Princess.

You can find out more about the contest by checking out the press release HERE.

Cheers,
RBH

The eight-piece limited-edition collection is made from imported Italian fabrics, and bears Rodriguez’s signature streamlined look and sophisticated color blocking created in a red, black and white color palette. The collection will be offered at accessible, fixed price points ranging from $65 – $350, in sizes 0 to 14, or extra small to large, and available for purchase exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay Store.

Stop laughing. Although my traditional dress includes multi-colored sneakers and overly, almost trying-to-hard-to-be-funny T-shirts, I’m still going to check this out when it goes live on Monday. Maybe I can score some points with Allie if I can find something cool for my wife post-Valentine’s day.

“I am extremely excited by the possibilities that this new online sales channel brings to my business long term,” says Rodriguez. “For me it’s always been about dressing many women of all ages, all types, all sizes, and this special collection on eBay is a unique opportunity to reach a broad global audience.”

The capsule collection, designed for the spring/summer season, includes a Denim Jacket; Denim Slim Skirt; Sleeveless Matte Jersey Dress with asymmetrical seam detail; Cap Sleeve Matte Jersey Dress with shoulder drape detail; Scoop Neck Matte Jersey Dress with a three quarter sleeve and exposed back zipper; Jersey Top with asymmetrical seam detail; Python Printed T-Shirt; and water-resistant Reversible Trench with a multi-stitch self-belt. Additionally, the designer’s canvas and grosgrain espadrilles will be sold through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay Store.

New Twitter Feed: @eBay_Fashion
To join the conversation follow @eBay_Fashion, eBay’s newly launched home for fashion finds, tips and trends on Twitter, at http://www.twitter.com/ebay_fashion.

Cheers,
RBH

“We really wanted to give users a better way to become involved in how we roll things out to the site,” said Josh Ramirez, senior product manager, eBay’s Search Applications. “Because of the way our marketplace is designed, one small site change can have a cascading effect on our buyer and seller experience. The Garden by eBay is a fun way to get the community involved in making decisions that may impact how they buy and sell on eBay.”

The Garden idea stemmed primarily from the search team wanting to solicit user input on a new search experience. Rather than roll it out site-wide or go with the standard A/B testing, the team wanted to partner with users early on in the development process to deliver an experience that best meets the community’s needs. The team believes that allowing eBay members to opt in to experiment with the new experience at this stage of development will help them innovate faster and more efficiently.

When I first heard about the project and asked to cover it for eBay Ink, I was incredibly enthusiastic to learn that I was going to be able to sit down with the entire eBay Garden team to learn more about it. You can meet the team in this video I put together here…

“The new Garden by eBay represents a new collaborative conversation with the eBay community — a chance to listen to their thoughts on upcoming features, and to bring them closer to our own innovation process,” said Christopher Payne, eBay vice president, Search. “By seeding the Garden with streamlined search, we’re asking for the community’s input on improving one of the most important areas of eBay.com.”

One of the new features that the community members will be able to try out is a new “streamlined search” experience intended to make it easier to browse and view search results. This new search feature will let users compare auction and Buy It Now listings side-by-side, quickly refine results based on items returned in a result set and return to the search box without having to scroll up to the header. As Garden participants provide feedback on the experience, the features will grow into an improved experience — before it goes live to eBay.com.

Here, the team talks about why they’re excited about the project and what it means for eBay both internally and externally…

I’ll have more behind-the-scene video conversations with the eBay Garden Team in future posts but for now, please check out the Garden by eBay today at http://pages.ebay.com/garden.

You can also read more about the project at New York Times blog, Bits.

Cheers!
RBH

eBay: On Location, which kicks off March 19-20 in Atlanta, will bring small-business and part-time eBay sellers together to network and gain practical knowledge about building and growing their businesses on eBay.

Event attendees will hear from national speakers, as well as eBay experts, on timely business topics and will participate in a series of classes designed to help sellers be more successful on eBay. After Atlanta, the event will travel to three other U.S. cities: Dallas (May 7-8); Chicago (July 9-10); and San Jose (Sept. 1-2).

“eBay sellers are creative entrepreneurs who understand that eBay’s global reach and dynamic marketplace offer the ideal setting to start and build a business online,” said Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces. “We invite our sellers to eBay: On Location to connect with each other and to take the next step in making their eBay businesses even more successful.”

Here is a Q&A with Dinesh Lathi, vice president, Buyer and Seller Experience, to learn more about the new program:

Is eBay: On Location a replacement for eBay Live!?
No, eBay: On Location is a brand-new program geared toward a specific type of eBay seller: those who sell on eBay part-time, and those who have set up small businesses on eBay and earn a significant portion of their incomes from their eBay sales. The goal is to immerse these sellers in a full-day’s worth of classes designed to help them be even more successful selling on eBay.

During the past year, many sellers have told us that although eBay Live! was a terrific way to learn and network, they would enjoy more intimate, local events that provide greater opportunities for dialogue and a higher level of interaction with each other and with eBay team members. eBay: On Location gives us the chance to connect with our sellers on this more personal level.

Who is eBay: On Location targeted at?
The event is designed for eBay sellers who fall into two categories:
• Part-time eBay sellers who want to earn extra income, who list regularly and who generally want to find new opportunities on eBay.
• And, small-business sellers who earn a significant percentage of their income from eBay and are looking to expand to new channels and gain access to buyers.

Where can people learn more about registering for the event and curriculum?
We have a dedicated Web site where sellers can register: http://www.ebayonlocationevents.com view the curriculum, speaker bios and course information.

Later, we’ll load videos, photos and content from the events to the Web site, and eBay: On Location social media channels will follow the events in each city. In addition, sellers can connect with one another through various message boards and social networks.

Attendees may register for various class sessions, including the following:

*** “Top Seller Secrets”: eBay Top-rated sellers reveal their secrets and tips for taking an online business to the next level.
*** “Productivity Power”: Experts share their advice on streamlining and managing a business to boost sales and reduce costs.
*** “I Just Tweetered on FaceSpace”: Sellers make sense of new online tools like Twitter, Facebook and blogger engagement to creatively market and increase sales for their businesses on eBay.

To learn more about eBay: On Location, and to register for an event, visit the official site.

Cheers,
RBH

RecycleBank rewards people for positive green actions (currently the recycling of trash and electronics) and seeks to create a greener economy with key partners across the U.S. In just five years, the model has proven its success; on average, recycling volumes increase two-to-five times and members across the country earn hundreds of dollars in reward value. RecycleBank has programs in hundreds of cities around the country, reaching over one million consumers.

By teaming up with eBay, the RecycleBank program brings consumers online, offering 50 RecycleBank Points for joining eBay’s Green Team. Additionally, RecycleBank members will be able to use their RecycleBank Points for discounts on eBay purchases.

“RecycleBank has always been rewarding more responsible environmental behavior like recycling for households across America. Working with eBay on an initiative to promote reuse and reward you for that behavior becomes a natural progression of our business,” said Morley Ivers, Chief Rewards Officer, at RecycleBank. “Together, we look forward to amassing a movement of people committed to reusing and recycling.”

I asked Morley if he would take part in our series of “5 Minutes with…” features here on Ink and he obliged. Here you go…

Full Name: Morley Ivers
Nickname: RED (the term was coined by Suze Orman)
Official Title: Chief Rewards Officer (a title only a mother could love)
What You Really Do: I manage a team of very smart and passionate people who execute the strategy, operations, partnership development and account management for RecycleBank – the world’s premier green loyalty program that motivates consumers to recycle and to take environmentally preferred actions
Education/Schooling: I studied business at The Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario in Canada
Interests: Spending quality time with my wife and son; great food, travel and maximizing the utility of my loyalty points portfolio
Favorite Quote: “Good, Fast or Cheap….pick two”
Most memorable eBay experience: Snagging first row tickets to a Dave Matthews Band Concert from a seller in Boston who used his loyalty access with DMB to get seats to the concert in Toronto
Most recent eBay purchase/sale: A water filter for my fridge
Favorite Albums: Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, Bob Marley, Nickleback
Favorite Movies: The Bourne Series
What You Wanted to Be Growing Up: An entrepreneur that changed the world

Fill in the blanks:
I should have got more sleep yesterday
I wish that I had more hours in the day
The first thing I do when I get to work is redeem my Odwalla RecycleBank Reward for an OJ

Also, I saw that eBay commissioned proprietary research last month that measured the carbon savings of specific items available on eBay.com and got some neat little facts back:

• Choosing a new-to-you blender saves 95% of the CO2 needed to produce a new one
• Selecting a refurbished smart phone saves the energy equivalent of driving 186 miles
• Choosing a classic, previously loved watch saves the energy equivalent of 39 days of refrigerator use

“Thousands of eBay sellers have built successful businesses by recycling, reusing and re-selling products that already exists and may otherwise have ended up in landfills,” said Amy Skoczlas Cole, Director of the eBay Green Team. “Our relationship with RecycleBank offers an innovative way to encourage and reward green-conscious consumers who are looking for more sustainable ways to shop.”

Cheers,
RBH

I took a quick video of our Comms Room here in San Jose HQ to give folks a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re working together to communicate information in real-time. The desks are set up in a horseshoe so we can easily ask questions to anyone in the room (representatives from the Buyer & Seller team, Corp Comms, Social Media, Engineering, eBay Annnouncements, etc. are all in here) for quick response…

Out in Salt Lake City, in addition to the Customer Service center, we have another comms room devoted to social media outreach and response. What follows is a sequence of photos taken out of that room where you can see folks on Twitter, Facebook, etc…

Personally, it has been great to see so many people involved in proactively communicating information – regardless of channel or platform. As a global organization, I am hoping we can build on this for the future.

Back to it…

Cheers,
RBH