Contrary to Kermit the Frog’s signature line, “it’s not easy being green,” it’s easier than ever for your business to reduce its environmental impact. Not only can “going green” improve energy efficiency, reduce consumption, and net some cost savings, today’s buyers are more interested in doing business with companies dedicated to social causes. One of which is environmental responsibility.
In fact, in 2014, Nielsen conducted a study on corporate social responsibility involving 30,000 consumers in 60 countries. The results were revealing. The survey showed that over 55% of consumers are actually willing to pay more for products and services from companies dedicated to social and environmental causes. Now, that’s impressive!
Little Things That Make A Green Difference
Whether your business is looking to reduce its impact on the environment, lessen unnecessary costs, or meet the needs of your evolving consumer, there’s much your business can do to support the protection of our environment.
- Set up a recycling program. Did you know that 90% of office waste is recyclable? An office-recycling program accomplishes two objectives. It contributes to protecting the environment and it saves your business some serious cash.
- Go paperless. Think twice before hitting the “print” button. Advancements in technology make it easier than ever to reduce the amount of paper in your office.One of our favorite apps is Evernote! Instead of printing and filing vital information in paper files, Evernote allows us to maintain digital files. And, what can be said about the archive capabilities of Google business apps? Google makes it easier than ever to find the information you need when you need it without using a drop of printer ink.
Capabilities in QuickBooks eliminates the need to print monthly, quarterly, or annual reports and filings. Plus, emailing invoices to your clients saves paper for you and your clients.
How about furthering your commitment to going paperless by paying your bills online? To avoid any concerns about online identity theft, purchase an ID recovery service for just pennies a day.
Finally, don’t forget regular data back ups to ensure you won’t lose vital information.
- Use alternate forms of transportation. If you’re fortunate to live in a city that has a comprehensive transportation system, you can save time, money, and a few brain cells using public transportation. Carpooling is also an option although it can be challenging when living and working in a larger metropolitan area.Have you considered walking to lunch? Biking to work? It’s good for the earth, your pocketbook, and your waistline!
- Give gifts that keep giving. Rather than a bottle of wine or a fruit basket as a client “thank you,” you’ll certainly leave a lasting impression when you plant a tree in their name.How about a branded bottle from miir.com? Inspired by the work of John Muir, an early advocate of preserving the wilderness, Mirr leaves a “branded” impression, saves your client countless plastic water bottles and each bottle purchased provides clean water for one person in need for one year. It doesn’t get much better than that.
- Organize an event for your staff. Nothing is better than a day at the beach—even if it does mean picking up trash. But, don’t stop with your employees. Why not take the lead and invite your service providers and strategic partners to join you.
- Reduce your energy consumption. There are so many ways—big and small—by which you can make a difference and protect the environment. Here are a few of our favorites:
- unplug chargers when not is use to avoid phantom voltage,
- replace filters on heater and air conditioners regularly for greater efficiency,
- block sunlight to reduce the need for air conditioning,
- use energy efficient light bulbs,
- use recycled paper,
- use paperclips rather than staples,
- reuse file folders, and when possible,
- use your more energy efficient laptop in place of your desktop.
By being a bit more conscious of protecting the environment, your business benefits in so many ways. Not only do you reduce your operational costs, productivity is improved…as is your public image.
There’s no downside to “being green.”
