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Posts Tagged ‘green business’

Despite the still parlous state of the world and the UK economy in particular, the pressure on business to be “seen to be greener” will continue to grow.Climate change policies and carbon taxes will inevitably become more significant mechanisms to raise revenues and be seen to be addressing global warming.  Part of that trend will be an increasing emphasis on enforcing regulations governing the collection, treatment and recycling of all sorts of waste, especially electrical and electronic equipment as specified by the WEEE directive.

Despite (or maybe because of) the recession, companies need to forge ahead with energy-saving measures and invest in the latest inventory management software, not least because of imminent UK mandatory carbon reduction commitments, and still have to prove their green credentials to consumers and clients who are increasingly demanding that  environmental  component of virtually every product or service.

Doing all this will create a significant cost for business, unless they get their fixed asset register in order.The days have gone when a simple aspirational statement about green strategies from procurement and recycling would suffice.Organisations now have to show their commitment to green issues through information transparency and fully auditable policies.At the core of this approach has to be detailed information about the life cycle of all their fixed assets, from country of origin and maintenance schedules to final disposal details.

That requires an investment in fixed asset software to replace antiquated spreadsheet models in an attempt to accurately identify the location of equipment, especially that relevant to WEEE regulations, confirm when those items were purchased, from whom they were purchased, and how or where they were disposed of at the end of their lives.By using a comprehensive asset accounting software package that links the asset register to a document management system, companies can create the required audit trail so that they can adapt effectively to the demands of the green economy.

In the mid 1970’s, Kermit the Frog rose to fame for his catch phrase, ‘It’s not easy being green’.

These days, it’s taken on new found meaning as households and businesses alike are choosing to go “green”.

It’s somewhat contention, this being green, but there’s a synergy between green, lean manufacturing and eco-efficiency. And to reduce our dependence on petroleum based energy sources, it’s a matter of averting risks. In our personal lives it’s much the same.

If your looking for the most recent challenge – get into building a green business organization. The current limited but growing potential for green products, prescribes dancing to the demands of an increasingly disparate group of clients. The key is to compete on price, and to make product with “green” attributes that are perceived as having value in the market place – and to do that competitively because the vast majority of purchasers are NOT prepared to pay extra money.

There are businesses out there where the various elements are being brought together to manufacture eco-friendly safety signs at keenly competitive prices. Leading edge innovations can see such manufacturers attain advantages and so, be extremely competitive.

If you’re looking for other ideas, fridge magnets are being printed using leading manufacturing technology to create an overall green product with an attractive price. The whole process of making these magnets has been re-jigged to create lower environmental impacts.

Rapidly the day is arriving, where green credentialed products will be available at great prices. With the acceptance of green business and it’s opportunities, we’re seeing more activitiy – after all, there’s cash to be earnt and a planet ”saved”.

Going green is good business!  The big question that is always asked is, “What do companies gain when they go green?”  And the obvious answer would be helping care for and protect the environment would result in savings in the long run, as well as the added benefit of getting goodwill from various sectors and communities.  Startups and established businesses can make a profit even as they make themselves environment-friendly.  Consumers nowadays are more aware of the environmental issues and concerns in their communities and even in their own countries.People are more aware of the issues on the environment and are more likely to support these advocacies.

For businesses and companies to be more environmentally friendly and go green, there are three major things to consider.  First, business owners and company managers must understand how the business or the kind of work they do affects the environment.  In most countries, businesses are mandated by law to carry on an environmental impact assessment.Acquiring environmental compliance certificates or rating would be the end result.  Business and companies are guided by the assessment and boost their understanding on the impact of the business on the environment, either good or bad. 

It is also best to look at the environmental laws and policies that have a direct hand over particular businesses.Businesses and companies are advised to always be updated with laws and regulations concerning the environment.  For example, if a certain business produces wastewater or uses water as a product, it needs to know the regulations that deal with clean water laws or acts. Lastly, business owners and company managers should also participate in public seminars on environmental laws and regulations.  The immediate feedback would eventually help the business in formulating environment-friendly policies and advocacies.

Employees can also do their share in making their companies be more aware of environmental issues.  For one, people should buy environment-friendly appliances.  These consume less energy and could even be recycled.  Although these appliances and equipment could be pricier than ordinary ones, employees could take out payday advances to make their purchases.  Eventually, since their energy consumption will decrease, they will have more savings from their utility bills.  Another way for employees to share the green advocacy is to make donations to their favorite environment organizations.  Getting a small quick cash loan to give to these worthy causes would come a long way in making advances in environment protection.Summing it up, business owners and company managers must know environmental laws so they would understand how to work with it.

There are many benefits to running an online business, and one of the most important benefits is the environmental ones. It’s becoming increasingly clear that we need to be paying close attention to how our actions affect the environment. Choosing to work from home can have a positive effect on the environment. You can be making money with your computer and going green at the same time. Sounds good, right?

One of the biggest environmental benefits of starting a home business is obvious. You will significantly cut down the amount of pollution that you are creating by avoiding the daily commute to work. Instead of spending a half hour or more in your car helping to exhaust the world’s supply of limited oil and contributing to greenhouse gasses, you’ll head from your breakfast table to your home office in your slippers if you want to.

While the savings in pollution may be one of the biggest environmental benefits, running a home business gives you the flexibility to make many other choices that affect the environment.

Your office supplies – When you work in a company office, the supplies bought are done so with little thought to the environment. In your home office you can choose pencils made with wood from sustainable forests. You can choose the best recycled printer paper that you can afford.

Your clothing – When you work in an office, you understandably need to dress professionally and often need to have a large, varied wardrobe. When you work from home you can buy a few organic cotton t-shirts and jeans to work in and have an eco-friendly work wardrobe.

Your lighting, heating and cooling – Offices are large energy hogs. People who work in a cubicle can’t turn off the lights when they are going to be gone from their cubicle. Not too many workers would be happy with the office manager keeping the heat down and telling employees to wear an extra sweater. When you have a home business you can use CFL bulbs in your lighting and turn the lighting off whenever you’re not using it. You can adjust the thermostat to save energy and choose to put on another sweater if it’s chilly or wear a tank top if it’s warm. You are in control of these things that affect the environment.

Your food choices – This may seem like a stretch, but really its not. Offices are large energy hogs. People who work in a cubicle can’t turn off. It’s not very easy to eat an environmentally friendly diet with organics or local foods that way. But when you work from home, you can eat eco-friendly foods without a problem. Don’t forget the coffee choices, too. You can brew organic, fair trade coffee at home for a more environmentally friendly coffee break instead of having to accept the cheap coffee at work.

When you add all the little environmentally friendly choices that you are able to make with your own home business to the big environmental savings you’ll get from giving up the commute, it’s easy to see how working from home not only benefits you; it benefits the environment.

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The Green Expo taught me a very important lesson. Green Entrepreneurs need a place to pitch the world on their unique vision. So in the hopes of furthering their cause I humbly offer Mindzle as a place to make the pitch.

It has been a long held passion of mine to help other people reach their goals and dreams. In 2000 I started a technology incubator with a business partner. Soon after we started a networking event, that allowed idea people to mingle, and collaborate. At this event we created the “Pitch Box”, which was a streaming video feed that also displayed on big screens at the event. Any attendees could get up on the “Pitch Box” and deliver a 3 minute presentation. This opportunity was very popular, and helped many entrepreneurs find partners, and investors.

Given this passion, and past experience I want to help spread the word of any business or person doing good for the larger world. So do you have a great green story? Do you know of a business or product who’d like to tell the world? If so I’d love to help get the word out.

What I am looking for:

1) Tell us about your green, organic, or sustainable product, idea or business. I don’t want to know about market caps, and the fuzzy number projections. I do want to know why I as a potential customer would feel good about it. What is special about the service or product?

2) Photos of the product, people involved, services in jpeg format. Again this is an opportunity to tell people about your business, so make the images tasteful and relevant.

3) Include a “head-shot” of the author and a brief (20-50 word) bio.

4) Send this as an email with 200-800 words to hammer@mindzle.com Make sure to include relavent email and web addresses, and contact information.

If you have a home or personal project, I’d also love to hear from you. If it is green, organic, sustainable and helps me decrease my reliance on foriegn oil, and imported food or just something you are truly passionate about, send me an email at hammer@mindzle.com.