Looking at the New Year

Businesses are struggling harder than ever to find ways to save money. Cutting back on every item possible all the way to outsourcing snacks in the breakroom or lounge areas to independent vendors. But what about the way they do business?

Traditional consultants teach business to cut back, cut back, cut back. But what if your business could find a different way of producing your product through innovative methods? This type of audit has saved companies millions of dollars. An outside look at the way you do business is essential. Sometimes you're too close to the situation to see that there's a different way of doing business. Even if you don't produce a product, maybe it's a service.

An outside look is vital. Are you're employees giving it all they've got on the job? If not, maybe there are other factors involved that could help. If their not able to give 100% to the job you're losing money. But it may not be their fault. Have you considered lighting? But yet, tradition tells us to fire them. Is that good social sustainability?

Just some things to consider.

It's Not Easy Being Green

As you know, in all business there's a lot of selling, and in this economy everyone asks for something free before giving in to the fact that they need to pay.

UGH! Sometimes it's frustrating to get across to others that they will save money, but first they need to learn how to save the right way. If their habits don't change, then everything will go back to the old ways. Change is an ever working effort.

Sustainability does not sell you on tree hugging, it sells benefiting your environment! If you want to tree hug later because you've changed your mind, then fine! But first let's find some balance between your business and your local environment!

How are you answering the question, "What are you doing to improve the environment?" What are you telling your customers?

Do you really think you can keep putting off the fact that one day you'll need to answer this question?

New Year, New Initiatives

2010 is a new beginning to win with sustainability initiatives. In this economic downturn, we've already cut back on our budget. You may be asking where else can I save?

Personally and in business, ask yourself where can I save electricity, gasoline, water and consumption? Have you thought about LED lighting? If so, have you thought about switch sensors? These sensors can be set to turn off a light in as little as a few seconds to 15 minutes. Yes, these are not only for businesses, but also for home use.

Now what about gasoline? If you're not interested in carpooling or using public transportation, have you thought about retrofitting your car with an alternative method such as using vegetable oil, if you have a diesel engine? What about a H2O gas retrofit? Both save hundreds of dollars per year in expense and also burns cleaner than gasoline; therefore, helping our environment.

In saving water, have you thought while cooking using the water in the cans of food you open rather then draining them? At work, what about buying a water filter for the break room/kitchenettes instead of buying the bottled water? Saving money and water.

Now let's talk about consumption. Consumption is a big area we can all find ways to cut back. It's the easiest area to come up with ideas. Food is our biggest temptation. For a start to the New Year, let's try and not buy food in containers that cannot be recycled or reused. Many Asian restaurants now use plastic containers that you can reuse at home or recycle. If you don't have a place to recycle then, wash and give them away to someone. They make great freezer containers. Better yet, prepare a nice dish and take it to them and say, "Keep the container." At least it was reused.

Finding Alternatives Until You No Longer See the Need to Take = Sustainability