.FLYINGHEAD GOING GREEN
.TITLE Why green matters
.AUTHOR Michelle LaBrosse
.SUMMARY The weak economy has given green a whole new meaning.
.OTHER
Being "green" has long-been a "nice-to-have" item on the list of business goals for many organizations. While many may have dismissed eco-friendly business decisions as a "feel-good" activity to take part in occasionally, the weak economy has given green a whole new meaning.
Examining ways to stretch the dollar and resources in an organization can ultimately serve double duty: both having a positive impact on the bottom line and on the environment.
Simple changes like replacing paper coffee cups with washable mugs or switching from printed marketing materials to (opt-in) email blasts can save both money and trees.
Providing tools for staff to operate from virtual offices saves money on commuting, reduces the energy needed to support large offices, ultimately reducing pollution from both scenarios.
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"Thinking Green" should be a part of everyone’s job but project management is one place where it can have a key role in decisions made. After all, project managers are masters at being resourceful and weighing options to find the fastest, least expensive and most powerful solutions to getting the job done.
I’ve been incorporating eco-friendly ideas and solutions into my personal life and business for many years now. To help you get started, I’ve shared my personal top five ways to bring some green ingenuity to your every day project management.
.H1 Some initial green ideas
Once you fold these into your regular routine, you’ll find there are hundreds of other ways to expand up on these ideas. Here are some baby steps to get started:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Have a "reuse" mentality and lead by example
.BULLET Think before you print
.BULLET Use environmental or natural cleaning products
.BULLET Support and buy the products of other vendors and suppliers who are eco-friendly
.BULLET Buy office equipment with the best energy ratings
.BULLET Switch off computers, photocopiers and other equipment when not being used [There is some debate on this among IT professionals, so use your own judgment based on how much usage you put these devices through. –Ed.]
.BULLET Put automatic timers or sensor lights in your bathroom, conference rooms or spaces that are not occupied the majority of the day
.BULLET Use as much natural light as possible in the design of your office space
.BULLET Support virtual office employees or support car-pooling and ride sharing if in a suburban area
.BULLET If you can’t produce your own energy, look for a supplier that is producing green energy in your area
.BULLET If you’re in a rural area, can you create a wildlife trust around your company’s property?
.END_LIST
As an exercise, price out the difference between the way you are doing these things now and the long-term cost of the suggestions above. Then ask yourself how these decisions will impact the quality of life for your staff and where you’d invest the money saved.
.H1 Be a green materials maven
Are you using materials that have been recycled and are you recycling the materials that you’re currently using? Regardless of what industry that you work in, just a little research can make a big difference, in your project’s carbon footprint.
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Use energy saving light bulbs
.BULLET Use green materials when building out a new office, like bamboo instead of wood flooring
.BULLET Buy green products for your office — everything from toilet paper to recycled paper for printing to refillable pens vs. disposable pens
.END_LIST
Once you’ve researched and found the best options for your businesses, the rest will come easy.
.H1 Make a commitment to green
When you make green more than a passing fancy, you show your team, and your customers that you mean business. You’re not just being trendy. You’re making changes that impact the world around you.
By nature, people would prefer to feel they are helping the world around them. Taking the steps in "greening" your business will make your clients feel good about their loyalty to your organization. You’ll also see a difference in your staff as they contribute to something positive.
.H1 Spread the word
Once your green efforts are established, spread the word. Customers love to hear good news so, if you have a green initiative or a project with a green heart and soul, talk about it. Remember, "Green PR" is only bad if it is insincere.
.H1 Waste not
This one seems pretty basic but you’d be surprised how many people continue to use materials to pack products that are not recyclable.
There are so many resources, like old newspapers, that are readily available and seeking a second life. You will also find many other options like environmentally friendly soft foam to pack products for safe shipping. Furthermore, many of these materials can be sent back with incentives like a discount off of the next order.
.H1 Money does not grow on trees
Wasting money on disposable products and ideas is like throwing cash into the garbage. Beyond just basic office supplies this philosophy can stretch into promotional products, trade shows, signage, events and more. Always evaluate how something can be re-purposed down the road.
Whether you are a project manager or are in a different position, tackling something large with small milestones makes a big difference. Start off with my "baby steps" to going green. You’ll find that "green" matters to your customers, your world and your wallet.
.BIO
