Going green should no longer be an option for anybody. Thanks to media opinion and ecological research, we should all be fully aware of the necessity to engage in eco-friendly practices to protect the world around us. We know about the importance of recycling, as this will cut down on the harmful gases released by landfill waste. We know about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, cutting down our time on the road to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. And we know about the importance of energy conservation at home, turning off lights and appliances as another way to reduce our carbon footprint.
But while you may engage in good practice at home, are you doing enough in your business? Are you reducing your carbon footprint and committing to good practices? You should, as your reputation depends on it.
There are those industries that have long been under fire for bad practice, and you don’t want to take the same flack. However, like those industries, you can take measures to improve matters if you have fallen short. The much maligned auto industry is now implementing greener technology and sustainable fuel to claw back their reputation. And those involved in the fashion industry, who have long been blamed for environmental damage thanks to the unsustainable materials and toxic chemicals used within their garments, are now altering their ways, and are using factories such as these swimsuit manufacturers in an attempt to go greener. If they can do it, so can you!
And while you may not be working within an industry that has fallen prey to such public and government outrage, there are still things you can do on a daily basis to showcase your green credentials. You see, as well as benefiting the world we live in, going green will also benefit your business in the long term.
Why? Consider the following.
Going green will reduce your business expenses. By moving to the cloud, you won’t need to spend as much money on paper and all the associated costs, such as printing and photocopying. And by turning off appliances when you’re not using them, or by replacing them with energy-efficient alternatives, you will reduce your energy bills.
- Going green will attract customers to you. You may not be thinking green yet, but many of your customers will be. We have already touched upon the need to secure a good reputation, and if you do engage in bad practices, consumer opinion will be swayed against you. However, should you make an effort to implement sustainable measures, you will attract eco-conscious customers and secure their loyalty to your brand.
- Going green will improve your media image. It’s not only the consumer you need to worry about when operating your business. Not only will you turn them away from your business if you behave unethically, but you will also incur the wrath of the media at large. You want to make the news for all the right reasons, but if your business comes under fire for negatively affecting the environment, the news headlines about you will not be kind.
- Going green will help you beat your business rivals. Going back to the consumer again, who are they likely to choose? The company that has made an effort to go green or the company who still refuses to? The business world is very competitive, but by enforcing eco-friendly principles across your operations, you stand a better chance at beating your nearest business rivals.
- Going green will attract the best employees. A green workplace is high on the agenda for the millennial workforce, so if you’re looking to attract the freshest new faces from college and university, know that your company will be attractive to those looking to work for somebody who is ethically sound.
- Going green will improve employee morale. If your employees know that you care for the environment, they are less likely to leave you in favour of a company who has more green credentials. And the happier they are, the more productive they will be. That, of course, will lead to greater company profits.
There are other reasons why going green will aid your business. You may be eligible for government awards for your good practice, for example, and there may also be taxable benefits you can claim too. The advantages to you are many. But by going green, everybody wins. You win, because you have earned a good reputation, and that will lead to a higher profit margin. The consumer wins, because they know they are giving their money to a business that cares. And your community wins, because you are doing your bit to protect the environment. In short, going green is a no-brainer! So, if you haven’t made steps to go green yet, perhaps today is the day you made a start.
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