Welcome to Your Green Small-Business Future
Green computing is great for the environment, and it can also be a huge boon for your business. Among the benefits: saving resources and extending the life of your technology.
Feeling green yet? Companies of all sizes and in all industries are undertaking environmentally friendly initiatives. Huge tech firms are clearing space for employee vegetable gardens, while massive data centers are drawing power from wind farms and solar panels.
But you don’t have to think big like that to be green. Even smaller changes can make a major difference, like implementing better power management strategies or committing to a paperless office.
Green Advantages
In addition to protecting the environment, you’ll be greening up your bottom line. These types of strategies have numerous benefits, including:
- Extend the life of your technology: Energy-efficient computers and peripherals are designed to last longer and be more eco-friendly. That’s good news for you, because you won’t have to update your technology as often as you may have in the past.
- Lessen utility costs: Many green measures focus on power consumption, since reducing energy use is such a vital part of an environmental strategy. Using power strips, turning off computers at night and taking advantage of natural lighting can all have a significant impact on your monthly power bill — and that means more money in your pocket.
- Improve recruiting and retention: In a recent poll by job search website TheLadders, nearly 90 percent of respondents said working in an environmentally friendly company was important to them. Seventy-two percent added that they’d choose a job at an eco-friendly company over another that didn’t implement green programs. In other words, going green can make your company more attractive to top candidates and help you retain key employees, lowering the costs of turnover.
- Boost your reputation: Numerous studies have highlighted the “green glow” that eco-friendly strategies give companies. Customers appreciate efforts like these, which not only boosts loyalty but also increases referrals. So, in addition to being kinder to the planet, you’re being smarter in how you build your brand and customer base.
Getting Started
With so many ways to implement more eco-friendly strategies, it might be tough to know where to start. But remember: any first step is a great one. Check out our article, “Mistakes Businesses Make When ‘Going Green’,” for insights on planning and on avoiding common problem areas.
Plus, our article, “10 Simple Steps Toward an Effective ‘Green’ Small Business,” can give you the kick-start you need, while “Forget Saving, Let’s Make Money with Green Computing” presents ideas about turning your sustainability efforts into a potential revenue stream.