Monday, 11 August 2008
Weekly Tip #26: Loosen the purse strings
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Provide a small fund (say £100 a year per employee) for any member of staff to implement a green idea. Most won't take it up, but it will give some freedom for those who are interested to act.
Provide a small fund (say £100 a year per employee) for any member of staff to implement a green idea. Most won't take it up, but it will give some freedom for those who are interested to act.
Labels: staff engagement, tips
Monday, 4 August 2008
Weekly Tip #25: EMS - don't run before you can walk
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
When implementing an Environmental Management System like ISO14001, get the system up and running before going for accreditation. This will help ensure that the system is designed for you and works with your other systems.
When implementing an Environmental Management System like ISO14001, get the system up and running before going for accreditation. This will help ensure that the system is designed for you and works with your other systems.
Labels: environmental management systems, tips
Monday, 28 July 2008
Weekly Tip #24: Be careful with the B2B market
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Don't overestimate the demand for green products in businesses - buyers are risk adverse and may see green=shoddy. Focus first on business benefits such as reduced costs.
Don't overestimate the demand for green products in businesses - buyers are risk adverse and may see green=shoddy. Focus first on business benefits such as reduced costs.
Labels: green marketing, tips
Monday, 21 July 2008
Weekly Tip #23: Look around (and steal other people's ideas!)
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book*:
When looking for innovative environmental solutions, look at how businesses in completely different sectors use technology. You may find an approach that no-one has ever applied to your line of business. Most 'innovation' is from this kind of cross-fertilisation - James Dyson got the idea of putting a cyclone in a vacuum cleaner from the air purification system in a saw mill.
When looking for innovative environmental solutions, look at how businesses in completely different sectors use technology. You may find an approach that no-one has ever applied to your line of business. Most 'innovation' is from this kind of cross-fertilisation - James Dyson got the idea of putting a cyclone in a vacuum cleaner from the air purification system in a saw mill.
Labels: cleaner production, tips
Monday, 14 July 2008
Weekly Tip #22: How many of your staff know how a thermostat works?
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book*:
If you're reading this, you probably know that a room thermostat sets the target temperature for a room and that turning it up doesn't heat the room any quicker. But do your staff know this? I bet they don't - teach 'em!
If you're reading this, you probably know that a room thermostat sets the target temperature for a room and that turning it up doesn't heat the room any quicker. But do your staff know this? I bet they don't - teach 'em!
Labels: energy efficiency, thermostat, tips
Monday, 7 July 2008
Weekly Tip #21: Use the Terra Infirma Brainstorming Tool
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book*:
If you want to do effective brainstorming, then use the Terra Infirma Brainstorming Tool. You can see it in the latest edition of the Low Carbon Agenda along with instructions. It is set up for Carbon Emissions, but substitute 'Waste' or a more specific problem eg 'Product Loss in Goods Out' and it's hot to trot for any environmental issue. You can also use it for other applications, even frying an egg.
* It really is very nearly ready. Honest!
If you want to do effective brainstorming, then use the Terra Infirma Brainstorming Tool. You can see it in the latest edition of the Low Carbon Agenda along with instructions. It is set up for Carbon Emissions, but substitute 'Waste' or a more specific problem eg 'Product Loss in Goods Out' and it's hot to trot for any environmental issue. You can also use it for other applications, even frying an egg.
* It really is very nearly ready. Honest!
Labels: brainstorming, low carbon agenda, tips
Monday, 30 June 2008
Weekly Tip #20: with waste, start at the end
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
When carrying out a waste minimisation exercise, focus your attention on the end of the process. This is where your product has most added value - I've seen finished high-value products ranging from furniture through lubricants to pharmaceuticals destroyed after a lot of time and money has been invested in making them, and before they can be sold to customers to realise that value. Packing machines and fork lift drivers are the main culprits...
When carrying out a waste minimisation exercise, focus your attention on the end of the process. This is where your product has most added value - I've seen finished high-value products ranging from furniture through lubricants to pharmaceuticals destroyed after a lot of time and money has been invested in making them, and before they can be sold to customers to realise that value. Packing machines and fork lift drivers are the main culprits...
Labels: tips, waste minimisation
Monday, 23 June 2008
Weekly Tip #19: Buy holes, not drills
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Slightly obscure title, but it refers to the fact that when you buy a drill, what you are actually after is the holes it will produce, not the drill itself.
So, for example, instead of buying solvent, you can buy solvent services: provision, monitoring and disposal/recycling. The environmental difference is that the provider and you have the same interest: more service, less material, less waste, compared to the straight 'buy a product' scenario where the more you waste, the more profit they get. You can do this with anything from transport to carpets.
The technical term for this is a 'product service system'.
Slightly obscure title, but it refers to the fact that when you buy a drill, what you are actually after is the holes it will produce, not the drill itself.
So, for example, instead of buying solvent, you can buy solvent services: provision, monitoring and disposal/recycling. The environmental difference is that the provider and you have the same interest: more service, less material, less waste, compared to the straight 'buy a product' scenario where the more you waste, the more profit they get. You can do this with anything from transport to carpets.
The technical term for this is a 'product service system'.
Labels: product service systems, solvents, tips
Monday, 16 June 2008
Weekly Tip #18: Waste Not, Hand Out Nowt
This is the latest of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Use overhead projectors and powerpoint at meetings to present data rather than handouts. Make the presentations available on-line instead using an intranet or similar.
Another tip next Monday.
Use overhead projectors and powerpoint at meetings to present data rather than handouts. Make the presentations available on-line instead using an intranet or similar.
Another tip next Monday.
Labels: paper, tips, waste minimisation
Monday, 9 June 2008
Weekly Tip #17: Working from Home
This is one of a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Many businesses are too scared to let their staff work out of sight, but working from home is eco-friendly. The Department for Transport estimates that teleworkers working at home reduce their mileage between 48-77% on teleworking days and 11 to 19% overall. Flexible working allows you to cut office space, which cuts heating, cooling and lighting costs and associated emissions.
I wrote a longer article on this for Management Issues.
Another tip next Monday!
Many businesses are too scared to let their staff work out of sight, but working from home is eco-friendly. The Department for Transport estimates that teleworkers working at home reduce their mileage between 48-77% on teleworking days and 11 to 19% overall. Flexible working allows you to cut office space, which cuts heating, cooling and lighting costs and associated emissions.
I wrote a longer article on this for Management Issues.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: teleworking, tips, working from home
Monday, 2 June 2008
Weekly Tip #16: My favourite slogan
This is the sixteenth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Treat the word ‘waste’ as a verb, never a noun!
Material, water and energy is wasted, not 'waste'.
But be careful as, to the Environment Agency and the judiciary, waste is waste is waste.
Another tip next Monday!
Treat the word ‘waste’ as a verb, never a noun!
Material, water and energy is wasted, not 'waste'.
But be careful as, to the Environment Agency and the judiciary, waste is waste is waste.
Another tip next Monday!
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Weekly Tip #15: Cold Comfort
This is the fifteenth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
If you have cold rooms/refrigerators, make sure doors are alarmed so staff are alerted if they are left open. You can also improve the efficiency of refrigeration compressors and get free hot water with a simple heat exchanger.
Another tip next Monday!
If you have cold rooms/refrigerators, make sure doors are alarmed so staff are alerted if they are left open. You can also improve the efficiency of refrigeration compressors and get free hot water with a simple heat exchanger.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: refrigeration, tips, waste heat recovery
Monday, 12 May 2008
Weekly Tip #14: Down the drain...
This is the fourteenth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
To avoid the risk of pollution incidences, map and understand your on-site drainage. Make sure all drains are colour coded: blue for surface water and red for the sewer is a standard approach;
Another tip next Monday!
To avoid the risk of pollution incidences, map and understand your on-site drainage. Make sure all drains are colour coded: blue for surface water and red for the sewer is a standard approach;
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: drains, risk, tips, water pollution
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
Weekly Tip #13: In the bathroom
This is the thirteenth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Toilets/washrooms are a big contributors to your environmental footprint. Lights get left on, taps drip and urinals flush through the night. Install efficient lighting with timer controls, low flow toilets, waterfree or 'intelligent' urinals, and put push taps on your sinks.
Another tip next Monday!
Toilets/washrooms are a big contributors to your environmental footprint. Lights get left on, taps drip and urinals flush through the night. Install efficient lighting with timer controls, low flow toilets, waterfree or 'intelligent' urinals, and put push taps on your sinks.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: bathroom, energy efficiency, tips, water conservation
Monday, 28 April 2008
Weekly Tip #12: Last Rinse = First Wash Next time
This is the twelfth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
If you're a business which does a lot of washing (food, pharmaceuticals etc), why not keep the last rinse water from each wash to use for the first wash the next time around? You'll save on water and effluent costs.
Another tip next Monday!
If you're a business which does a lot of washing (food, pharmaceuticals etc), why not keep the last rinse water from each wash to use for the first wash the next time around? You'll save on water and effluent costs.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: tips, water conservation
Monday, 21 April 2008
Weekly Tip #11: Green Marketing
This is the eleventh in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
When promoting green products to a mass market, resist the temptation to go overboard on the ‘green look’. Focus on cost & performance benefits first, environmental performance second, and use third party accreditation where possible for those green claims.
Another tip next Monday!
When promoting green products to a mass market, resist the temptation to go overboard on the ‘green look’. Focus on cost & performance benefits first, environmental performance second, and use third party accreditation where possible for those green claims.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: green marketing, tips
Monday, 14 April 2008
Weekly Tip #10: The Toddler Test
This is the tenth in a series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Go through everything your business does - every process and activity - and apply "The Toddler Test" to each part of it. That is, keep asking 'why?' until you can no longer answer. This will help identify any wasteful and unnecessary processes that can be eliminated saving money and physical resources.
Another tip next Monday!
Go through everything your business does - every process and activity - and apply "The Toddler Test" to each part of it. That is, keep asking 'why?' until you can no longer answer. This will help identify any wasteful and unnecessary processes that can be eliminated saving money and physical resources.
Another tip next Monday!
Monday, 7 April 2008
Weekly Tip #9: Compressed Air
This is the ninth in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
If you have compressed air on site, buy an ultrasonic leak detector. It will cost a couple of hundred quid max and, providing you use it regularly, will save you many times that every year. One small leak could be costing you £600pa and most factories I visit have plenty of them.
Another tip next Monday!
If you have compressed air on site, buy an ultrasonic leak detector. It will cost a couple of hundred quid max and, providing you use it regularly, will save you many times that every year. One small leak could be costing you £600pa and most factories I visit have plenty of them.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: compressed air, leaks, tips
Monday, 31 March 2008
Tip of the Week #8: Staff Committees
This is the eighth in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
It is well understood that cultural change is vital to any sort of business improvement. Why not go beyond the usual training/awareness sessions and set up a staff committee to scrutinise every element of your business for environmental improvements?
Another tip next Monday!
It is well understood that cultural change is vital to any sort of business improvement. Why not go beyond the usual training/awareness sessions and set up a staff committee to scrutinise every element of your business for environmental improvements?
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: staff engagement, tips
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Weekly Tip #7: Keep it short, stupid
This is the seventh in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Save paper by discouraging epic reports. You don’t need a War and Peace-sized document to organise the coffee rota. There may be other benefits to your business too - Proctor & Gamble have famously used a one page memo format for decades and see it as a key factor in their business success.
Another tip next Monday!
Save paper by discouraging epic reports. You don’t need a War and Peace-sized document to organise the coffee rota. There may be other benefits to your business too - Proctor & Gamble have famously used a one page memo format for decades and see it as a key factor in their business success.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: one page memo, paper, proctor gamble, tips
Monday, 17 March 2008
Weekly Tip #6: Don't flush money away
This is the sixth in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Fitting simple water conservation devices in your washrooms can slash your water bills and can have a payback of less than 8 months.
Another tip next Monday!
Fitting simple water conservation devices in your washrooms can slash your water bills and can have a payback of less than 8 months.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: tips, water conservation
Monday, 10 March 2008
Weekly Tip #5: Walk the talk
This is the fifth in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
The environmental agenda is no different to any other leadership challenge - if you're the boss you must do as you say, walk the talk, and be consistent. Nothing will kill your staff morale or your public image more than hypocrisy. It doesn't matter if the right thing to do is difficult or inconvenient...
Another tip next Monday!
The environmental agenda is no different to any other leadership challenge - if you're the boss you must do as you say, walk the talk, and be consistent. Nothing will kill your staff morale or your public image more than hypocrisy. It doesn't matter if the right thing to do is difficult or inconvenient...
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: leadership, tips
Monday, 3 March 2008
Weekly Tip #4: Reposition Your Bins
This is the fourth in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
It's always intrigued me that in offices we have a general waste bin by our desks and a recycling bin typically at the end of the corridor. Why not put a paper recycling bin by each desk and a general waste bin further away? Your used paper collection will soar as a result.
Another tip next Monday!
It's always intrigued me that in offices we have a general waste bin by our desks and a recycling bin typically at the end of the corridor. Why not put a paper recycling bin by each desk and a general waste bin further away? Your used paper collection will soar as a result.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: paper, recycling, tips
Monday, 25 February 2008
Weekly Tip #3: Provide cycle facilities
This is the third in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Many staff are put off cycling to work because of poor facilities. Decent covered cycle stands*, lockers and a shower will go a long way to help. You could also provide maps showing local cycle routes.
* Avoid the 'wheelbenders' that you put the front wheel of the bike into - their nick name says it all. 'Sheffield stands' - an inverted U - are best.
Another tip next Monday!
Many staff are put off cycling to work because of poor facilities. Decent covered cycle stands*, lockers and a shower will go a long way to help. You could also provide maps showing local cycle routes.
* Avoid the 'wheelbenders' that you put the front wheel of the bike into - their nick name says it all. 'Sheffield stands' - an inverted U - are best.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: commuting, cycling, tips
Monday, 18 February 2008
Weekly Tip #2: Don't sweat the little stuff
This is the second in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
I'm a great advocate of 80/20 thinking when it comes to measuring environmental performance. The uncertainties in the natural world and in the economy are so high that more precise analysis is a waste of time. Focus on the big impacts: space heating, air conditioning, compressed air, use of vehicles etc.
And don't forget the old farmers' saying: "a pig never got fat by weighing it".
Another tip next Monday!
I'm a great advocate of 80/20 thinking when it comes to measuring environmental performance. The uncertainties in the natural world and in the economy are so high that more precise analysis is a waste of time. Focus on the big impacts: space heating, air conditioning, compressed air, use of vehicles etc.
And don't forget the old farmers' saying: "a pig never got fat by weighing it".
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: measurement, tips
Monday, 11 February 2008
Weekly Tip #1: Environmental Policy
This is the first in a new series of tips extracted from the forthcoming Green Business Bible e-book:
Before you write an environmental policy, collect plenty from other businesses to get some inspiration. Make sure you get policies in the same sector as you, and from businesses with the same ethos. Whatever you do, keep it to one side of A4. Any more is a strategy, not a policy.
Another tip next Monday!
Before you write an environmental policy, collect plenty from other businesses to get some inspiration. Make sure you get policies in the same sector as you, and from businesses with the same ethos. Whatever you do, keep it to one side of A4. Any more is a strategy, not a policy.
Another tip next Monday!
Labels: green business bible, tips
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