ESSENTIAL BUSINESS TECH EXECUTIVES, PROFESSIONALS & ENTREPRENEURS GREEN Technology For Business How To Make The Changes That Actually Matter “Going green” could arguably be one of the most popular catchphrases of the last decade. As trendy as the phrase might seem, it actually encompasses a number of practices that contribute to environmental sustainability and cut business costs in the long run. I n her book, “Greening Your Small Business,” Greenhance (www.greenhance.com) partner Jennifer Kaplan offers a long definition for what in the world people are saying when they claim they’re going green. “When people talk about going green, they are typi- cally talking about efforts to reduce or mitigate carbon-producing activi- ties that cause global warming,” says Kaplan. “The primary culprits are the by-products of burning fossil fuels Key Points 24 to provide the energy we use in the course of our daily lives.” As noble as combating global warming might sound, there are plenty of practical ways a small business can execute an effective environmental management strategy. RECOGNIZE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT To give some credit where it’s due, you’re probably already taking some steps toward greening your business. By definition, a business that wants to “go green” is trying to reduce activity that would harm the environment. May 2012 / www.pctoday.com Assess the lifecycle of your business to determine areas where more environmentally friendly practices are possible. You might have made a decision to do so when you were upgrading appliances or installing security features on your building. Do you have low-flow aerators on your faucets? These will save you two gallons per minute, which trans- lates into energy and cash savings. And aside from being unflattering on the complexion, there’s a secondary reason to get rid of traditional fluorescent bulbs: low mercury CLF (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs. They look like spirals and could save you hundreds of dollars Engage your staff in sustain- able strategies and practices. Be true to your green stan- dards for the sake of your own commercial reputation and your customers’ respect.