Should a School Implement Green Business Practices?

Did you ever think you would send your children to school to become environmentally friendly? Once upon a time children were sent to school to learn only practical subjects however these days the range of subjects being taught to children has been extended. Schools now are looking to implement green business practices not only to reduce the environmental impact of the school but also to teach children about environmental stewardship. The desire to create new schools with green building concepts is not just about protecting the environmental but also recognition of how physical environments can affect learning. This article outlines drivers for schools to go green.Motivation for Green SchoolsSchools are one of the many industries seeking to green their business. As well as the cost savings that can result from implementing green business practices, schools also benefit by creating lessons for students around their own environmental initiatives. There is also recognition that green schools are not only better for the environment but are also better for students. By making sure classrooms have good acoustics, high-quality air and ample natural light a more productive learning environment is created. The importance of these factors is such that a number of States in America have policies requiring schools to be green.Green Business Practices for SchoolsSchools do not differ too much from other industries when it comes to green business practices that can be implemented. While they have some specific needs the key areas of energy and water use along with waste disposal still apply. Reducing energy use through making use of natural light and using occupancy sensors to automatically switch off light can create significant cost savings. In some schools solar energy is used to supply lighting needs. Water use can be reduced through installing low flow toilets and fixtures in bathrooms as well as educating students on the importance of saving water. Students can get involved in recycling programs not only reducing the waste disposed of by the school but also acquiring a good knowledge of recycling which they then take home with them. There are many green business practices that can be implemented without major alteration but new schools being constructed or those undergoing major renovation can be more environmentally friendly by creating green school buildings.Green Buildings in SchoolsThe US Green Building Councils LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification has a category specifically for school buildings. Aside from the usual green building issues, the certification also addresses such things as mold prevention and classroom acoustics. According to the Council 20% of America goes to school each day and greening both new and existing schools can impact student health, improve teacher retention and reduce school operating costs. A range of green school case studies can be found on their Green School Buildings website.Going green in schools is going to be an increasing trend. Although establishing green business practices can take considerable work the benefits of reducing operating costs and improving the well being of students and staff are likely to outweigh these. Further to this, incorporating environmental lessons around actions the school is already taking creates an understanding of environmental stewardship for future generations.

Green Business - A 6 Step Strategy For Turning Your Business Green

Increasingly businesses are becoming aware of the benefits of being environmentally friendly but what happens once the decision has been made to turn the business green?Reducing the environmental impacts of a business is not a fast process so having a strategy to incorporate environmental issues into the strategic planning is vital for long term success.The following six step strategy outlines activities a business will undertake in becoming sustainable.1. Confirm management is committed to the environmental vision: Nothing happens in a business without the support of management. This is not so difficult in small organisations but larger companies will need to enlist the support of all those with managerial responsibilities. The management team should decide their definition of a green business as well as their reasons for going green. Is the motive to engage in ethical behaviour, be certified as environmentally friendly for marketing or to ensure environmental regulations are adhered to?2. Create an environmental policy: Similar to the strategic vision, the environmental policy indicates at a high level what the business is committed to. Staff at all levels should have the opportunity to have input on the policy so it becomes a living document they will support in future.3. Determine the environmental impacts of the business: Look at all the inputs and outputs of the business in the creation of the product or service. Consider the environmental impact of any supplies purchased as well as the resources used each day. Take into account the key areas of the business. While water use, energy use and waste management are the most well known environmental issues, there are many other ways a business can impact the environment such as staff undertaking extensive travel or the use of toxic chemicals for cleaning.4. Set environmental goals: Take into account the impacts of the business and decide the short and long term environmental goals. By this stage there should be a good understanding of the key areas which enables environmental goals to be prioritised. One priority should be to ensure the business is in compliance with environmental regulations.5. Establish green practices in the key areas: Once goals have been set and prioritised, decisions can be made on what operational changes are required in the key areas. Determine who will be responsible for ensuring each goal is completed and how progress towards the goal will be monitored and reported.6. Make a green communications plan: Decide how the business will report its sustainability improvements to a wider audience. The plan should address the frequency and form of communication with staff, suppliers, clients and shareholders.Just like any business planning process, the environmental plan must be viewed as a cycle with regular reviews of the policy, impacts, goals and practices. Lessons learned through experience and new information can be incorporated into the strategy each time it is reviewed.

Green Business - The Corporation of the Future

Many businesses are making the leap and are trying to go green with their company. This is a good idea, as green business is smart in terms of reducing human impact the environment. Green business even has the possibility to help the environment if you do enough (especially through the use of solar power). It may also help to increase your business, as environmentally-focused people will likely choose a "green" business over one that is not.When you are looking to start a green business, you may first look to small things that you may do to help the environment. One very small step that you can take is to recycle all of your business recyclables. This is a very easy step, as many things are recyclable and many cities have simple recycling programs.A less convenient, yet free step that you can take is to compost all organic materials (i. E. Fruit cores, egg shells, etc.) in your office. Some cities have compost bins, and it is important to use them. Compost is organic materials that would normally be thrown into the trash. Instead, items that are composted can be used as nutrients for plants and landscaping. This returns the matter back into the earth instead of storing it up in a landfill.Another easy step that you may take is to reduce the amount of consumption in your office. You can do this by analyzing how much paper, plastic, materials, etc. You use in your office. You then look for ways to reduce the amount of these items that you use. For instance, if you use ten sheets of single-sided paper to create brochures, you may want to switch to five double-sided sheets to save paper.Eco-friendly supplies are also something that you can purchase to green out your business. When you need to use paper, recycled paper is a greener option. It can be high quality, so it is an easy switch. Other recycled products can be used, as well as organic, sustainable, and/or free trade products. These changes may help to reduce your impact on the environment.When purchasing cleaning supplies, it is good to choose eco-friendly ones. These often use organic or natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. You can also decide to use recycled sponges instead of paper towels for cleaning up messes. This reduces consumption, and it also saves your business money.Hybrid or electric company cars are great for larger companies that use company cars. Hybrids get better gas mileage than most other cars, so they are probably worth the investment. If you can afford to go state-of-the-art, you can consider a hybrid/electric car technology. This car is fully electric, but if you run out of power you can switch it to hybrid mode.Solar power is an investment, but it can have a great pay out. It is ideal if your company building is often in the sun. Solar power converts energy from the sun into electricity using a series of cells. With enough cells you may be able to make your company completely solar-powered, and you may even be able to help the environment by returning extra power back into the power grid. They are expensive, but in the long run can save your company money.

Are There Financial Help Options for Your Green Business?

First, you have brought a lot of hope for the society by going green. The size of your enterprise does not matter because you can get financial help in many avenues. Most of these are funded by the state while others are under the non-governmental organizations that aim at promoting a greener society. For instance, the US government provides different funding for people whose enterprises aim at controlling pollution in the environment. This is through the Small Business Administration (SBA) that categorizes the grants and loans for different needs.The government has realized the potential of small businesses in changing the societal approach to a greener world. For that reason, the funding assists the enterprises expand their niche, hire more workers and also get better equipment. Some of the grants nay have a limit on the amount you can get depending with the type of enterprise, though, in most cases, it will be sufficient for the need at hand. In addition, most of these are no interest grants that require you to service just the amount received. This allows any startup time to get sufficient profits for the running of the business and paying up. In addition, various state departments have funds for the environmental-based businesses. This will be under the trade your business is in.If you have a solar panel production and installation company, you can check the energy ministry or department. For instance, in Minnesota, the department of employment and economic development, and the department of energy have different grants and funding for entrepreneurs in the green business. On the other hand, you can also get a personal loan from the banking institutions without having to seek the specified loans or the green enterprise. In that case, you will follow the normal procedure of getting a loan and present the collateral required. This allows you to get the maximum you are entitled to depending with your credit history and the account you hold. The main stack with this financial help is the interest rate that you service the loan with. It might leave you dry for a few months though.The assistance might also include mentorship skills to help you fit in that industry and thus thrive in that line of service or work. This is mainly because most people in society have not yet accepted that green is the way to go. For instance, if your business involves recycling waste paper and producing toilet rolls amongst other products, you might get harsh comments from clients you approach to sell your products. Some of them will claim they do not see the need to use recycled paper when the 'cleaner' type is in the market, others will say that they cannot stock such products in their stores because it will look like they are selling cheap stuff when they deal with a high-class client market. Such factors may force you to close shop because you need clients to survive. Therefore, when seeking financial help, look for an institution that will give you the marketing or organizational mentorship aside from the cash.

Green Business in the US

What is a Green Business? It seems as if almost everyone is talking "Green." Green is everywhere around us. Bill companies are going green, grocery stores are going green, everyone is cashing in on green, but do we fully understand what it is.A green company or business is marked for its ability to decrease the impact made on the environment by waste, harmful chemicals and materials used to process or make products and services. The direct impact made from all of these products produce a gas which is referred to as carbon dioxide and is referred to as the carbon footprint. The carbon footprint therefore branches off from ecological footprint analysis, which then examines the ecological capacity required to support the consumption of products.One of the most popular examples that we see today of going green is going paperless which is what the majority of bill companies and banks try to get us to do. Instead of sending out paper and paying for stamps they want you to sign up for emails or create accounts online in which you can see your account activity and take care of your business without using or wasting paper.Green Businesses look for alternative ways to create or use products repetitively so we don't have to produce new ones such as paper, lead pencils, emails and more products which are not harmful to the environment and still function the same or at a better level and preferably with a lower cost.A company's green initiative can include conserving materials through remanufacturing, converting harmful gases into clean energy, generating green power and improving fuel economy. Designing this for the environment is a process for a green business as well as making for a sustainable business. This process aids the users into considering the potential for environmental impacts of a product and the process that is takes to make that product.In turn, weighing all of these options take time and effort which makes a business a good business because they want to get their products right in order to help the environment and therefore cut down or eliminate harmful wastes.

Green Business Ideas

In today's world, many people are worried about our environment. This concern is valid with all of the things that are happening in the world around us. It is key to remember that we live in the world we create. We can make a choice to be part of the solution or become a part of the growing problem. The problem that we are talking about is environmental issues.There are two types of business. One type of business creates garbage and another type does something to improve the environmental issues. Which type of business do you want to be? Have you ever thought of starting your own business doing things that will help to reverse the harmful effects of environmental pollution? Well, perhaps it is time.There are many business ideas that you can use to create an environmentally friendly solution. First take a look at your strong points and find out what talents you have that can be used. There are so many things that can be recycled and turned into wonderful products if you start to think outside of the box.Let's take a look at an old car tire. What do you do with it when it can no longer be used on your car? Most people just throw it away or let the new tire place take care of it. However, it has other uses. You can make things from that old rubber. You could make a business by collecting types of rubber trash and reusing them.You can use this rubber to make things like bags, hats and berets, gloves, jewelry, wallets and many other handy things. Rubber is not the only thing that can be recycled. You can recycle almost anything with the same unique business idea.Here is another idea for you that could start a great business. Harvest rain water run off. They do this in places where water is not readily found. You could create a rain water storage system and sell them. Place them around the town and show people how to use them.You can use things like old wood that people throw out to create things. These created items can be put up for sale with ease. Many people love to buy stuff that looks old. Here is another one for you to consider, rebuild old bikes and toys. Take parts from one and add them to another to create a new bike or toy idea. It is just another spin on re-cycling.You do not have to throw out something like a bike just because it does not work in its current condition. You can use these other parts to mend it and get it back on the road to being useful. By starting your own green friendly business you are doing your part to help correct the environmental issues that many people want to help fix but don't know how. Think about how we are taught to throw things away. Did you ever notice that no one teaches us how to recycle? Perhaps you could with your new business. You have the opportunity to become part of the solution and not part of the problem.

The Pros and Cons of Being a Green Business

Recently I've met with a couple of green businesses, at opposite ends of the spectrum.The first one is a manufacturing company making all-natural chemical cleaning products for commercial use. For the past several years they have had an annual sales growth of over 100%. This year it looks like they will far surpass that number.They drive a delivery van fueled for free from their restaurant customer's grease that is filtered into bio fuel, which saves their customers from having to pay to send it to a landfill.The other company just closed their doors after about five years. They were a local green retail store here in Brooklyn. They offered all-natural products for the home in a general store setting. Giftware, baby products, housewares and so on. As a service to the community, they collected used batteries for recycling.The last time I went in to speak with one of the owners, there were piles of used batteries around and not too much inventory. She was exhausted and seemed almost resigned to the fact she would not make it.And I've seen that look before. In me. Twelve years earlier when I tried and failed at a similar concept in a much larger scale.After having been working in and with green businesses for over 20 years, this is what I see as their pros and cons:Pros of Being Green:Green is Hot-Is it a fad or is it here to stay? The answer is "yes". It is a fad and it will stay. Mostly because it must stay. These days everyone wants to be seen as being green. If you have something that people need that is superior to non-green alternatives, you can do well in certain situations.Solid Business Opportunities-if you have a product or service in the energy, clean tech or green tech sectors, or are dealing with everyday challenges people face AND are competitive in your product/service, you are in a good place.Marketability Factor-since the media is still hot for green, businesses can definitely find unique ways to milk this one.Just make sure you do it authentically, otherwise you risk getting busted for green washing-claiming you are greener than you really are.Easier to Compete-as long as your product is just as good as or better than non-green alternatives out there you're in good shape. Even if you cannot compete on price, there are solid strategies to position your product/service to be quite desirable.Strong Feel Good Component-if your product / service really makes a difference for the planet and society, you can certainly leverage this in your branding and marketing. People like knowing what they purchase is going to help more than just themselves, with everything else being relatively equal.More Stable-businesses that build not only a profitable business but one that integrates the social and environmental components that surround it, usually do better than their "non-green" competitors.Cons to Being GreenGreen is Hot... Right Now-those green businesses that market, position and brand themselves as "green" as the main message will struggle when the green wave subsides. Knowing how to stay hot without relying on "green" as the key differentiator is crucial.Keeping Up-since green business is here to stay (not to be confused with the "buzz" or fad of being green), keeping ahead of the competition in new green technologies and strategies can be quite challenging at times. For example, it is so '90's to say, "We're green because we use recycled paper and soy based inks in our materials...."Complex Business Model-it's hard enough to focus on one bottom line: profits. Try focusing on three! True green businesses not only focus on being profitable, they also take responsibility of the impact their business has on people and the planet (known as the triple-bottom-line or the three p's.)Juggling Hats -most green business owners I know are traditional business people OR environmentalists, but rarely both. To thrive as a green business owner, you must be great at both!Play By the Same Rules... For Now-many green business owners expect people will come flocking to their product or service because of how green it is. They usually are in for a rude awakening. If it does not compete on the traditional business components of: functionality, quality, fashion, and/or price it will not succeed. Guaranteed. This may change, but not yet.And while we're light-years ahead from where we were 20 years ago, the green business model is quite new and we're still ironing out the kinks.Green businesses, just like traditional businesses, must still pay rent, make payroll, figure out marketing and branding strategies and so on.But there is one major difference. When a green business is done really well, you will see the positive social and environmental impact it has... while making a solid profit.And when that happens, it really doesn't get any better than that.Action Steps for the Week:So you want to be green, huh? Or perhaps you already are? Cool. Take a look at all three bottom lines:Profits - how are you going to make money (or how are you making it already)? What is your business model, price-points, competition and market analysis?People - how will your product/service impact your stakeholders (anyone impacted by your business: community, customers, vendors, employees, investors, etc.) What plan do you have to make sure you are making a positive difference for them?Planet - what do you do that will not only be gentle on the planet, but even reverse the damage we have been doing to it?Once you answer these three in a powerful, positive and interesting way you will have a business model that is solid, strong, and truly sustainable.

Green Business - Change Your Business Into an Eco-Friendly Business

These days business circles are abuzz with the talks of eco friendly practices. New start ups and small businesses are keen to jump on eco-friendly bandwagon by adapting environment friendly practices like recycling, green manufacturing, sustainable development or renewable energy. Not only these practices provide small businesses with good projection, but the technologies like recycling or renewable energy are also beneficial to the businesses in terms of cost reduction. "Green business" is a recently introduced phenomenon and it is much more than placing a greenish logo on your products or packaging. In actual fact, Green businesses are enterprises that use natural products, reprocess materials and try to be as energy efficient as they can.Efficient Use of Energy:Businesses are keen to minimize energy cost and emissions. Businesses can save a handful on bills by taking initiatives like switching off unnecessary lights or using appliances which are much more energy efficient than the older ones. Energy efficient electronics like computer monitors, cooling systems or lighting systems have in-built programs along together with different kinds of sensors, which helps them save energy in various ways. Buying these appliances or installing new cooling systems may sound a little squandering, however when you look at the amount you can save on bills, it is easily justified.Environment Friendly Manufacturing:Manufacturers are quickly realizing that adapting an eco-friendly approach is actually more beneficial for the business itself than it is for the environment. A green manufacturer will focus on the longevity of the products, it won't pile up unnecessary inventory, it'll think of ways to recycle scrap and it wouldn't be wasting resources in over production. As you can see, these are all commonsensical practices. Therefore, green manufacturing is not some useless hoopla; it is in fact a more sensible approach of doing business.Working for the waste reduction and Recycling:Waste reduction should be added into the job description of managers or supervisors as an added responsibility. Take the example of paper wastage, which can be reduced significantly by taking small steps. For example, using electronic mail for internal communication or printing on both sides of the paper. Stop purchasing or making use of color printers when you can do with black and white copies. Read the instruction manuals of your electronic appliances like Air Conditioners, generators or printers and follow the instructions, it will maximize their performance while increasing their lifespan. Manager or anybody else who is in charge of purchases should make sure that the need exists before authorizing any purchase.

Green Business - How Long Do Entrepreneurs Have to Start a Profitable Wind Farm?

While most industries have crashed due to the recession, the market for wind energy has grown 39%. This is largely due to the stimulus package that has been introduced by the government, but as green business begins to gain momentum it is expected that the demand for wind energy will increase even further. In fact, wind energy was the fastest growing source of energy even before the demand for the recent popularity of green energy. This has provided many opportunities for green businesses and created demand for the engineers, technicians, and venture capitalists needed to make them successful.The bad news is that entrepreneurs may soon find themselves outside their window of opportunity to profit from building their own wind farm. There are few sites in the United States that have wind speeds high enough to harvest wind energy economically and effectively. As demand for wind energy peaks, is likely that these sites will quickly be occupied by large companies trying to capture as much of the renewable energy market as they can before space runs out, resulting in an oligopoly. This means that smaller entrepreneurs will have to raise the capital necessary to invest in a wind farm quickly in order to make sure that they can get in the game before the opportunity passes over them. If they don't they will have to cut their losses and sell their capital before it depreciates to the point where they lose all of their own investment.This brings up another point: the cost involved with starting a wind farm. This involves the huge start up costs as well as operating factors such as hiring the technicians and engineers needed for the business to continue running smoothly. Costs of setting up a wind farm would vary depending on location and the amount of power being generated, but you can expect that a wind farm would take at least a couple of million dollars to set up. This may be possible with the stimulus package, the right angel investors and existing personal assets. It still would be a major barrier of entry to most small entrepreneurs and could be over a decade before they recoup their initial investment. In the end, starting a wind farm might be a great long-term opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to launch a green business, particularly if they are engineers with the expertise to develop a more efficient system than those currently developed. However, constructing a wind farm can be a risky venture for small business developers and they may lose the opportunity to do so entirely if they do not act now.

Green Business Versus Green Buildings

No doubt, everyone now knows that we are dealing with issues larger than pollution and conservation. The popularity of the concept of sustainability has become a common phrase in countless articles though there is still some confusion on the subject. There are health issues related to indoor air quality that are not quite sustainable concerns, but fall into the Green for life arena. The issues of pollution are also well-known and almost pushed aside with ancillary concerns for the rainforest, whale population, polar bear habitat, and receding ice cap. Nonetheless, the need for a Green building has emerged as the hot issue of the business community and various government bodies. This, I fear, is a good idea that have been ramped a little too high.Building construction or renovation is meritorious and certainly a part of the big answer for environmental issues of our day. It seems that our constant quest for better, brighter, and more powerful products has neglected to ask other questions about health and safety to the living beings that inhabit this world, including the oft-decried human species. Though man has been a problem at times, he has also been the cure for problems that require more than nature alone supplies. More to the topic at hand, do Green buildings faithfully address the environmental issues that we face in the most appropriate way? To answer the question, let's push the illustration into a hyperbole. Could a non-Green, anti-Green, or agnosti-Green business operate in what would be an Green constructed facility? Sure it could though I am sure that the architects of the Green facility would place restrictions on the leaseholders. Therefore, we have the challenge of behavior versus environment. Could a tenant spread pesticides about after carelessly allowing food to be left out? Could the purchase of equipment after leasing a facility disrupt the better practices of the building owner? Could a company be negligent to the extreme about the use of paper and packaging material? Might this offish company fail to recycle, waste resources, and careless buy from non-Green vendors?Green practices are the proverbial "other side of the coin" that I am sure are expected to live up to a higher standard. But, therein lies the problem. After all have been done to create a Green building, how much do the tenants really know about the Green practices that should be associated with Green operation? We have seen low-income housing go into areas that was intended to give the people of that community a better life, but without stereotyping anyone, were there families who did not take care of those homes? If the facilities were not cleaned, maintained, and protected from abuse; they would eventually fall into disrepair despite the better intentions of the people who constructed those homes.I wish to press the point that we are not educating the tenants and associates who will move into the newly-constructed Green buildings. Though well-intended and positively oriented toward environmental issues, the depth of environmental understanding of the average worker in the resident business will negate a sizable portion of the good that should be done. I advocate a Green Management training program for every business, large or small, offered by a certified Green Consultant able to address the myriad of issues contained within the larger scope of environmental concerns. Do workers even know what VOCs are, where they come from, and what they should know about the dozens upon dozens of sources for VOCs? Is HEPA a semi-understood word that is often heard in proximity to vacuum cleaners? What are the numerous ways to reduce water use other than refusing to wash their hands after going to the bathroom? Has the sales force of the company been brought into the "Big Picture" of tools that improve performance and reduce travel? There are so many of these important gem ideas that could and should be shared, but they must come from a far better source than an brochure picked up at the latest seminar.Green businesses may rent, lease , or own their facilities. The operation or practices of the business can literally work within some otherwise non-Green buildings. If pressed into action with routine improvement, nearly any business can cut energy and water use without noticeable interference with normal operation. Why not require the janitorial service to be Green certified and use only Green cleaning products? Should decisions like buying of furntiure, painting of walls, and replacement of carpet allow for input from a certified Green Consultant even though your building is not LEED certified? Again, the answer is an unqualified, "Yes."Building a new or renovating an existing building to a Green certification standard can cost hundreds of thousands of dollar above the costs of a typical building program. There is no effort to criticize that level of commitment to the cause. What I routinely see, however, belies the obvious good intentions of Green buildings, and draws my attention to the day-to-day operation and working practices of businesses who do not think or realize the impact of countless actions taken each day by millions of businesses. There is a desperate and universal need for Green educators, trained as professional and certified Green Consultants, to go to work in every city and burg. Businesses, who previously required sensitivity training among their workers now need to educate their workers on something that hurts us all.Our country abounds with businesses that are small, medium and large. We should not build buildings that are genius in concept but will be inhabited with people who are merely environmentally entertained. Green Awareness training and Green Management processes are as critical to the overall success as are solar panels and sunlight vents. If this is our chance to make a difference in world that we all share, it cannot be left to the engineers, architects, and builders alone. It is a shared burden by those who will daily live out the visions now made into the buildings of a Greener world.

Energy Audit Training - Making Money With Green Business

Energy audit training is a positive response to one of the most significant environmental causes that currently affect the world. Conserving energy is vital for the good of the planet and the economic benefit of the community.The services provided by energy auditors are in high demand by property owners who are looking to reduce their energy spending. This is making energy auditing a very profitable, and personally fulfilling, career option for those who want to get involved in the new world of green business opportunities.A dynamic career optionOne of the most exciting things about embarking on a career as an energy auditor is that green technology is continuously evolving. Good energy audit training should give students a broad understanding of assessing energy use. Recommendations for improving energy efficiency may change as the availability of new green technology improves, but at heart this industry is simple to learn.Governments and companies are investing large amounts of money into developing new environmentally friendly energy solutions. As an energy auditor you will be at the front line of introducing these changes to the community.Another advantage of an energy auditing career is the long-term stability it affords. Many professionals have received a shocking wake-up call regarding professional and financial stability during the recent global financial crisis. But a big demand for qualified energy auditors, those who have completed energy audit training, is expected to continue long into the future. There is a huge number of properties to be assessed, and currently there are many incentives for property owners to improve their energy ratings.Many people find that working in a green career also gives them a great feeling of personal satisfaction. The work they do on a daily basis is making a real difference in contributing to a healthier global environment. It saves people money, and is therefore a fulfilling career.The economic benefits of energy auditingNow is the perfect time to get involved in the booming green industry by taking part in energy audit training. Green businesses - particularly energy auditing - thrive during a downturn in the economy. Companies and individuals are looking for ways to save money on their utilities, and governments are investing heavily in sustainable green technology for the future.Energy auditing has the potential to be a very profitable business, especially as many American States are now making energy audits a compulsory element of selling a house. This trend is expected to spread across the United States (and globally) as a reflection of the growth in importance of energy efficiency.Energy auditing is not necessarily just for people who feel strongly about environmental causes. Energy audit training is suitable for most people, regardless of how they feel about the environment. In many ways it can be viewed as a simple case of economics: people are looking for ways to save money, an energy audit can help with that, and the energy auditor can make a substantial profit from giving people the advice that they need.

Green Business - Saving the Planet for Profit

Question? If you could start a green business for very little money up front that included making a great living, gaining a new level of vibrant health and your efforts went toward saving the environment would you think that was pretty cool.I thought a lot about how much meaning and passion I had working at a job I didn't like just solely to make some money. I think about most people who work at jobs they don't really like. How they spend the majority of their time ( usually at least 8 hours a day) for most of their lives wishing they were doing something else that has more meaning, something they could be passionate about doing.Years ago I made the decision that doing something positive for saving the environment and for helping people could be very satisfying and should be profitable. Why not? Why shouldn't doing something that is a great benefit to the planet and other people also make me money.Unfortunately we live in a culture today that is far too cynical and does not often view business profit and being socially and environmentally conscious (basically doing good in the world) as being compatible. The dog eat dog mentality has gotten way out of control. Today there is very little respect or loyalty for the worker, there is very little concern coming from business about the consequences of their actions. As long as it's profitable, that's the main or only concern, the bottom line.I think there has to be a new way of thinking in the business world if we humans are going to survive what business and industry has done to the planet so far. It is also critical that people who want to take the entrepreneurial initiative, believe that there is profit and a promising business future in saving the planet.There are opportunities out there right now for people who have a passion for helping the planet and their fellow man. It is possible to start and grow a green business that provides a good living and is a part of the solution for human sustainability on earth.Job security and jobs that pay enough for the basics, has become very uncertain. Just getting by while you go to work at a meaningless job you don't like with no end in sight is not really a great life experience.Working in your own business helping to save the planet, being of service and making a good living doing it is worth working toward. The really great thing is, its possible with very little up front capital, working at it in a way that allows you to keep the meaningless job till you have replaced that income.It makes total sense to do something where you can work yourself out of a meaningless, just get by job, into your own business that you can be passionate about knowing what you are doing is good for you, the planet and everyone you touch.I know that's what occurred to me and I took action and made it happen, you can to.I've written a Report that you can get for FREE that gives you some valuable insight into how to go green with your own green business. It's available through my website.

Growing a Successful Green Business

In today's world, more and more people are becoming more conscious of their environment. As a result, more businesses are adopting environmentally friendly business practices, like becoming a sustainable, green business. However, even with all the advantages of going green, there are many business owners who find it hard to adopt green practices, because of the costs needed to implement changes, such as reconstruction to their daily operations and alterations to products sold to the consumers.What many don't realize is that the benefits of green practices far outweigh the costs. Becoming a sustainable business can save money in the long run, create happier customers, and it contributes to a healthier planet.Start Your Own Green BusinessIf you are planning to start your own green business, and don't know where to start, you can begin by thinking about what you would like to change in your business. Starting your own green business requires a lot of thought and before you invest your hard-earned money, the following tips should be kept in mind:Find your niche. The natural, organic lifestyle is becoming popular and offers a wide variety of products you can choose from, such as food, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies. But remember, choose the product that interests you best.Get certified. Obtaining a certification from an independent third-party will boost your product's image. This means that you can include the "ecolabel" of the certifying body on your product's label and other marketing materials. This will attract green consumers.Practice what you preach.If you are marketing your business as green, make sure that you are living a green lifestyle. This will show that you are socially responsible and will greatly affect your image to an environmentally conscious society.Educate.You must understand the significance of your product and how it will benefit or help the environment. Once you fully understand everything about your product, you can effectively communicate the value of your product to the green consumers.Get your customers to be your promoters.When your customers are happy with your product, they will share their good experience with others. The spreading of positive feedback about your product is not only good for your product image, but it will ultimately draw more consumers.Find colleagues who share your passion. Colleagues who share your passion are more likely to support you in your business endeavors and help your business to blossom.Join industry partnerships. The government sponsors partnerships and programs that aim to reduce the harmful effects of business activities on the environment. You can learn all the important things about having a green business through these programs. You can also connect with other businesses that promote environmentally-friendly products.If you're interested in adopting green practices, the government Web site, http://www.Business.gov, provides a guide to help businesses adopt green practices, listed below: Follow the environmental regulations relevant to your business. Compliance creates two effects: it protects your business from fines and legal actions from the government and it protects the environment.Create a sound environmental management plan. Since you are now running a green business, creating an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient workplace is important to send your message across. An environmental plan will help you achieve this.Build green and install energy-efficient air-conditioning systems, appliances, etc. You can contract with an energy professional to help you manage your project.Buy green products. Green products are made from recycled materials, non-toxic, renewable, and recyclable. Also buy food that is locally grown and organic.Adopt energy-efficient practices. One of the most effective steps you can take to cut costs is to save energy. You can help your employees conserve energy by providing them with energy-saving tips.Reduce, reuse, and recycle wastes. Money can be saved by reducing waste. You can also cut costs on raw materials, office supplies, and equipment. Some of the things that you can do to reduce waste are using recycled products, eliminating excessive product packaging material, and participating in recycling programs.Conserve water. Through conservation, you both save water and cut costs associated with buying, heating, treating, and disposing of it. Try to use water-saving equipment, and minimize discharges to sewer or wastewater.Prevent pollution. Materials should be recycled and reused, vehicles must be properly tuned, all liquid chemicals must be stored in their proper places, and all wastes must be properly disposed.Create a green marketing strategy. Add "green" claims to your brand, and the growing number of environmentally conscious consumers will surely take notice. This is good for your image.Join industry partnerships and stewardship programs. There are several programs sponsored by the government that are designed to help the environment. Joining these programs will also create an opportunity for you to meet other green businesses in your industry.

Top Four Principles For a Green Business

To make it simple and concrete for you, each principle is paired with a specific business concern and four explicit green actions you can take. Think of it as a "tasting menu" to celebrate Earth Day. It's like four carefully crafted courses, each paired with a beautiful wine. Each of the four courses has four delicious items on the plate for you to choose from - or you can really indulge and eat them all!The four courses to taste today are the Four Principles for a Green Business:• Appetizer: Aspire to be 100% good, not just "less bad"
• First Course: Act in cycles, rather than linear (waste = food)
• Second Course: Tap into an unlimited source of energy (the sun)
• Dessert: Attract and keep the best employees and customers (celebrate diversity)
The only way to make these real in your business is to taste them, to put them into practice. And, we're going to show you how.We paired four business concerns with each of the Four Principles. For each, the combination of flavors is subtle and unique: There are tastes that you avoid and tastes that you cultivate.Appetizer: Policy & Practices that aspire to be 100% good, not just "less bad"• Avoid: confusion, distraction, wheel-spinning, burn-out
• Cultivate: shared definitions and frameworks, creative teamworkFirst Course: Handle materials in cycles, rather than lines (waste = food)• Avoid: waste, toxics
• Cultivate: reuse, conservation, thoughtful purchasingSecond Course: Energy that taps into an unlimited source, the sun•Avoid: waste, fossil fuel use
•Cultivate: savings, clean energyDessert: Workplace & Community that celebrates diversity, attracts and keeps the best employees and customers• Avoid: isolation, competitiveness
• Cultivate: connection, flexibility, inclusiveness, creativitySo far, we've covered the why and the what - principles and specific business concerns. Now, for the how. I'm going to give you the four delicious tastes for each course on our menu. These are concrete action steps that will allow you to experience greening success in each area of your business.Are you curious about the goodies in the appetizer course? Wait no longer! Here are four specific green actions can you take in your Policy & Practices:• Write your green mission statement and set annual goals to move toward it.
• Establish green policies and practices. These will come in time, as you take more measures to go green. Be conscious to write them down, so you get systems in place that will outlast your current leadership.
• Measure, benchmark, and track progress regularly. This includes conducting audits of your energy and water use, and a waste audit.
• Regularly communicate your mission and progress on your website.Hungry for more? It's time for the First Course, Materials:• Green your supply chain.
• Establish, revive, or enhance your recycling program.
• Avoid paper plates, foam or plastic cups, and plastic utensils in your kitchenette or break room. Instead, provide reusable cups, plates, and silverware.
• Have a no-bottled-water policy. Get a nice reusable dispenser to filter tap water and serve with reusable cups or glasses at your meetings. Some examples: Eco-Chic version from Aqua-Ovo. For us regular folk on the other end of the spectrum is the nice-looking polycarbonate model from Target.By now, you are getting warmed up and ready for the Second Course, right? Good thing that's all about Energy:• Have a Smart Strip Blitz: Go around your office and plug everything into power strips and then turn off the strips with items that aren't in use. Don't forget that cell-phone charger! Then, sit back and count the money you're saving.• Find and use the Energy Star power management settings on your computer and monitor.• Unless you've been time- or space-traveling lately, you've probably heard the suggestion to change all your incandescent lightbulbs to compact fluorescent. Here's a twist on that: even if you've already changed over to CFL's in the office, you can hold an employee CFL giveaway. Or, consider trying the new LED bulbs that save even more energy and last even longer. See what's available at Home Depot:• Energy efficiency isn't just for offices. Your personal energy is a vital part of the picture. It is often closely associated with the metaphor of life as breath - the words 'chi', 'prana', and 'spirit', for instance, are all related in their respective languages to the verb 'to breathe'. The advice here is: establish a daily energy recharge with conscious breathing. This can be very effective in the morning, combined with gentle stretching. Try using the Mindful Clock which chimes at defined intervals throughout the day, reminding you to stop and take a few deep breaths. You'll be amazed at how energizing this simple practice is.Did you skip to Dessert right away? Why not, eh? Life's too short! To wrap up our delicious meal, we have four goodies for your Workplace & Community:• Support local environmental / community groups, both financially and with volunteer time. Some great non-local ones: Earthshare and Kiva.
• Consider a telecommuting policy, ideally coupled with a program to encourage and/or reward use of public transit or bicycling.
• Hold regular Green Team meetings with broad participation and a focus on action and measurable results. (This is where your mission statement and goals from the Appetizer come in handy.)
• Provide or direct people to ongoing training in sustainable business topics. The Natural Step Network's programs are a great resource.

The Green Business Model is Here - Business Book Review

These days everyone wants to be a green entrepreneur. Everyone is talking about creating environmentally friendly companies, using alternative energy, and showing how we can use capitalism to make the world a better place. This is quite interesting, but in reality it's nothing new. People have been talking about these sorts of things for many decades. Luckily for them, it has permeated all industries of business, as well as the venture capital and investment banking realm.Why even the taxpayer has voted to have the government spend more money on alternative energy initiatives and fund green projects. If all this interests you and you'd like to know a little bit of history behind it, I'd like to recommend a book that's almost 2 decades old now. One I have on my business library shelves, and one that I think you should read. The name of the book is;"The Green Entrepreneur; Business Opportunities That Can Save the Earth and Make Money," by Gustav Berle, TAB Book Publishers, Inc., 1991, (200pp), ISBN: 978-080306-0600-9"Who are the polluters?" asks Berle in the very first chapter, and what are the alternatives? In the subsequent chapters he discusses other alternative sources of power such as; Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Biomass, Hydroelectricity, and nuclear. He also suggests that we need better recycling programs, although he admits that recycling alone will never be enough.He spends quite a bit of time talking about the Environmental Protection Agency, the federal Clean Water Act, and EPAs Federal Clean Air Act in the United States, as well as the EPA; Europe and China. He also suggests that eco-entrepreneurs can make the difference and cites some of the examples of things that are being done in Europe as the right approach such as Germany's four-day work week.Lastly, he speaks about helping Third World nations and emerging markets specifically feeding the world. Indeed, this was a very good book and it uses a free-market approach to solve the environmental problems of our day. I hope you will please consider this.

3 Green Business Ideas - Make Money and Save the Earth!

So, you grow your own veggies, compost your scraps and take your own cotton shopping bags to the grocery store with you. But lately, you've been itching to get more involved in saving our planet and are stuck for ways on how to make time for your sustainable crusading AND your job. Why not think about combining the two, and better yet, making money out of something that you love and that is good for the environment? There are so many options when it comes to green businesses, and there are probably thousands that you never even knew were options in the first place! Here are a few novel concepts to get the ball rolling...Sustainable FashionGreen is the new black, and Eco-chic is the new sexy. In a market dominated by cheap, poor-quality synthetic materials, there is a big opening for those creative types who want to find high-quality recycled or sustainable materials to make clothing and fashion accessories from. If you're sartorially-inclined, you might want to have a think about opening a business in sustainable fashion. This could be anything from sourcing sustainable materials, to making or recycling the fabrics yourself, to designing the clothes-there are limitless opportunities to become involved at every stage of the game, depending on where your skills lie!Eat LocalThe 'Think Global, Eat Local' movement is gathering steam, and operates on the concept that by reducing the distance our food has to travel (do you know the average Melbourne food basket travels three times the distance of Australia's coastline before it gets to your plate?) the better it is for the environment. There is more and more demand for locally sourced and grown products, and again your business could be involved at any stage-an organic, local, seasonal cafe perhaps? What about becoming a grower or buyer? As they say, the world's your oyster (if you live on the coast, that is...)Play the Stock MarketPerhaps you're less of a start-up business kind of person and your talents lie in playing the stock market? There are still plenty of opportunities for you to turn green into...well, more green! Invest in a carbon credits scheme, a green energy alternative or a green company you feel passionate about-our environmental issues aren't going anywhere soon, and more and more people will be sitting up and taking notice as the situation worsens, so get in now and make a difference!These are just three of hundreds of ideas you could adapt for your own business-model. It could be anything from starting a recycled paper factory to simple selling re-usable promotional bags to raise environmental awareness. If you're a business person then rest assured-there's some way you can help.

Green Business Can Assist Your Company to Cut Spending

Going green can do more for your company than just boost your public image. Green business practices also make good financial sense. While your focus may primarily be on the bottom line, as far as anyone else is concerned you are just trying to do your part to help the environment. Being ecologically conscious is good for the economy as well as the Earth.The fastest way to reduce the amount of trash and waste that you have is to reduce what you start off with. Check out your entire operation and carefully evaluate what is being wasted. If there is scrap leftover, then there is money being thrown away. Check and see if you could save money, and emissions, in your shipping practices by adjusting the schedules or routes. Take a long look around your office and start to think about how much of the paper you really need.Scrap or loose paper should be a thing of the past. Fax machines and copiers jam often enough to produce plenty of wrinkled paper that can be cut up and used for phone messages. Both sides of a piece of paper should be used. When it is all said and done that paper should land in the recycling bin, not the waste basket.Lots of companies are making the move to paperless billing and invoicing. Not only does it create a lot of waste, it also costs a lot of money to produce the waste. If you are not comfortable jumping in with both feet you could test the water first by offering it as an option to existing clients, customers, or suppliers first. Then gradually make the shift to paperless billing as a standard. While people can still request paper, they will incur additional fees for it.Wouldn't you love to cut down the cost of business travel? By reducing the number of trips made for business, you not only save money, but also reduce the emissions that your company creates. If traveling for meetings is a common occurrence between two offices then look into web conferencing. You may have to pay a small fee to set it up, but it will be lower than the cost of paying people to go from one place to another.Maintaining office space gets expensive. The less office space that you use, the less money it will cost you. By changing some of the jobs on your staff to be available for flexible schedules, or purely telecommute, you can rapidly cut down on the amount of space you need for your office. You could also arrange for people to work in shifts so that office space is shared between people. Not only will you lower energy consumption within the office, but people will not be driving their cars into work everyday. In one swift move you can improve your public image, boost employee morale, help the environment, and save money.Recycling bins need to be clearly marked and easy to find throughout your building. Before throwing away anything make sure that it does not belong in the recycling bin instead of the trash can. Several cities and communities have instituted steep fines for not recycling.The availability of tax breaks and grants to businesses wanting to implement environmentally friendly changes is growing at an alarming rate. Green business is the way of the future. It does pay to do the right thing.

Start Or Buy a Green Business - Measure Twice - Cut Once

I believe a disconnect exist between all the news media exposure regarding the "green movement", "green jobs" and the actual mindset of most small business owners and entrepreneurs. It is no doubt that "green" has become one of the more reported on phenomenon over the last couple of years. The US election had strong ties to green promises and future jobs. This mantra has created general optimism. One of the most important part of starting a new business, or buying a business is the due diligence needed to evaluate the opportunity. Do you want to start a business or buy a business in the "green Industry"?- perform some due diligence beyond reading the headlines.Please consider that small business owners and entrepreneurs are wired to think in the now, and fast, and today and ASAP. Much in the Green Industry is very policy driven, and that policy comes from federal and state levels, and that policy is wired to work within targets such as long term, next year, and eventually... To me this creates a disconnect between the small business owner/entrepreneur and the potential opportunities.My interest in green is from somewhat a different perspective than many. My real interest in Green began back in the early 1980's and gas prices were once again going up. The college I was attending had offered a major in Energy Management and I viewed this to be an industry with unlimited future, and I pursued and achieved my major in Energy Management. We did experiments on Solar panels, reports on Global Warming, discussed world energy policy, nuclear and many other topics I did find interesting and still do.Upon graduating with my Energy Management major, I got employed in the energy field and acquired further education and training. My Entrepreneurial spirit got the best of me and the thought of starting and owning a business and being in direct control of my future had me in a start-up in a non-energy related business. Sold that 20 years later and here we are in the year 2010 and wonder how far this exciting field has gone in the last 25 years. It has gotten significant traction in the last years but where is it Jan. 2010? And my interest in the green movement is its inter-relation with energy efficiency. I enjoy the financial side of the green movement. Tangible monies saved as a result of energy technologies and practices utilized. I recognize the byproducts of many of these energy saving measures to be environmental benefits. If you can save a kilowatt hour (kwhr), and that kwhr doesn't need to be produced by a coal burning power plant, you have dual benefits.1. I am located in Florida, a state strongly hit by the depressed housing market and construction market and unemployment. I interact with owners in the solar and energy industry and people interested in solar and renewable energy. With current policy (or lack of) in Florida, the solar industry and existing business engage in the solar industry is far from healthy in my opinion (Solar is just one aspect of the various renewable energies and green products and services that comprise the market as a whole.) It appears to be a yo-yo type industry. Policy injects some money into the industry, most policy is short term, policy money is exhausted and the industry slows down. This process get repeated it seems year after year. I also know of very qualified/licensed individual that work in the solar industry part-time, because the thought is the market is not there to support a full-time business. I also attend Solar/energy advocacy meetings that attempt to show support of the industry that is full of individuals interested in entering this field, but where are the job opportunities? Many jobs fall into the contractor categories, but the current market doesn't seem able to support existing contractors. Various consulting jobs may surface, but expertise (that not everyone may have) is needed and shrinking budgets from potential clients slow these opportunities down as well.2. OK- so it was said that with stimulus money behind the "green movement" we would be creating lots of jobs- where are the jobs. Numbers and statistics can be "massaged" to represent various results but certainly the empirical info in Florida is not impressive.The economic stimulus bill's investments in clean energy have not created many green jobs yet, according to the Council of State Governments.Only 13,000 green jobs had been created or saved by the stimulus bill through Oct. 10, 2009 according to the council's analysis of data collected by states. Ohio led the nation with 2,500 green jobs. Rhode Island, by contrast, reported no green jobs as a result of the stimulus bill.The top programs for green jobs were the Department of Energy's weatherization assistance program and energy efficiency block grants, and the Environmental Protection Agency's clean water and drinking water state revolving funds - As reported in the Washington Business journal3. The Entrepreneur or business owner interest in the Green movement may be:- "how much "green" can I make from this business opportunity?"-"I feel good about being in this industry that can have positive impact on the environment"- "Am I missing out on some significant opportunities? "- "Can I buy an existing green business with a history of revenues and or profit?"Conducting a search of "green or energy businesses" that are for sale that have a history of revenues and profits show very limited opportunities. Possibly the largest opportunities are for entrepreneurs to start new ventures and build them and potentially sell those successful businesses down the road. I am a fan of the energy saving part of the green movement and believe energy independence to be very sound policy for our country. I support involvement and interest in this field. But conduct proper due diligence before you proceed with your green business. The newspapers, and news broadcast say green is great, governments are sending lots of stimulus money towards the green movement, but proper research and how you approach the "green industry" in your part of your world will dictate your sustained success in this potentially large industry.

Green Business Opportunities - A Hot Way to Get More Green in Your Bank Account

One of the biggest trends in business right now is marrying the idea of making money to saving the environment with so-called green business opportunities.The most recent data for "green" jobs is from a U.S. Department of Commerce report recently issued, but using information from 2007. Three years ago, "green" was only a color, but green industries still made up 2 percent of the economy. In the world of business, three years is a lifetime, and most experts agree that green products, information and services have grown exponentially.In other words, more green business opportunities exist today than ever before, and that is a trend that is expected to continue.What exactly is a "green" business? Simply put, a green business is one that has no negative impact on the global environment or society---and it's not for the "crunchie" crowd any more.A business qualifies as a green business if it incorporates sustainability into all its business choices, supplies and/or used environmentally friendly products when possible, and has a commitment to saving the environment. A couple of examples of a "green" business is a paperless office or one that sells only environmentally friendly products.Anyone who provides green products---products that can be recycled and are made from recycled materials---has a green business. More and more small businesses are popping up to handle this growing need for green products and ideas to replace old, wasteful methods.How can you make money from this green trend? By selling or marketing green products. This is a fairly new and exciting market, and one that most experts agree will continue to grow in the next decade. Getting into the green market allows people to feel good about what they are buying, creating, and selling, and is also allowing people to tap into a growing field that is really still in its infancy.From huge corporations, that are developing green departments and green subsidiaries, to the small entrepreneur selling rain barrels, people are going to be making money with these green business opportunities.As this trend continues, however, there is some concern that companies will begin calling their products and services "green" when they are not. This is called "greenwashing" and it's similar to the way some companies market their food products as "healthy" when they are anything but.If you want to get involved in this environment-saving effort, make certain that the companies you work with are truly green, and not just trying to capitalize on a growing business trend.The idea of going green is to save the environment, not to put green in your wallet. But making money from green ideas is one benefit most people enjoy.

Green Business Opportunities - A Hot Way to Get More Green in Your Bank Account

One of the biggest trends in business right now is marrying the idea of making money to saving the environment with so-called green business opportunities.The most recent data for "green" jobs is from a U.S. Department of Commerce report recently issued, but using information from 2007. Three years ago, "green" was only a color, but green industries still made up 2 percent of the economy. In the world of business, three years is a lifetime, and most experts agree that green products, information and services have grown exponentially.In other words, more green business opportunities exist today than ever before, and that is a trend that is expected to continue.What exactly is a "green" business? Simply put, a green business is one that has no negative impact on the global environment or society---and it's not for the "crunchie" crowd any more.A business qualifies as a green business if it incorporates sustainability into all its business choices, supplies and/or used environmentally friendly products when possible, and has a commitment to saving the environment. A couple of examples of a "green" business is a paperless office or one that sells only environmentally friendly products.Anyone who provides green products---products that can be recycled and are made from recycled materials---has a green business. More and more small businesses are popping up to handle this growing need for green products and ideas to replace old, wasteful methods.How can you make money from this green trend? By selling or marketing green products. This is a fairly new and exciting market, and one that most experts agree will continue to grow in the next decade. Getting into the green market allows people to feel good about what they are buying, creating, and selling, and is also allowing people to tap into a growing field that is really still in its infancy.From huge corporations, that are developing green departments and green subsidiaries, to the small entrepreneur selling rain barrels, people are going to be making money with these green business opportunities.As this trend continues, however, there is some concern that companies will begin calling their products and services "green" when they are not. This is called "greenwashing" and it's similar to the way some companies market their food products as "healthy" when they are anything but.If you want to get involved in this environment-saving effort, make certain that the companies you work with are truly green, and not just trying to capitalize on a growing business trend.The idea of going green is to save the environment, not to put green in your wallet. But making money from green ideas is one benefit most people enjoy.

The Power of Contracts for a Green Business

Here's what you may not clearly understand. The die has been cast, the plans drawn up, and the decision has been made about where business will be in the next five years. If your company expects to be in business and hopefully profitable in this emerging economy, the realities of these mega-forces needs to be brought home to those who do not yet see the light at the end of the tunnel.Every five years after the Kyoto Accord, the agenda is ratcheted up and more far-reaching. The WRI (World Resource Institute in D.C.) refer to the next five years as the "Post 2012" period. On the global scale, environmentalism has gone well beyond signing an agreement to reduce CO2. In fact, if your business was anywhere but America, this business reality would be a much higher level of expectation. Global efforts are moving forward, and every business will encounter their impact at unexpected levels.Here in America, we have a glimmer of what to expect with Executive Order #131514. This was signed in the fall of 2009 by President Obama and signaled a further shift into a Green commitment. Though far from the comprehensive program that is seen elsewhere in the world, it sends a signal of expectation throughout the economy. The message is: "It is time to get your Green House in order."In America, the impact is likely to see a more form of Green transition rather than socialistic mandates. One example came a few years ago when Governor Charlie Crist mandated that no government business would go to hotels that were not Green. Guess how long it took for hotels to turn into a Green hotel? Contracts are the lifeblood of many businesses, so a small requirement in an RFP can have profound effects on a company's attitude about Going Green.Due to the expanding influence of FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) started under President George H Bush and strengthened by Presidents Bill Clinton and George W Bush, the ripple effect is being felt in government contracts. More and more environmental requirements are turning up in contracts with the government.The trucking industry is one of the latest examples of this dynamic. Unless the newer, and Greener diesel engines are used; governmental contracts are not awarded. LEED facilities demand Green janitorial or service providers. Larger corporations have not only made the transition to sustainable status, they now follow the Green supply chain protocols seeking Green service and product suppliers.The EPA is promoting its "Environmentally Preferred Purchasing" program that asks businesses to make preferential decisions for Green certified companies. This is not going without notice. Conferences and seminars are echoing the EPA's message with the call for Green Supply Chain and Life Cycle Analysis studies.Pressure from environmental program, the world market, the government, and large corporations has an extremely obvious conclusion. Any company that is planning on earning good contracts in the future must become more than greenwashed, but Green certified.The hesitation felt by companies considering a transition to a Green and sustainable program is usually a concern for the cost and interruption to the business. That is like claiming that the pain of childbirth would prevent repopulation. In fact, the rewards for Going Green are often mistaken or simply ignored. Nearly any business would be willing to pay the cost and go through the trouble to win a lucrative contract.Here are the best reasons to Go Green as a company: First, a properly developed sustainability plan will save the company a great deal of money. Cutting operational costs makes your company more viable. Secondly, there will be more and more requirements tied to contracts, good jobs, and your industry. Why wait until your company is punished by missing a contract worth tens of thousands of dollars? Thirdly, no matter how we try to deny the reality, there are going to be more and more environmental regulations. Smart companies are getting ahead of this curve and getting ready for business in this new economy.The only question is when and how your company will finally make its transition to Green. The answer to this question is clearly laid laid out in EO #13514. Essentially, every business needs to train an in-house Green Officer (Certified Sustainability Officer or CSO) whose primary duty is to develop a sustainability plan tailored to your company's unique situation. Thirdly, the company needs to facilitate and implement the sustainability plan as part of the ongoing operational expectations.Fourth, is the recognition of the company as a Green certified business. This is an area that has two important choices. The first choice is called "Easy Green" where certification comes from a sham website offering certification through "blind audits" or those community green business certifications that have negligible compliance or oversight.Companies that wish to demonstrate a serious commitment to sustainable operations should seek certification from audited programs like LEED, ISO, or Green Business League. The CSO prepares the company for such an audit, but the highest praise and value comes from the ability to demonstrate the environmental value of the company through a credible Green certification.Installing a CSO or Green Officer need not be a serious expense. In most cases, someone in the company can be trained online. While this is an area of special knowledge, it is not a difficult task to learn how to develop a well-designed sustainability plan. Why hire a Certified Sustainability Office when one can be trained internally? It is important, however, that the CSO is part of the company planning discussion and that the sustainability plan is included in the general operational plan of the company.On that inevitable day when your company encounters a deal, contract, or bidding opportunity that requires Green certification; your company need not walk away empty-handed. The number of contracts tied to Green certification will continue to increase. The non-Green marketplace will shrink. What course should your company take if it hopes to compete in the marketplace over the next five years?