Footprint Business Consulting

Business owners and managers alike are looking for ways to save energy costs in their office space. In fact, both large and small companies are creating programs that focus on cost-cutting without decreasing employee efficiency. It is true that a worker’s actions and daily activities have a great impact on minimizing environmental footprints as well as increasing a company’s profitability. The following are some helpful tips on saving energy costs in any office space.

Lighting – Turning off lights every time a person leaves the premises is one of the easiest ways to save power and can be done by everyone. This also includes turning off lights in other office facilities, such as the bathrooms and break rooms. Small signs can be posted near the door or light switch to remind everyone to turn off the lights when not in use. In addition, replacing incandescent bulbs in desk lamps with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) can significantly decrease the monthly electric bill. Of course, it is not necessary to replace any bulbs if they are still working; replacement can be done as the bulbs burn out. Another power saving step is to turn off desk lamps when all paper-based tasks are complete and only use the overhead lights while performing computer related tasks.

Power Strips – There are machines that are not used very often yet stay plugged in the whole time. Using a power strip with a switch can be very helpful in these cases. By plugging machines such as the computer, monitor, phone charger, and desk lamps into a power strip, it would be easier to turn off those machines with a single switch whenever the desk is vacated for lunch, errands, or at the end of the day.

Computers – When a desk will be without personnel for a long period of time, be sure to turn off both the computer and monitor. If a company is able to provide laptops to employees, significant amount of energy can be saved. If the budget does not allow for laptops, be sure to purchase Energy Star qualified computers and peripherals. Read more…

Have you ever been around a group of people that are negative, critical of everything, and just a big-downer to be around? Do you find you get sucked into being negative just because everyone around you is too? This type of environment can suck the energy and inspiration out of you in an instant. Beware! Your environment has a big impact on you. Choose wisely!

Think about Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and how animals and plants adapted over time to the specifics of their environment. For instance, a bird may evolve with a longer harder beak if it had to get food by burrowing into a tree. In the same way, our environment changes who we are as a person as well as our attitude, outlook, and motivation.

Environments can include the people that you work with or hang-out with, the home and neighborhood you live in, and the amount of physical or mental clutter you are carrying around with you. It’s amazing what small tweaks to your environment can do to inspire you and propel you forward. It’s all about “designing” what you want and then setting up your environment for success.

Here are three environments you can consider upgrading that will really make a difference:

1) People

Who do you spend the most time with? It has been often said that the 7 people that you spend the most time with will also influence you the most! Are these people inspirational, motivational, and successful? If not, why not? If you have people in your life that aren’t aligned with where you want to go, you have a choice to change. Search for people that inspire you and reach out and get to know them better! Dump some old relationships (or at least reduce the amount of time you spend) that aren’t inspiring and energizing! Surround yourself with other high-achievers that want to make a big impact and see how you can help them (and they can help you)! Find a coach, a mentor, or a mastermind group to challenge and support you to be your best self and help propel you forward. Read more…