Go “Green” and help your bottom line! - Top Ten List

Originally delivered as a presentation for the Hawaii Workforce Development Office and the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce. View Slide Presentation Here

Tough economic times requires a special mindset for survival. Saving money, cutting out expenses such as marketing, capital expenditures and human resources are common.

I’m sure you’re all aware of ways to save money in your business. After all, it’s your business and part of the reason it’s still your business is due to the fact that you know it better than anyone else.

Although I can’t give individual help since I don’t know your business model or needs I can offer up some simple ideas to help you Go Green and Improve Your Bottom Line.

The Top Ten list is actually second. First, I wanted to share a thought I read while researching the Top Ten list.

As you know, a tough economy doesn’t affect all business the same way. Oil companies might be getting a lot of negative press but those of you that own oil company stock probably aren’t disappointed with the stock’s performance. For others, creative thinking can help you recover or actually prosper.

For example, as your competitors downsize or reduce their marketing budgets and opportunity emerges. Gaining mind or market share in new areas becomes more of a possibility. Even if you can’t afford to act, you can afford to pay attention to what your competitors are or are not doing.

Instead of getting mired down in negative thinking about shortages, tightening the belt, eating less and sending your twelve-year-old to get a job, think positive thoughts. Why? Because your competitor may be thinking positively.

What if your competitors are thinking of acquiring your best employees? What if they’re thinking of launching a new marketing campaign with radio advertising? What if they’re thinking of smarter marketing or increasing their advertising budget? What if they’re thinking of launching a new website or calling on your customers to take action through newspaper ads and coupons? What if they’re thinking of doing all this by the end of the year?

Nothing I can show you today will keep you from losing marketing share if all you’re focused on is reductions and saving money. Focus on the negative and you may find your only strategy is hoping they’ll run out of money before the economy turns around. But hey, HOPE isn’t that bad. Afterall it’s what’s left over after you’ve tried everything else, right?

Well I hope at least one of the things on this top ten list will help you Go Green and Improve Your Bottom Line…

Ten Ways to Go Green and Improve Your Bottom Line

10) Jump on the Green Bandwagon - possibly at your peril. Jumping on the green bandwagon is a losing philosophy although you can get some immediate press coverage. Think instead of the Earth, your employees and the aina. Think of how you can improve all of these and you’re heading in the right direction. At least you’ll be well grounded.

  • Ethics and transparency are important.
  • Download and read the Six Sins of Greenwashing - http://www.terrachoice.com/files/6_sins.pdf
  • Announce Your Strategy - “green tea” assumed.
  • Press Release, web statement, call the reporters


9) Reduce Energy Consumption - sometimes all you have to do is raise your awareness. Do this by installing a…


8) Hire Interns!


7) Collaborate - partnering is done by developing new relationships. Talking story doesn’t cost money, never eat alone. Personally

  • Newspaper editors, journalists, bloggers
  • Green event and conference planners
  • Government (serve on sustainability board)
  • Business Groups, Trade Organizations / Associations
  • University Professors
  • Grant Writers, Charities
  • Co-opetition


6) Develop a Green Strategy

  • Code of Conduct (update employee manual)
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Post recycle information near the recycle bins
  • Greener Marketing (not greenwashing)
  • No carbon offsets
  • Modify Corporate Mission


5) Smarter Online Marketing - an organic approach

  • Develop sustainable web presence
    • Assign internal editors to edit your own site
    • Use standards for device independence
    • Monetize your traffic
    • Use a green web server (no offsets)
  • Social Media - decentralize your brand across networks
  • Reciprocal linking - establish online partners
  • Write Press Releases, blog posts/comments, PSAs, editorials
  • Video Sharing / marketing
  • Landing pages - keyword research
  • Statistical Analysis


4) Reward / Acknowledge Key Employees - trade among employees

  • Open up dialog on green strategies to save money
  • Drawings or contests :
    • Best Green Ideas at Work
    • Best Way to Stop Waste
  • Awards and gift certificates
    • Grocery Stores
    • Garden Centers
    • Bulk seeds from the Internet
    • Movies
    • Restaurants
  • Scholarships


3) Raise Your Awareness - Learn More


2) Create an Edible Garden at Work - volunteers / intern help

  • Plant edible foods (kalo, tomato, )
  • Plant medicinal plants
  • Harvest rainwater for the garden
  • Challenge employees to bring in seeds, cuttings
  • Submit recipes based on what you grow
  • Create a charity benefit recipe book

1) Think Zero Waste
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3:35 - 6:20

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Posted by brent on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 8:56 pm.

Filed under Green Resources, Green Technologies, , , , , , , , , , , , .

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