GREEN BUSINESS Is saving the planet the only reason businesses are rushing to go green?

Unless your business is large enough to face legislation there is no immediate reason to embark on a strategy to help save the planet. So why are so many organisations choosing to back the green agenda?

Undoubtedly, for some, it is all about the crusade. But for many others, it's not that they have more time on their hands than you do, or that they feel duty-bound to save the planet. Not at all. It's simply down to the fact that in almost every case it has reaped far-reaching rewards. And the reason why once they embarked on such a journey, they quickly laid the foundations to continue along that path.

For the team behind the region’s Big Sustainability Expo and Big Sustainability Awards, The Southern Sustainability Partnership, their crusade is simple. To ensure businesses understand how to reap those same rewards. Indeed, they tell us, it is in tough times like these the green agenda really comes into its own.

‘Embarking on a robust green strategy forces business leaders to scrutinise their overall business practices’

In difficult times when a company needs the stability of a steady cash flow, the last thing it needs is to weaken its position through increased and unnecessary spending.

Th e green mantra has always been one of reduce, reduce, reduce. So, embarking on a robust green strategy forces business leaders to scrutinise their overall business practices. To undertake more joined-up thinking that is often lost as a company grows. While using that knowledge as the bigger picture from which to adopt more centralised thinking and action.

Their advice is to take time to work on as well as in your business to ensure you can see that overall picture.

This is especially significant when it comes to buying strategies and the use of those resources in all their many forms. Involve your leadership team who in turn can involve their own team. And ensure you are clear about why you are doing this to ensure they are on side. Assess where your costs are coming from and whether combined purchasing will reduce what you use as well as provide you with stronger buying power.

Look once more at your suppliers. Move away from the mindset we have always done it this way and review your processes to streamline and reduce both costs and waste. Consider whether you need to buy new.

Today, IT equipment is being refurbished to the highest standards. While many businesses are choosing second-hand furniture for their offices. Look at your stationary cupboard to see what you are buying.

And, importantly, what do your waste bins look like? And what is the removal of your waste costing you? And, before we finish, we must add that these strategies will ensure you are able to meet the changing expectations of