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Like any responsible business owner, you’re probably keeping on top of various blogs which are constantly telling you how your business can be a little friendlier to the earth. It’s impossible to escape these kinds of guides, even on our own blog! Business blogs and journals have done more than enough to answer the “how” of going green, but there’s slightly less information as to “why”. Here are a few benefits of your business going green.
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Whatever your personal opinions are on the international green lobby and climate change, there’s one reason for going green which no business owner will ignore: to save money! Every business owner understands the need to stick to a budget, and save money wherever the opportunity presents itself. There are many ways that going green can help you along with this. For example, when you switch all your incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent lighting or LEDs, you can save a massive 70% on your electricity bills. Furthermore, upping the use of devices and going paperless will save the money you spend on paper, and reduce the demand on trees. This is all before we get onto the various government initiatives which give businesses tax breaks for being more environmentally friendly. Furthermore, when you share these changes through your blog and social media platform, you may stand to gain business from a totally new customer base.
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Another big reason why more and more business owners are deciding to go green is that it’s a great way to build the strength of their brand. Studies have shown over and over again that many consumers prefer to buy from brands that show that they share their values. By exhibiting the fact that you care about the environment, you can encourage customer loyalty, and bolster your sales figures! Furthermore, you may find more networking opportunities at forums and expos such as the International Renewable Energy Congress. With the modern accessibility to social media, you’ll also be able to actively spread the word about your business going green. When more consumers see that you’re taking the initiative on clean energy and sustainability, your brand will gain more traction, and your profits will grow exponentially.
Closely tied to that last point, going green could also present the opportunity to make yourself a thought leader within your industry. Pepsi, for example, has a whole space on its website showing how they’ve worked towards better environmental sustainability over the years. In order to remain competitive, other beverage companies have had to follow suit. American industries, including car manufacturers such as Ford, have taken great strides in making their supply chains more sustainable, making sure they’re being green not only within their own factories, but that their suppliers are playing ball too. When companies take steps like these and publicize them, they establish themselves as leaders in the ongoing march towards sustainability. When you carry out a big, green overhaul and make sure your customer base is aware of it, you’ll secure a spot in the industry limelight, and gain a considerable edge on your competitors.
This article was provided by ellie jo