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The Environment and You
Monday, August 3rd, 2009
There are plenty of things in the news these days about the environment and the “green” movement. Energy costs have been rising over the last few years and there are new taxes that will give every business a reason to consider the environment a bit more and try to become more efficient. Successfully reducing the energy use in your company and in your home demands a commitment from everyone. Not only will you help the environment, but you will also save some money. The tips and tricks I’ve laid out below are just a start – scratching the surface of the many steps that can be taken to cut back on energy use. And, there is no reason these can’t be incorporated at your home as well as the work place.
So, here we go…
1. Raise the Thermostat, Turn off the Water and Change the Lightbulbs - These are simple and probably the most basic of changes that anyone can incorporate. Raise the Thermostat: Trust me, I know that it’s hot in the summer – I live in Houston and I’m very aware of how humid and hot things get in the middle of August. But, your body can adjust to slight changes in temperature relatively easily. Turning the air up so that it’s not running all of the time will lower the bills and total energy usage. Make a plan to raise the temperature 3-5 degrees from it’s current position. Do one degree a week and by the time you get to your goal, your body will be used to the change. If you think it’s hot inside, just go outside for an hour. That will give you some perspective. Turn off the Water: Do you turn the water on and walk off to do something else? Do you keep the water running while you brush your teeth or stand in a shower for 20 minutes trying to wake up? Why? Turn it off – lower your water intake and again, you will help the environment and your pocketbook. Change the LightBulbs – The lightbulbs of the past are exactly that. So, get some Energy Smart light bulbs to replace your current bulbs. They are more expensive, but they save on electricity costs, use less energy and are overall better for the environment. Less wattage and longer lasting…it’s worth it and it’s easy.
2. Printers – How much do you use your printer? Are you printing things that eventually get thrown away or tossed in a drawer? These days, with the ease of 3rd party data storage and computer back up procedures, the printer is not the necessary machine as in years past. Of course we still need a printer for some things, but just think before you print. Anyone who knows me or gets emails from me has seen the bottom of my emails… “Please consider the environment before printing this email.”
3. Turn it off – Did you know that lighting accounts for 44% of the monthly electricity usage at office buildings? When you leave a room, turn the light off. And, utilize natural light when you can. At the end of the day, turn all computers, lights, copy machines, printers, etc.. off. Don’t forget the power strips they are attached to. Also, during the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. And so you know, screen savers don’t save energy. Make this a habit and it won’t even phase you. The machines will last longer and the energy usage will decrease.
4. Recycle - This can be done at home or at work. It truly helps and it does not take a big change to incorporate recycling procedures. Place recycling bins in each office, next to the printers, in the break rooms, etc… At home, have a regular trash can and a recycle trash can. Be sure to place a sign next to the bins with what can be recycled and what can’t. Saving the Earth one can at a time – seems impossible, but every bit helps.
5. Consider who you do business with – My final tip for the day will include a courier service example. Considering I own a Houston Courier Service, this is an area I am educated in and can speak about. The easiest way for me to give an example of energy saving and environmentally smart decisions is to give you a quick example of how working with a company like Hot Shot Delivery to deliver your packages vs. a different company can be good for the environment.
First, a little information….each person has a carbon footprint. According to Wikipedia, a carbon footprint is “the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product” – their individual drain of energy on the environment. Finding out your carbon footprint and then learning ways to reduce it is a great step towards embracing a “greener” life.
Ok, so back to my example – Let’s say that you are in Downtown Houston and need to deliver a package to The Woodlands (approx. 30 minutes away). By working with Hot Shot Delivery, chances are good that you are not the only one that needs a package delivered there. So, your package jumps in with a few other packages making that trip. And, when the driver gets to the destination, he may have a few other packages to pick up in that area to bring back to Downtown Houston. All of these packages, on one trip – lowers YOUR carbon footprint. When you work with a company that is larger with more clients, you do have that benefit. Now, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with working with small companies. However, in this example – the larger company can lower the burden on the environment by lumping several deliveries together to save gas, emissions and more.
Thanks for your efforts at “going green” and be sure to send in more examples of simple ways to reduce your impact on our environment.
Until Next Time,
Eric
New Year’s Resolutions — How I’m Doing So Far
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
As we finish January and enter February, I decided to take a look at my New Year’s Resolutions and see how I’m progressing with my goals for 2009.
I look forward to creating New Year’s Resolutions each year. For me, looking back on the previous year and evaluating the change in my business in order to set goals has always been an exhilarating process. It makes all of the hard work, challenging set-backs, changes in business plan and strategies for growth seem to transcend time and teach me part of the bigger picture.
Here is a short list of my 2009 Resolutions and how I’m learning to make things work:
1. Work Smarter – Not Harder
This is an ongoing resolution, but one that I make each year. Have you ever made it to the end of a month and have no idea what you have done but know that you worked as hard as you could? This happens to the best of us and I’m working to solve it with setting a simple goal structure.
In the courier business, many of our days are spent on the defensive – finding out about packages, working around Houston’s traffic issues or dealing with last minute changes or emergency deliveries. Sometimes it’s hard to make that to-do list and accomplish everything on it – or anything on it on some days. Daily goal setting won’t fix the epidemic of constant distractions, but it will help to keep you moving forward and focused on the big picture.
I start each day with a list of goals and end each day by analyzing that list and determining my time-eaters. Knowing what eats away at your time is the first step towards recovery. It’s a process, but one that is worth it.
2. Get Organized
No organization system looks the same because every person thinks differently, however you have to find a system that works for you. And by works, I mean keeps you focused on those goals that we talked about earlier. Tons of places to help with this – get a calendar, manage your tasks, file things and if you can afford to do it – get an assistant.
3. Learn Something New
Keeping your business growing and moving means that you have to stay growing and moving. So learn something that is related to your current industry or even better make yourself more familiar with how you can use the internet to improve your business. Social media is breaking down the barriers from business owner to customer faster than you can say Facebook.
As you can see, blogging is one of my “new things” and I’m really enjoying it. I would highly recommend reaching out to your customers and connecting with them on a more human level. People like to do business with people they know. So, let’s get to know each other.
4. Build Rock Solid Processes
Say this with me, “I will make a plan and then work my plan.” You would never build a house without a foundation and you should never run a business without having a solid plan that your work can flow through. If you already have processes in place, make them better. The more solid that you make this area of your business, the less time you will spend putting out fires.
5. Make more time for Family
For those of you who know me personally, you know I’m surrounded by women. I’m married to a beautiful woman and she has given me 2 beautiful girls and a third girl coming any day now. While this can be a huge challenge, it’s also the most rewarding thing in my life. Don’t get me wrong, my business means the world to me but my girls are my top priority. You need to have the same mindset. Opportunities will come and go, but my family is my rock. Get your priorities in line and the rest will follow. Trust me.
Well, there you have it… my 2009 Resolutions. There are a few more that make the list each year, but these are the most important to me.
What about you? How are your resolutions going?
Until Next Time,
Eric
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