Franchise Focus Business News…

Even small changes in overhead and cost matter when it comes to running a small business or franchise. That’s why it’s becoming increasingly important to adopt energy-saving “green” habits to make your business more energy efficient… and cost effective. In fact, Britain’s Environment Agency said that complying with green legislation will also allows small businesses to save millions of pounds! Currently £58 million is being saved by those in compliance.

Research shows that smaller companies are twice as likely to be aware of the environment than larger ones. In fact, a survey conducted of 12,001 workers in England shows that 1/3 of small business employees have addressed climate change with behavioural changes, whereas less than 1/5 of large, international companies’ employees have done anything.

So take your part in helping make your business greener with these practical tips:

•  Work from home. If your franchise or business allows it, try to stay away from commuting to and from work everyday. Fuel costs are high, and you will be saving yourself lots of money by working from home.
• Change the light bulbs to energy efficient ones. At the end of the day, you’ll be saving costs and the environment if you change the light bulbs in your leased office space or home office to the high efficiency ones. The energy efficient bulbs may be more expensive, but your investment will pay off when you look at your electric bill for the month.
• Turn off lights at night. This also includes office equipment, like computers, which are very energy intensive. If you need to leave your computer on, at least switch off the monitor.
• Clean filters on refrigerators and condensers annually. This can significantly lower your fuel bill by getting the refrigerator to run more efficiently and save energy.
• Turn down heating and air conditioning. Try to raise the temperature slightly in the summer, and lower it slightly in the winter. Although this seems like a simple gesture, it will actually save you money!
• Improve insulation systems. This will help with your electricity bill, as you won’t have to adjust the thermostat quite as much during the cold of winter or heat or summer.

Follow these simple tips and you’ll find that you’re making a difference not only with the environment, but also in your small business or franchise’s checkbook.

There’s been a lot of talk in recent years about climate change, and it’s increasing in public awareness. With this heightened sense of awareness, you might want to find out about your business’ carbon footprint!

One of the easiest ways to measure your impact on the environment is to find out how much your carbon footprint is, or the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced from all your business activity. The main sources of GHGs for business are generally:

1. transport emissions (e.g. business vehicles)
2.  energy consumption (e.g. how much gas and electricity you use)
3. how you dispose of waste (e.g. the incineration of waste can lead to methane release in landfills)
4. refrigerants (e.g. hydrofluorocarbon, or HFCs)

If you can figure out ways to improve these categories, your business will be emitting less (and this may even save you money, as lower energy consumption equals lower bills!). Check out The Carbon Trust’s carbon footprint calculator!

Also keep in mind that there may be tax breaks for those businesses that adopt environmentally-friendly practices. For instance, using sources of energy with less environmental impact can mean you get a reduction in the climate change levy, or use enhanced capital allowances (ECAs) to invest in vehicles for your franchise that have low carbon dioxide emissions. Another way to get a discount is if your vehicles use alternative fuels.

Another solution to your business’ carbon footprint is to calculate the GHGs your franchise emits and then purchase credits from an emission reduction project, such as renewable energy schemes, energy efficiency projects, capturing methane from landfills, planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide, etc. Check out the Defra website for more information on carbon offsetting.

Read up on more information about environmental regulations at NetRegs and find out about their significance to your franchise. With better informed consumers and environmentally conscious businesses, we can move the booming franchise industry further and further into a green future!

For most small and medium sized franchise businesses, environmental concerns can take a backseat to the very real need to ensure profitability, sustainability and growth of the franchise business. However, most franchisors and franchisees are unaware of the advantages of going green can have for the long term profitability and success of the franchise.

In many cases, you can actively reduce your businesses “carbon footprint” without costing your business much money. Not only will you benefit from introducing green initiatives to your business by saving money on energy and heating bills, but you will also increase your consumer base.

Take a look at the following inexpensive but highly effective green business measures you can introduce:

1. Make sure all lights are switched off when leaving the workplace and turn the thermostat down by 1 degree and you will cut your heating bills by 10%.

2. Computers should be switched off when not in use. Millions of dollars are wasted each year by PC’s left on unnecessarily.

3. Fitting low cost energy light bulbs which can last for 8,000 hours will have a dramatic impact on your savings for your electricity bills.

4. Encourage staff to only print documents and emails when absolutely necessary and re-use paper that’s printed on one side.

5. Set up a company recycling scheme for all recyclable waste and instead of disposable foam cups for coffee and plastic cups for water, use reusable cups and glasses.

6. Encourage staff to use public transport. Or set up company organized car-sharing schemes; grants or loans for bicycles and secure on-site parking can all help minimize the carbon damage created by commuting.

7. Franchise businesses with fleets of vehicles should consider investing in biodiesel about 60% less carbon than normal.

8. Better use of IT in the office can reduce the money spent on business travel expenses and the carbon omission. Why not set up video conferencing in your work place, which reduces the need for colleagues to travel and increases your business profitability.

9. Re-use and recycle electrical equipment and reduce the amount going to landfills. Old computers can be donated to charity for use in developing countries but make sure you securely delete sensitive data before recycling.

10. Other unwanted office furniture ad supplies can be sold- perhaps on eBay, an online resource for giving items away.

By implementing energy saving measures in your workplace and providing incentives for your staff to cooperate with your “green business” initiatives will save you up to:

- 20% on your bills;

- enhance your business reputation as a “builder of eco-friendly measures” and;

- drastically cut your carbon footprint.
Industry analysts argue that not only will you save money on your energy bills by introducing some of the measures outlined afore, but you will also increase your brand recognition with consumers.

According to industry analysts, consumers regularly contemplate about their own carbon footprint and how they can make a difference to tackling climate change. These consumers, as a result are more likely to buy from a company they think is taking action to tackle climate change than a business that is not.

So if you’ve turned green, or you are going to turn green, you should shout about it and you could boost your profits!!

Frantrepreneur