The results of research from Cone Communications released earlier this year indicate that more American consumers are thinking green than ever before.
Specifically, according to the 2013 Cone Communications Green Gap Trend Tracker, 7 percent of shoppers think about the environment every time they shop, 20 percent regularly weigh the impact of their shopping choices and 44 percent analyze the “greenness” of their decisions “sometimes,” researchers found. In total, environmental considerations cross the minds of nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of today’s consumers, up from two-thirds (66 percent) in 2008.
So what does that mean for companies?
Greenification from a business perspective
Clearly, mobilizing an eco-friendly corporate strategy has its perks in terms of attracting and retaining business, so companies that haven’t previously prioritized going green might want to reconsider, if only for the advantages associated with a boost in customer loyalty. That said, if you do it right, placing an increased focus on integrating sustainable and environmentally friendly processes can also benefit your company in several other ways.
With some green strategies, the dividends are obvious – for instance, replacing regular light bulbs with their energy-efficient equivalents tends to result in lower energy costs.
Paperless Technology
Similarly, by leveraging paper conversion services, document capture solutions, scanning hardware and the like, firms can significantly reduce their reliance on filing cabinets. Having fewer filing cabinets translates to more space in the physical workplace, but that’s not the only advantage of integrating paperless technology.
Ultimately, digitizing documents lessens the reliance on printouts. This translates to a reduced need for paper, which not only benefits the environment but also the company’s bottom line, as the firm will likely realize dramatic savings on expenses associated with printer paper and ink.
Additionally, there’s the advantage of more streamlined file-sharing. With paper-based documents, it’s tricky for people in different locations to access the same files, and this often results in multiple printouts of the same information. This type of waste can be avoided when companies adopt business process automation strategies that involve electronically sharing documents.
The longevity of going green
With all the buzz about going green in recent years, you might think that the sustainability trend is just another flash in the pan, but environmentally friendly operations have staying power.
At the end of the day, going green simply makes good business sense, and this is underscored by the fact that a number of leading corporate entities are adopting environmentally friendly processes.
“For these corporate giants, the concept of going green does not merely get justified on the basis of altruistic means alone,” noted Seeking Alpha. “While motivated by the increased benefits of the a more socially-responsible brand, more and more companies are beginning to reap the monetary benefits of pursuing a green strategy.”
