Eco-Friendly Measures Your Customers Will Love

Julie Starr • Jul 09, 2020



More and more businesses are making an effort to go green in a bid to protect the planet. While adopting eco-friendly measures is beneficial for the environment, there are also several changes you can make that will impress your clients and improve the customer experience. If you’re looking for ways to contribute to the global effort to protect the environment and you’re keen to make your customers happy, here are some measures that achieve both objectives. 

Online ordering
 Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, but figures show that people are spending more time online than ever before. The Coronavirus crisis has triggered a spike in web and app usage, making this a brilliant time for businesses to capitalize on the reach of the Internet and the opportunities it offers to connect with customers and provide a convenient, safe and enjoyable experience. If you don’t offer online shopping and the chance to click and collect, now is the time to explore new ways of working and serving customers. Shopping online is an extremely appealing option for buyers who are being advised to stay at home, and it has benefits for the environment. By catering to this growing market, you can contribute to a reduced carbon footprint while also enhancing safety and enforcing social distancing measures. 

Mobile payments and digital invoicing
 In days gone by, if you wanted to buy something, you’d have to get in the car or take a cab or a bus to a store, hand over your card, and be presented with a receipt as proof of purchase. Today, shopping is very different. You can order a product in a matter of seconds using a tablet, laptop or phone, you can receive a confirmation via a digital invoice sent over email and you can make payments virtually. Modern ways of ordering and paying for items reduce the use of paper and they enable people to shop at home, meaning that they don’t have to use gas or take public transport to get what they need. 

Eco-friendly gifts
 Every consumer loves to receive a freebie or a promotional gift when they make a purchase. As a business owner looking to do their bit for the planet, it’s a great idea to look into eco-friendly giveaways. Promotions can drum up interest and drive sales, and if you choose the right items, you can also spread the word about going green. Reusable cups, bags for life, and water bottles are great examples. 

Supporting environmental initiatives
 Did you know that 63% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that stand for or support a cause ? If you’re looking to push sales and enhance your brand image at the same time as backing causes that matter to you, it’s an excellent idea to look into initiatives or organizations you can donate to or work with. You could donate a portion of your profits to a wildlife fund or invest in a program that aims to reduce deforestation through planting, for example. 

Many forward-thinking businesses are taking steps to go green. Embracing eco-friendly ways of operating is positive news for the planet, but it can also have an incredible impact on customer experience and brand image.

How To Identify Companies That Match Your Values

By Julie Starr • 22 Apr, 2024
As you try to develop a sustainable brand , you need to consider what other companies you work with. These could be collaboration opportunities or suppliers and vendors that help you develop the product or service you want to sell. But, many companies may not share your values, so how can you identify the right companies that meet your eco-friendly attitude? Make Use Of Marketing Platforms It's frustrating to reach out to multiple companies to identify collaboration opportunities. For one, there’s no guarantee you even get a response, and cold emailing or other measures are rarely successful. However, you can use marketing platforms and their many features and resources to companies or influencers that align more closely with what you feel is right. Various platforms offer unique options that enable you to whittle down possible companies until you find the perfect match, saving you plenty of time. Research Their Website However, you can’t just leap into any partnership since these platforms may have outdated information, or companies could have selected everything they think will get them a partnership. As with any approach, extra research is essential. Once you’ve identified a company that seems to match your values, it’s with checking out their website. Look at their blog and customer reviews to get an idea of where their ideals lie so you can get a more transparent picture. Meet With Companies Businesses can also meet directly with potential companies when they have established the possibility of a partnership. Whether you’re looking for a better green transport service or need central laboratory services , having face-to-face conversations is a must. You can open discussions via video calls before arranging an in-person meeting which gives you the chance to visit their location, such as an office or warehouse, to ensure that you aren’t stepping into something you may regret. Look For Accreditation and Certification Modern businesses require certification and accreditation to back up claims they are the most sustainable or to prove they have adhered to necessary compliance laws and regulations. Usually, you can find this on their website but there could also be PR pieces on various industry news sites that can prove the company has obtained the necessary certificates. Identifying these certificates will add confidence they are the right company to work with. Offer Value To Them While you hope the potential partnership brings value to your company, you also need to provide value to them. This point is key for strategic collaboration as it otherwise means you take without offering anything in return. Consider what your business can do, such as increase their awareness or help them develop new research projects. In doing so, you will have a mutually beneficial partnership that helps both companies achieve the goals they have outlined for the year. Values and Value Every partnership or collaboration should bring value. This value should apply to your business and any partnerships but also your customers. If you can identify companies that align with your brand values, you’ll have an easier time developing a positive relationship that ensures you stay on track to meet your goals.

Fresh Content: Where Do You Get The Green For Your Green Business?

By Julie Starr • 19 Apr, 2024
If you’re looking to start up a business that puts environmental responsibility at the forefront of how it operates, or that aims to offer new eco-friendly products and services to the market, then you need to make sure you have a plan for it. In part, you need to think about where the money is going to come from to help you get the business up and running. Here, we’re going to look at a few examples of places you can get the funding your green business needs. Finding like-minded investors A lot of capital in the startup spaces comes from investors who will take the time to look over a host of prospective businesses that are looking to get their start and will choose those that best align with their goals. Finding an investor isn’t always easy, so start by networking in the right professional spaces, especially those that might built specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners in the green sector. There are websites that can help pair your business up with investors, as well, but this can be a fairly competitive space. You want to have the room to be able to talk to potential investors about the profitability of your business, as well as the values and dedication to eco-friendliness that drive it. Getting hold of some credit The other traditional means of funding any business is to get a loan that can allow you to cover all of the necessary upfront costs, and running costs until you’re able to get yours up, running, and making money. Banks were the typical method of borrowing money like this, originally, but as banks got bigger, they lent less to smaller businesses, and as such, commercial funding solutions rose up to take their place, to some degree. If you’re going to try to borrow money, then you need to ensure that you are completely prepared for the application process, which can necessitate a business plan, which is designed, in part, to help show the viability and path to profitability to any lenders. Finding green grants and other financial incentives The push towards greener businesses and more sustainable industries isn’t something that’s only on the minds of a few business owners. There are always state-funded and non-profit-funded initiatives that aim to help those with green businesses on their mind get their start. You should take a look at the range of green business grants and other funding options set up, be it locally, in your state, or federally. Some of these funds and grants will be set up for businesses tackling climate change, ecosystem change, and environmental waste in specific ways, but there are always more grants to keep an eye out for, so make sure you learn how to write a grant proposal well. Finding those who are like-minded, either in seeing the profit potential in your business, or in getting behind the values of it, can help you not only get the funding you need, but it can lead to very advantageous relationships in the future, as well.
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