The Green Office Trend Is Transforming The Economy

Julie Starr • May 29, 2020



When Wiliam Blake described the “dark, Satanic mills” of the industrial revolution, he articulated what nineteenth-century people thought: industrialization was at odds with nature. 

In the early days, the effects of trade and commerce on the environment were relatively limited. Factories were still incredibly rare. And the average country didn’t have the scientific apparatus to collect data on the environment. Nobody knew if burning coal in factories was poisoning the lungs of children. 

Today, though, things are different, and we fundamentally appreciate that modern economies take a toll on the environment. The goal now is to create some kind of win-win situation – one in which we keep our current lifestyle, and enable the planet to survive the next million years.

Businesses have a role to play in this process. Not only do they need to make sustainable products, but they also need to ensure that their working practices are green. Many companies, therefore, are investing in green premises – campuses that will confirm them as eco-conscious brands. 

The supporting industry behind this trend is now considerable. Thousands of architects and design firms are churning out reprographics that minimizes water and carbon usage while providing amenities for green modes of travel, like bicycle storage. Firms are also looking to provide full bathroom facilities on site so that people can freshen up after journeying to work under their own steam. 

The trend for green business premises, however, isn’t just changing the workplace but also transforming the economy as a whole. Companies across sectors now realize that if they want to impress consumers and clients about their green credentials, they have to walk the walk. They can no longer justify cramming people into high-rise offices that guzzle the Earth’s resources. They need something fundamentally more sustainable . 

Already we see firms experimenting with all kinds of solutions. Vertical gardens, for instance, adorn the cladding of many buildings. Companies are also installing solar on their roofs and special glass to help with insulation and heating. 

Innovations, however, are arriving all the time. Architects, for instance, now understand the importance of creating “energy-positive” buildings that produce more energy than they consume, providing the necessary slack for going carbon neutral.

Companies are also investigating the concept of creating “living walls” in their office complexes. Building surfaces could become replete with plants and shrubs , creating a kind of urban rainforest effect. Planners believe the overall impact will be positive because it will help to scrub the air of pollution while also assisting pedestrians in feeling relaxed.

Another innovation concerns that of floating settlements. Land space is limited and precious, and urban sprawl is creating problems for habitats and wildlife. Planners now see the potential of constructing floating communities or even entire cities offshore with no ground-based footprint. These structures would sit on the sea, allowing cities to expand beyond the shoreline instead of the wilderness. 

Therefore, the greening of business premises will transform the economy and change the way we work. As technology improves, costs will fall. And that can only be a good thing. 

 

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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