What Should Do if You Want To Go Paperless (but You Can’t)?

Julie Starr • June 29, 2021



Everybody is trying to make their business sustainable. And this means that when we start to think about how we can do our bit for the environment, it goes way deep into the cultural aspects of our business. But sometimes, we start to overthink matters. Because businesses need to make seismic changes through cultural components, they can easily overlook the smaller factions that can make a significant difference. Case in point: going paperless . Cutting down on the paper you use is a very simple way to help, but what happens if you try to go paperless, but you just can’t? Going digital is easy, but it’s about making sure that the paper doesn’t come back into the business. Let’s show you what you need to do. 

Surround Yourself With Similar Mindsets

The difficulty of dealing with aspects of a supply chain means that you can’t always find people that have the same mindset. But it’s important to not make massive changes right away. If you are trying to change your thinking, the best way to do this is to surround yourself and work with people who are also environmentally conscious. There are times when you may need to print things but when you do this, consider making the purchases that make the least impact. A company like Aura Print focuses on digital cards, but will always work with businesses that embody the same sort of mindset. It’s a very key component to doing business effectively. When you start to work with like-minded people, it provides you with a positive influence to keep pushing forward for constructive change. 

Forget About the Backlog

One of the best ways to consider going paperless is to forget about how much paper you’ve already accumulated. It’s so easy for us to focus on past habits when we should be looking forward. Instead of looking back, adopt a forward-thinking approach. The fact is that if you are trying to go paperless, now is the time for you to make that change. Rather than looking backward and trying to digitize all of your paper files, which can be counterintuitive, instead, make sure that the backlog doesn’t get any bigger. Sign up for digital payments and email statements. If you are a business that still sends checks on a regular basis, you’ve got to make the switch to pay online. Many companies have had digital payments for years, but there are still some who will not accept online payments. When you are dealing with certain suppliers, they may still be stuck in the 1990s, and if you find yourself in this predicament, you’ve got to explain to them that they will get their money quicker if they accept digital payments. Small businesses can accept bank transfers with minimal fees. Sometimes, when we’re working with older suppliers, they are more stubborn. However, it’s just important to remember that sometimes we have to set an example. 

Scanning and Shredding

You can start to digitize your business through a scanner, but if your business is on the small side, you may not be able to invest in an expensive scanner, however, there are plenty of smartphone apps that you can use to scan information. Once you start to scan, put the paper in the shredder. When you dispose of the paper into the shredder, you’ve done everything you can. It can be difficult to follow that habit, especially if you don’t have time, but just take the opportunity to spend five minutes per day scanning from your backlog, to see how smoothly it goes. You can always hire temporary staff to do this for you also. 

Incorporate New Workflows

Scanning and shredding your documents is one approach, but as you get more comfortable with your paperless approach, you may discover you will need more workflows. This could mean that you need to create a new content management system, especially if you need to keep information on clients, such as their business number, contact details, etc. 

It’s also important to remember that you shouldn’t overthink it. When you are facing a difficult predicament as to whether you should go paperless with certain parts of the business, it can be tough. Going paperless should make your life easier. You may feel guilty that you got a few extra pieces of paper floating around, but you need to remember that if you are holding onto pointless papers, get rid of them, but also, you shouldn’t bother digitizing papers that serve no purpose. When in doubt, shred it, and let it go. Going paperless is not always straightforward, because there are different ideologies and attitudes to going completely digital. But when you are in doubt, try a few of these methods to see how it goes.

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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