Common sense dictates that any business which plans to succeed through the remainder of the recession, and emerge in a strong recovery position, should be adopting every measure possible to reduce both costs and waste. Unfortunately UK businesses are still sitting on untapped savings of a massive £6.4bn according to Defra [2007 Quantification of Business Benefits of Resource Efficiency]. As example, a recent Envirowise survey revealed that almost two-thirds of respondees had failed to monitor or measure their water use in any way – and a very significant 85% have no targets for this at all. If these indicators hold true for the rest of the British business population then they are missing out on a major recovery tool.
Decide to Take Action
The final quarter of 2009 could help to lay the foundations for a return to better business health. Confidence is starting to return despite the ongoing tough conditions. In the past year UK businesses have taken many difficult decisions to secure their futures - however there is much more to be done. Thankfully, deciding to take action on resource efficiency is less painful and far easier to implement than some other decisions, and will be a further vital factor for UK businesses as they continue down the road to recovery. Many smart businesses are already sitting up and taking note.
We know that it isn't always easy to see where to start. After you've taken the most difficult step of deciding to do something about resources and waste what comes next? We have three tools to help you tune up your business at a time when companies not only want to save money but increase efficiency and ensure they thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Conjure up savings
There is so much information on our website that you are certain to find ways to save. You can search more smartly by using our Publications Wizard at www.envirowise.gov.uk/publications
- over 3,000 businesses have already used it to find the information to build their own resource and cost efficiency plans. Using straightforward multiple choice questions the Wizard will determine your needs and create a tailored PDF with advice for your particular circumstances.
Calculate the difference
The Envirowise Savings Calculator is just as clever. It makes a perfect starting point if you need to prove to others in your company just what could be achieved (http://www.envirowise.gov.uk/savingscalculator). It takes you through three simple steps to help you minimise costs and maximise profits. By inputting a few basic details it will reveal the savings you could make on costs such as paper, waste disposal, water, heating and transport – exactly what you need to make a strong argument for change.
The Defra study [2007 Quantification of business benefits of resource efficiency] estimates that businesses could save up to £6.4bn simply by acting on all the areas which we cover in the savings calculator.
Ring the changes
Even businesses that have worked out their savings potential, created new policies, outlined action plans and got matters underway still have a lot of work to do if they are to realise all the potential savings and efficiency benefits. The biggest challenge can be to change the behaviours and attitudes of staff members. Envirowise understands this well, and has a wealth of advice about how to engage and enthuse staff. It has also created a new Embedding Behaviour Change tool, an interactive training tool which can help you take active steps to evolve your company culture and secure those savings. Change management is a big process, but Envirowise helps you break it down into easily digestible pieces. It covers all aspects including working with senior management to gain buy-in, and includes video case studies from which to gain practical examples. You can take the first important step to making such changes by clicking www.envirowise.gov.uk/change.