HY-brid/

Recently I was having a conversation with a co-worker about how businesses need to take a hard look at their bottom line now more than ever. Mix in the fact that they’re feeling pressure both from customers and the federal government to define their stance on the environment, and you have a recipe for some corporate confusion. So how do company leaders better the bottom line while defining a green platform? I’ll get to my thoughts on that shortly.

As my co-worker and I talked we decided the position a business takes on the environment can be sorted into two “eco” buckets. The “eco”nomics of doing business and the “eco”system in which a business operates. Both loom large in all industries and both “ecos” are facing uphill battles that can be positively affected by what businesses do—if the right things are done.

So…back to what a business can do to address both the economy and the ecosystem. We counsel our clients that spending a little now can save a lot in the future. That’s easier said than done for some businesses these days but there are levels of investment a company can make—some merely an investment in time—turning off lights in empty rooms, ensuring industrial equipment is properly maintained for examples. Other things cost some money upfront but pay off in the long run. Either path you choose, you can get started here.

One thing we often discuss with the companies we help market is having an energy audit done on facilities. The result provides business owners practical ways to implement energy strategies. And like I mentioned, though investing in efficiency and renewable technologies may cost a little bit on the upfront there are federal and some state incentives to help offset costs. Eventually, these technologies pay for themselves—sometimes in as little as two years. That makes long-term economic and of course ecosystem sense. Keep in mind, these are basic starting blocks for addressing the two ecos, but you have to start somewhere.

Once you’ve made your way through an energy audit—and hopefully some of the recommended improvements—you’ll need to let your end customers know about the commitment you’ve made to the environment. HY-brid is designed to help you bring that message to all of your audiences and we’d like to be your partner. Questions on what to do next? Let us know; it’s why were here.

Categories: Messages, Tim Wirtz, green marketing