Reducing overheads is often the best solution for businesses looking to survive in this tough economic condition. One way of doing so is to switch from occupying premises to running a business from a virtual office-an option an increasing number of Americans are doing. Businesses are becoming greener, because it makes sense.

Today’s technologies make it possible to communicate with staff and members instantaneously from any point on the globe at any time. The use of new technologies-such as the ability to share files and documents while traveling or telecommuting has saved both time and energy.

By adopting virtual office’s eco-friendly office procedures and providing an infrastructure, which allows for a greener approach to running a business, the serviced office providers enables its occupiers to automatically slot into an existing sustainable culture rather than starting from scratch.

While the advantages of working from home may seem obvious to you-more flexibility, more freedom, and the opportunity to be your family, there are probably even more benefits which you have not thought of.
1. Environmental benefits from not driving a vehicle and polluting the air
2. Reducing traffic congestion
3. Saving time, money and oil by not commuting
4. Reducing the stress level from not having to drive in congested traffic to and from work
5. Benefits of living a more balanced life
6. Going green virtually- building a green company instead of brick and mortar office.

The corporate world is uniquely positioned to go green unlike never before. With constantly evolving technologies, the connectivity of the Internet and mobile devices, the corporate world is able to run more efficiently with less paper and minimal physical resources. Businesses are going green virtually-no office, no commute, and no paper.
Virtual offices are undoubtedly a major component of the greening of the business world and they are having positive impact in this arena. Many businesses are finding increased productivity and cost savings by allowing workforce to telecommute. This trend makes the leasing and maintenance of physical office space environmentally unwise.

Of course, large companies in heavily polluted urban areas are not the only businesses that can enjoy the green benefits of a virtual office. Small offices that use a virtual office space are also able to be green saving on utilities, while their employees save on commuting costs and use less gas. The productivity level has also gone many folds with a virtual office or telecommuting arrangement because employees work in their respective familiar surroundings and save time, otherwise would have spent traveling to and from the office. The benefits of going virtual are many, though it does require businesses to change their way of thinking a bit.

Depending on the number of employees in your office, you can eliminate multiple cars that commute to work everyday. Allowing employees to telecommute from home could cut costs significantly. You are also no longer paying the energy costs and other expenses involved with running an office building. Commuting wastes time and fuel, degrades the environment, contributes to climate change and increases congestion on roads. Imagine how different things would look if every worker who could telecommute did so. The technology exists today to support this. However, you need a concerted effort to realize people the benefits of virtual offices.

In eliminating the concept of the physical office, virtual companies get rid of all the waste that goes along with it. Energy consumption is slashed, as you only need enough power to run you computer and a lamp. Paper consumption becomes negligible. Further, the health benefits-individual and collective- are enormous.

In addition to potential health and productivity gains, widespread use of virtual office environments reduces highway congestion and save money for both the employer and the employee. Many companies are now eliminating the need for physical office and thus the cost of leasing, lighting and maintaining that space.

Technology has truly changed everything over the past few years. You must feel blessed that you get the opportunity to build your business virtually and proud to share your wisdom as you grow and evolve.

 

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For some people, “going green” means living a life-style that does not endanger the health of people or animals, and to others it means recycling and choosing environmentally friendly products that reduce the negative impact on the planet. For this ecologically sensitive company, going green involves nearly every aspect of their bedding business from the materials they use in their products to their delivery methods.

“Going green absolutely governs the way we do business because we don’t think of NuRem as just a company, we believe that we’re part of a cause – one that deserves our very best efforts every day,” said Nack. He offers these ten tips for businesses trying to become more eco-friendly.

1.  Use Renewable Resources: Renewable resources are those that can be replaced by natural processes at a comparable or faster rate than their rate of consumption. “We incorporated renewable resources throughout our mattresses and bedding products like activated charcoal made from coconut husks (to reduce odors and moisture), eucalyptus pulp (a renewable resource to make Tencel ticking), bamboo, and cotton and silk (fast growing, renewable resources used in our fabric). We also used Castor oil rather than petroleum and green tea instead of toxic chemicals to cure our memory foam mattresses.”

2.  Choose Recyclable Packaging: It is estimated that about half of what we throw away is packaging materials. Using less packaging and more recyclable packaging alternatives can help reduce the mountains of trash overwhelming our landfills. “We slip our compressed foam mattresses in reusable bags and then ship them in recyclable corrugated cardboard boxes.”

3.  Rethink Delivery Methods: Considering alternative delivery options can reduce shipping costs and shrink a company’s carbon footprint in the process. “By compressing our products prior to shipping, we have reduced our packaging by 70%. By reducing the size of our packaging we are able to ship our mattresses straight to the customer using UPS and FedEx. This allows our customers to schedule deliveries and it eliminates NuRem’s need for additional shipping facilities and delivery trucks.”

4.  Green Cleaning Products: Green cleaning products include such common kitchen ingredients as water, white vinegar, baking soda and castile soap. Because they use no harsh chemicals they can increase safety, health, productivity, and return on investment of our facility. “Choosing green cleaning products for the workplace is a good first step for any company to take. It’s easy, doesn’t increase expenses and helps raise awareness.”

5.  Go Paperless: The nature of the office and the type of work has a lot to do with the degree to which you can reduce or eliminate the amount of paper you use. Today’s technology makes it easier than ever to go paperless. “Be innovative and try new things,” Nack encourages. “Our offices are almost completely paperless. Even our NuRem product instruction manuals are paperless – they’re actually on a YouTube video.”

6.  Recycle Office Waste: Waste has become an increasingly difficult environmental and economic problem that affects us all. Recycling can help substantially. Nack says his office recycles everything they possibly can. “Finding the right community resource is the key. Boulder Colorado is a very easy city to be green in. We are even able to recycle #6 Styrofoam and old office equipment like computer monitors through Boulder’s Eco-Cycle and their Hard-to-Recycle Materials program.”

7.  Consider Composting: The idea of composting at the office might seem a little bazaar, but the fact is composting is the latest office buzzword. That’s because anything made of organic (carbon-based) materials can be composted. That includes food scraps, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, napkins, paper plates and towels, wax-lined containers and even gum, all of which are frequently found in an office environment. “We compost all non-protein based food through Western Disposal’s composting program that here started in the Boulder area last year.”

8.  Seek Alternative Energy Resources: The NuRem corporate office is 100% wind powered. “We switched from being coal powered to 100% wind-powered. We pay a premium to be wind powered but we felt the cost was well worth it. The program is through Excel Energy’s WindSource program and we’re thrilled with it!”

9.  Conserve Energy: Even though NuRem uses sustainable wind power the company remains energy conscious. “We use only fluorescent bulbs at our facility,” Nack said. “In addition we power down all non-essential computers and equipment at night, and use a computer scheduled thermostat to reduce consumption during off hours.”

10.  Transportation: To help save money and energy, many companies are taking steps to cut down on transportation costs. They buy and sell more locally, use direct deposit and online banking, cutting down on company travel and encouraging their employees to car pool to work. Nack says, “All of our employees receive a free bus/RTD (Regional Transportation District) pass to get them to and from our offices to anywhere in the Denver/Boulder metro area including the airport. As the owner of the company, I walk or ride my bike the 8 blocks to work everyday.”

From the raw materials they use in manufacturing their memory foam mattresses to their mattress delivery system, every aspect of the business is designed to be part of an environmental solution. To learn more about how NuRem is making a difference, visit http://www.NuRemMattress.com.

Nack is proud of the “green” strides his eco-friendly mattress and bedding company is making. “Of course, we know there’s more to be done, and we’re committed to keep doing everything we can to improve the health of our environment and protect the world we all live in.”

Resource:  http://www.NuRemMattress.com

Resource:  http://www.Mattress-News.com

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