A little green

Here at the end of Earth Day week, we can ask, “What’s the small business to do?”  News stories are always about the mega-corporations saving multi-megawatt/hours with their green project, and we’re glad they do — but the question is really whether the small changes of small businesses can make a real difference. The answer, for both the small business and the world as a whole, is “Yes”.

Let’s start with the obvious: Small business folks move around a lot. I’m typing this from yet another business-class hotel, and there are good reasons to be here, but I’m trying to do more and more from my office. Later this year you’ll see a review of serious teleconferencing systems from the InfoWorld Test Center. Those systems are becoming more competent and more affordable for small businesses and their partners.

Because we’re mobile, small businesses have led the move to laptop computers from larger desktop units, and its an evolution that needs to continue. I’m hooked on the dual-monitor setup I have with my laptop and a 21″ LCD monitor (though I’m going to have to try one of the Twin-head units one of these days), and I know that the laptop and LCD use far less power than my old desktop/21″ CRT combo.

One of the greatest things we can do is look seriously at our server needs. I’m running a lot of different functions from older laptops dedicated to single-purpose applications. Believe me, I can tell the difference since I retired a couple of 4U servers. The apps are happy, and my electric meter spins much more slowly.

I’ve done the obvious stuff, too — my office now runs with compact fluorescent  bulbs, and I keep the thermostat living in a more economical range. I’m working on eliminating a lot of paper, too — I’ve found that many customers are quite happy getting invoices and statements via .PDF files rather than in paper format, and I’ve put out the word that I’m happy receiving information electronically, too. One of my bigger moves is to essentially eliminate my fax machine — I never really liked curly paper, and keeping the fax machine turned off means I wake up to many fewer solicitations for dodgy health insurance plans.

So what are you doing to take your small business green? I can think of many other things…I’ll wait to hear from you, then present some of my other ideas.

Have a great, green weekend.