Management Blog

Say hello to the scuppies

What happens when you combine a hippie and a yuppie? You get a scuppie. No it's not a joke, it's the name given to Socially Conscious Upwardly Mobile Persons, news.com.au reports.

Like hippies, scuppies are passionate about the environment; and like yuppies they care deeply about their lifestyle and bank balance.

According to the article, scuppies are willing to spend up big on any goods that don't involve an environmental, social or human cost; for example, Starbucks is fine as long as the coffee is fair trade.

Despite criticism by hardcore eco-warriors, it's claimed the scuppie phenomena is growing quickly as a result of high profile advocates like Leonardo DiCaprio and Bono.

Cutting the cost of commuting

With petrol prices continuing to increase a growing number of US companies are supporting initiatives that ease the cost of the daily commute, Inc magazine reports.

According to the article, the programs include:

1. Carpooling 2.0 - when commuters organise car pools via online coworker networks

2. Bike sharing - some employers are allow staff borrow 'company bikes' to ride to and from work

3. No Fridays - a small number of US firms are allowing their staff to work longer days so they can take a full day off work in lieu

4. Telecommuting - nearly 30 million Americans now work from home at least one day a week

5. Walking - trendhunters say job hunters may soon prefer to work close to their homes to conserve resources

A tiny tip for rubbish downsizing

Want to encourage staff to do more recycling?

Try giving them a mini garbage bin to place on their desk, an idea that has seen recycling increase by 55 per cent at one US university.

The mini garbage bin – which acts as a reminder for staff to recycle – is just one of many small ideas organisations are using to tackle largesocial problems, Harvard Business's Green blog claims.

According to the blog, workers are sometimes annoyed about having their normal waste paper bins replaced. However, many change their tune when their recycling weak spots are revealed.

Consumers push for green products

Australian shoppers are prepared to vote with their wallets on the issue of global warming, a new survey suggests.

The Pricewaterhouse Coopers 2008 retail and consumer report claims a growing number of consumers are threatening to avoid goods that aren't authentically green.

The report says big business is aware of the trend with leading retailers including Target, Bunnings, Sussan and Woolworths undertaking green initiatives.

However, as the trend is consumer driven - as opposed to being pushed by marketing - PwC says companies need to consider their green policies carefully.

It's claimed consumers will disregard any existing brand loyalty and immediately move to a new retailer if companies don't deliver on their environmental promises, The Herald Sun reports.

Introducing the eco-PC

Dell has unveiled a new ecologically sound personal computer it hopes will be an attractive proposition for green consumers.

According to Trendhunter, the yet to be named eco-PC is 81 per cent smaller than standard computers and uses 70 per cent less energy.

Energy savings aren't the only green benefit. The unit is manufactured from recycled materials and features a slick curved outer casing that's made from bamboo.

Rumour has it the eco-PC will be released later this year; it's expected to be priced from between US$500 and US$700.

Carbon offset market gains momentum

A study by Victoria's Environment Protection Authority and RMIT University has found a 13 per cent increase in the number of carbon offset providers, The Age reports.

The research project indicates Australian providers traded carbon dioxide equivalents to the value of $45.9 million during the last financial year.

To meet growing demand for green business initiatives four new carbon offset providers have recently set up shop: Greenpass, Greenpig, Hydro Tasmania and Low Energy Supplies and Services.

With the Federal Government currently in the process of introducing a carbon trading scheme, commentators say the market is set for continued growth in the near future.

SMEs ignoring green message

Big business is keen to go green however many SMEs are refusing to adopt environmental best practices, according to a recent Newspoll.

The survey found air conditioners were left on overnight at 70 per cent of smaller workplaces; 10 per cent keep their lights on 24 hours a day.

In addition, 36 per cent of workers did not switch their computers off when they left work for the day while 86 per cent said they choose to print documents rather than proofread them on screen.

Commentators say the alarming figures prove the Federal Government needs to develop a climate change awareness campaign that specifically targets SME workplaces.

'Green collar' jobs gain momentum

A 'green collar' job is becoming a popular option for US professionals keen for a midlife career change, BusinessWeek reports.

It appears there are an abundance of opportunities in this area with an estimated 8.5 million jobs currently available in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the States.

A recent report suggests this figure is set to increase to as many as 40 million jobs in the sector by 2030; a trend that will no doubt be replicated in Australia.

As a result of this rapid growth commentators say there will be considerable demand for professionals with skills in the areas of construction, finance and marketing.

Green IT comes of age

2008 may be the year Green IT comes of age as a critical mass of companies seek to reduce the environmental and economic costs of operating data centres, The Australian reports.

HP boss Paul Brandling is quoted as saying that efficiency will be the industry's big driver as a result of budding green awareness and the desire to cut energy and cooling costs.

And it appears there is plenty of room for cost reductions. IBM figures indicate a data centre can use anything from 15 to 100 times more energy per square metre than other parts of a building.

Warnings over 'green' talk

The ACCC has released guidelines to help businesses avoid making environmental statements in advertising they can't back-up, Smart Company reports.

The Green Marketing and Trades Practices Act Guide warns that companies must be able to substantiate their environmental claims and should not make too general or unqualified promises.

It is also suggested that a number of environmental catchwords are used with caution or avoided all together. These include: 'green', 'energy efficient' and 'carbon neutral'.

Consumer advocate Choice say companies need to apply common sense with green talk; in the majority of cases that boils down to advertisers simply telling the truth and not exaggerating.