Despite the turmoil of the 2016 US election, businesses in New York City and many other parts of the country are determined to progress with a proactive approach to green technologies. They are interested in becoming more efficient, less wasteful, and kinder to the environment. If you are one of these businesses, you may be looking for ways to shrink your carbon footprint.
One of the most effective (and long lasting) changes that you can make is streamlining. In other words, cutting your resources right back, so that you only use what you really need. For many startup ventures and smaller companies, a full-time office simply isn’t necessary, but traditional notions of professionalism and brand make them hard to give up.
Yet, perhaps the main reason why businesses struggle to abandon wasteful resources is because they’re not always aware of the alternatives. This guide to super green virtual offices will help you get to grips with one of the best.
Fewer Commutes, Less Pollution
The idea that lies at the heart of the virtual office is access on demand. You’re not paying for a private box to habitually visit, even when your physical presence isn’t needed. The broadband, mailboxes, receptionists, IT support, and conferencing rooms are available at any time, but the expectation is that you’ll minimise costs by accessing them only when truly useful.
Naturally, this leads to substantially less time spent commuting. Why travel to the office every day, when you can work from home through the week and spend two hours on Friday meeting with clients at the virtual facility? Virtual office solutions (like all forms of remote work) are green because they allow for better prioritising.
Sharing Power and Sharing the Load
As shared suites invite multiple users to log on, hook up, and take advantage of the same fully functional space, they spread the consumption of power much more thinly. Yes, it takes a lot of electricity and gas to operate a sophisticated virtual office and all of its equipment, but this is dwarfed by the amount of power it would take to run 30-40 medium sized workspaces.
If you want to take your business to the next level and go green, without compromising on efficiency, this is the right way to do it. The equipment and software are every bit as impressive. You’re not skimping on performance to meet green credentials. You’re merely sharing the load and this is something that more entrepreneurs need to be investing in.
Allowing Employees to Stay Green
If you are in charge of a small team (1-10) people, it is feasible to operate remotely. You don’t need a private office, because even when face to face contact becomes necessary, you can just utilise the conferencing rooms. This is a very new way to work and it still makes some business owners nervous. The prospect of not constantly overseeing employees can cause some people to worry that they won’t perform properly.
However, studies have shown that remote work can actually boost productivity. Instead of forcing workers to sit distracted and restless in an office, they can shape their own habits. If they work better in the evening, they can have the day to themselves and vice versa. Plus, remote teams are very green, as they cut down on commutes and negate the need for a full-time office with lights, heating, air conditioning, and more.
Why Going Virtual Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Sometimes, even very flexible entrepreneurs and startup teams can be spooked by remote working. It is still a relatively new way to operate and learning how to reduce your dependence on brick and mortar sites is a gradual process. The only real way to prove to yourself that it works and that virtual offices are effective is to try one. Head down to one of the superb office facilities on State Street or Park Avenue and register for ‘no obligation’ access.
