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Is your company considering a Green business certification? There appears to be four fundamental choices for aspiring Green certification. These choices for Green certification of a business are more than a little confusing because there seems to be new variations are popping up week after week. With so many choices for Green business certification, business people are confused and tend to resist the commitment to either of the certification options.

The “Local Option” means that numerous cities are trying to follow the Marin County model for a Green business certification. The Marin project is promoted as free and requires a low level of actual compliance. The business applicant is given a list of Green ideas that he or she may complete on their own. Also several local utilities are supposed to visit the participating business to offer tips on Going Green. These local projects are grassroot initiatives designed to push businesses to Green their daily operation. These free programs have several flaws that will eventually lead to uncomfortable criticism when facing real comparisons.

First of all “Free” is never a good idea. Think of the last time that you got anything free. Was it worth the paper it was written on? The fact that anyone can obtain the same certification whether they comply or not makes it a worthless prize. As these standards are applied in multiple ways in city after city, there is no true standard. Finally, how does an ad hoc group of community activists develop a program that is reliable? The sheer volume of information and questions that are engendered require more than an amateur approach. These programs are offered for free because they are worth nothing, regardless of the good intentions of these groups.

The second choice is the “Internet Option.” We are watching dozens upon dozens of websites pop up on the Internet each month offering a Green business certification. Their certification is primarily based upon a self-assessment form and the payment of a $400-$700 fee. We should again ask, what is the validation for these easy-to-obtain certifications? Think of the stupidity of buying your driver’s license over the Internet. If an Internet driver’s license is wrong, so is something as serious as a Green business certification.

I put Internet certifications in the same category as Cyber sex. It isn’t right, and it isn’t real. Worse yet, what do you think will happen when the customers of a business realize that anyone can buy the same certification without any honest change in their operation? These Green Internet certifications are a mockery of a very serious problem in our world.

We should put Internet certifications in the same class as Cyber sex. It isn’t real, and it isn’t right. Worse yet, what do you think customer reaction will be when they realize anyone can buy the identical certification without making any serious change in their operation? Green Internet certifications are an embarrassing mockery of a very serious environmental problem in our world.

The fourth option is the “Authentically Green” choice. This Green business certification is one that is “Earned, and not Bought.” Using a uniform standard of point accumulation, a business must actually install Green practices to earn a certification. To insure compliance, a national organization of Certified Green Consultants administrate the program. These consultants actually audit the firms annually to insure compliance.

The Green Business League is the only program in America offering a valid and audited Green business certification. This certification is not free, it cannot be faked, and it cannot be bought over the Internet. GBL Green business certification comes only through a Certified Green Consultant who is a trained professional able to offer a Green business certification that can be respected.

A word of warning is in order at this early stage of Green awareness. Do not do this poorly. Avoid programs that are token efforts, regardless of their flowery words or claims of being authoritative. Ask yourself how you would feel if it was discovered that the Green certification program was little more than a Greenwashed idea that had little to no truth behind it. The future of our world deserves better than these Greenwashed progams offer.

We have entered a new period of environmental awareness. The right to assert a Green business status is not the same as brushing on a new coat of green paint. Unfortunately, there are simply too many companies claiming to be a Green business without actually earning their right to be a certified Green business. The idea of an authentically Green business demands that the aspiring Green business literally earn the Green credential through a process that has clear standards and compliance options rather than a mere Internet logo purchase.

Consider the hard issues that we presently face. World population is predicted to swell to nine billion people by 2025, our resources are reaching their limits, and we have abused the land, water, and air for decades. These mistakes have come back to haunt us, and they have the potential of destroying us and the generations after us. Knowing this, Greenwashing is one of the worst decisions that a company can make, and people will resent every business who plays this game.

The Green Business League has set an industry standard when it comes to Green business, and their 100 point system allows everyone to participate. Moreover, the process is all-inclusive. you need not own the building or offer a product to get involved. You need only make a commitment to installing basic Green practices in your daily operation.

One of the big mistakes to avoid is the attempt to Greenwash your business or product by making claims of environmental compliance that are not honest or part of your business operation. Like trying to pretend that you are a chess master as a chess tournament, those who understand Green will eventually learn that you are mocking an issue that is very serious to the rest of us. This is the kind of mistake that will cost businesses heavily. The best advice is to be authentically Green, but do not Greenwash.

To be an authentically Green business, the changes need to be internal as well as showing only externally. It goes back to the saying, “If you are going to Talk the Talk, then you should Walk the Walk.” This seems to be self-evident except when it comes to marketing efforts. At that level, the truth is a common casualty because the business must survive and grow. Essentially, it has been acceptable to sacrifice Green on the altar of business opportunity.

Credible Green claims need to be backed by actual Green practices that are implemented in the daily operation of the business. When a business actually functions as a Green business, the dynamics change. Environmentalism requires universal participation rather than doing only the minimum required to make a Green claim. Since most people has limited knowledge on the subject, it is best to get the assistance of a certified Green consultant. The added benefits is a better Greening project, Green certification, and your business will save thousands of dollars in the process.

Authentically Green is not only the intelligent way to Go Green, it is also the best marketing option available to any business. It will attract those that are environmentally loyal because they will travel the extra mile and spend the extra dollar because they believe in the cause. To attract more customers and keep them coming, it pays to be an authentically Green business.

Going green is good for the planet and for your personal financial savings. Your home office is a perfect place to start when it comes to trying to find ways to be more environmentally friendly and still enjoy the things that makes working from home a wonderful personal choice such as no commuting, very little “office politics”, and being able to dress how you want. All of these offer more than just a psychological respite, they also offer a financial saving incentive that has become even more valuable during this economy crisis.

Though you are probably wracking up a great financial saving, cost-conscious people can still save a little more by doing more when it comes to the environment. It actually doesn’t take a whole lot to be more green, it just means that you have be a little more conscientious about how you use what you already have. Here are 3 great ways to green up your office and your company’s financial state:

The first way to make your office greener is to use every bit of every piece of paper. First off, you should make an effort to always buy for cheap the paper that you will need for your business operation. Use coupons from stores from office supply retailers to get professional quality paper at a low cost. Another alternative is to ask people that you know if they have a surplus of paper or to check out your local thrift stores and garage sales. Companies sometimes have tons of scrap paper or paper that is no longer needed from projects that you could potentially use. It’s “professional” recycling!

But, once you buy for cheap, then it’s time to use as wisely and conservatively as possible. Always use both sides of the paper, when it won’t affect your professionalism or business image. For home files, use both sides. If you make mistakes when printing, use the blank sides for scrap paper or convert a bunch of “half” printed pages into a little scratch pad or notebook.

The second way to make your office greener is to stop using paper at all for things like faxes! There are tons of great free faxing services that will allow people to fax documents directly to your computer. Do a little online search and enjoy the financial savings of having to provide less paper for faxes and also eliminating the need for so many file folders!

The other way to max out the savings and get the maximum green effect in your home office is to decorate it and furnish it with recycled furnishings. Buy for cheap good quality furniture from office surplus stores, clearance sales, thrift stores, and of course, yard sales and you will be able to have a beautifully furnished office for pennies on the dollar. In this economy crisis, finding ways to help our pockets can mean the difference between a successful business and one that struggles through this difficult financial time. In the long term, if our efforts help the environment, that’s an even better endeavor.

You could also potentially get lots of office items totally free on websites like FREECYCLE.com. These are usually items listed by people that also have an interest in helping the environment but also want to help people to save money.

This economy crisis is a desperate time for many people around the world. Despite the negative news that we may read from time to time, your home office can thrive if you use a little creativity with how you furnish, supply, and operate your home office. Making a conscious effort to do what it takes for business and time saving, cost-cutting, and being more environmentally friendly in how you work can net your business and our world a wonderful saving that you will be glad about.