Ignorance is not always bliss because while you may have no idea how much your business is literally wasting away, you can be guaranteed that somewhere along the line there will be paper wasting away in your pocket – but it’s the type that will eventually make more of a noticeable and instant impact.
So what is waste all about and why should you care? Well, as a business you are committed to abide by the ‘Duty of Care’, which is basically a law that applies to all controlled waste; which is any household, commercial or industrial waste. It is your duty to ensure the safe disposal of this waste and once you start training yourself to think in an environmentally friendly way, then your first thought should be ‘how can I reduce the waste in the first place?’
In the modern age of electronic paperwork such as PDF proofs and email correspondence, it seems ludicrous that as a nation we are actually using more paper. Short emails are often printed off onto a whole sheet of A4 paper and we rarely stop to think about how this could be affecting the world on a larger scale. So what can little old you do I hear you cry. Well, the key issues to always keep in your mind are that you want to be reusing as much paper as possible, therefore maximising lifespan and cutting back wherever possible in areas such as packaging. Spell check before you print and test print one page before batch printing, use as much of the paper as possible; this means double-sided, reducing … even silly pointers like extending margins to fit more on to one page or reducing font size, all help.
When it comes to buying stationery and equipment for your office always ensure that you use environmentally friendly companies and those who will supply recycled paper. You can even find companies that will turn your waste paper, used on one side, into nifty little notepads – or why not make some yourself … using paperclips and not staples, of course!
Other paper products that make a big dent in the amount of waste you produce are of the cup variety. How many paper cups do you use each day when you head up to the water or vending machine? and let me ask you … where do the used cups end up - in a recycling bin, or just in the bin under your desk? I will hazard a guess that it’s the latter so immediately you can make a significant difference by simply using a ceramic mug or a glass. You will find most machines will accommodate one of some sort and it doesn’t take much to locate the right size – maybe just a lunchtime perusing the shelves of your local supermarket.
In the office environment the first step to becoming environmentally friendly, and pocket friendly, is education. Lead by example and if you educate your staff towards an environmental way of thinking, then the battle is almost won; you simply have to implement the processes and I guarantee you, in no time at all looking after the environment will become second nature … and nature will surely be thankful.
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About the author
Alice Griffin has vast and varied experience in the working world: design, print, marketing, research and publishing. She has worked for herself as well as corporate companies and her in-depth knowledge and down-to-earth approach provides direct no-nonsense advice. See more of Alice's work on her website www.keramay.co.uk
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
HOW GREEN IS YOUR COMPUTER?
Reducing carbon emissions is the order of the day.
From spiralling fuel prices to global warming, almost everything seems to be forcing us to quit our energy-intensive, pollution-causing habits. As we blame gas guzzling SUVs and electricity-thirsty plasma screens, we don’t even notice the little power consuming gadgets that quietly contribute to the growing menace. But there is a way of retaining computing power while cutting electricity bills and reducing our carbon footprint: 1 The next time you buy a computer or laptop, check if it is Energy Star rated. Most electric and electronic devices, from household devices to nifty netbooks—are usually Energy Star compliant. This means that they use about 20-30% less energy than their non-rated brethren.
2 Also check if the device is RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances directive) compliant. This is usually mentioned both on the box and the body of the device. Although RoHS isn’t related directly to electricity use, what it means is that your device carries very little of toxic substances. This ensures that when you dispose of an electronic device, it doesn’t leak harmful toxins into the soil.
3 Once your computer is ready for use, make sure you plug it in only when you want to use it. Even if your device is switched off, there is always some power leakage if it’s plugged into the power supply.
4 Don’t leave your computer on 24 hours a day, and don’t leave it connected to the charger when the battery is already fully charged. While the former ensures that power isn’t needlessly wasted, the latter will help the batteries last longer while giving optimum power. This is especially important as batteries contain toxic chemicals that are notoriously difficult to dispose of.
5 All computers and laptops have various energy settings. These can be accessed through the little battery icon present on the right hand corner of the window’s bar. You can use this setting to minimize the amount of power your computer uses. Switching off the screen when it’s idle for more than 5 minutes or switching off hard disks when not in use for more than 15 minutes ensures that less power is consumed without compromising on productivity.
6 Download any of the many energy-saving tools available on the Internet. These tools, usually free, help you keep track of where your computer’s energy is being wasted.
7 Check your computer’s brightness. Reducing a monitor’s brightness can significantly reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
8 Screen savers are a complete waste of energy. In stead, change your power settings so that every time your computer is idle for too long, it goes into “hibernation” or “sleep mode”.
9 It is very important to dispose of your computer responsibly. In the case of old computers, check if any of your friends or family can use some components. Companies such as Dell and HP now take your old computers if you buy a new one from them. This way you can ensure that your computer won’t make it straight into a landfill.
10 Contact e-Parisaraa (www.ewasteindia.in/ obj.asp), a Bangalore-based e-waste disposal company and send them your old computer.
ARJUN JASSAL For previous Toolkit columns, log on to www.livemint.com/toolkit www.livemint.com
From spiralling fuel prices to global warming, almost everything seems to be forcing us to quit our energy-intensive, pollution-causing habits. As we blame gas guzzling SUVs and electricity-thirsty plasma screens, we don’t even notice the little power consuming gadgets that quietly contribute to the growing menace. But there is a way of retaining computing power while cutting electricity bills and reducing our carbon footprint: 1 The next time you buy a computer or laptop, check if it is Energy Star rated. Most electric and electronic devices, from household devices to nifty netbooks—are usually Energy Star compliant. This means that they use about 20-30% less energy than their non-rated brethren.
2 Also check if the device is RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances directive) compliant. This is usually mentioned both on the box and the body of the device. Although RoHS isn’t related directly to electricity use, what it means is that your device carries very little of toxic substances. This ensures that when you dispose of an electronic device, it doesn’t leak harmful toxins into the soil.
3 Once your computer is ready for use, make sure you plug it in only when you want to use it. Even if your device is switched off, there is always some power leakage if it’s plugged into the power supply.
4 Don’t leave your computer on 24 hours a day, and don’t leave it connected to the charger when the battery is already fully charged. While the former ensures that power isn’t needlessly wasted, the latter will help the batteries last longer while giving optimum power. This is especially important as batteries contain toxic chemicals that are notoriously difficult to dispose of.
5 All computers and laptops have various energy settings. These can be accessed through the little battery icon present on the right hand corner of the window’s bar. You can use this setting to minimize the amount of power your computer uses. Switching off the screen when it’s idle for more than 5 minutes or switching off hard disks when not in use for more than 15 minutes ensures that less power is consumed without compromising on productivity.
6 Download any of the many energy-saving tools available on the Internet. These tools, usually free, help you keep track of where your computer’s energy is being wasted.
7 Check your computer’s brightness. Reducing a monitor’s brightness can significantly reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
8 Screen savers are a complete waste of energy. In stead, change your power settings so that every time your computer is idle for too long, it goes into “hibernation” or “sleep mode”.
9 It is very important to dispose of your computer responsibly. In the case of old computers, check if any of your friends or family can use some components. Companies such as Dell and HP now take your old computers if you buy a new one from them. This way you can ensure that your computer won’t make it straight into a landfill.
10 Contact e-Parisaraa (www.ewasteindia.in/ obj.asp), a Bangalore-based e-waste disposal company and send them your old computer.
ARJUN JASSAL For previous Toolkit columns, log on to www.livemint.com/toolkit www.livemint.com
What Apple iPhone Does not Offer & Nokia Offers
Check this Blog....
http://artofc.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-apple-iphone-does-not-offer-nokia.html
http://artofc.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-apple-iphone-does-not-offer-nokia.html
25 Things you can do with your Cell Phone
25 Things you can do with your Cell Phone
Check the below blog of Amit Bhawani.....
http://www.amitbhawani.com/blog/25-important-uses-cell-phones/
Check the below blog of Amit Bhawani.....
http://www.amitbhawani.com/blog/25-important-uses-cell-phones/
Indian Railways Tickets Search & Booking
Indian Railways Tickets Search & Booking
Check the below blog of Amit Bhaawani.....
http://www.amitbhawani.com/india/indian-railways-tickets-booking/
Check the below blog of Amit Bhaawani.....
http://www.amitbhawani.com/india/indian-railways-tickets-booking/
12 Dirty Habits That Prevent You from Developing Exceptional People Skills
“Now You Can Immediately Improve Your Relations With Others Without Spending A Single Penny!”
Chances are, if you’re not very successful at dealing with people, you haven’t had the chance to properly educate yourself. Learning to deal with people is like learning to walk except it requires a lot more work!
Now imagine if your whole life you had been taught to walk backwards. Would this make your life much more difficult? Of course it would. Just like anything else, you need to learn exactly how to interact with people the proper way.
Here we go: here are the 12 dirty habits you should always avoid when interacting with people.
Dirty Habit #1
Looking down at the floor when speaking to someone. You must learn to look at someone directly in their eyes when speaking to them. If you were taught that staring at people was impolite, you’re absolutely right. However, this does not mean you can’t look at someone in his or her eyes.
Dirty Habit #2
Slouching when you’re standing or sitting down. Stand up straight. In our society being tall is a good thing. When you slouch you appear much shorter. Not only will standing straight make you look taller but it will also give you a confident look.
Dirty Habit #3
Frowning and not smiling enough. No one likes to spend time with someone who’s in a bad mood. If you’re not feeling too great then try to keep your distance. People love to spend time with upbeat, optimistic people. Make an effort to smile, not frown.
Dirty Habit #4
Avoiding strangers. Since the day you were born, your parents have taught you never to speak to strangers. Well, you’re a grown up now and things have changed. In order to develop exceptional people skills you need to be comfortable speaking to all types of people. You need to meet as many people as you can.
Dirty Habit #5
Making a poor first impression. Did you know that people will judge almost everything about you just by your first impression? Make an initial effort to get along with the person you are meeting and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
Dirty Habit #6
Not making an effort to speak well. In order to develop great people skills you need to become a great conversationalist. This doesn’t mean you need to speak a lot; this means you need to speak well. You need to articulate and choose your words wisely. Basically, you need to listen to what you’re saying and not just blabber on about whatever you feel like.
Dirty Habit #7
Not being a good listener. Have you ever noticed how you tend to fall into a mind drift as soon as the other person begins to speak? Okay, well if you really don’t care about the person, then fine. But if you do, make an effort to listen and let the person speak. It will only help you further on in the conversation.
Dirty Habit #8
Not staying in touch with your acquaintances. To make sure you have the best relationships with all of the people you know, you must stay in touch with them. You need to regularly check your contact list and remind them all that you still exist. I’m not saying to call them up twice a week but an occasional check up is always nice.
Dirty Habit #9
Not being proactive. When there is not enough action and things are looking dull, it’s up to you to make a move. If you aren’t satisfied with the current situation don’t blame others, do something about it! Let’s face it: no one really cares if you’re unhappy, except maybe your mom...
Dirty Habit #10
Not enjoying your social life. If you want people to enjoy your company, you need to let them know that you’re a fun person to spend time with. If you’re a hard worker, then I congratulate you! However, you need to occasionally go out and be known for your excellent nights out! Go out and live your life to the fullest!
Dirty Habit #11
Not facing your fears. Actually, this relates to all aspects of your life but in this context I’m talking about meeting new people, career promotions, etc. If you need to do something logical but your emotions are getting in the way, then you need to analyze the situation and use some common sense.
Dirty Habit #12
Refusing to be open minded. There are all kinds of people out there. There are different religions, different races, different cultures, and different languages. Learn to accept others for who they are not who you want them to be. Give them your full respect and work out your differences unless of course you aren’t receiving the respect you deserve.
There you go! These were the 12 dirty habits to always avoid if you really want to develop exceptional people skills!
Chances are, if you’re not very successful at dealing with people, you haven’t had the chance to properly educate yourself. Learning to deal with people is like learning to walk except it requires a lot more work!
Now imagine if your whole life you had been taught to walk backwards. Would this make your life much more difficult? Of course it would. Just like anything else, you need to learn exactly how to interact with people the proper way.
Here we go: here are the 12 dirty habits you should always avoid when interacting with people.
Dirty Habit #1
Looking down at the floor when speaking to someone. You must learn to look at someone directly in their eyes when speaking to them. If you were taught that staring at people was impolite, you’re absolutely right. However, this does not mean you can’t look at someone in his or her eyes.
Dirty Habit #2
Slouching when you’re standing or sitting down. Stand up straight. In our society being tall is a good thing. When you slouch you appear much shorter. Not only will standing straight make you look taller but it will also give you a confident look.
Dirty Habit #3
Frowning and not smiling enough. No one likes to spend time with someone who’s in a bad mood. If you’re not feeling too great then try to keep your distance. People love to spend time with upbeat, optimistic people. Make an effort to smile, not frown.
Dirty Habit #4
Avoiding strangers. Since the day you were born, your parents have taught you never to speak to strangers. Well, you’re a grown up now and things have changed. In order to develop exceptional people skills you need to be comfortable speaking to all types of people. You need to meet as many people as you can.
Dirty Habit #5
Making a poor first impression. Did you know that people will judge almost everything about you just by your first impression? Make an initial effort to get along with the person you are meeting and you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
Dirty Habit #6
Not making an effort to speak well. In order to develop great people skills you need to become a great conversationalist. This doesn’t mean you need to speak a lot; this means you need to speak well. You need to articulate and choose your words wisely. Basically, you need to listen to what you’re saying and not just blabber on about whatever you feel like.
Dirty Habit #7
Not being a good listener. Have you ever noticed how you tend to fall into a mind drift as soon as the other person begins to speak? Okay, well if you really don’t care about the person, then fine. But if you do, make an effort to listen and let the person speak. It will only help you further on in the conversation.
Dirty Habit #8
Not staying in touch with your acquaintances. To make sure you have the best relationships with all of the people you know, you must stay in touch with them. You need to regularly check your contact list and remind them all that you still exist. I’m not saying to call them up twice a week but an occasional check up is always nice.
Dirty Habit #9
Not being proactive. When there is not enough action and things are looking dull, it’s up to you to make a move. If you aren’t satisfied with the current situation don’t blame others, do something about it! Let’s face it: no one really cares if you’re unhappy, except maybe your mom...
Dirty Habit #10
Not enjoying your social life. If you want people to enjoy your company, you need to let them know that you’re a fun person to spend time with. If you’re a hard worker, then I congratulate you! However, you need to occasionally go out and be known for your excellent nights out! Go out and live your life to the fullest!
Dirty Habit #11
Not facing your fears. Actually, this relates to all aspects of your life but in this context I’m talking about meeting new people, career promotions, etc. If you need to do something logical but your emotions are getting in the way, then you need to analyze the situation and use some common sense.
Dirty Habit #12
Refusing to be open minded. There are all kinds of people out there. There are different religions, different races, different cultures, and different languages. Learn to accept others for who they are not who you want them to be. Give them your full respect and work out your differences unless of course you aren’t receiving the respect you deserve.
There you go! These were the 12 dirty habits to always avoid if you really want to develop exceptional people skills!
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