Investing In Your Business Outside The Box

Online, July 29, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Going green may be politically correct and good for the planet, but it may also be good for your small business. Adopting environmentally sound practices may produce some cost savings.

One of the first steps is to buy sustainable business supplies, like energy efficient light bulbs, recycled binders and pens with non-toxic ink. You can also begin a recycling program, starting with the electronics in your office. Parts from computers, fax machines and copiers no longer in use can be recycled or resold.

Consider investing in renewable energy for your office. Wind turbines and solar panels can be expensive, but there are state and federal tax breaks for installing them. Your savings on utility bills will pay for the installation.

You can also work with a community bank, rather than a larger bank. Community banks are often more willing to conduct business on an old-fashioned hand-shake basis because they are part of the community and understand the needs of neighboring businesses.

Consider doing some detective work on your own, rather than hiring an external auditor or installing security cameras, if you suspect that any of your employees may be stealing from your company. Just one incident of theft can severely hamper a small business. Some ways you can investigate on your own include making sure to check time cards, and keeping an eye on the books. If you see anything you can't explain, you may have a problem on your hands.

You may also want to pay attention to your employees and what they're saying. If an employee has been complaining about monetary burdens, and suddenly he has money, you may want to do a little digging to be sure he hasn't helped himself to some petty cash.

If you need help with making your business more environmentally sound, or if you need some quick cash to purchase equipment to protect your business, a small business loan may be for you. Click here to learn more.