Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

Did you create resolutions for 2006?  How are you doing so far?  I won't admit to making it very far on my own personal resolutions, but one of my professional ones was to get my office in order!  This is the perfect time of year to do it, when you think about it.  After all, don't you have to get your files in order for the tax man anyway?  What better time to sit down and go through all those old returns and invoices, shred a few and get the rest put away neatly to get the year going well?

While we're discussing shredding, take a minute to stop and think about all that paper and where it goes.  One way of recycling your old papers is, of course, to throw them in the recycle bin and let them head out the door.  Another, if you're shipping items for wholesale or retail purposes, would be to use the shredded (non-confidential, mind you!) documents as packing material.

If you're trying to watch the bottom line (both for your company and the environment), 2006 may just be the year to look further at your options for greening your business.  And it may seem obvious, but the more green your company is, the better "face" you will present to potential customers.  What better way to serve everyone involved?

Interested?  Check out the following blogs, recently listed in Fast Company as useful for folks who want to learn more about environmentally-friendly business practices:

• Graham Hill is blogging about options for the "green consumer"...those of you dealing with the retail end of things will want to visit him.
• Looking to invest in the "green" scene?  Pop by Rob Day's blog.
• Want new insight into corporate sustainability and greening procedures?  Take a look at what Joel Makower has to say.

If you're already well on the way to a "green" culture with your small- or home-based business, be sure to leave me a comment and tell me about the steps you've taken and those in your future.  This is a topic we'll be addressing again soon here at SmallBizMentor!