| The economy, it is a-changing. Green lifestyles are | | | | electronic file on your computer is perfectly |
| in. Higher costs for energy and waste disposal are | | | | acceptable as a record. Keeping these records as |
| driving a shift toward conservation and green | | | | computer files takes less of your time, and also |
| living. In addition, the not-so-subtle moral peer | | | | saves paper and printing supplies. Just remember |
| pressure to live in a more environmentally-friendly | | | | to forget to keep a backup file separate from |
| manner commands a higher respect for our | | | | the one on your computer in case your hard |
| resources and a push to use them more | | | | dives melts down. Today, offsite file storage |
| efficiently. | | | | services such as Carbonite exist to protect you |
| This is not an inconvenient truth; it is a fact. You | | | | and your business from the loss of files due to |
| must adapt or you will inevitably be left behind. | | | | computer crashes and malfunctions. |
| And the shift toward greener lifestyles affects | | | | 2. Save energy.Saving energy is central to having |
| not only your home life, but your work life as well. | | | | a green workspace, and it is easy to do. Switch |
| For those who work at home-and it is an | | | | lighting from incandescent bulbs to compact |
| increasingly large segment of the population that | | | | fluorescent lights (CFLs) if you have not already |
| now work at home at least part of the | | | | done so. The reduced heat and increased energy |
| time-going green means also creating a greener | | | | efficiency will save you money from day one. |
| home office. Does this mean making sacrifices | | | | Whenever possible, buy energy efficient printers |
| and adding a layer of inconvenience to your work | | | | and other necessary office machines, And make |
| at home? Not at all. | | | | sure to use switchable power strips for shutting |
| Creating a greener work space and a greener | | | | down your office equipment completely when the |
| work style will both make you more efficient and | | | | work day is over. Otherwise, even is sleep mode |
| save you money. | | | | these devices will drain power continuously-the |
| Here are three simple ways to accomplish this. | | | | so-called c\vampire power-creating a constant, |
| 1. To the extent possible, go paperless. No one | | | | unnecessary electricity draw. Since these power |
| can eliminate the need for paper. Certain records | | | | strips also double as surge protectors, you will |
| must be kept in hard copy form: certain | | | | also help to protect your computer and other |
| accounting records, tax records, contracts and | | | | electronics from unexpected power surges. |
| agreements, client files, and the like. But a lot of | | | | 3. Go wireless. High-speed wireless routers are |
| data that used to be filed away in Steelcase | | | | inexpensive and easy to set up. You will eliminate |
| Cabinets no longer needs to be. In this high tech | | | | a lot of cables and cords and simplify your |
| era, digital media is in, and paper copies are on the | | | | working environment. In particular, take advantage |
| way out. For example, there is no need to keep a | | | | of wireless technology for networking computers |
| paper copy of emails. Store those that must be | | | | and printers and internet access. |
| kept as an electronic archive. Many documents | | | | Taking these three simple steps will create a |
| that you create and e-mail to colleagues or | | | | greener home office and save you money in |
| customers never need to be printed or filed. The | | | | electricity and office supplies. |