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Research has shown that even now, SMEs are lagging behind when it comes to eco-friendly technology. In fact, just 24% of them1 are willing to spend on improving sustainability. But with employees to pay, bills to meet, and clients to please, is it really surprising that smaller businesses – with smaller budgets – have greater priorities? In short, it should be. While many consider sustainability to be an expensive add-on, the fact is it doesn’t just benefit the environment, it benefits the organisations that implement it too. With cost, energy and ROI gains – as well as the positive effect on the planet – eco-friendly technology is an outstanding investment for businesses of all sizes. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to know where to start though. And with that in mind, we’ve put together this list of the best ways to make your business’s printing more sustainable – and earn fast return on your investment. Research has shown that even now, SMEs are lagging behind when it comes to eco-friendly technology. In fact, just 24% of them1 are willing to spend on improving sustainability. But with employees to pay, bills to meet, and clients to please, is it really surprising that smaller businesses – with smaller budgets – have greater priorities? In short, it should…
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The environment’s plight has never been higher on the agenda. In fact, 68%1 of businesses say that environmental considerations are becoming more important to them. But that doesn’t mean they’re all embracing sustainable technology. A new survey has found that just 26% of European companies are making full use of energy-efficient IT1. The most prominent explanation for this divide is the difference in approaches between large enterprises and SMEs. 73% of big businesses view sustainability as a high priority, compared to only 33% of SMBs. And while environmental measures like paper recycling, low energy lighting and increased energy efficiency were found to be fairly commonplace, differences in the use of energy efficient IT solutions by organisation size were also evident. 39% of larger enterprises were using energy-efficient IT, compared to just 8% of smaller enterprises. In these strained times, maybe the hesitance of SMEs is understandable. In fact, most of those polled explained that cost was the main barrier to implementation. This makes sense, until you consider the increasing evidence that energy-efficiency doesn’t just benefit the environment – it helps the organisations that put it in place too. With less power comes reduced overheads Investing in inkjet printers, for example, can make businesses an energy saving of up to 96%2. That’s enough to have…
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Not content with a thriving economy, and one of the best football teams on the continent, Germany is also leading the way when it comes to sustainable technology. New research1 has suggested that progressive attitudes towards environmentally-friendly technology are far more common in Germany than in the UK: Of those asked, 65% of German organisations placed high importance on environmental issues – easily the most in Europe. Their businesses were also found to be more likely to have staff with responsibility for sustainability (68%), and more likely to view sustainability as a necessary cost (50%). In contrast, just 28% of UK organisations felt the same way – reflecting a willingness to reduce environmental impact, as long as it doesn’t have an impact on budget. Sustained success In Germany, where the link between sustainability and lower overheads is more widely acknowledged, they’re reaping the benefits – outperforming other countries when it comes to device reliability and lower energy use in particular. But although the benefits to individual businesses are well documented, it might be official recognition that helps to set Germany apart. Since 1978, the country has awarded the ‘Blue Angel eco label’ to products which are more environmentally friendly than other ‘comparable, standard products and services’ across the full life cycle. The label is widely…
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We live in a world of digital connectivity and advanced manufacturing. This is a world where materials can be created that are a mere one atom thick, yet are three hundred times as strong as steel. This is a world where the opportunities for energy efficiency in design and manufacturing are phenomenal. At Epson, that’s something we’ve been eager to embrace. The EU’s Eco Design Directive sets out a regulatory framework to guide energy efficiency in products sold within Europe. While legislation might offer us guidance on how we travel in this world of fantastic manufacturing, it’s far from the only reason for us to do so. And the clearest way for any organisation to deliver greater efficiency in its products, is with a comprehensive understanding of the full life-cycle of their creation. Understanding the life-cycle Epson has been working hard since the early 2000’s to integrate what we call life-cycle thinking into full product delivery. By understanding the full scope of resource at every stage of the life-cycle, we’re able to better manage resources and maintain the ultimate efficiency of the end product. Life-cycle thinking is a process not limited to one industry or sector, but a holistic approach that can benefit organisations across a broad spectrum of manufacturing. At Epson it…
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It’s never been easier for customers to get what they need without visiting a physical shop. But while mobiles account for more than half of all online shopping traffic (beating computers and tablets), 90% of purchases are still made in store1. Why? Well, sometimes we desire the instant gratification of an in-store purchase, and sometimes we like to browse with our senses: actually using the products. And most often than not, the ultimate purchase decision hinges on the quality of the customer experience. With the rise of online shopping, the customer experience is the key advantage high street stores have over the internet – so to keep customers coming through the doors, it’s important to fully engage them. Customers want flexible payment options; it pays to offer them. They want personalised journeys (45% of consumers and 57% of business buyers say that by 2020 they will switch brands if a company doesn’t actively anticipate their needs1); so it pays to make this happen. They want fast and convenient service; so it’s a good time to explore new possibilities. Take a look at our latest short video, ‘Redefining the customer experience’, and discover some of the technologies that can help to connect customers with purchases, mobilise sales teams, and create engaging experiences. To watch the video, click here….
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As COP22 approaches, governments and businesses continue to question how sustainable we already are and what improvements can still be made. November 2016 will see the annual Conference of the Parties to the UNFCC (COP) meet in Morocco for COP22 to further shape next steps as outlined in the Paris Agreement adopted in April 2016 post-COP21. There is no denying global leaders have put sustainability high on the agenda and for industry it is also a key part of business strategy moving forward. Although a common responsibility, maximising resource efficiency undoubtedly also has a strong impact on the triple bottom line – social, economic and financial – and in an ever competitive market, this is critical, and for some businesses, the deciding factor in making the shift. Spurred on by discussions taking place on a global scale, businesses are going beyond small sustainability efforts and implementing a “top down” approach, seeing the benefit of strong leadership support and action based strategies for the future of sustainability. Eco innovation takes sustainability to the next level by embedding an eco mind-set into the DNA of the business; for example, by being mindful of how every product, service or activity affects the environment at every stage of the life cycle. In 2004, Epson aligned to the…
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The in-store environment plays a crucial role in consumer decision-making. Indeed, many studies have found that more than 50% of purchase decisions are not pre-planned and in fact occur in-store1. Therefore, retailers have more power to influence customer behaviour than they might ever have thought. The first dimension to consider is layout, which has been researched using techniques such as eye tracking and CCTV analysis. One study found that the number of aisles a customer shopped in was the biggest influencer of in-store decision-making. Hence simply encouraging customers to visit more areas of the store could lead to an increase in purchases. Taking the customer on a physical journey There are many ways to achieve this; careful positioning of stairs or escalators at opposite ends of the store, placing major brands in the middle of aisles to ensure maximum distance from either end, putting essential items at the back of the store, or using lines on the floor to guide the customer. A retailer that has mastered this technique is IKEA. Stores provide customers with a set path to walk, guaranteeing the whole store is exposed to them. Best practice for retailers, is to design a store layout that gives consumers access to relevant information, and aids them in their decision making2. Nevertheless, retailers…
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The education market globally is worth over $5 trillion (€884.2 billion) according to a report published by EdTechX, the leading summit of international education companies. That’s eight times the size of the software market and three times as big as the media and entertainment market[1]. But as their report highlights – the sector is still only 2% digitised. School funding has long been a barrier to technology in the classroom; and in the workforce the investment required for continuous upskilling to meet rapid economic and market changes seems never ending. Continuous learning has become the norm, but investing in the right technology to ensure that students, trainees and employees are getting the most out of the experience is not always easy. As someone working closely with schools and businesses to bring collaborative technology into the workplace, Neil Colquhoun, Executive Director of Visual Instruments at Epson Europe says: “By bringing technologies, like interactive projectors, into the classroom and workplace, we’re gearing up students and employees for an ever more digitalised workplace. The interaction with the technology is definitely an advantage, but what brings the most value is the way it enables interaction and collaboration between groups and teams. Most innovation comes from collaboration, and innovation is moving the economy forward.” EdTechX Co-founders,…
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Increasingly businesses around the world are working in cooperation with NGOs (non-governmental organisations) to build sustainable operating models that profit their shareholders, the environment and the communities in which they operate. However, the case for NGO partnerships within the boardroom is not universally accepted or welcomed. Many business people remain sceptical of the opportunities and benefits of NGO partnerships. The benefits of positive engagement Successful NGO partnerships offer a range of potential benefits to business. For example, almost all business respondents (96%) in a 2015 survey by C&E Corporate-NGO partnership1 barometer listed ‘reputation’ as a key driver of partnerships. Conversely, most NGOs (98%) listed ‘access to funds’ as a motivator for their relationships with business. However, critics who point to the superficial reputational benefits perceived as ‘green washing’ for businesses have misunderstood the genuine and growing value that can be created for both partners and wider society from these partnerships. Businesses will often report heightened levels of employee engagement and stronger stakeholder relationships as a result of effective NGO partnerships. This goodwill can contribute to core business performance as a result of greater staff motivation, improved ‘licence to operate’ from regulators, listing on sustainable stock market indices, and positive brand differentiation versus your competitors. However, in a European context characterised by public scepticism towards…
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Visual communication technologies – such as projectors and flat panels – are revolutionising the way education is delivered in schools and universities because of the way information is retained by today’s students. According to the World Health Organisation, 80% of educational material is remembered by visual means and 90% through interactive lessons, compared to just 25% retained from one-way verbal lectures. As the traditional delivery of education diminishes and digitisation (spending more time indoors and on onscreen) increases, as does the effect on an individuals’ eye-sight. In fact, there has been a dramatic increase in myopia (short-sightedness) among half of Europe’s young adults – double the total amount 50 years ago. Yet, despite the established link between the two, schools today are missing a vital ingredient when it comes to proper screen usage. There are two choices when it comes to screen-teaching in schools: flat screen panels and projectors. Although an increasing number of schools are starting to implement flat screen panels because of the market perception that they are more beneficial, in fact, research shows that 58% of students cannot read a 70inch flat panel. Therefore, projectors should increasingly move to front of mind for education decision makers. The fact is, projectors are a far more responsible and flexible choice. However, despite the…
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