A1 Energy

Energy Strategy For The C-Suite

01.11.22 03:51 PM By Jon
ceo reviewing energy strategy

In business, it is important to be open to new ideas and the possibility of change. In order to do so, you need a strong energy strategy for the c-suite established. Having an idea of what your company's goals are and how you will get there is essential for any business owner or executive.

 

Increasingly companies are finding that the traditional hierarchical leadership model where the occupants of the C-Suite make broad strategic decisions from on high and then wait for their ideas to filter down the management chain to street level is no longer viable. Regardless of what industry sector the company may lie in business has simply become too competitive and the marketplace too fast paced.

 

CEOs and CFOs who want to add value to their companies today and keep their operations manageable have had to learn how to delegate efficiently, communicate effectively, utilize expert advice from outside of their own companies and think on a global scale both in terms of markets and talent. This keeps their companies flexible, agile and relevant in today's ever-shifting business landscape.

 

This does not imply that they remove themselves from the daily equation but rather free themselves to dig deeper into proposed projects and make better informed strategic decisions then present them with authority.

What Is An Energy Strategy?

Your energy strategy is a plan that outlines the direction in which you want your business or organization to go. It is a road map to achieving your goals and should be reviewed on a regular basis.

 

A comprehensive energy strategy takes into account the current and future state of the business, as well as external factors that influence it. If you can successfully align your actions with this strategy, you will see a positive impact on your company’s performance.

How To Create An Energy Strategy For Your Company

Targets and goals are the key to success. Most companies have a “growth” goal, which is usually in terms of increasing sales, or market share, or some other quantitative metric.

 

What most companies don’t have is an energy goal – not just in terms of energy efficiency, but also in terms of energy management and conservation. This can be a hard concept for business owners to grasp, because they associate energy efficiency with cost savings, not growth opportunities. But energy efficiency can actually help them grow their bottom line by reducing energy costs while freeing up time and resources that they can put towards their core business.

 

So, here are some tips to create an effective energy strategy for your company.

 

The first step is to evaluate the level of energy usage in your building. You should also look at ways to reduce energy demand and optimize existing systems. After that, it’s time to find ways to offset the carbon emissions you’re creating as part of your operations. Finally, you need to invest in cleaner energy sources such as solar PV or combined heat and power (CHP).

Businesses Are Increasingly Under Pressure To Reduce Their Carbon Footprint

To be a positive force for the environment, business must be a part of the solution.

 

Over the past few years, many businesses have started to take their carbon footprint seriously. In fact, some companies are focused on reducing their carbon emissions, and are starting to go “green”. The recent climate change agreement in Paris has placed new pressure on businesses to take action. The goal is to keep global warming below 2°C by the end of the century.

 

The most common form of going green is through energy efficiency. More than half of all companies across all industries have begun taking actions to improve energy efficiency in their operations and lower their overall energy demand.

 

Everyone talks about renewable energy, but not everyone is doing something about it. Many large institutions and companies are switching to solar power because it makes economic sense. Not only that, but most importantly because it helps in solving the problem of pollution and global warming. Researchers are confident that renewable energy can reduce carbon emissions by 80% within the next 20 years.

 

The best part about this is that it doesn’t have to be expensive! The price of solar panels has dropped by about 20% every single year for the past 5 years, and there are also many companies that offer finance services to help people pay for these clean energy technologies.

Energy Efficiency Is A Critical Factor

Energy efficiency is a critical factor in reducing costs, boosting profits and improving the bottom line. It is also a critical factor in helping to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming and climate change.

 

The good news is there are many ways people and companies can reduce the amount of energy they use. The first step is to learn more about what you can do to start saving energy today. Energy efficiency affects every business in some way or another. It can be a competitive advantage or an Achilles heel.

 

Have you reviewed your energy data and displayed it in an actionable way? What steps have you taken to reduce your energy consumption? Have you improved your bottom line by being more energy efficient? What are the benefits of energy efficiency?

 

Most people realize that LED lighting can drastically reduce utility costs and the more informed can tell you that under average conditions it will pay for itself in approximately 3.5 years. Just in energy savings. This is just a small amount of the ammunition that CEOs or CFOs can use when selling to a Board of Directors or group of stakeholders.

 

A study published in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics compared employee performance in identical environments except for the lighting used. It was determined that employees in an LED-lit office enjoyed an 8.3 percent performance improvement in visual and cognitive tasks. The study also found that employees working under LED lights had faster reaction times, reduced fatigue and increased activity. All of this translates to higher production.

 

A similar study by the American Society of Interior Designers found that companies can expect productivity gains of between 6 and 16 percent just from changing over to the less harsh, more natural light that LEDs provide. As an added bonus, it was also found that companies who had made the switch experienced a drop-in absenteeism.

 

Using the 3/30/300 rule developed by the commercial real estate firm, Jones Lang LaSalle, helps to put this into perspective. According to their research companies generally spend $3 per square foot on utilities, $30 for rent and $300 on employees. They based this on national averages.

 

For instance, whereas increasing energy efficiency by 10% would save $0.30 per square feet and decreasing rent by 10% would produce $3 in savings, a 10% advantage in productivity would generate $30.

This is the new role of the C-Suite, especially as it pertains to energy projects. To look beyond the obvious benefits. To search out the true benefits that can be garnered from proposed changes and then communicate the advantages that are offered in an effective way both to those they report to and those who work for them.

 

For the latest information available on how to most effectively meet your energy needs while reducing costs and waste, A1 Energy consulting services is an ideal place to start. From combined heat and power systems to lighting upgrades, solar PV to strategic energy procurement solutions they are committed to developing and delivering creative solutions to optimizing an energy strategy for the C-Suite.

Jon