CEO Survey results - Impact of Energy Costs

CEO Survey results - Minimizing Energy Costs

We want to be a good corporate citizen, so being green and good to the environment are among our concerns. We’re green by not traveling as much, by using conference calls, video conferences and telecommuting instead. Telecommuting is not a new idea, of course, but it is an important one. It saves energy in the building and it helps offset personal fuel costs for our employees. If a job is conducive to telecommuting, we encourage the employee to work it out with his or her supervisor. The use of conference calls and video conferences is also a cost savings. Over the past three years, video conferencing has become prevalent. In fact, earlier this year, our CEO in Louisville hosted an “associate webcast.” Instead of bringing hundreds of associates to Louisville to hear him in person, we got together in conference rooms to watch, thus saving on all the time and costs related to travel, while improving efficiency and productivity.

The biggest visual hit in terms of energy costs was the fuel for vehicles. Our monthly gas bills went from $20,000 to $50,000. I remember looking at that figure and freaking out. It snuck up on us, but it doesn’t hit you until you see the bills. We had 90 or 100 gas cards out there; we thinned them out. We got rid of gas hogs; the cars we purchase are getting at least 20 miles a gallon. Our new building went LEED Silver. We replaced the entire AC system, put in temperature controls for every five people, plus new windows to reduce heat coming through and automatic sensors to turn on lights when someone comes into the room. I think all those changes will stick. When things tighten up and you work harder to acquire business, you start scrubbing through your organization to clean out things that have snuck in. It makes you a stronger company.

Tags: Energy & Utilities