IBM, in launching their billion dollar "Green" initiative, has raised a few eyebrows as well as airing out a little secret about being green--it can save you money.
A lot.
In one of the newer IBM commercials an executive, when faced with a green proposal replies, "What do I care about the granola eaters and the tree huggers? The people I report to are concerned with the numbers.
" His coworker then shocks him by stating that they will save 40% on energy and he immediately gets on board.
While humorous, this commercial raises some interesting issues.
Eco friendliness isn't just for the fringes of the business world anymore.
Managers can now help the environment and their bottom line simultaneously, while no longer being relegated to the hemp crowd for doing so.
IBM's focus is on IT management, efficiency, and energy conservation, but the idea works across the board in business and manufacturing.
Enter Factory Direct Promos.
An interesting case study in going green, I first came across them while looking for unique yet affordable branded client gifts for the holiday season.
This direct-from-manufacturer company has found, and quickly occupied, a green niche within the ever-growing global sourcing arena.
At the core, they are a flexible eco-conscious manufacturer that designs and produces everything in house.
Environmentally friendly and no middle man? My curiosity was aroused.
I contacted them because of the creative selection of promotional goods and trade show giveaways they offer.
I ended up choosing them because their mix of eco consciousness, creativeness, and cost-effectiveness is unsurpassed.
They represent a dead-to-rights real world example of IBM's new green campaign.
Factory Direct Promos allows me to maximize my bottom line while helping a cause that is near and dear to me.
The shoe store was right; it does feel good to pay less.
In my case I went with two products.
I chose their custom seed bookmarks, an intriguing product which I ordered out of sheer curiosity more than anything else and reusable organic shopping bags with my company logo on them.
The seed bookmarks are great--once you're done with the book just bury the bookmark, and in a few weeks you have these great blooming wildflowers.
As far as the bags, I'm almost out because they were good enough that everyone in the office promptly took them home.
Thankfully, I can just reorder without breaking the bank; and the recycled materials and durability of them means zero guilt on my end.
My order (which they considered typical) highlights the benefits that Factory Direct Promos provides.
I initially saw them as one of the million promotional goods providers out there with an environmentally friendly twist.
I was wrong.
Now I view them as my own personal factory.
I've thrown out all the promo catalogues I had; now I just send these guys a sketch and they make it into a reality.
Factory Direct Promos enables me to produce whatever I can dream up.
My factory makes every effort to be eco-friendly and is still competitively priced.
Can you say that about yours? In short, going green isn't just for the Greenpeace crowd anymore.
Factory Direct Promos represents a new breed of companies who have found ways to maximize eco friendliness for a competitive advantage.
They are now my sole vendor for promos, giveaways, and branded products.
So now that I shared my way of doing my small part in saving the earth, I want to hear yours.
If you have any other ideas please email me at thegreenmachine08@gmail.
com and let me know.
Together we can make a difference.