Press Releases
Going Green in Your Workspace
June 28, 2010
If you’re dreading the inconvenient truth of going green in your workspace, don’t worry - an environmentally friendly office doesn’t have to mean major sacrifices or major expenses. There are several ways to design or makeover your workspace to meet the new standard of the office - green, budget friendly and best of all, efficient for your work.
Go Paperless The biggest inefficiency in the office in terms of not only the environment but also space is the paper trail. Overflowing file cabinets, ceiling-high stacks of paper and boxes of office supplies are out, and high tech, digital media is in. With today’s technology, there’s no longer the need to have a paper copy of emails, client files and every bill received since the Carter administration. Most can be found in your online utility accounts, computer files, or be stored on digital media. (Don’t forget to have a backup!) PDAs and smartphones can easily take the place of files and reports on the road, and as a bonus, they’re becoming less expensive with more user-friendly and connectivity features.
Not only do computer-stored records take up less space, but they save paper and time, not to mention a few hundred trees. Make sure to use an offsite file storage service to protect your business from the loss of files from computer crashes. Companies such as Carbonite offer backup services for nominal monthly fees, and the cost is offset by using much less paper at $4 per ream, not to mention costly and space-gobbling filing systems.
While it’s best for the environment to go completely paperless, it may not be best for the IRS when tax time rolls around. Make sure you check the IRS website to determine exactly which hard copies need to be kept and filed for backup with your taxes.
Save Energy
Saving energy takes front and center stage in the green workspace. Heat producing lighting and energy hogging office machines can be replaced with more efficient and modern pieces that bring down electrical bills while maximizing space and reducing your carbon footprint. Making the most of natural lighting in the workspace not only lightens the burden on the environment but is easier on the eyes as well. Windows that are placed on South-facing walls offer the most natural lighting throughout the year. While that’s the best placement in most environments, those in hot climates, such as South Florida, need to weigh the pros and cons, as the increased heat from the windows will also mean increased air conditioning usage. Go Wireless, Cordless and Strip The high tech office space used to be a jumble of cords, surge protectors and cables that not only drained electricity but were unsightly and a tripping hazard to boot. Take advantage of wireless technology with printers, modems and telephones and cable routing/management accessories to simplify, increase safety and save space in the office. Using power surge strips not only protect your office equipment but can be a convenient way to make sure all office equipment and lamps are turned off at night. Computers in standby mode still draw electricity, as does that cell phone charger “harmlessly” left plugged in the wall and other equipment left in standby mode (Game consoles, audio amplifiers, televisions, etc). Recycle Wisely
Recycling is the norm in today’s home and office, but make sure the pros of any recycling program outweigh the cons. While you may feel good about recycling a small container with two soda cans, if you’re driving your SUV to a recycling center 10 miles away, it doesn’t make sense for time, efficiency or the environment to do so. On the other hand, if you have curbside recycling in your area, take advantage of it. Just make sure to shred documents before placing them in the recycle bin. Environmentally Friendly Décor Using furnishings and flooring that are made of natural and sustainable materials is a big part of the going green process. Bamboo flooring in particular has become extremely popular, as it is durable and attractive. Bamboo is also more eco-friendly than hardwood as it has a five year harvest time compared to the 20+ year harvest time of typical hardwoods. While your office furniture is not going to be made of 100% natural materials, you can choose furniture that is Greenguard certified. The Greenguard certification process involves testing products to ensure that chemical and particle emissions meet acceptable standards. And speaking of those emissions, consider paints and carpets that have low VOC’s – Volatile Organic Compounds, which are elements in paint, carpets and adhesives that can be harmful to your health, particularly in freshly painted and carpeted rooms. VOC’s are the primary cause of ‘sick’ buildings, which in turn causes health problems for the workers. If you’re considering new flooring for an office, or in the process of decorating a home office, bamboo flooring with a natural fiber rug is a great choice and looks sleek and modern to boot. Choosing Eco-Friendly Products
Going green in the office can mean wading through tons of information and differing opinions as to what qualifies as being environmentally friendly. It does vary for different products and situations, but some of the questions you can ask yourself are: Is a product recyclable? Does the product come from renewable materials? How long is the life cycle for the product?
Will it impact indoor air quality? Buy Local What’s one of the biggest impact on the environment? Transportation! Buying locally made products cuts back on the carbon footprint of the methods of transport to get that product to your office. An added benefit, buying locally can also lead to valuable networking opportunities. The Bottom Line Going green in the office doesn’t necessarily mean dramatic changes to your workspace, décor or lifestyle – it’s about making conscious decisions for your situation that will be best for you and everyone else in the long run.
This Press Releases is taken from "Elance Blog" All-Star Executive Coaching
June 2, 2010
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Overwhelmed?
What if you had a magic button that allowed you to stop feeling overwhelmed?
I see people all the time who are overwhelmed.
Too much life coming at them all at once.
Too little time to get everything done.
Too much that is too important.
Too much that can only be done by them.
Too many demands.
Too many distractions.
Too much they need to do.
Too much they want to do.
Too much that passes them by.
Breathe!
No, I mean really breathe. One of those great big belly breaths. Take another. Let your belly fill up with air from the bottom – then let your lungs fill up – like a glass of water filling up. Not just a deep breath that just makes your shoulders go up – but a full expansion of your diaphragm. Keep trying until you can do it. If you are having trouble, I am not surprised. Short, shallow breaths are all I used to know how to do. I have to consciously work to get a good belly breath. And I find many executives are in the same boat. Don’t you feel less overwhelmed already – just by breathing a little easier!
Slow down your speaking!
So many times, I find someone telling me how overwhelmed they are and they are talking a mile a minute taking just enough air to get more words out. Often their voice is a pitch higher. Their shoulders are raised. They are excitable. They are blowing a ton of energy just to talk. Their mind is racing even faster than their words. They don’t have to be complaining – they may even just be excited about something. Take time to notice when this might be happening to you. Slow down and gain some energy while talking purposefully rather than expending energy just to get it all out. Guess what – others will appreciate your change!
Remember what is really important,
Go back to basics,
Simplify
Deadlines will come and go. Somehow everything always seems to get done. Embrace the concept of ‘perfect enough.’ Ask yourself if ‘it’ will seem important tomorrow, in a week, in a month, in a year. Prioritize according to what is most valued to you (health, career, family, safety, etc.) Ask yourself what can wait. Come up with a plan. Take steps to simplify over time to avoid falling in the same rut.
Ask for Help
Whether it is from a boss, a subordinate, a peer, a spouse, a family member, a child, a friend – it’s OK to ask for and receive help. You will be respected more for having the courage and foresight to ask and for providing others opportunities to participate, grow, develop, control, and / or show how much they care.
Breathe again!
Now I challenge you to go have some fun with this.
See how much you can change with just steps one and two.
Go Play with it the next time you are feeling overwhelmed!
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June 1, 2010
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Over the last few months, NCMSDC has worked to help Minority-owned Business Enterprises (MBEs) get ready for opportunities in the federal and federal prime space. Through past events like the SDB Certification Basics webinar and the recent Q2 General Assembly hosted by Lockheed Martin, as well as upcoming events like "Meet Apple's Global Supply Managers" (which requires SDB Certification), NCMSDC is encouraging its MBEs to increase their certifications, broaden their business focus, and...<
The purpose of the MBE Input Committee (MBEIC) is to provide counsel and recommendations so that programs and projects implemented by NCMSDC are relevant and supportive of minority business development. One way that the committee is able to make such recommendations is to ask for help from our certified MBEs of the NCMSDC....<
In April 2010, NCMSDC returned to Hawaii as part of our initiative to connect Corporate America with local businesses, spread awareness about minority certification, and help ensure that business opportunities stay in Hawaii. With the support of 
*ALWAYS make your check payable to "NCMSDC" and not "NMSDC" whether first applying or recertifying 
In 2009, under the direction of College of Business professors at 
