Environmental management
Step by step

We all have a major role to play in helping protect and enhance the environment, in line with wider goals of sustainable development.

The way in which your business manages its interaction with the environment is coming under closer scrutiny - there is an increasing spiral of new legislation. However, increasingly companies are recognising that the environment is a management issue and not just a matter of compliance.

When evaluating your environmental system, make sure that emphasis is placed on the following: an environmental policy and impact review, clear and measurable targets and objectives, and mechanisms for improvement.

An effective policy does not have to be complicated. It is simply a realistic statement about what you are doing and how you are doing it. An environmental impact review will allow you to assess your company's baseline.

Based on your environmental impact review, you will also be able to make short-term targets and longer-term objectives to ensure that the policy is followed by all employees. Targets can be straightforward, for example 'to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by x% each year', but in all cases you should ensure that targets and objectives are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound).

Remember that small investments can reap large rewards and that environmentally friendly practices can save money while resulting in happier customers and of course a healthier ecology.

Training

Training and development of your staff is of fundamental importance as they are potentially your greatest business asset. Trained staff deliver your products, services and promises to your customer; meaning training is integral in any organisation. Conventionally training is required to cover essential work-related skills, techniques and knowledge, and as an effective means of developing people. In our experience it can be very well-managed with regular refresher training and comprehensive training matrices, especially where training and competence is valued in the company and a need for flexibility has been identified.

However, sometimes training is overlooked and new staff learn good and bad habits from existing employees during on-the-job "buddy buddy" training - it is important that all staff are aware of the procedures for doing the various jobs they are responsible for and that they are retrained when best practice changes. Training and development schedules should take into consideration:

• Mechanisms to identify training needs
• Departmental and individual training plans
• Training provision and facilities
• Career development opportunities
• Staff retention

Investing in your people is one of the most effective ways of improving the safety, reliability and efficiency of your business.