Chip, Thank You for picking up the ball and running with it!! This is exactly what Leadership is all about. I commend you for excepting my challenge Sir!!
Sunday night while I was at work on 3rd shift..I had a chance to let my thoughts drift away from our airplanes for a few minutes...and my co-worker and I started looking around our office area. This spawned yet another conversation about the problems of Internal Waste issues Vs. Cost Savings needs.
Our office area is rather large due to the scope of our duties for US in a System Wide perspective. During normal business hours , this will provide office space for approximately 20 people..during 2nd shift the numbers dwindle to about 4 people..then 3rd usualy drops to 3 bodies on average.
We on 3rd usually like to work in the dark..we keep the lights dimmed just enough to provide safe movement within the work area..but basically we only work by the light of an indivdual desk lamp...and the glow of the ever present computer screen.
During the day..light from the large bay windows provide all the illumnation a set of eyes can withstand...yet you have all the overhead lights and personal desk lamps glowing like the sun. The benefits of not using one or the other..and taking advantage of cheap ambient light would make a difference.
Energy costs are about as high as they have ever been..and climbing!! Would a reduction of the un-needed use of Electricity during the day...and especially during hours of limited to zero staffing levels not provide an immediate impact to our bottom line? I think the end of month bills would say Yes.
I am not suggesting for a moment that we lower light useage in a manner that would cause job related injury issues..or a conflict with OSHA regulatons...I am suggesting a campaigne of conservation within the ranks. Simply put...If it's not needed? Turn it off...Cost Cutting needs to be measured in every aspect.
My own energy needs are reduced at home...and I have noted savings of 15% to 25% per month by just being mindful of hitting the switch only when something is actually needed. I feel certain the same things can be applied to our work enviroment....I know for fact it worked during my time in the Military..every light switch plate had a placard on it as a reminder too! I'm not suggesting we spend money on light switch placards for a moment..but I think an internal policy and awareness program could reap some effective yields for us.
Thanks again Chip for grasping the Grass Roots approach to our problems.
While we wait for Unique Corporate Transactions to unfold or not? Creating a Unique Internal Transformations of Conduct and Culture could be making needed gains to save our company.