21 April 2008
“Green Progress” being made, says Earth Day survey
Travel is down – virtual meetings are up.
A recent survey by Genesys, a global multimedia collaboration service operator, shows a significant increase in green workplace behaviors and an escalation of virtual meetings.
The company’s annual Earth Day Green Survey of more than 18,000 customers has been researching workplace behaviors that address environmental issues.
Think green – act green
The research shows a real shift in green behaviors and respondents answered "Yes" to the following statements:
Nearly 60% prefer to participate in important meetings virtually while on vacation, rather than pass them by without getting their views known.
- "My company has taken meaningful steps toward more green behavior since 2007" (56%).
- "Companies, rather than employees, should lead in executing and promoting green workplace behaviors" (70%).
- "My employer has issued companywide policies to reduce travel, or asked managers to monitor travel needs" (62%).
See you in cyberspace
Virtual meetings are making for greener working practices and allowing people to mix work and leisure time.
- 87% of workplace meetings with people outside the office, and 40% of meetings with people inside, are conducted by phone and web conference.
- 32% say they work during vacations at least half the time or “always”.
- Nearly 60% prefer to participate in important meetings virtually while on vacation, rather than pass them by without getting their views known.
“The most effective green behaviors are those that provide benefits to the people doing them as well as to the environment,” says Denise Persson, executive vice president of marketing at Genesys.
Mixing work and play
“Virtual meetings that take place by phone and web conference really started as part of a movement to save costs both in dollars and environmental pollution. Reduced travel continues to be one of the biggest impacts we can make on our environment.
“But now, people have embraced virtual meetings as a way to manage work and personal life more on their own terms, mixing work and play in a way previous generations never imagined.
People are doing nearly half of their onsite meetings virtually because they find it more efficient.
“People are doing nearly half of their onsite meetings virtually because they find it more efficient. And they're even choosing to tap into important work conversations while on vacation, because it’s so easy to do so. This trend will grow and make for a more balanced work life even as it produces a cleaner environment,” Persson says.
Have your say
Have you noticed a trend to more virtual meetings in your organization? It might be saving the planet, but does it help relationships? What are your hints and tips for effective virtual meetings? Are there any circumstances when they are a complete no-no?
Discuss these issues with other comms practitioners by joining the Internal Comms Hub members' group on the Communicators' Network.
Other recommendations:
Is “green the new black” for employees?
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