Did you know that the average American small business could save as much as $5,000 per year by becoming 25 percent more energy efficient?

That’s what a study by the National Small Business Association discovered. It also found that if all small businesses made this effort, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by 259 million tons — or the equivalent of 51 coal-fired power plants.

No matter what type of green your business is counting, everybody wins with energy efficiency.

But the upfront costs of acquiring more energy-efficient equipment can often be a hurdle for small businesses. If you’re a small business owner looking to cut costs and do your part for the environment, your local utility may have innovative energy-efficiency programs and varying incentives to help.

For instance, in San Diego County, where 95 percent of businesses are small businesses, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) launched a no-cost program targeting small to mid-sized commercial customers in February 2011, and many are taking advantage of it.

Called Direct Install, it’s also available from California’s other major utilities with a similar initiative offered through several New York State utilities. You can visit http://www.dsireusa.org to find out what incentives apply for small businesses in your state.

While the program may go by different names elsewhere and have various levels of costs associated with it, a call to your local utility should get the ball rolling. In San Diego, more than 2,000 sites have acquired state-of-the-art energy-efficient equipment before the end of the program’s first year. This includes the latest in energy-efficient lighting, refrigeration improvements, LED ‘open’ and ‘exit’ signs, and occupancy sensors.

It also includes something called vending misers, which are devices that make vending machines 50 percent more energy efficient by shutting off lights when no one is around and powering down refrigeration when the sodas are cold. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical vending machine equipped with this technology and meeting its ENERGY STAR criteria could save your business in the neighborhood of 1,500 kWh per year compared to standard models.

Through SDG&E’s program in San Diego and Southern Orange County, offices, bar and grilles, churches, fitness centers, barber shops and more have become more energy efficient without the upfront costs.

Qualifying businesses get a free energy consultation provided by the utility’s contracted specialists. The contractors identify where less-efficient equipment can be replaced with more energy-efficient products to reduce your energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill – all at no cost to you! And they’ll work with you to identify a convenient time for the equipment installation – during regular business hours or after-hours to minimize any disruption to your business.

With businesses seeking savings everywhere they can, teaming up with your utility on programs such as these is a smart move.

Photo credit: usatech.com

Ted M. Reguly is the director of Customer Programs & Assistance at San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and previously served as director of the Smart Meter and Home Area Network initiatives for the utility. He oversees SDG&E’s energy efficiency, demand response and customer assistance programs. He is an active member of UtilityAMI, OpenAMI and the ZigBee Alliance, and also serves on the board of directions for the utility technology association, Utilimetrics.

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While the economy continues to stagger along in many different sectors, small business loans are out there for those who need them. The trick, however, is to know where to look.

Due to the Small Business Jobs Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in September 2010, the Small Business Administration (SBA) was able to sign off on $9.1 billion in small business loans between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2010. According to a recent Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index, lending grew by 12% this past spring, compared to one year ago.

With 2011 winding down and the New Year just around the corner, small business owners in need of loans for their business should do their research and shop wisely for a loan that is both doable and works in their best interests.

When searching for a small business loan, keep these factors in mind:

• Be positive – While many banks have tightened their rules and regulations when it comes to loaning money, there are loans out there to be had. Be sure to shop around so that you get a variety of options with which to work with. Remember, banks are in business to make money, so everyone who comes through their doors seeking a business loan is always a potential customer;

• Be prepared – Put together a good proposal as to why your business needs the loan, how it will be paid back, your track record as a businessperson etc. If you go into the loan process unprepared, your chances for obtaining the needed funds will decrease. Loan officers want to work with individuals who have all the necessary paperwork filled out, have a good credit history, and can answer any and all questions thrown at them. Expect to cover areas like how much money your small business will require, the duration of the loan, and of course how and when you plan to pay it off;

• Be professional – Just as you would not show up for a job interview dress inappropriately, be sure to dress accordingly for your interview with a loan officer. It is important to treat this process as a professional matter. Also be sure to be positive in the event you do not get the loan, as you may try and do business with this bank down the road;

• Be honest – It is also important that you are truthful and accurate in your application process and interview. Don’t stretch the truth regarding any matters, don’t lie about your business doing real well if that is not the case, etc. The last thing you want to do is have a lie or lies come back to haunt you, i.e. you do not get the loan;

• Be close to home – While not required, consider looking for a loan from your hometown bank, given that local businesses tend to want to support each other. If you go to a large franchise-type bank, they are likely not to know what you are doing as a small business to help your community;

• Be sure to mention any affiliations – Whether you served in the military or have other affiliations, make sure to bring them up during your interview with a loan officer. There are a number of different loan programs out there that are geared to assist past and current military members (reservists) with starting up or continuing a small business.

At the end of the day, there are no guarantees when it comes to obtaining small business loans other than banks are in business to make money.

If you’re a start-up and you have a strong business plan in place or are present business looking to grow, getting a loan is something you will look to want to bank on.

Photo credit: dailynewspulse.com

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Editor’s note: This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of  Maintel , experts in unified communications solutions for both small businesses and large corporations.

There’s an old saying, “expect the unexpected.” It may sound like an oxymoron, and in truth, it is. However, that does not mean that there isn’t a grain of common sense in there.

When it comes to business planning, trying to plan for the unexpected makes sense.

Yes, you can’t plan for every eventuality, but if you build some flexibility in your business plan there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to implement Plan B, or Plan C, when things go wrong. Read the full entry

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If your small business is apt to use a credit card or cards for work, make sure both you and your employees (if applicable) use them responsibly in order to avoid financial issues.

Given the challenges of today’s economy, many small businesses are watching their dollars even closer these days, making sure there are no dollars going out the door unchecked.

In the event you are running a small- to mid-sized business, keep several factors in mind when seeking or using business credit cards: Read the full entry

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You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know that the U.S. economy has seen better days. In fact, much of the world can say the same about their own respective economies.

As unemployment continues to hover around 9.1 percent, millions remain on the unemployment lines or have even given up hopes of finding work, many small business owners are looking on in fear that they may have to close up shop should they not be able to get necessary loans to keep their businesses afloat.

Whether the small business loan is needed to open a business, make necessary repairs to a business, grow the business, etc. the challenged economy certainly presents major challenges for small business owners who are oftentimes hearing ‘no’ when requesting loans. Read the full entry

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The thought of starting up a small business in today’s troubling economy could scare many people into submission.

According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 7 out of 10 new employer firms survive at least 2 years, half at least 5 years, a third at least 10 years, and a quarter stay in business 15 years or more.

In the event you’re not afraid to take a gamble and want to purse your small business dreams, there are a number of steps that should be undertaken in order to give you the best chance for success. Read the full entry

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For any small business that works in the medical arena and deals with patients on a regular basis or runs any kind of company that is very detailed oriented for that matter, having the right record system in place is crucial to providing quality service and avoiding untimely errors.

Not only is having the right records system in place important for your customer’s well-being, but it is also a necessity given medical ethics if you’re in the medical industry. It is a physician’s duty to keep strict confidentiality regarding any medical information revealed by a patient or discovered by a physician tied to the treatment given a patient.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics, the information given to a doctor over time in a patient-doctor relationship is confidential. By doing this, the patient is more inclined to provide a physician with full disclosure regarding their health concerns and needs. Read the full entry

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While the economy may be teetering on another recession, small business owners can’t sit back and wait for the sky to come crashing in on them.

If you’re a small business owner who is wavering on whether or not now is the time to seek additional business and maybe even hire more employees, make a decision yes or no. Going back-and-forth on the choice and being unable to decide will only leave your company on standby, potentially missing out on growth opportunities. Read the full entry

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Whether your small business rents out office space or you run the business out of your home, having the right shelving in place will make things fit more comfortably as you service your customers.

Today’s look typically goes for a modern design appeal, with industrial shelves becoming very popular and trendy. Read the full entry

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If your office needs an upgrade in desks, chairs and other key components of furniture for the design and feel of your business, know where to look and how to save money.

For companies in need of office desks and chairs for instance, keep in mind that the office itself should serve as a functional and organized place of operation. While you want the office to look nice from an aesthetic point of view, you certainly want your employees to be comfortable during their shifts, therefore leading to better productivity. Read the full entry

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