Green business ticks all the bosses

When former travel industry manager, Richard Fletcher, heard that Australian-based GreenBizCheck (a global technology-based environmental certification program for business) was expanding to New Zealand, he knew the timing was right for him to join the ‘green’ ranks.

Richard is now New Zealand’s first franchisee, having taken on the territory which covers the Auckland East and CBD. Richard’s territory is one of 13 equally viable territories, professionally analysed and mapped out to ensure equal client-base opportunities for each franchisee.

Richard, whose previous career spanned more than 30 years in the travel industry, including 17 years as Sales and Marketing Manager for Malaysia airlines, took over his GreenBizCheck franchise a little over 12 months ago, and he says he is flying higher now, than when with the airline!

“This is just the most amazing opportunity. Awareness and the adoption of green business practices and environmental certification is growing fast. To be right at the forefront of everything that’s happening in this arena is a great position to be in.”

Because Richard is GreenBizCheck’s first New Zealand franchisee, he has taken on a broader role, helping with the development of the New Zealand market by forming relationships with companies and organisations such as Chambers of Commerce, other franchise groups and industry associations.

“Over the past year I’ve been working with head office, doing a lot of ground work – keeping an eye on things and getting everything ready to allow GreenBizCheck to make an impact on the New Zealand market,” he said.

Richard believes the GreenBizCheck system offers a fantastic opportunity for both franchisees and consumers.

“The software behind GreenBizCheck is very smart and intuitive. It recently powered the Telstra Business Awards.

“The GreenBizCheck system involves a series of questions which companies respond to, and it then calculates a ‘GreenBizCheck’ score – which puts the company’s green credentials into bronze, silver or gold categories. Companies can then download their bronze, silver or gold logos and place them on their websites or literature to show their green credentials.

“Companies can also work to improve on their score and include it in their KPIs as a measurable indication of how they are performing in terms of reducing their impact on the environment.

“The software also helps companies to increase their green credentials and improve compliance. For example, it asks the question: ‘Do you recycle printer cartridges?’ if the answer is ‘no’ then the next question is: ‘Do you want to?’ and if that answer is ‘yes’ it automatically directs to a page which displays details about service providers who will recycle the cartridges for them.

“Another example may be: ‘Do your cleaners use enviro-friendly products?’ and if the answer is ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ the software will ask if you would like to download a template letter to send to the cleaning company to ask them about the products they use.

“Many companies don’t look at greening their business holistically. However, with GreenBizCheck we look at the whole business – right through from its supply chain, to its products and practices, even its carbon footprint – and can give them an instant score on how they are doing. The good news is they can also save money by reducing their energy bills and improving efficiency – so it is a win/win situation.

“A lot of businesses are now asked ‘What are your green credentials?’ Increasingly, proof of green credentials and environmental certification is becoming an essential part of the tender or RFP process. Often, companies who have embraced this have the edge when it comes to winning new business.

“With GreenBizCheck, it’s like having a full time environmental consultant onboard (for an affordable annual fee) and it is so transparent. You can send anyone a copy of your certification.”

Richard says the system is so good that many major organisations are adopting GreenBizCheck certification as an industry standard.

“We are currently trialling it with the Restaurant Association of New Zealand which is looking to adopt it and recommend its members use the system to calculate their green business status and monitor their credentials on an ongoing basis. It is also very popular amongst franchise systems, in that it enables franchisors to ensure their franchisees are meeting their environmental requirements.”

Newmarket based Rinke Design, winner of the 2008 Top Shop Retail Excellence Award and now a finalist in 2010, has become New Zealand’s first GreenBizCheck certified retailer. Rinke Design’s motivation to certify was to help them be the best they can be
environmentally and to clearly demonstrate their commitment to customers and suppliers. As John Rockefeller said, “ Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.”

Richard says potential franchisees can be confident that the training and support provided by GreenBizCheck is first class and will ensure their success.

“The GreenBizCheck training and support takes you step by step through everything – from the ins and outs of the software and how it works, to networking at functions and making presentations. Part of the deal is that everyone goes through exactly the same training – so we are all singing from the same songbook.”

“We are a very diverse group. We have people across all age groups and from a variety of backgrounds - including those who have run franchises before, people with an environmental bent, those who have owned their own business, or have had corporate careers, and those who want to make a difference”.

The ideal GreenBizCheck franchise candidate

Are you a potential GreenBizCheck franchise owner?
 Does the following describe you?
• self motivated and results oriented
• enjoy presenting to potential customers and working in a B2B environment
• have passion and a successful track record in B2B sales and customer service excellence
• concerned about the future of our environment

You will most likely have a sales and/or customer service background and enjoy assisting and encouraging clients and their staff to deliver improved business and bottom line results and better outcomes for the environment.

Benefits of a GreenBizCheck franchise
• exciting income potential
• a refreshing change from the corporate rat race
• work your own schedule, enjoy the freedom of flexible working hours and being your own boss
• low start-up cost - plus no expensive equipment or stock is required
• future saleability of your franchise
• JOIN NOW. The earlier you join us, the better placed you will be to capture the opportunities as more companies catch on to the benefits of being green certified and search for credible environmental credentials - credentials which are set to become mandatory for doing business with government and larger organisations.

About GreenBizCheck

Green Business is Good Business. Responsible environmental business practices are now mainstream priorities for businesses of all sizes. Increased government regulation and pressure on large companies to green their supply chain has pushed the need for well recognized environmental credentials to the very top of the business agenda.

With so much media coverage on climate change and environmental issues, the business community is now looking to take serious action to reduce energy, water and waste. A recent survey by the Australian Industry Group found that only 10 per cent of companies reported they have the know-how to deal with climate change, yet 80 per cent want to do something about it.

The risks of not taking action are now significant and justify at least implementing basic measures. Some of the key risks are that proactive eco-conscious competitors will take market share, costs of regulatory compliance will rise significantly in the future, and large organisations required to report on carbon emissions, will only deal with environmentally friendly suppliers.

The solution
GreenBizCheck (www.greenbizcheck.com) is a world-leading online environmental office certification program that quickly helps businesses save money and reduce their impact on the environment. Tens of thousands of offices could potentially benefit from cost savings and marketable environmental credentials.

Clients log on and complete an annual online assessment which has been heavily researched and comprises global environmental best practice standards. They are then provided with a tailored, high-impact assessment report containing a wide range of practical, easy-to-implement measures to take immediate action and reach Bronze (70% score), Silver (80%) or Gold certification (90%).
The system also captures GHG emissions and encompasses energy, water, waste reduction and recycling, transportation, supply chain and IT.

GreenBizCheck’s proven program has been scrutinised or implemented by governments in Australia and New Zealand, several industry associations, one of the world’s largest ISO standards providers and a wide range of small, medium and large companies.

The benefits of GreenBizCheck certification are numerous:
1. Designed to save companies thousands of dollars in energy, water and waste costs
2. Low implementation cost of the actionoriented program
3. There is no financial risk as GreenBizCheck offers a 100 per cent money back guarantee
4. Companies can maximize their green competitive edge with the highly credible GreenBizCheck certification logo
5. Staff are passionate about environmental initiatives and want to get involved
6. Certification independently demonstrates a company’s commitment to corporate and social responsibility
7. The bottom line benefits which come from attracting a new wave of eco-savvy clients, customers and staff.

GreenBizCheck’s website (www. greenbizcheck.com) contains short corporate videos, helpful frequently asked questions, lots of useful free information and a demonstration video of the certification process. Environmental responsibility is very high on the Government’s agenda and the requirement for compliance is likely to rapidly escalate, particularly as the economic situation improves. There will be a significant advantage for those companies that are first to- market with green credentials.

The Business Opportunity
GreenBizCheck’s timely and sophisticated yet simple, proven business model is now available for purchase as a franchise with exclusive marketing territories in New Zealand. As the environmental certification system is online and constantly improved, interested
business professionals with no prior experience required, only need to conduct simple presentations to business decision makers and manage an annual revenue stream of a saleable business.

A full one week training program is provided including tutorials on lead generation activities, corporate presentations, product knowledge and frequently asked questions.
Franchisees will also be entitled to revenue shares of industry association alliances related GreenBizCheck income streams.
GreenBizCheck offers the opportunity to work for yourself, setting your own hours and goals while helping companies make a real difference to our fragile environment.
Motivated and passionate franchisees will enjoy significant potential earnings return on investment with a world-leading company operating in one of the world’s fastest growing industry sectors.

For further information please contact Richard Fletcher (021) 685 711 or visit www.greenbizcheck.com.