Many factors determine whether a business will be successful. Being smart with your spending and attracting and keeping great employees are two of the most important things you can do to continue to grow your company. Using less energy — and involving your employees in your sustainability efforts — is a great way to generate a profit and build a strong, satisfied workforce. The following tips can help you get started.

1. Set efficiency goals

Examine your current business practices and determine where you can make some improvements. Involve employees from the first step and get their input. They will feel more motivated to be efficient if they help create the plan.

Ask your employees what they believe can be done to make the company and building more efficient. After all, they know the facilities and equipment best. Use their answers and any tips they have to share to inform your goals and policies.

Consider hiring a qualified professional to conduct an energy audit of your facility. Your auditor will inspect your facility and provide you with a targeted set of energy efficiency recommendations.

2. Communicate targets and incentives

Once your energy plan is in place, make sure employees know what steps they should take to reach your overall goals. Having small milestones on the way to your end goal will make efficiency much more achievable and tangible for your company and employees. Place visual reminders of these goals around the workplace to keep energy efficiency top of mind.

Consider incentives to encourage employees to work together to be more sustainable and ensure they are aware of what's required to reach each milestone. If they don't fully understand what's expected of them or feel that their efforts won't be recognized, they're much less likely to participate.

3. Start small

Don't ask too much of employees too quickly to avoid discouraging them from efficient practices. Start with easy tasks such as:

• Turning off lights in empty rooms
• Shutting down unused computers
• Turning off or idling cooking equipment during slow periods
• Properly shutting doors in walk-in freezers

Educate your workers about energy-saving settings on their computers and turning off workspace equipment or personal appliances when they're not being used. These small changes may not seem like much, but added together they can make a big difference.

4. Upgrade and innovate

Once you're ready to move to the next step, the real savings will come by automating processes. Add occupancy sensors to limited-use rooms to automatically turn lights off when no one is there. Smart power strips can automatically turn off electronics and other devices when they're done being used.

Upgrades can help you save even more. Switch out conventional lights for LEDs, upgrade outdated appliances with ENERGY STAR®-certified models and replace energy-wasting devices and other office equipment with more efficient technology.

When your employees feel motivated to save energy and feel that their efforts are being recognized and rewarded, you'll end up with a more productive and satisfied workforce and a more efficient and sustainable business. Sounds like a win-win.