SMEs aren't bothered about being green

Even though we're all going on about how important it is to be keen about being green, a surprising amount of respondents stuck 'reducing environmental impact' as last in a list of the 18 greatest challenges facing businesses over the next five years.

As few as just over six per cent ranked reducing environmental impact in their top five choices, while only about three per cent of owners, CEOs or chairmen put it as a top five issue. Ten per cent of those questioned thought that keeping green would help them recruit and hold onto new talent.

The top five ranked challenges were far from green indeed, recruiting and retaining talent being the number one priority for the majority, followed by 'increased efficiency,' 'finding new customers,' 'developing future leaders' and controlling costs.

Founder of Shirlaws Global Darren Shirlaw reckons that the survey is definitely a concern: "It is unthinkable that large corporations, who number SMEs [small to medium enterprises] among their suppliers, will not demand that their supply chain contribute to their publicised ennvironmental goals."

Darren also reckons that the main reason for SMEs being slow to show enthusiasm for green policies has something to do with senior managers simply being 'time-poor,' having to deal with administration and the ilk rather than having the time to fashion makeshift computers from used bog roll. µ