Rethinking heating: The overlooked opportunity in commercial carbon reduction

TEAM Energy highlights the smart thermostat as a low-cost catalyst for carbon reduction.

When it comes to reducing carbon in commercial buildings, the conversation often jumps straight to high-profile investments, like solar panels, electric vehicle fleets, or large-scale building retrofits. 

Whilst these are important steps, they can also be costly, complex, and slow to implement. What’s often missed is a more immediate opportunity: smarter control of heating systems.

In a recent blog, TEAM Energy invites organisations to reconsider how they manage one of the biggest energy consumers in their buildings, heating. 

The case they make is simple but compelling: smart thermostats, typically seen as consumer gadgets, are in fact a strategic tool for carbon reduction.

The numbers behind the opportunity

Heating accounts for a significant share of energy use in non-domestic buildings, according to the Energy Saving Trust it can be up to 49%. Yet many organisations still rely on outdated or manual heating controls, leaving substantial efficiency gains untapped. Smart thermostats offer a practical alternative. 

These systems learn how buildings are used, adapt to occupancy patterns, and automatically optimise heating schedules, delivering energy savings of 10–15% as standard. In older buildings or those with limited zoning, the potential for even greater savings is significant.

From insight to action

What makes this conversation especially timely is the shift from theory to implementation. TEAM Energy has developed a Smart Thermostat Savings Estimator to help organisations understand the tangible benefits of upgrading their heating controls. 

By entering basic information, like building size, heating costs, and installation budget, users receive tailored estimates of potential savings, carbon reductions, and return on investment.

This isn’t about chasing the latest tech trend. It’s about making informed, data-driven decisions that align with broader sustainability goals. Smart thermostats offer a scalable way to reduce emissions, improve comfort, and demonstrate measurable progress, particularly for organisations developing or refining their carbon reduction strategies.

A strategic starting point

Impactful change doesn’t always require massive capital outlay. Sometimes, it starts with a thermostat—and a willingness to rethink the basics.

You can read the article and explore TEAM’s estimator. For organisations looking to make practical, cost-effective progress on their net zero journey, it’s a valuable resource—and a smart place to begin.

www.teamenergy.com

Unleashing Creativity: Innovative Ways to Boost Employee Morale in a Small Team

In the dynamic landscape of small businesses, maintaining high employee morale is crucial for productivity, collaboration, and overall success. 

In smaller teams, where individuals often wear multiple hats, creating a positive and engaging work environment becomes even more vital. 

Here, we'll explore some innovative ways to boost employee morale in a small team, fostering a culture of positivity, creativity, and collaboration.

Personalised Recognition Programmes:

Implementing a personalised recognition programme can go a long way in boosting employee morale. Rather than generic accolades, tailor your appreciation to individual strengths and achievements. This can include personalised notes, shoutouts in team meetings, or even small, but meaningful gifts. Recognising the unique contributions of each team member makes them feel valued and motivates them to continue excelling.

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Offering flexibility in work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, can significantly impact employee morale. Small teams often thrive on trust and collaboration, and allowing team members to manage their work schedules fosters a sense of autonomy and work-life balance. This flexibility shows that you trust your employees to deliver results, boosting morale and job satisfaction.

Wellness Initiatives:

Investing in employee well-being is a direct investment in your company's success. Consider implementing wellness programmes that cater to both physical and mental health. This could include yoga or meditation sessions, health challenges, or even subsidised gym memberships. A healthy and happy team is a more productive team.

Learning and Development Opportunities:

Encourage a culture of continuous learning within your small team. Providing opportunities for skill development and career advancement can boost morale by showing employees that you're invested in their growth. This can include workshops, online courses, or even cross-training within the team to expand skill sets.

Team-Building Adventures:

Take a break from the routine and engage in team-building activities that go beyond traditional approaches. Consider adventurous outings or creative workshops that encourage teamwork and communication in a relaxed setting. These activities not only boost morale but also strengthen the bonds among team members.

Transparent Communication:

Open and honest communication is fundamental to maintaining a positive work environment. Keep your team informed about company goals, challenges, and successes. Encourage an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Transparency fosters trust and a sense of belonging, essential elements for a motivated team.

Gamification of Tasks:

Turn mundane tasks into engaging activities by incorporating elements of gamification. Create friendly competitions, set up reward systems, or establish milestones with corresponding incentives. Adding an element of fun to daily tasks can make the work more enjoyable and boost team morale.

In a small team, the impact of positive morale is magnified. By implementing these innovative approaches, you can create a work environment that not only nurtures individual growth but also enhances collaboration and creativity. Remember, a motivated team is a productive team, and investing in your employees' well-being ultimately contributes to the success of your business.

(Image courtesy of Tumisu from Pixabay)

Team Energy Appoints Analytics Consultant To Boost Its Net Zero Consultancy

Natalia Block

Sustainability professional, Natalia Block, has joined TEAM to support the delivery of its Carbon Management and Consultancy services.

Natalia joins the business as their Analytics Consultant, supporting its work in partnership with organisations helping them to transform operations through energy and net zero strategies, decarbonisation opportunity analysis, and GHG reporting.

With over three years’ experience in sustainability roles, an educational background in ecology and environmental management, and practical knowledge of calculating carbon footprints following the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, Natalia is passionate about supporting organisations to be sustainable. 

She has expertise that covers data management and analysis, auditing in accordance with ISO 50001 and carbon accounting. Coming from the healthcare sector, Natalia is skilled at analysing complex data sets for large organisations.

As an Analytics Consultant, Natalia will be working closely with TEAM’s Energy Consultants to deliver a range of Energy Services, including Greenhouse Gas Reporting (GHG), Net Zero and Carbon Reduction services, Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), and the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS).

Commenting on Natalia’s appointment, Timothy Holman, Head of Consultancy said: “The changing carbon reporting landscape is likely to alter compliance and carbon management policies which will affect the organisations we support. Natalia’s data management and carbon accounting experience will strengthen our analytical capacity, enhance the delivery of our energy consultancy and contribute to the optimisation and growth of our services. 

"Natalia’s experience in developing and implementing carbon reduction strategies will complement our net zero consultancy service as well as support our own strategy to become net zero by 2030.”

On joining TEAM, Natalia Block said:“I'm really thrilled to be joining a business that strives to support organisations and their ambitions to be more energy efficient and more sustainable. 

"Becoming part of a business that has committed to its own ambitious net zero target is an exciting step in my career and I am looking forward to working with a highly qualified team to help customers realise their carbon reduction goals.”

As an employee-owned enterprise, this recruitment aligns with TEAM’s commitments to meet its own net zero ambitions. With employees driving the long-term success of the business, recruiting like-minded individuals such as Natalia who are just as passionate about tackling climate change, will play a key role in the future of the business.

Unlocking Growth: Tips for Scaling Your Small Business

Scaling a small business is a significant milestone that comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. 

While the journey to expansion can be exciting, it requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and adaptability. In this blog post, we'll explore essential tips to help small business owners successfully navigate the path to scaling their ventures.

Develop a Clear Growth Strategy:

Before diving into expansion, it's crucial to define a clear growth strategy. Identify your target market, assess your competition, and set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. Understand how scaling aligns with your overall business vision and mission.

Leverage Technology:

Embrace technology to streamline processes and improve efficiency. Invest in scalable and flexible systems that can grow with your business. Implementing customer relationship management (CRM) tools, project management software, and e-commerce platforms can automate tasks and enhance productivity.

Build a Strong Team:

A successful business is built on a foundation of talented and dedicated individuals. As you scale, ensure that you have the right team in place. Hire individuals who align with your company culture, possess the necessary skills, and share your vision for growth. Provide ongoing training and development opportunities to nurture your team's capabilities.

Focus on Customer Experience:

Satisfied customers are the backbone of any successful business. Prioritize delivering exceptional customer service and a positive experience. Solicit feedback, actively listen to customer concerns, and use the insights gained to refine your products or services. Happy customers not only lead to repeat business but also become advocates, helping to attract new clients.

Optimise Operational Efficiency:

Streamline your business operations to accommodate growth. Regularly review and refine your processes to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Implementing lean methodologies and continuous improvement practices can enhance operational efficiency, allowing your business to scale smoothly.

Explore Strategic Partnerships:

Collaborate with other businesses that complement your offerings. Strategic partnerships can open new avenues for growth, whether through joint ventures, co-marketing efforts, or shared resources. Look for opportunities to leverage each other's strengths and expand your reach.

Secure Adequate Funding:

Scaling requires financial resources. Evaluate your funding options, which may include traditional loans, venture capital, angel investors, or crowdfunding. Develop a comprehensive financial plan that outlines your budget, projected expenses, and revenue forecasts. Having a clear understanding of your financial needs will help you secure the necessary capital for expansion.

Adapt to Market Trends:

Keep a pulse on industry trends and adapt your business model accordingly. Stay informed about emerging technologies, changing consumer preferences, and market shifts. Remaining flexible and open to innovation will position your business to seize opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.

Implement Scalable Marketing Strategies:

Invest in marketing strategies that can scale alongside your business. Leverage digital marketing channels, such as social media, content marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO), to reach a broader audience. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and adjust your strategy as needed.

Monitor Key Metrics:

Regularly monitor key performance indicators related to your business's growth. This includes financial metrics, customer acquisition cost, customer lifetime value, and operational efficiency. Analysing these metrics will provide valuable insights into the health of your business and inform strategic decision-making.

Scaling a small business requires a combination of careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a willingness to adapt. By focusing on clear goals, building a strong team, embracing technology, and staying attuned to market trends, small business owners can position their ventures for sustainable and successful growth. Remember, scaling is not a one-size-fits-all process, and flexibility is key to overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities along the way.

Businesses! Act Now to Maximise Your Energy Efficiency in 2024

Casey Streat

Embedding good practices to help your business be more energy efficient doesn’t have to be complicated.

As we near the end of the year, your business planning will start to look towards 2024.

Whether you are a large company, a public sector organisation or an SME, there will be an overarching strategy that will include milestones and targets along the way. It will also cover energy management commitments. To help you, Energy Consultant at TEAM, Casey Streat, has put together five things to consider ensuring minimised energy expenditure and reduced emissions, keeping you on track to your long-term sustainability or net zero goals.

1 Mitigate uncertainty of energy prices

Energy budgets have been challenged over the past several years. Despite the Energy Bill Relief Scheme and the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS), as well as wholesale energy prices falling from their highest peak, energy still accounts for a much larger cost than it did a few years ago.

Many businesses have had to acclimatise to the higher prices and try, wherever they can, to keep their consumption reduced. However, as we enter the winter months consumption will inevitably once again be on the rise again.

To help offset that rise, manage your energy efficiency by keeping a close eye on your data. If you have a BEMS system or energy management software, real-time alerts that detect unusual consumption behaviour, like the HVAC system running overnight, can help you take appropriate and rapid action to prevent the situation worsening. If you have access to dashboards, use them to establish transparency around consumption; this can help if you are trying to change consumption behaviours in the workplace.

Establishing these good practices now to continue into next year and beyond will offer carbon reduction benefits and help keep consumption low to mitigate any further unit price rises.

2 Energy legislation

With a General Election which could be set for May 2024, there will be ongoing uncertainty around current legislation and awaited updates.

Recently, the UK Government announced some policy changes that may have an impact on your business’s approach to net zero or how it manages any compliance commitments.

The changes to the Government’s green commitments announced by Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, included a delay on a ban of new diesel and petrol vehicles to 2035, an exemption to phase out fossil fuel boilers by 2035, pushed back from 2026, and the delay of changes to Energy Performance Certificates for domestic properties. However, the mission to be net zero by 2050 remains, and the Prime Minister has confirmed his attendance to COP28 where he has promised to “set out the next stage in our ambitious environmental agenda”.

On the other side of the fence, the Labour party’s mission is to make the UK “a clean energy superpower.” Their plan is to cut energy bills, create jobs in the sector and deliver energy security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030.

The Liberal Democrats however, plan to invest in renewable generation so that Britain gets 80% of its electricity from “green energy” by 2030.

The long-term future of energy legislation entirely depends on who wins the next election, so for now you must continue working to any legislation you do now.

3 Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)

We already know those businesses in scope for ESOS have extra time to complete their submission with the Phase 3 deadline pushed back to 5 June 2024. If you are one of those businesses, ensure your data analysis is up to date as the 12-month consecutive period data must include 31 December 2022 and that window will soon be closed. Make the most of the delayed deadline and appoint an ESOS lead assessor in good time.

Revisit previous ESOS recommendations, or reports from DECs and EPCs, and investigate the possibilities for implementing energy efficiency projects; there may be some low cost or free opportunities that could provide payback in the short term.

4 Make an energy saving plan that suits your estate

Most businesses have adopted new ways of working over the past couple of years and many employees have settled into hybrid working. However, in our experience, we see that building occupancies, whilst lower than in 2019, tend to fluctuate. Businesses are much more agile now and occupancy peaks and troughs throughout the week will cause energy usage to change dramatically from one day to another.

Does your building work efficiently to match this?

Any adjustments made when your business first became a hybrid working space may need to be reviewed to ensure that working areas are efficient when at full capacity and not wasteful at minimal capacity. It might be worth prioritising an upgrade that implements area sensors for underused spaces and zonal lighting and heating that can be agile along with the workforce.

If you already have temperature sensors, conduct an audit to ensure they are situated away from draughts or heat sources. If you have an external temperature sensor, check that it is serviced and placed out of the way of direct sunlight or a frost pocket so as not to inadvertently affect your heating and air conditioning use.

5 Achieving some goals

In addition to uncertain energy prices, many factors are currently testing UK businesses, including high interest rates, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, supply chain issues, technology, and the pressing need to address emissions. More than ever, leaders need mitigating strategies to ensure their businesses thrive.

Within the context of the long-term business plan, make 2024 the year that you set some realistic, ambitious and timebound goals that could boost your commitment to a carbon reduction strategy.

To help you achieve your goals, the following key players are crucial:

• Top level support

You need at least one senior lead for any project to support your goals. Help them understand the full potential; whether it offers financial savings, improved green reputation or enhanced efficiency. Recognise what matters to this individual or group and demonstrate how your goals contribute to this.

• Estates or facilities

Those who manage and maintain the facilities for your company are a key group of people to engage with when setting energy goals. This group of stakeholders is a powerhouse and will help implement and measure any projects that fall within your goals.

• Procurement

The decisions made at times of purchase can have a substantial impact in terms of energy use for many years. The need to endorse a ‘whole life’ approach to costing when considering new infrastructure and capital investments will significantly improve energy management outcomes. Working with the team responsible for your organisation’s procurement policy and setting out the energy priorities will go a long way to achieve this alignment.

Embedding good practices to help your business be more energy efficient doesn’t have to be complicated, it can start with some good intentions and some forward planning. Starting soon, even if it is with one or two simple steps, can really pay off in the long term. If you would like further guidance about monitoring your energy, implementing energy efficiency projects or meeting your compliance deadlines, Energy Consultants, like Casey Streat, can help.

https://www.teamenergy.com

That's Business would like to thank Casey Streat and TEAM for their help with this blogpost.

Narcissistic leaders cause employees undue stress in crisis situations

Vulnerable, narcissistic leaders are especially likely to make employees irritated and stressed during crisis situations, reveals new research from NEOMA Business School.

Birgit Schyns, who is a distinguished Professor of People and Organisations at NEOMA, and co-authors analysed survey data on workers in the UK education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Respondents reported their levels of irritation and Coronavirus-related concerns and worries in five weekly surveys, as well as their experiences with vulnerable narcissistic leadership, an unstable form of leadership characterised by covert feelings of entitlement.

The study learned employees subjected to this kind of behaviour reported feeling more irritation in general, and this irritation worsened in weeks when they were exposed to higher amounts of vulnerable narcissistic behaviour from those who were in charge.

“Resources are often already stretched thin in crisis situations. Vulnerable narcissistic leaders strain them further, for instance they might not give employees guidelines on how to accomplish goals or blaming others for their own shortcomings. 

"Employees already short on time and energy are required to invest more in making sense of their leader’s behaviours,” points out Professor Schyns.

The researchers suggest organisations need to be aware of potential red flags of narcissistic leadership, such as punishing others for taking the initiative, as the irritation this causes followers can lead to more severe mental health impairments.

“Followers can be protected by implementing checks and balances and adjusting HR practices to better deal with these behaviours,” says Professor Schyns.

https://neoma-bs.com

(Image courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay)