Green Lights?
This week, I have been a little less active in blogging because I am on the road, away from Halifax, on a business trip in southern Ontario. When I checked into my hotel room the other night, I was surprised as I opened the door to discover that every light in the entire room, plus the radio, and the heat were on when I entered. Now, this probably would not have phased me at all a few years ago, but in 2008 when “green” discussions are happening throughout our culture in business and politics…should we accept this? Hotels want you to reuse your towels to save electricity and water, and yet now suddenly (this particular chain anyway) is trying to light up my life? Should we give the green light to this behaviour? I think an e-mail to management is in order don’t you?
Marketing thought leader Seth Godin had a similar experience recently that he documents is a post titled Profligate. Either Seth and I are customers of the same chain of hotels…or this is becoming commonplace!
Companies need to be more in touch with where their customers are coming from. I am quite certain if a hotel chain like this one were to ask their customers if it made a difference walking into a completely lit room as opposed to them having to flick the switch upon entry, I think they would find most customers are willing to flip the switch. My guess is that the lights were on in my room needlessly for minimally 5 or more hours (since it was after 10pm at the time). I would say this was a needless waste.
It all comes back to communication – talk to your customers…they can tell you a lot…that will save you money, and at the same time allow you to be more environmentally friendly.
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