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Every business is different, with respect to what they do to generate value for their clients and shareholders. Some are incorporated, while others are not. Some manufacture products, and others provide services. Some employ highly educated professional people, while other companies hire unskilled workers.
There are endless ways that businesses are designed to create value, but one thing remains constant…each business must attract the appropriate people to perform the work that gets results for the beneficiaries of the products and/or services that they deliver.
We all know that good people in every walk of life are hard to find and sometimes, even harder to keep. Life changes and evolves constantly, and these changes affect how people perform.
Managing the distractions that life delivers is not always easy, even for highly educated professionals. In our fast-paced society, we are constantly faced with changes, and not all of the changes are good news.
What I’m getting at is that maintaining good health, be it physical, mental or spiritual, is key to being able to deal properly with change.
How is the current economy going to affect your business, your job, your family? The same question generally affects other changes that we are faced with: health issues, car maintenance, your roof that needs to be replaced, your kids who need help with education...the list is endless.
All these changes that you come up against will deliver some level of stress. It’s up to you to find the best way to cope. Good health can provide many advantages for coping with the dynamics that come your way. Unchecked health concerns can lead to bigger problems.
Employee Benefits are a wonderful tool to help people deal with the issues and the rising cost of Health Care.
Some companies provide a full suite of benefits, including retirement savings. Other companies provide very little in the form of benefits. No two companies are alike. No two company sponsored benefits plans are alike.
Most successful companies know that the more they care for their employees, the easier it is for their employees to care for the company they work with.
My role as an Employee Benefits Advisor is to provide guidance that helps business owners provide what they feel is adequate coverage for their employees. This can be dramatically different for each company.
One thing will never change… most people do not buy what they need or want; they buy what they can afford that best serves their needs.
Business owners who take on the role of being a conscientious Corporate Leader know that most people need benefits. Benefits that are properly designed will help companies attract and maintain stronger employees.
My best advice is to make sure you are aligned with a Benefits Advisor that is focused on advising, not focused on selling.
A good advisor is always working to help you grow your business, by aligning you with a cost-effective benefits solution that serves your employees’ needs, within your budget.
A good long-lasting benefits solution is based on a strong platform backed by Risk Management strategies that protect your employees over the long term.
To learn more about how Bauer Benefits helps our clients deliver “Better Benefits for Less Money”, you are welcome to plan a free consultation.
Ross W. Bauer
519-240-1290
In today’s rapidly changing energy landscape, purchasing energy isn’t just about finding the lowest commodity price anymore.
Forward-thinking energy managers and purchasers are expanding their focus to include strategies that lower costs, increase energy efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions.
Here are 5 essential areas to consider when optimizing your facility’s energy purchases:
An energy audit — often starting with a free walk-through — is a crucial first step toward improving your facility’s efficiency. A comprehensive audit will:
Analyze current energy usage
Highlight opportunities for energy savings and equipment upgrades.
Prioritise projects based on your key factors such as cost, ROI, safety, and carbon reduction.
Installing an Energy Metering and Monitoring System (EMIS) allows you to track real-time energy consumption, making it easier to spot inefficiencies. Many capital improvements can qualify for provincial and federal funding, helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs while delivering long-term savings.
Natural gas prices are forecasted to nearly double over the next two years. Since natural gas is a major input cost for electricity generation, electricity rates are also expected to rise.
Facilities can mitigate these risks by:
Purchasing energy supply through third-party suppliers or brokers.
Locking in rates through hedging strategies, protecting against extreme market volatility caused by events like hurricanes or global disruptions.
Choosing between fixed rates and spot market pricing options based on their risk tolerance and budget predictability needs.
Hedging provides budget stability and protection against unexpected price spikes — crucial for long-term planning.
Facilities can further optimize electricity costs through programs like:
Demand Response Programs: Curtail electricity use during peak periods in exchange for financial incentives.
Ontario’s Industrial Conservation Initiative (ICI): Reduce your Global Adjustment costs by cutting usage during Ontario’s five highest system peaks.
To participate effectively, many facilities partner with peak advisory services that help predict when these peaks will occur.
Other options to manage peak demands include installing on-site energy storage or backup generation systems, further reducing reliance on expensive grid power during critical periods.
Assessing the business case for solar energy has never been more compelling. New incentive programs are encouraging companies to install solar panels for:
Net Metering: Sell excess energy back to the grid.
Load Displacement: Offset internal energy use directly.
Solar installations not only reduce utility bills but also significantly lower a company's carbon footprint — helping to meet sustainability goals and prepare for a net zero future.
Start with a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Plan to benchmark and assess your current emissions. Key steps include:
Implementing energy efficiency and conservation projects.
Integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
Purchasing Qualified Carbon Offsets or Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for any remaining emissions.
A clear roadmap to net zero helps align your facility with evolving regulatory requirements and strengthens your brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
If any of these are of interest to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to Steve Sabean by phone or text at (519) 577-2362 or via email [email protected]
Carbon offsets are a valuable tool that companies can use to reduce their carbon footprint and ultimately achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
Climate change is a global crisis that requires urgent action from all sectors of society. In addition to governments, many companies are creating carbon reduction targets to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as part of their sustainability plans.
As a result, carbon reduction has become crucial for companies looking to protect the environment and meet the expectations of customers, investors, and other stakeholders.
There are many reasons to set emission reduction targets. One of the most significant benefits is to prevent climate change. By setting ambitious carbon reduction goals, companies can play their part in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Climate change has already led to extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and other environmental impacts that threaten the planet’s ecosystems and human livelihoods. By reducing emissions, companies can help prevent these impacts from worsening and ensure a livable world for future generations.
Another important factor is that carbon reduction goals can help companies demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are looking for companies that share their values and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. By setting carbon reduction goals, companies can differentiate themselves in the marketplace and appeal to these environmentally conscious customers. This can help build brand reputation and customer loyalty, ultimately driving long-term business success.
Moreover, setting carbon reduction goals can also align with broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, which are increasingly important to investors and other stakeholders. Companies that prioritize ESG goals are more likely to attract and retain talent, reduce business risks, and build stronger relationships with stakeholders.
In addition, carbon reduction goals also make good business sense. By reducing their energy consumption through energy efficiency projects, companies can save money on their energy bills and improve their bottom line. Investing in renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies can also reduce energy costs and increase energy independence, providing a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Although carbon reduction is currently voluntary in Ontario, it will likely become mandatory in the near future, as has happened in other jurisdictions. Companies can prepare themselves for future regulation by setting net-zero carbon emission targets.
Setting carbon reduction targets can help companies stay ahead of the curve and take a leadership position on climate action.
One strategy that many companies are using to achieve net-zero carbon emissions is to reduce emissions through energy efficiency and compensate for any remaining emissions with carbon offsets and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Carbon offsets are created from projects that lower, remove, or avoid emissions, such as reforestation, renewable energy projects, or energy efficiency improvements. RECs, a subset of carbon offsets, are generated from projects that generate electricity from renewable sources, such as wind or solar.
While carbon offsets and RECs can be valuable tools for achieving net-zero goals, they should not be the only steps to reduce a company’s carbon footprint. To lower emissions, companies should also implement long-term strategies to reduce their direct greenhouse gas emissions, such as investing in renewable energy, transitioning to low-carbon transportation, and improving energy efficiency. Companies can also reduce their emissions by optimizing their supply chains, reducing waste, and engaging with stakeholders to promote sustainable practices throughout their value chains.
Carbon offsets can be particularly useful as a ‘last mile’ solution to offset emissions from fossil fuels, such as natural gas, diesel, and propane. By purchasing carbon offsets from high-quality projects, companies can effectively neutralize their carbon footprint and achieve quick results while longer-term, direct reduction projects are pursued. Carbon offsets and RECs can also be used strategically to invest in sustainable development projects and support local communities.
Ultimately, carbon reduction is necessary for companies looking to protect the environment, meet customer expectations, and improve their bottom line.
Author
Name: Steve Sabean
Title: President
Website: www.goenergy.ca
Email: [email protected]
Company Summary:
GoEnergy guides and inspires companies to lower their energy costs, increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint, beyond what they can do themselves.
Please contact Ross Bauer for more information about the Strategic Partners.
(519) 240-1290
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