Save paper costs by buying recycled paper and reusing discarded paper for notes
Recycle old computer equipment by giving it to local charities or community groups
Reduce energy bills by turning down the heating when it is not needed and always ensure that this is done before opening a window
At Christmas, make a donation to charity rather than sending cards
Save time, inconvenience and pollution by using conference calls rather than travelling to meetings where possible
Level 2
Calculate your carbon footprint and take steps to reduce it
Provide cycle rack facilities and sign up to the Inland Revenue bicycle scheme
Switch to a green energy supplier
Communicate your environmental practices to customers, staff, investors and suppliers
Have a clear environmental policy with responsibility at board level
Level 3
Set up a green team to monitor environmental impact and report on progress
Monitor energy and water use by taking monthly meter readings; plot these to check on progress; set targets for reduction
Implement environmental management systems such as ISO 14001
Workplace
Level 1
Encourage staff involvement in programmes that benefit young people, older people, and the most disadvantaged and excluded groups
Consult staff and support a charity of the year, maybe one that is directly relevant to your business
Level 2
Make healthy lunch options available to staff
Use community volunteering opportunities for cost effective staff training and development
Create a company policy to match funding for individual employee community involvement
Promote employee volunteering and give time to do this
Set up a payroll 'Give as you Earn' scheme for employees
Level 3
Recognise employee involvement in the community in your appraisals
Community
Level 1
Encourage staff to give time each week to help pupils with reading, writing, maths or languages
Raise the aspirations of young people by providing business role models to assist enterprise teaching in schools and help young people to prepare their CVs and develop their interview skills
Offer long and short-term work experience placements to young people
Host a visit for young people to your business to learn about enterprise in action
Give time or take part in a one-off team challenge for a voluntary organisation
Donate time, expertise, skills or resources in identified local projects working with the most disadvantaged groups
Make meeting rooms or spare places on in-house training schemes available to community groups
Register for London Better Together Day on 16th May 2008
Level 2
Offer professional expertise on a pro-bono basis to a voluntary organisation
Offer to meet on a regular basis, or communicate by email with a young person or small group of young people to support them with their learning and personal development
Level 3
Become a school governor or join the management committee of a voluntary organisation
Support the managers of education and community organisations by sharing management experience
Provide mentors for individuals from disadvantaged or minority groups and help to raise aspirations of young people
Mentor a young person starting up a small business by sharing your business knowledge and expertise
Marketplace
Level 1
Ensure that all staff, suppliers and creditors are paid on time
Ensure your premises are accessible for disabled customers
Ensure your procurement processes are open to local firms and social enterprises regardless of size and ethnicity of ownership
Treat your customers with honesty and integrity and keep your promises
Level 2
Ensure your advertising is responsible and based on honest statements
Take account of the needs of vulnerable customers and take steps to mitigate negative effects
Make sure your staff feel they are working within a culture that supports a responsible approach to every aspect of how business is carried out
Level 3
Minimise social or environmental problems in new product designs
If you have operations in developing countries be clear about the standards of behaviour you will operate
