Blog-it

An inspector calls ... and our hapless 'champion' finds much to love in this new role...

Tuesday 5.05pm

Well, that was an eye-opener and no mistake.

I've seen the parts that other office managers can't reach ... the light left on in the cleaners' broom cupboard; half-used barrels of noxious liquids lurking under back stairs (help: H&S risk too). Lots to do and I'm ready to spring into action.

Surprised? Well, yes, I know I've been somewhat sceptical about this whole waste minimisation thingy, but hey, we can all be proved wrong, can't we? Let me explain ...

I'd totally forgotten about the 'inspection', and when I arrived (you've guessed it - more trouble on the by-pass) Ms Holmes, the FastTrack Advisor was sitting at my desk.

'Ah ha, greetings Ms Holmes,' says I, 'Wot no deer-stalker?'

'Good morning,' says she, with a wan smile (maybe she'd heard that one before?). 'There's lots to do; but before we make a start, I do hope you understand that this isn't an 'inspection' - I'm here to help, to give practical advice. Don't worry, it's not a test. Now, shall we begin?'

... Hmmm, smacks of a test to me, and boy was I kept busy - probably the busiest morning I've had for years. We went everywhere - upstairs, downstairs, along corridors, round the back of the loading bay, even looking closer at the urinals in the mens' toilets than anyone would normally care to - and all the while she's asking me these darn good questions. What's this? Why do we do that? Blessed if I know ... I'm only the office manager. Thank goodness I was able to park her with Perkins for an hour or so to look at the financial jiggery-pokery while I took a break for a spot of blogging ...

I'd just settled down for a well-earned afternoon cuppa when she looms back into view.

'All done, thank you very much,' says she. 'It's been really productive. Mr Perkins was extremely helpful with the utility bills and other costs.' (Yeh, I'll bet he was ... ) 'So, you'll receive my written report of recommendations shortly.'

'But there is something you might want to start thinking about straightaway ... ' At this, I sat to attention and surreptitiously switched off my PC screen to avoid embarrassment. 'Do you really need to put that extra wrapper on those multi-packs of luxury Gizmos? If you dispense with the inner packet you'd save on packaging material, time and staff costs - you might be looking at saving thousands each year.'

Our eyes met across the paper mountain that engulfs my desk ... I gaped, open-mouthed in delight, and at that moment I knew ... I am ready to embrace the resource efficiency cause.

"Oh, and one last thing ... I do hope you'll consider recycling those plastic coffee cups that are littering your desk. Goodbye."

Whoopee! I've done it. I can't wait to tell Chief I've saved him thousands already ... got to dash to catch him ...

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