Leading business owners in the Cape Town CBD and the Cape Town Central City Improvement District share tips on how businesses and employees can yield both short- and long-term benefits with electricity saving. Cape Town’s most successful inner city business owners are heeding the call to conserve power for the continued prosperity of the city’s vital central business district. Leading property developers, world-renowned restaurateurs and established merchants have given their full backing to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s (CCID) “Switch on to Switching Off” campaign, which encourages every CBD stakeholder to save electricity in the wake of loadshedding by implementing a range of power-saving measures. The campaign, launched late last year, takes the form of a step-by-step guide that recommends a variety of simple yet effective actions stakeholders who own or rent property, or who work, live, or visit the CBD, can take to save electricity. These include energy audits to identify areas of high energy consumption; upgrading to LED lighting; optimising heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; promoting energy-saving behaviour; using energy-efficient office equipment; and installing renewable energy systems, among others. BUSINESS OWNERS ON BOARD The business owners who have thrown their weight behind the campaign say it is beholden on every Central City stakeholder to conserve energy, and the benefits can be substantial. Grant Elliott, Chief Operating Officer at Thibault REIT, and a member of the CCID Board, believes there is a misconception that conserving energy comes at an additional expense. “Generally speaking, energy conservation saves money in the long run. If money does need to be spent upfront, it will mostly create a return on the investment, especially if you consider where electricity prices are and are going to. Income returns in excess of bank interest rates are frequently achievable,” he says. Elliott suggests some CBD business owners operate under the erroneous belief that the changes they implement must be wholesale and costly, but there is often “low-hanging fruit” that can be targeted and managed. By understanding a building’s electrical systems and components through an energy audit, they may learn that they can save a considerable amount of power simply by flicking a switch. “One may think that unplugging one mobile phone charger when not in use makes no difference but multiply that by a million [people] and it definitely does,” he adds. “Every single person and business needs to play their part and, if you are a public company, you will be more than aware of the need for implementation and accurate reporting of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) initiatives.” A campaign activation took place at three CBD commercial buildings where brochures with power-saving information and free LED light bulbs donated by Eagle Lighting. REDUCING CONSUMPTION Neil Swart, co-owner of the popular Harrington Street restaurants Belly of the Beast and Galjoen, is a shining example of the efforts being made to reduce power consumption in the inner city. While he doesn’t have his own solar solution as yet, he is weighing up rent-to-own options. In the interim he has introduced induction stoves and a charcoal oven in his kitchens, both of which are far more energy efficient than electricity-powered cooking apparatus. Swart is not alone in his endeavours. Richard Harris, third-generation owner and CEO of iconic leather wholesaler Woodheads may not have to endure load-shedding thanks to his business being on the same grid as the District Six Clinic and City Hall, but he is still playing his part. “We have converted to LED lighting and switch off all our electricity at night except for the critical circuits. Our air conditioners are all the inverter type, and we don’t have any hot water geysers on the premises,” he explains. Renowned chef-patron Liam Tomlin, whose extensive restaurant portfolio includes CBD gems Chefs Warehouse at The Bailey, The Brasserie at The Bailey, The Old Bailey Lounge Bar, and The Red Room, is fully on board with such initiatives. While Tomlin has been fortunate to remain profitable amid the power scourge, he is by no means exempt from its wrath. The temperature fluctuations that come with power cuts can wreak havoc with fresh produce, and he has been forced to invest heavily in inverters, generators and solar at his restaurants. These are costs he must absorb, as adding them to customers’ bills would be highly damaging to his businesses. “So, anybody who can do anything to make it better, I’m behind it 100 %.” POWER HEROES OF THE CITY The City of Cape Town recently launched its own “Power Heroes” initiative. Through the campaign Cape Town becomes the first metro in the country to implement an electricity demand reduction programme. This will target 60MW in demand reduction, enough to protect against a full stage of load-shedding. Participating customers can opt to have a smart device installed in their home or business free of charge by the City’s appointed service provider. This will enable non-essential loads like geysers, pool pumps or needless appliances in residential and commercial buildings to be switched off remotely. The voluntary programme will be rolled out in phases. Copyright: www.capetownccid.org

A new trend report from corporate travel management company FCM, indicates that 2024 will be a pivotal year for South African businesses to reevaluate their travel programmes and policies. With major national elections on the horizon, economic uncertainty may tempt some companies to scale back travel budgets. However, FCM’s research suggests a more nuanced, proactive approach will pay greater dividends. “In 2024, business travel is about more than just logistics and cost-cutting. It’s about maximising value and efficiency across your organisation,” explains an expert, Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM. “Rather than taking an indiscriminate, across-the-board approach to reducing travel spend, companies should focus on making strategic, intentional choices to ensure their travel investments provide the highest possible return.” According to Smith, the report breaks down the following key trends that’ll shape business travel in 2024: Return to Office Driving Policy Updates As remote and hybrid work lead to more in-office time, many companies are reinstating more formal travel rules. The flexibility of pandemic business travel is fading as more structured protocols are filling the gaps. With routine business travel resuming in 2024 and a potentially tougher global travel market, well-defined policies will be the crutch for companies looking to control costs and maximise value, says Smith. Being ‘smarter’ means establishing clear travel goals, actively engage stakeholders on policy decisions, and outline approved travel styles, service classes, preferred vendors, and expense procedures for travellers. Demand Growing for Personalised Travel Experiences Business travellers in 2024 will expect and demand experiences tailored to their personal preferences, needs, and schedules more and more. This isn’t about employee entitlement, but making people feel valued by considering their unique perspectives. To attract, keep, and engage talent, smart companies will need to shift from one-size-fits-all travel to personalised travel and lodging options, advises Smith. Also Read:  The Best Bleisure Trips for Every Type of Dad While this approach requires more planning or support from a travel management partner, the benefits include higher traveller satisfaction, policy compliance, and cost savings from optimised booking behaviours. Sustainability Becoming a Priority FCM’s research suggests sustainability will become a competitive edge and expectation in business travel in 2024. With sustainability efforts increasingly tied to attracting investors, customers and talent, travel managers will need to align policies and vendor partnerships accordingly. Proactive companies will set clear environmental goals, develop eco-friendly policies, use tech to track sustainability impact, offset travel emissions, and choose vendors with strong green practices. Shift to Quality over Quantity in Negotiations Corporate travel managers negotiating with vendors in 2024 will need to prioritise quality over quantity. Instead of securing as many supplier deals as possible, the focus will be on forging fewer, more impactful corporate agreements. Negotiations should focus not just on across-the-board price cuts, but also perks, incentives, and added value for travellers, suggests Smith. Resurgence of Incentive Travel The report forecasts a strong comeback and growth for incentive travel programmes in 2024 as companies recognise their impact on employee motivation, retention, and culture. However, duty of care and thorough planning remain critical, advises Smith. Savvy travel managers will conduct careful risk assessments, vet potential destinations, and ensure appropriate support for travellers. AI and Automation to Enhance Traveller Experience Integrating artificial intelligence and automation into managed travel programmes promises to boost efficiency, personalisation, quality assurance, and traveller satisfaction in 2024. By fully utilising data and predictive analytics, managers can inform strategic decisions and negotiate optimal agreements. Virtual assistants can streamline booking, provide customised recommendations, and anticipate traveller needs. And AI-enabled systems can completely reimagine and personalise the travel search, booking, and trip management process. As Smith says, “The collaboration between human insight and AI will define the future of smart, efficient, and productive business travel.” Copyright: www.nomadafricamag.com