I am still trying to help prevent the company I work for from making some key strategic decisions that can assist in making the company thrive. This was my initial result. As soon as I can I will update it and hopefully make it better.

1. How energy saving can work
for lighthouse
A new perspective for new times
By Issa Baisden
I.T. intern

2. Introduction
The problem:
• Lighthouse uses a lot of energy that can be saved.
• It is not in a position to make economic mistakes that could cause it to go under.
• Policies that could save money, could be implemented that would increase the
output of Lighthouse and help put them it in a more stable position.
• Lighthouse has had to make cuts on jobs but has not made cuts in other areas.
• The White Plains branch was closed.
• No new employees are to be hired unless approved as essential by the President.
• No new ideas have been forthcoming about how to save the company.
Positives achieved
• Lighthouse has begun renting floor space to increase income.
• The low vision center has been moved downstairs to entice new customers and
provide a new face to the company.
• Many Volunteers and interns are being used to do the jobs that full-time employees
would do.

3. Energy
The rising cost of energy has lead to a sharp increase in the expenses of companies
in the Manhattan area. Con Edison is charging much more than they should for energy
production which has lead to a spiral in cost and job cutting in many companies. The
Manhattan project has revealed many of the details of how we can save energy and go
green using new technologies and new ideas.
Ambit, the electricity company that has begun providing power to companies in the
Manhattan area has a remarkably lower rate on generation of electricity.
(http://www.scribd.com/doc/4606755/Lowest-Priced-Energy-in-NYC-Area-Ambit-vs-
Con-Edison-9178852179) By switching the company we can save 4.2% on energy
costs. ( http://www.ambitenergy.com/CompanyNews.aspx )
We can save much more energy by implementing policies that can save energy on a
daily basis. Employees have not been trained in how to conserve energy. Simple tactics
like; turning off the computer after work and switching off the surge protectors can
drastically add to how much energy can be saved. We need to be careful in
implementing these policies. Because devices like computers have inductive electronics
in them which means that they cost less to turn on and off rather than leaving them on
all day.
(http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_leaving_appliances_plugged_in_waste_energy ) A
proper analysis of the equipment in the facility can prove very useful in determining
how to cut energy costs. Simple appliances like chargers and clocks, when left on
during peak time can significantly add to the amount of energy wasted per day.

4. New technology can help monitor how much energy is being used and how it
can be saved. There are also simple, cost- effective ways to help save on consumption
and aid in reducing costs. Insulating water heaters, pipes and other systems, using
ceiling fans and, sealing cracks in a building’s infrastructure all lead ultimately to the
decrease in energy consumption. (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?
action=howTo&p=Improve/HomeEnergyEfficient.html ). However, the greatest
addition to any energy saving or conservation plan is new policies.

5. Policies
By adjusting existing policy and creating new policy we can save energy and
other resources that will help Lighthouse to stay afloat in these troubled times. During
“The Great Depression” the innovators of industries were the companies that stayed
alive. In today’s economic crisis it is hard to imagine that circumstances have changed
much. Traditional policies and methods of dealing with problems cannot solve the
problems we are facing. New policies and new ideas must therefore come to the
forefront in dealing with the situation.
Suggestions
New Policy 1: The energy policy needs to be revamped.
How: Survey the building to come up with new ways to save energy.
Educate employees about how to save energy at work.
Ask for new ideas from the staff
New Policy 2: New ideas need to be encouraged
How: Encourage employees with new ideas by providing incentives for ideas that
will work.
Dedicate some resources towards investigating new ideas.
Hire diverse people to work for the company that can provide diverse ideas
and can add to the quality of the company.

6. Solutions
Employees and “possibles”
Currently there exists a situation where volunteers are asked to do jobs that
permanent staff is required for. By recruiting and training possible employees and then
letting them go, we are creating a waste of resources. A secondary opportunity can allow
Lighthouse to retain the services of its best trainees while still not paying for full-time
employment. A new class of positions can be created whereby interns and volunteers can
be hired under a stipend system if they have completed a certain number of hours and are
assessed as being worthy of a job.
Creating yet another tier of workers can also add to the quality of the employee
output. Part-time workers can provide services without being paid at full-time rate.
These initiatives would:
• Inspire volunteers, trainees and part-time workers to work harder to get up the ranks
• Work hand in hand with the idea policy to inspire and encourage employees to
work for the company.
• Cut costs from having a full compliment of full-timed employees
New jobs
A team of capable individuals can be trained to assess the needs of the organization
and assess the ideas of the staff. They will be responsible for finding new economic ideas
that could aid Lighthouse and would facilitate necessary changes.