Paper Free – Goodbye to the files!
We have where possible gone completely paper free. The files used to examine liability claims in particular tend to contain significant documentation that we need to be able to access during our meetings with the insured and others. We used to print this and hold it in a paper file with whole cabinets full of “files”. The files (with a few exceptions) are now gone.
Those who worked with paper files will understand just how hard it is to part with them and all the paraphernalia that goes with them. No cabinets, staplers, file clips or tabs, folders are also a thing of the past.
PAPER FREE NOTES
The actual taking of notes at a meeting was another activity that consumed large amounts of paper. We have looked at various solutions over the years including the use of writing surface laptops and tablets. Many of these have benefits but the one thing we found is that we really needed something that was ready to go as well as being reliable and we happened on the Remarkable 2. Other solutions are also active and on the occasions when we still have to write paper notes, they are scanned onto the system and retained electronically
Diaries
Another area where we found paper to be an often superior solution. We now use entirely electronic calendar with MS Outlook being the star of the show there!
Waste
One of the major steps that we have taken in our small organisation regarding waste is to eliminate waste where possible. One of the easiest ways to do this is to avoid unnecessary consumption and we have given some ideas above as to how this is achieved. In addition to this however we separate our paper and cardboard used in delivery and the like for recycling. Compostible coffee solutions are used where possible and a water fountain allows us to avoid the overuse of small plastic bottles.
Working from Home
We have put a lot of time and effort into creating secure and workable systems to allow working from home wherever possible. This results in huge savings in travel costs and unnecessary heating and lighting solutions at the office. Modern computer solutions including some of the things mentioned above means that we can operate a truly productive and collaborative organisation without overuse of the office premises.
Electric Vehicles
Our adjusters own their own cars. They committed to diesel vehicles at a time when active government advice suggested they were the “greenest” alternative. Indeed the Irish government in common with our UK neighbours and many other jurisdictions made significant motor tax benefits available for those purchasing diesel vehicles. These vehicles are very economical over long distances and we manage our work to ensure that journeys are carefully planned.
We have had an opportunity in recent times to trial an electric vehicle in the course of our work. We have had access to this vehicle on a part-time basis over the last year. We have found it to be very useful especially for work around the city. The owner is hopeful that a domestic solar installation that is to go ahead shortly will make this type of vehicle an even better prospect for work in the future.
BICYCLE
A committed cyclist, John was always looking for a solution that might allow the use of bikes in our daily work. As a young man, heading to the office in Dublin, John recalls many pre-bicycle lane trips along the quays and looking back considers himself lucky to be alive! Cork itself is notorious for hills and even a short trip from the city centre can leave one in a fairly disheveled state. Bikes also can prove to be dirty with splashes from our wet roads and oil from the chain being major issues. On a trip to Holland, John noted that many professionals use their bicycles on a daily basis. Indeed many would say they have little choice if they are to successfully commute around the city. We managed to purchase a fairly basic second-hand bike with an enclosed chain and significant mudguards on each wheel. This bicycle has the additional advantage of being rather unattractive to thieves. We confine our use to cases that are “on the flat of the city” and we enjoy the added benefit of not having to look for parking. It is a small contribution overall from an environmental point of view but then again perhaps that is what it is all about?