With the developments in the staging and real estate industry and the growing demand for continuing education in both of then, CSP™ decided to take a giant leap of faith and launch the CSP™ International Business Training Academy. We have three permanent classrooms with room for expansion; we will teach business, communication, marketing, staging, green build science, decorating and a myriad of other programs to real estate, organising, staging and business professionals.
Sixty percent of our individual environmental footprint is related to our houses and the way we live in and operate them. This is a huge statistic, bigger even than our transportation footprint, so something has to change. We decided to start with our own footprint; the unique part of the new location is that the facility is an actual living lab case study for the application of green products and services in support of the Green Build Science program being in taught at the facility. The task of fully utilising all the resources to help save the planet is daunting to most; we decided to do what we can with the budget and limited timeframe we had. We are thrilled to have greatly lowered our carbon footprint by powering the whole facility with bullfrog power, then we immediately realised a 33% reduction in power consumption by installing T8 light bulbs, installed low flow toilets and installed six floor surfaces made from natural or recycled materials. All the wall surfaces were covered with no VOC paint, windows dressed with shades which filter the harmful rays, block heat and cold; we recycled furniture and belongings from our other location and carefully choose the new to include recycled or recyclable furniture. Over the balance of the year we will continue to improve our efficiencies.
The biggest challenge with leased commercial space is a landlord’s willingness to participate and upgrade to energy efficient products. Large purchases like furnaces, water heaters and air conditioners are often viewed as unnecessary. However, very soon, consumer demand for these items will force commercial property owners to re-evaluate their thinking. Statistics from Green Build Council show for every $1 invested in energy efficiency there is a $20 ROI.
Ultimately they will be competing with energy efficient space and will have to decide to upgrade or accept rental fees at less than they hope for. You can take a stand and be a leader now; be one of the people who shows the rest of the people how it’s done or be a follower, either way it will be. In the coming issues we will feature specific products and the results from the facility.
Currently we have 15 instructors across North America, who deliver the Green Build Science program. Our goal is to have an instructor in every community. If you know someone who would be interested in being a CSP Green Build Science Instructor in your community contact Christine@stagingtraining.com
MORE NEWS:
As the green movement takes hold you will need to expand your knowledge to be ever conscious of how trends affect the sale of property and the profitability of that sale for your client.
Latest program development from LiveGreenLiveSmart Institute and CSP is “ Green Weddings”; research shows there is a mainstream need and a want from environmentally conscious Gen Y’s to start their lives together in a sustainable way, leading them to ever more consciously choose energy efficient property, require sustainable or natural materials and organic food.
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