At Jani-King, we believe that every step toward sustainability counts. One of our key goals has been to minimise unnecessary paper usage - a commitment that reflects not only our environmental values but also our drive for operational efficiency. Here's how we’ve tackled this challenge and the remarkable results we've achieved.
The Challenge: Paper-Heavy Processes
Historically, a significant portion of our printing needs have come from onboarding our new franchise business owners. Agreements, disclosure documents, training manuals, and sign-offs all required multiple printed copies. Additional printing was required for our new clients across onboarding, accounting processes, and sales proposals, resulting in high paper consumption across the business.
We knew there had to be a better way, and in 2022, we started a few initiatives that aimed at reducing our paper usage while transitioning to digital workflows and introducing automation across our processes.
The Strategies: From Paper to Digital
1. Digital Documents and Forms
One of our first steps was moving our traditional paper forms and manuals and converting these into editable PDFs and other digital formats. By making these documents accessible online, we significantly reduced the need for physical copies. Franchise business owners, clients, and staff could now access and interact with essential paperwork digitally, streamlining operations and cutting waste.
2. DocuSign for Proposals
In 2023, Jani-King adopted DocuSign for sales proposals, eliminating the need for printed agreements during our client acquisition process. This shift also sped up the approval process, reduced administrative burdens, and further aligned with our sustainability goals.
3. Salesforce Automation
The integration of Salesforce was a game-changer. Automating client processes allowed us to reduce our paperwork and improve workflow efficiency and the customers overall experience. The integration of the Client Charge Request (CCR) into Salesforce was particularly impactful, allowing us to streamline workflows and significantly reduce paper usage.
4. Conscious Printing Policies
All of our teams were asked to adopt a more mindful approach to printing. Our Accounts team played a vital role in this initiative by adopting a more conscious approach to printing, embracing digital processes wherever possible.
5. Ongoing Innovation
Currently, we’re working on additional automation to further reduce printing associated with onboarding franchise business owners. This initiative alone is expected to cut onboarding-related printing by up to 50%.
The Results: A Cleaner, Greener Future
Our efforts have made a measurable impact. Despite company growth, paper usage dropped even with many new staff members onboarded and the expansion of operations. Between November 2023 and October 2024, black-and-white printing decreased by 35%, and colour printing dropped by 11%.
A Team Effort
These achievements prove that small, collective efforts can lead to big changes. These amazing successes wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of all of our teams at Jani-King. By embracing new technologies, rethinking habits, and adopting automation, we’ve taken many meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future.
Thank you to everyone at Jani-King for making this progress possible - together, we’re proving that every sheet saved counts!
