5 Reasons Why We Became B Corp
While recent media attention has brought warranted critique on the B Corp movement (and other sustainability initiatives), we here at Move to Impact wanted to share as a newly certified B Corp the five main reasons why we became a B Corp and keep believing in the movement. As an impact consulting start-up, we not only help our clients through the B Corp certification process but also strongly believe in the goals of the movement and want to be a part of it. In short, what does being a B Corp mean to us?
1. Fulfilling the Standards on Social and Environmental Impact should be the Baseline, not the End Goal
Firstly, we became a B Corp because we believe that being a B Corp and fulfilling these standards on social and environmental impact should be the baseline, not the end goal. As a company we don’t want to just sit back and enjoy the view now that we’ve gained B Corp certification, but rather use it as a starting point to where we can improve as a company. Therefore, we also believe in greater attention and transparency of the variance in B Corps and different B Corp scores. Our score is 100.5 points, while the median score is currently 50.9. We think this is a good start but we will continue to make changes and improve our score, at least by our re-certification period.
2. To Identify our Strengths and Weaknesess
Secondly, we became a B Corp because the B Corp certification process was also a beneficial way for us to identify our strengths and weaknesses as a company. It allowed us to “take stock” of where we are and where we want to be in terms of our social and environmental impact. This can also be done by a materiality analysis.
3. Establish Practices and Values
Thirdly, we became a B Corp because starting the B Corp certification process while we were still a young company allowed us to establish and set in place in the foundation of our company certain practices and values, such as setting up policies, assessing our suppliers closely and choosing wisely from the beginning who we partner with.
4. Emphasis on Transparency
Fourthly, we became a B Corp because we support its focus on transparency. We at Move to Impact believe in transparency within the entire triple bottom line. That’s why we post our impact on people, planet, and profit on our impact dashboard on our website for all to see. Therefore, the B Corp certification also shows how we are committed to talking about and displaying our both negative and positive impacts. We also believe in being a part of a community that is willing and committed to doing so.
5. Focus on Data and Evidence to Back Up Claims
Lastly, we became a B Corp because of the focus on data and evidence to back up claims. In addition to the emphasis on transparency, completing the B Impact Assessment and becoming a B Corp required special attention and sufficient evidence to illustrate our social and environmental impact. We are a data-driven organization and thus the emphasis on the B Corp process on data was especially appealing.
What our team thinks about being a B corp:
What I like about B Corp is that it is broader than just social or environmental, and that it also makes a difference between workers & ‘social external’. Social organizations often just focus on the social factors outside of their organization. It may be the case that they are very good for human beings all over the world, but could be better for their own employees. But of course also the other way around; that they are good for their own employees but not for people outside the company. Therefore I like that B Corp makes both of them equally important in the BIA.
For me, B-Corp is especially important when looking for companies to partner with or do business with. In this process, B-Corp gives certainty through its certification, this means that by partnering or engaging in business you also contribute to a better society and planet. I prefer to partner with B-Corp companies, and I see this is the case for many people (especially the younger generation), and I think it will play an even more important role in the future.
Why it is important to me to work for a B Corp, is from a worker’s perspective the freedom and ability to grow as a person, next to that it is important to me to do my work knowing that I also provide support in trying to make the world a better place.
I feel lucky to work for a B Corp and support others in their journey to become a B Corp, because of the willingness to invest time and money into impact measurement and to look at the cold hard facts of how a company is performing. What they end up doing with this assessment and data can vary, but the process of understanding one’s social and environmental impact is likely to lead to a shift and reckoning.
I feel lucky to work for a B Corp and support others in their journey to become a B Corp, because of the willingness to invest time and money into impact measurement and to look at the cold hard facts of how a company is performing. What they end up doing with this assessment and data can vary, but the process of understanding one’s social and environmental impact is likely to lead to a shift and reckoning.
Working at a B Corp feels valuable to me because the organization is really making an impact on the environment, based on data and actual results. It’s also inspiring for me to work with a purpose-driven team. And important as well: at a B Corp you’re sure that they take good care of their staff.
