Having recently been through the process of B Corp Certification, I’ll admit it is a question I have asked myself several times.
“Becoming a Certified B Corporation is one of the most rigorous, comprehensive and rewarding processes your business will undertake.”
That’s what it says on the B Corporation website; in my experience, it is absolutely correct. It isn’t just a tick-boxing exercise. It’s not something you can get done in a short period. However, taking time to examine the kind of business you want to be can be a very valuable process.
How much do you really care about your people and our planet?
There aren’t many people who would answer this question with “Not a lot.” We are seeing the effects of climate change every day, and with most businesses struggling to recruit the right talent, caring about people is business-critical. People and planet are high on the agenda. That can be because of a personal belief in business being a force for good. Or it can be a purely commercial reality, dealing with rising costs and supply chain difficulties.
You don’t have to become a B Corp just to show that you care. But it sends a clear message to your team and customers that it is important to your business.
Companies that have been operating for more than 12 months can apply for B Corp certification
The first step is to complete the free and confidential B Impact Assessment tool online. Covering five critical areas of governance, workers, community, environment and customers, the questionnaire measures the impact of your company’s entire operations. It provides a snapshot of where your business is now and highlights ways to improve your company’s impact.
Once you reach a score of 80+ you can apply for B Corp Certification, though it is recommended you don’t apply until you score 85+ to be safe. You also need to meet some legal requirements, such as amending constitutional documents to demonstrate your commitment to using business as a force for good. Once everything is in place, you can submit your assessment for certification, pay the one-off submission fee (£250 plus VAT) and wait for your evaluation and verification.
Is it worth becoming a B Corp?
According to research, yes! Research shows that B Corps outperform their UK peers across several business metrics, delivering:
✔️ Faster growth in turnover
✔️ Faster growth in employee headcount
✔️ Greater levels of employee retention, engagement and diversity
✔️ Higher levels of innovation
✔️ More successful at securing equity finance
I am incredibly proud that Trafalgar Marquees, the company I founded, has received B Corp Certification
Our certification reaffirms our commitment to social and environmental responsibility and is just one step on our sustainability journey.
Our journey began in 2020. COVID was a catalyst for change that brought wellbeing to the forefront of our organisation. Working in events is generally highly sociable and great fun, but the long, antisocial hours can also take their toll on physical and mental health.
In partnership with a mental health charity, we designed and introduced a multi-layered wellbeing programme, including regular wellbeing workshops. We offer all employees free individual counselling and run regular employee wellbeing surveys. Recently, we have enhanced our benefits package, introducing life insurance, a health care cash plan, and an employee assistance programme. Providing high-quality service is what sets us apart from our competitors, so our people have to be at the heart of everything we do. Our focus on staff health and wellbeing was a significant factor in our B Corp assessment.
In 2022, we took action on some of the basics of our business. We switched to LED light bulbs, banned single-use bottles after giving everyone a reusable water bottle and got our first electric vehicle pool car.
In 2023, we have taken the process further, moving the company pension to a sustainable fund and committing to reducing our work with controversial industries. Next, we will focus on our supply chain, delving deeper into the practices of the suppliers we choose to use. We are also investigating how to store and conserve water better and reduce the need to buy equipment or repair more.
Achieving B Corp status demonstrates our commitment to people and the planet and our belief that businesses can be a force for good in society
“People want to work for, buy from and invest in businesses that recognise their role in addressing the global challenges of social injustice and the climate emergency.”
James Ghaffari, Director of Growth & Product, B Lab
If you are interested in B Corp certification, there is lots of helpful information on the B Lab website: https://bcorporation.uk/b-corp-certification/how-to-certify-as-a-b-corp/
I encourage you to download their Certification guide to understand what to expect from the process. I would also suggest you talk to your team right from the start. You may need their input during the process, but you’ll also want them to see your commitment to sustainability.
If you are considering applying for B Corp certification, do feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to share my experience. Drop me a line at [email protected].
