B Corps maintain the highest standards of social and environmental performance. Becoming a B Corp isn’t as simple as paying a subscription fee or ticking a box; the application process is rigorous and evidence-based!
Fortunately, we had support from Andy and the team at Business on Purpose, a fantastic organization that assists businesses in successfully applying for B Corp certification. Their support includes providing examples and templates, offering sage advice, interpreting B Corp language, guiding impact calculations, and connecting you with others on the same journey.
If you plan to become a B Corp, be prepared for a significant amount of work. One of B Corp’s pillars is community, so tackling this process alone is unnecessary. Andy encouraged us to set up workshops and involve people from across our business. Nearly everyone on our team participated, with many taking on tasks or committing to future support.
One of our greatest successes was with charitable giving. Cat and Sophie had already been considering this and have now taken the lead. While Gibe has always engaged in charitable work, it was often informal. We've now formalized our efforts, committing to support several local charities and organizing regular “official Gibe” campaigns. B Corp requires evidence, which can be as simple as a spreadsheet tracking donations.
We also overhauled our employee documentation. Although we already had numerous ethical working policies, we strengthened them and included them in our employee handbook (our internal wiki). We added "how-to" guides and ensured our policies cater to current and future employees, demonstrating our commitment to being a caring employer. Access to templates, online examples, and resources like Gov.UK and Citizens Advice can be very helpful in this process.
Data collection is another crucial aspect. If you’re considering joining the B Corp community, be prepared to gather a lot of data. This includes financial scrutiny, pay details, diversity statistics, representation of minority groups, pay equity, carbon calculations and waste reduction targets.
While the process requires considerable effort, the reward is joining a growing movement where companies can proudly display the B Corp logo knowing the effort and rigor that goes into demonstrating each company's impact on people and the environment. Employee’s of B Corps can also be confident that their employer is genuinely committed to doing the right thing, not just maximising profit, something that is becoming increasingly important to all.
