Today marks the start of ‘B Corp month’ – an annual, global campaign which sees B Lab and the global B Corp community join together to celebrate everything it means to be a B Corp. The focus of this year’s campaign is on B Corp certification as an invitation to join the journey to better business – and we want to bring as many people along for the ride as we can.
In today's business landscape, working with purpose-driven entities goes beyond traditional partnerships. B Corp certified companies have been recognised for their responsible business practices, and offer their partners some unique advantages that extend far beyond the bottom line.
But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve been looking at who has been talking about all–things B Corp, to showcase five compelling reasons why engaging with a B Corp certified company is an investment in a better future…
B Corp certified companies are committed to making a meaningful impact beyond profits, by driving societal and environmental progress. Forbes previously highlighted how B Corp certification reflects a holistic approach to business and creates a positive impact beyond profit margins. So, by partnering with such organisations, you are aligning your brand with those which demonstrate clear responsibility to the world around them.
For example, we give three percent of our profits to charitable causes – and are working on firming up our commitments through a donation policy. Knowing how water-intensive the construction sector can be, we have been supporting charity:water, the Mangrove Action Project and Ocean Clean up for several years now – as well as other, smaller causes suggested by our colleagues.
As Raconteur explains, transparency and ethics are fundamental pillars of B Corp certified companies. These firms are operating with integrity and ensuring their business practices are aligned with their values, Stakeholder governance is a growing corporate governance alternative to shareholder primacy — the prevailing doctrine under capitalism that pushes companies to prioritise profit above all else, driving inequality, environmental extraction and social fragmentation. B Corps commit to considering the interests of all stakeholders, and that’s something we’re really passionate about here at Agilité.
That’s why we ask all of our colleagues to outline any charities, projects, or initiatives that matter to them - and have ringfenced a pot of money to back their philanthropic interests, too. The support doesn’t solely need to be financial, either – we’re happy to dedicate time to distribute supplies, support youth learning, back clean-up campaigns, or any other in-kind initiatives that matter to our team.
B Corp certified companies are drivers of innovation in their industry. B Corp themselves say ‘by certifying, B Corps step into a framework for continuous improvement. To maintain certification, companies must undertake the assessment and verification process every three years, demonstrating they are still meeting B Lab’s standards — which are themselves always improving, with continual input from expert stakeholders.’
And, as we know, commitment to continuous improvement doesn't stop at profits, it extends to finding innovative, sustainable solutions to societal and environmental challenges. Therefore, by collaborating with a Certified B Corp, you gain access to cutting-edge ideas and practices that can elevate your organisation, too.
One example of this at Agilité is the focus we have on reuse and recycle – something that was used throughout a project with QBE, in Milan.
HR Magazine highlights the strength of collaboration within the B Corp community as a way of building a network of purpose-driven organisations. Already, we’ve been exploring ways to collaborate with other B Corp certified companies, to support those peers dedicated to making a positive impact.
When a company is certified as a B Corporation, it joins a community of business leaders who share the belief that business can solve social and environmental problems. That’s why we’re already getting involved with the B Corp community in the UK, Italy, Luxembourg and France.
What’s more, our recent survey of colleagues confirmed they value the opportunity to engage with like-minded organisations, feeling a sense that they are amplifying collective efforts toward social change and sustainability.
As we touched on previously, collaborating with a B Corp certified company means working with a partner whose values align with yours. We truly believe that shared values create a strong foundation for successful, long-term relationships.
Of course, B Corp Certification doesn’t mean a company is perfect, nor that it has achieved its highest impact. We intend to continue using the B Impact Assessment as a powerful mechanism to help us set further goals for improvement, create more positive social and environmental impact, and track performance over time.
To read more about Agilité’s own responsibility – and how it’s contributing to positive change, download a copy of our ESG Manifesto | 2024.
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