Often when people think about what it means to be a B Corp, they immediately think that it is only related to the environment or sustainability. BUT, it actually goes far beyond that. B Corps make decisions that serve communities, consumers, employees and the environment.
What is a B Corp?
Certified B Corporations are leaders in the global movement for an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. They meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials
Source: B Corp
Simply put, B Corps care – not just about profit but about their team, the environment and the impact their business has on the world. An easy way to remember it is with the four Ps
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- People
- Planet
- Purpose
- Profit
What are the requirements to become a B Corp?
To become a B Corp, businesses go through a rigorous assessment that requires actions and accountability in five impact areas. The five impact areas that each applicant is assessed on are:
- Governance: policies and practices pertaining to its mission, ethics, accountability and transparency.
- Workers: employees’ financial, physical, professional, and social well-being
- Community: the economic and social well-being of the communities in which it operates.
- Environment: overall environmental stewardship.
- Customers: the value created for direct customers and consumers of products or services.
What are the B Corp business benefits for Evergreen?
There are many ways our B Corp status benefits the company. Here are a few.
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- Ability to attract and retain talent – People today have a growing interest in working for companies who prioritize social and environmental performance and accountability. Evergreen has established an EDI Committee and is committed to a focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Working for an inclusive company where team members are accepted and supported can be a deal breaker for accepting a job.
- Strengthened supply chains – Through our B Corp work, Evergreen has made a commitment to use local suppliers whenever possible and has developed a supplier code of conduct to share with our clients and partners to ensure we were working with other businesses that share our values.
- Increased credibility and trust – You’ve heard it before. Evergreen doesn’t just talk the talk, we walk the talk… meaning, we’re taking action and making continual improvements to ensure we’re doing the best we can for people and the planet, which can differentiate Evergreen in a sometimes-crowded market.
- Ability to attract and retain talent – People today have a growing interest in working for companies who prioritize social and environmental performance and accountability. Evergreen has established an EDI Committee and is committed to a focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Working for an inclusive company where team members are accepted and supported can be a deal breaker for accepting a job.
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- Opportunities to learn – Whether via conferences, the B Hive (link to last newsletter?), or good old-fashioned networking, learning from other B Corps allows Evergreen to continue to think about our business differently and take on challenges in new ways thanks to the community of B Corps out there.
Still have questions about B Corp?
- Opportunities to learn – Whether via conferences, the B Hive (link to last newsletter?), or good old-fashioned networking, learning from other B Corps allows Evergreen to continue to think about our business differently and take on challenges in new ways thanks to the community of B Corps out there.