We’ve officially submitted our B Corp recertification (flashback to five years ago) – which is another way of saying that we’ve been deep in the world of a 176-question B Impact Assessment that prompts us to stop and reflect on the impact we have on our society and environment (BTW, this tool is free + confidential).

With evaluation areas that wrap our arms around our Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, the B Corp Certification holds us accountable in meeting the highest standards of verified performance.

If it sounds like a lot of work that’s because it is – but there are several (really, really, really good) reasons why companies choose to certify. To name exactly six:

1. Lead a Movement

The B Corp certification not only sets the tone for your business model, but inspires others in your industry to follow suit and pay closer attention to their performance standards and legal structures as well. Who doesn’t like a little healthy competition (especially if the result is a happier and healthier planet)?

Rose Marcario, CEO, Patagonia Works says it beautifully: “The B Corp movement is one of the most important of our lifetime, built on the simple fact that business impacts and serves more than just shareholders – it has an equal responsibility to the community and to the planet.”

2. Build Relationships

When you became a B Corp, you are instantly connected to a network of like-minded organizations and leaders who genuinely want you to succeed. You have the opportunity to get involved online, attend events, and build client and vendor relationships within a dependable community.

We’ve openly shared resources that we’ve developed with other companies pursuing certification to help guide them in meeting their goals. In the end, we’re all in this together!

3. Attract Talent

With as much flack as millennials get, the younger generations coming into the workforce are becoming increasingly pursuant of meaningful careers that make them feel valued and in which they feel they can make a difference.

We’ve experienced first-hand the value of the B Certification for prospective employees.

We’ve made it a best practice to ask every resume sender if the certification is an appealing differentiator when evaluating companies. Here are some of our favorite responses:

4. Improve Impact

With the large breadth of areas that the B Impact Assessment covers, we are constantly illuminating new ways that we can be better. When we started assessing ourselves for B Corp, we made a conscious decision to switch to LED lighting and set our thermostats on a schedule to fluctuate by time of day and season. With these two simple changes, we immediately noticed a difference in our energy efficiency. But energy efficiency is only one piece of the B Corp picture – there is always room for improvement, socially and environmentally.

5. Amplify Voice

As #agentsofgoodness, you’ll see on our home page that we proudly “create experiences for brands that positively impact our health, well-being and social responsibility.” We’re able to back up this statement in a rock-solid way: by attaining the third-party validation that comes with the B Corp Certification.

6. Protect Mission

When you become a B Corp, you have access to The B Corp legal framework. This tool ensures the legal foundation of your organization is legit and helps you prepare for business transitions (think: capital raises, leadership changes, sales and liquidity options).

Bottom Line

With more than 3,000 certified organizations across 150 industries in over 65 countries (and growing), we cannot express how grateful and inspired we are to be part of this growing global movement of people using business as a force for good.

Interested in learning more about what being a B Corp means to all of us at R+M? Comment below or reach out to caralynn@rmagency.com!