What we have learnt so far

B Corporations are leading the global movement for change, transforming business as we know it. Here at Comacon, we are on track to become B Corp certified with the team working hard to meet our sustainability commitments and do our part for a purpose driven future.

BCorp believes that businesses can be the force for good and we agree.  

What is B-Corp and why does it matter?

Awarded and led by B Lab, a not-for-profit organisation based in the United States with offices globally, the BCorp™ Certification allows businesses to balance profits with looking after people and planet. Unlike other certifications for business, B Lab looks at a company holistically to improve its social and environmental impact. B Corp™ operates around the principle that humanity is ‘interdependent with one and other, and the planet’ and that to make the world more environmentally and socially secure, businesses must consider ‘long term values over short-term gain’.  

To achieve BCorp Certification, companies must pass B Lab criteria with a minimum of 80 points awarded for good practice.

How does the points system work?

According to B Lab to achieve certification, a company must:

·        Demonstrate high social and environmental performance by achieving a B Impact Assessment score of 80 or above and passing the risk review. Multinational corporations must also meet baseline requirement standards.

·        Make a legal commitment by changing their corporate governance structure to be accountable to all stakeholders, not just shareholders, and achieve benefit corporation status if available in their jurisdiction.

·        Exhibit transparency by allowing information about their performance measured against B Lab’s standards to be publicly available on their B Corp profile on B Lab’s website.

What is the benefit for your business?

By creating ripples of change, B Corps reap significant benefits. Not only do they build trust with consumers, communities, and suppliers, but they are also more likely to attract and retain employees, as well as draw mission-aligned investors.

Given companies are required to undergo the verification process every three years to recertify, B Corps demonstrate their resiliency and commitment to improvement.

Comacon shares this vision and is steadfast in its commitment to people and the planet.

Our learnings so far

Now that you understand how BCorp works and why it's so important organisation stake up the challenge to meet certification requirements, here is what we have learnt so far to help you on your journey.

1.      It takes time – It may be a cliché, but good things take time. We have been working towards certification since the beginning of the year and juggling the certification process with other duties to our clients and the communities we serve. Perserverance and patience are key to ensuring we stay on track and dedicate time each day to the goal of becoming a BCorp consultancy.

2.      There is no ‘i’ in team – Achieving BCorp certification is a whole team effort. We ensured our team understood the importance of achieving this goal for our business and the process which goes along with it.  By getting your team onboard, the process is made easier as everyone is involved and invested.

3.      Remember your ‘why’ – Remind yourself to reflect on why you undertook the commitment to BCorp in the first place. By fulfilling your promise, you are playing your part in affecting positive change in your industry and the wider environment.

4.      The positive domino effect – Undergoing the BCorp is a valuable journey because the process influences system change. Throughout the process you will encourage your employees, stakeholders, and supply chain to improve their sustainability performance along with the company.

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Image credit: https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/