5 THINGS EVERY BUSINESS CAN DO

“The B economy is bigger than B Corps,” says B Lab co-founder Jay Coen Gilbert. “The issue is whether B Corps are part of an economy that is creating a more inclusive and sustainable business world.” Here are five ways every business can help build the benefit economy.

Know Your Values

At the core of every business is a set of values and principles and a vision of the world it wants to help achieve. Taking the time to articulate and express them might be, to employees and customers, the best investment you’ll ever make in your company.

Commit Your Assets

Many companies make positive impacts. Enduring social enterprises build their business models around them: no impact, no business. Maybe you’ve heard that chickens contribute to a bacon and egg breakfast but pigs commit?

Measure Your Progress

What gets measured gets done, so figure out what your company’s social impact metrics are and make sure all of your team members know how their jobs are vital to achieving them.

Invest in Progress

No company gets it all right. Everyone is learning new ways of making impact core to their work— and some other company is doing it better than you. Learn how to get better when the world around you is constant. Because you’ll need to get better when it is changing.

Partner With Your Competitors

You might maximize profits on your own, but you cannot maximize impact alone. Do business with other companies that are building the B economy. Social entrepreneurs are as innovative at creating positive impact as they are about business success. At the end of the day, the B economy requires a market-scale, full-service network of benefit companies working together. How canyou join the movement—or decide whether it’s right foryou? B Lab is the single best source of information to build on, so start there (bcorporation.net). Find out how to alignyour company with the principles andvalues that define the B economy.If you are a for-profit,you can become a Certified B Corporation. Ifyou are not ready for certification or you are a nonprofit,you can use the B Impact Assessment to findways to do more on the environment, racial and gender equity, and other issues.