The climate emergency, endangered biodiversity, social pressures, responsible purchasing: these are all topical issues affecting the present and future of the business world. If we add to this the fact that consumers - and employees - are increasingly well-informed and eager to respect the planet and its inhabitants, we can't help but be struck by the obvious. There will be an economic paradigm shift.
But between empty-sounding green rhetoric and genuine long-term commitment, there's a lot to be lost. While no solution is perfect, a certification with a holistic approach stands out from the crowd.
What is B Corp in a nutshell?
Founded in 2006 in the USA with the ambition of "changing capitalism", B Corp is an international movement of companies of all sizes and in all sectors that have obtained B Corp certification in five areas of impact.
The great strength of this certification lies in its global, multi-dimensional approach. It's not just a product, supply chain or D&I certification. A true 360° company transformation tool, the B Impact Assessment (BIA) platform reviews aspects relating to corporate governance, internal employee policy, and impact on the environment, the community and consumers.
How do I get certified?
Certification takes place via the BIA analysis and measurement platform, created by B Corp. Access to the platform is free, and it is available in five languages.
Once you've registered, all you have to do is answer all 200 or so questions relating to the five impact zones, and achieve a minimum total of 80 points to qualify for certification. After verification by external auditors and adaptation of the articles of association, you will be authorized to apply the precious logo to your communications.
As you will have understood, an important part of the preparation consists in gathering the necessary information from the company's various departments and preparing a roadmap of the transformations to be planned. This calls for a strong commitment on the part of top management, who must provide their stakeholders with the means to act.
The cost of certification is determined on the basis of the company's sales and is paid annually. Every three years, the company must complete the BIA again - which is updated regularly - to ensure that its practices continue to comply with the certification criteria.
What are the benefits of certification?
The benefits are manifold and vary according to different points of view.
For consumers, B Corp certification is a guarantee that a product is not only environmentally friendly, but also respectful of employees and stakeholders. These same arguments are increasingly taken into account when recruiting. The company's mission and values are often decisive in the choice of a candidate for a particular company. For the company itself, the list is not exhaustive. For the company itself, the list is not exhaustive, but includes the formidable strategic tool of measurement and constant improvement, the strength of the movement's collective voice, competitive advantage, HR attractiveness and employee commitment.
And in French-speaking Switzerland?
Switzerland is a very active member of B Lab, the non-profit organization that certifies B Corp. At the head of B Lab SwitzerlandJonathan Normand, a pioneer of the movement, has been working to establish B Lab in Europe since 2013. A few years earlier, he had left the world of finance to found a consulting firm specializing in corporate governance and social responsibility. Since then, he has worked tirelessly to unite the private sector around B Corp. values.
In addition to managing B Corp certification in Switzerland, B Lab is active in various projects linked to the promotion of this new business philosophy. One example is the B Leaders training program, which enables employees and self-employed people to familiarize themselves with the BIA tool and to unite economic players around the movement.
In addition, at the end of 2020, B Lab Switzerland launched the national commitment program "Swiss Triple Impactprogram, which aims to involve 3,000 companies nationwide, in partnership with the UN Global Compact and with the support of the Swiss Confederation.
Need support?
As a Trained B Leader, Zestissime can help you achieve B Corp certification. The standard process - which can vary according to the size of your company - is based on 6 key steps.
Step 1: Taking stock of the company's current CSR situation, based on the documents and information collected.
Step 2: Initial BIA analysis
Stage 3: Drawing up an improvement strategy with a view to certification
Stage 4: Employee awareness and integration
Step 5: Formalize key documents
Step 6: Final BIA submission for certification
Stage 7: Communicating and promoting the approach
For companies wishing to test the BIA tool, Zestissime offers an initial analysis free of charge. Contact us by e-mail gaelle@zestissime.com for a virtual B Corp introduction.
