It isn’t news that the business world has some major challenges on the horizon. There is rising inflation, predictions of a recession, environmental disasters, and exposure to worker abuse like child labor and modern-day indentured servitude. Over the last three years, massive consumer and employee demands have shifted towards authentic, ethical, and sustainable business practices.
So, it is no surprise that finding a vendor who knows how to navigate these increasingly complex variables has become a whole new challenge. That’s where Certified B Corp consulting firms can offer many benefits beyond the obvious ability to provide business solutions.
Here are five key advantages of working with B Corp Certified consulting firms:
Genuine commitment to social and environmental impact
It is no small feat for any Certified B Corporation to meet the high standards set by the non-profit third party, B Lab. The 1-2 year journey to becoming certified requires layers of evidence and verification of impact claims. Ultimately, the certification proves that the company is truly having a positive impact on the lives of their people, in their communities, and on the planet.
So, when an organization partners with a B Corp, leaders can be confident that the consultants are highly skilled and committed to doing good in the world. This level of dedication is also apparent for a client; the superior end-product, the project engagement experience, the ethical business practices, and the lens for how client goals can be met while improving society are all distinctive perks of working with a Certified B Corp consulting firm.
Trust is the currency of choice
In a world of artificial intelligence, rampant social washing and greenwashing, and a long history of leadership failures, trust between a company and its stakeholders has become the most valuable currency in the business world.
According to The HOW Society’s “The State of Moral Leadership 2024” report, “A striking 93% of respondents felt that the need for moral leadership in business was more urgent than ever—a notable increase from 88% in 2022 and 86% in 2020.”
When working with a B Corp, their globally recognized certification is a verified seal of trustworthiness. B Corps not only care about themselves and their profit margin, but they have data and evidence that demonstrates they work to ensure the needs of all those they come in contact with are considered in their decision-making. Ultimately, every B Corp has gone to great lengths to prove that they are who they say they are and do what they say they will do.
Attracting and retaining top talent
According to Deloitte’s annual 2024 Report, Gen Z and Millennials are becoming more interested in their financial compensation than in previous years. Still, their need for a job that brings them a sense of purpose and aligns with their values around social and environmental impact remains a top priority.
As a B Corp, one of the main tenets of achieving certification is demonstrating how workers’ rights and needs are met. So inherently, B Corps are designed to intentionally offer workers a sense of purpose and alignment with their values, making a B Corps’ company culture and work environment incredibly attractive to the most sought-after talent.
From reducing carbon emissions to extensive DEIB and community building initiatives, B Corp consulting firms are pioneering how to systemically align their business systems with employee values.
Additionally, the Deloitte survey indicates a growing desire for employers to understand and care for workers’ mental health. While mental health is an extremely complex topic, one of the key influences of declining mental health that was identified in the survey is a lack of work-life balance and burnout. But for a B Corp, supporting the needs of the whole person and their well-being is part of how workers are cared for and how a B Corp is evaluated for certification.
While every business is different, the methods of doing this range from self-selected wellness goals as part of their performance review to caregiver leave, in-house mental healthcare support, and even a breast milk shipping stipend for moms working away from home.
The organizational design centered on employees’ needs found inside B Corp consulting firms can attract top talent who want to make a positive contribution to the world while also knowing they will be cared for by their employer. In essence, these top-tier professionals find B Corp firms as a top choice when seeking employment, ultimately providing the organization’s clients with better outcomes and solutions for their business.
Innovation is truly in their DNA
Balancing deep organizational purpose and a healthy profit margin is not the simplest of tasks. The complexity of balancing the many layers of stakeholder needs requires thoughtful, creative, and risk-responsible problem-solving. Because of these constant demands, this innovative mindset is cultivated and developed at every level of B Corp leadership and ultimately encourages every employee to think differently and pioneer inventive solutions for their clients.
Additionally, the nature of being a B Corp and balancing purpose and profit requires thinking in long terms, not short ones. So, even the measure of outcomes is viewed through the lens of sustainability and enduring value that can be generated for the client. This big-picture worldview ensures B Corp clients get solutions offering lasting impact and resilience in the marketplace.
Good reputation speaks volumes for clients
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) had its heyday several years ago but is now in the midst of criticism across the US political and investment communities, and even Europe is chiming in with critical feedback. Greenwashing, a lack of follow-through with promises made, and no clear standards for measuring comparable companies have led to a swath of pushback that is no doubt valid.
However, for B Corp firms, their third-party evaluation offers an authentic and standardized judgment on the business practices that ESG proponents care about most.
When a company partners with a Certified B Corp consulting firm, it offers its client a bolstered position on its own social and environmental initiatives. B Corp vendors will positively contribute to the company’s triple bottom line (people, planet, profit).
Hiring a B Corp also offers the clients’ employees the satisfaction of knowing their company’s vendors are ethical partners that aren’t seeking financial gain as the primary outcome of the work they do together. Ultimately, the efforts that a B Corp goes through to verifiably do good in the world become a hook their clients can also hang their hat on.
In conclusion, B Corp certified consulting firms offer a unique blend of ethical commitment, innovation, and trustworthiness. At Pariveda, we are proud to align with these values, ensuring that our clients receive the best solutions and services and offer these additional benefits unique to Certified B Corp consulting firms.
