Back in 2003, Pariveda was founded on the idea that if we as a company take care of our clients, employees, and community, the profit side of the business will take care of itself. Since then, we have spent 20 years perfecting the art of balancing purpose and profit to ensure our impact on the world goes beyond the walls of our organization.
Aligning existing values with B Corp standards
When we heard about B Corps and the rigorous standards required to achieve certification, we knew it would be a valuable opportunity for a credible third party to validate our efforts to make the world a better place.
Established three years before the founding of B Lab™, Pariveda’s intentional design inherently prioritized ethical business practices and sustainable growth. This foundational strategy was not just in anticipation of a movement but was a genuine commitment to meaningful change. When B Corp Certification became a recognized standard, Pariveda’s existing practices aligned seamlessly with the B Corp framework. The certification process did not necessitate a transformation of our core values or operations, as our original mission had already set us on the path of social responsibility and corporate stewardship that B Corps are celebrated for.
The path to achieving B Corp Certification
The process of becoming certified is not for the faint of heart. Our journey to achieving B Corp Certification began with a self-assessment on B Lab’s website. Once completed, our Board of Directors endorsed the self-assessment. Then, due to the size and complexity of our business, it took a year for B Lab, the certifying organization, to review various types of evidence submitted to validate our claims made across the 250 questions asked in the initial assessment.
This rigorous procedure involves a point system, where a company gains or loses points based on various criteria. These points assess the company’s eligibility for the certification and highlight areas for potential improvement.
Our thorough evaluation by B Lab delved into over 170 aspects of our operations. This comprehensive review covered our relationships with customers and vendors, commitment to inclusion, community engagement, corporate governance, and environmental footprint. B Lab meticulously examined facets such as the average tenure of employees, philanthropic contributions, energy conservation efforts, green supply chain initiatives, staff volunteer activities, and employee advancement opportunities.
At the end of this evaluation, a company must earn a minimum of 80 points (out of a possible 200+ points). And though the process was intensive, ultimately, we did not have to change anything to achieve the 103.3 points that earned us our certification. We did, however, learn many ways that we can improve and will be held accountable to make changes in those directions over the next three years, which is when we will seek recertification.
How we excelled in our B Corp Certification score
“Pariveda is at the next chapter of our business where we’re affirming our intentional design: a people-first model and purposeful profit can work at scale. This certification invites the world to see how doing business for good is possible, no matter the size.”
– Margaret Rogers, CEO at Pariveda
In an era where corporations often follow a top-down leadership approach, we operate under a democratic governance model called Holacracy. This innovative system empowers employees in decision-making, enhances transparency, and offers increased equity within the organization.
As an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company, we share wealth equitably among our employees, fostering long-term value creation and securing the company’s legacy by staying privately held. This model benefits the employees and aligns with the B Corp ethos that “all business should be conducted as if people matter.”
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion shines through our active support for employee resource groups (ERGs), embracing our Black, disabled, LGBTQIA+, female, Jewish, and team members of color, creating a truly welcoming environment for all.
This inclusive ideology extends to our transparent salary policy and our proprietary approach to career advancement, which sets a new standard for career management, offering every individual a clear, non-biased path to success.
Finally, a culture of service is embedded in our DNA, with every employee, from entry-level to executives, actively expected to contribute to their communities. This commitment to social responsibility is matched by our leadership composition, with over 50% of our board members being women, showcasing our dedication to breaking industry barriers.
The impact of B Corp Certification on our mission
This certification is a milestone that highlights our commitment to not only being the best in the world but also being the best for the world. It reinforces our mission to nurture growth, within our walls and in every community we touch, setting a new paradigm for what it means to be a technology consulting firm in today’s rapidly evolving society.
At Pariveda, we never set out to just build a company; we’ve been working to cultivate a community where consulting serves as a bridge to a better, more inclusive, and equitable world. By getting our B Corp Certification, we hope it provides our clients and future clients with the reassurance that when partnering with us, we can make a positive difference in the world.
