{"id":285,"date":"2012-04-05T02:19:24","date_gmt":"2012-04-05T06:19:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/?p=285"},"modified":"2017-04-08T15:07:00","modified_gmt":"2017-04-08T19:07:00","slug":"b-corp-global-movement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/b-corp-global-movement\/","title":{"rendered":"B CORP GLOBAL MOVEMENT"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>B Corps are leading a global movement of people <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>using business as force for good.<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V-VFZUFJwt4?rel=0\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong>B Corps: For People, Planet, and Profit<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3cTt7G6MTsc?rel=0\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>NYC B Lab (Tribeca), Warby Parker (SoHo), and Greyston Bakery (Yonkers) discuss how businesses can work to be not just best &#8220;in&#8221; the world, but best &#8220;for&#8221; the world; moderated by Demma Rodriguez<\/p>\n<p>B Corps like Warby Parker and Greyston Bakery are certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corp certification is to sustainable business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk.<\/p>\n<p>There is a growing community of more than 910 Certified B Corps from 29 countries and 60 industries working together toward 1 unifying goal: to redefine success in business.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/BCorp-Declaration-of-Interdependence.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-504\" src=\"http:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/BCorp-Declaration-of-Interdependence.jpg\" alt=\"BCorp-Declaration-of-Interdependence\" width=\"700\" height=\"898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/BCorp-Declaration-of-Interdependence.jpg 700w, https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/BCorp-Declaration-of-Interdependence-233x300.jpg 233w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Why B Corps Matter<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When you support a B Corporation, you\u2019re supporting a better way to do business. Governments and nonprofits are necessary but insufficient to solve today\u2019s most pressing problems. Business is the most powerful force on the planet and can be a positive instrument for change.<\/p>\n<p>Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to create a new sector of the economy which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. This sector will be comprised of a new type of corporation &#8211; the B Corporation &#8211; that meets rigorous and independent standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, individuals will have greater economic opportunity, society will move closer to achieving a positive environmental footprint, more people will be employed in great places to work, and we will have built stronger communities at home and across the world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why are B Corps necessary to achieve these goals?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>B Corporations address two critical problems:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Current corporate law makes it difficult for businesses to take employee, community, and environmental interests into consideration when making decisions <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The lack of transparent standards makes it difficult to tell the difference between a &#8216;good company&#8217; and just good marketing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>To address these issues, B Corporations&#8217; legal structure expands corporate accountability so they are required to make decisions that are good for society, not just their shareholders.<\/p>\n<p>B Corporations&#8217; performance standards enable consumers to support businesses that align with their values, investors to drive capital to higher impact investments, and governments and multinational corporations to implement sustainable procurement policies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/gilbert.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-286\" title=\"gilbert\" src=\"http:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/gilbert.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"691\" height=\"379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/gilbert.jpg 691w, https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/gilbert-300x164.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><object width=\"640\" height=\"360\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http:\/\/download.macromedia.com\/pub\/shockwave\/cabs\/flash\/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\"><param name=\"allowFullScreen\" value=\"true\" \/><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" \/><param name=\"src\" value=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/mGnz-w9p5FU?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" \/><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" \/><embed width=\"640\" height=\"360\" type=\"application\/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/v\/mGnz-w9p5FU?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&amp;rel=0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" \/><\/object><\/p>\n<p>Jay Coen Gilbert shares his vision to harness the power of business to solve society&#8217;s problems through B Corporations &#8212; a new standard labeling socially and environmentally responsible companies. B Corps will help corporations be profitable while solving society&#8217;s problems.<\/p>\n<p>Coen Gilbert co-founded B Lab, an organization trying to solve social and environmental problems by relying on the power of B Corporations, businesses certified to have sustainable values.<\/p>\n<p>http:\/\/bcorporation.net<\/p>\n<p>===<\/p>\n<h1 id=\"48e7\" class=\"graf graf--h3 graf--leading graf--title\">Your Business Should be a Force for Good: An Open Letter to Business\u00a0Leaders<\/h1>\n<p id=\"2eb8\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--h3\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">By Andrew Kassoy, Bart Houlahan, and Jay Coen Gilbert, Founders of B Lab<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"c8bb\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">B Lab has spent the past ten years serving a community of credible leaders who are using business as a force for good. We want to live into the values expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/what-are-b-corps\/the-b-corp-declaration\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/what-are-b-corps\/the-b-corp-declaration\">our B Corp values<\/a>, which state:<\/p>\n<p id=\"6605\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">That we must be the change we seek in the world,<br \/>\nThat all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered,<br \/>\nThat, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all,<br \/>\nTo do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations.<\/em><\/p>\n<p id=\"d6a8\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Those values make the path forward clear to us. <span class=\"markup--quote markup--p-quote is-other\" data-creator-ids=\"anon 3c97b5d33b79\">In the current environment of rising insecurity, fear, hate speech, and violence, and in the absence of trust in our economic system, all business leaders have an unprecedented responsibility and opportunity to build a more inclusive society.<\/span><\/p>\n<p id=\"e54d\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">We speak now not to one political party, or one niche group\u200a\u2014\u200aour community of business leaders, our workers, our customers, and our investors span the political spectrum. This is a universal call to live into our values and to build a global movement of people using business as a force for good.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6d61\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">At this moment we call on all business leaders to do two things. <\/em>First, in this chaotic moment, to stand up and to speak out, together and unequivocally, when we see injustice, hate, and the violence they produce. Second, to take concrete action in our own businesses to create an inclusive economy that is equitable and creates opportunity for all for the long term.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"d4de\" class=\"graf graf--h4 graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--h4-em\">Stand for\u00a0justice<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p id=\"a244\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--h4\">When we speak with collective voice, business leaders have the power to stand in the way of injustice, to honor the inherent dignity of all people, and to make it possible for us to reach our full potential as human beings, as organizations, and as a global community. Our responsibility to stand for universal human rights and civil liberties is not simply a business imperative, but a moral imperative.<\/p>\n<p id=\"c684\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">B Lab <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/blog\/b-lab-statement-on-north-carolina-hb2-and-b-corp-champions-retreat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/blog\/b-lab-statement-on-north-carolina-hb2-and-b-corp-champions-retreat\">rejects discrimination<\/a>, no matter where it comes from or who is targeted. All businesses, which benefit from our diverse society, have an obligation to do the same. We must stand with those civil society and social justice organizations fighting on the front lines to protect the most vulnerable. This means working against any forces that would divide and disenfranchise people based on their identity or circumstances at birth.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ffae\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">We do not want to sell this commitment short. This will be hard. It will require businesses to look beyond what regulation demands. It may require business leaders to speak out against unjust laws, or to resist them in order to protect vulnerable workers or communities. It may require much more. It will always be worth it.<\/p>\n<h4 id=\"5e11\" class=\"graf graf--h4 graf-after--p\"><strong class=\"markup--strong markup--h4-strong\"><em class=\"markup--em markup--h4-em\">Take action to build an inclusive economy<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p id=\"b15a\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--h4\">As business leaders, we must also look to where we are most powerful. It will not be enough to call for justice in this particular moment; we must also <em class=\"markup--em markup--p-em\">create<\/em> justice through our organizations.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8252\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Your business is an employer, a place where people spend their day and a source of salary and benefits for families. Your business has purchasing power that can support communities and causes you care about. Your business\u2019s activities and products affect the global environment\u200a\u2014\u200aand rely on it. And as a business leader, you have an influential voice in your community and with your elected officials.<\/p>\n<p id=\"197b\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Our businesses are powerful tools that we can use to create a more inclusive economy, and ultimately a more inclusive society. Doing that effectively will require listening to all those who are systemically disaffected and disenfranchised\u200a\u2014\u200awhether through racism, misogyny, xenophobia, classism, ableism, homo- and transphobia, or other institutional and historic forms of oppression. People who have been marginalized and exploited by our current economic system exist across the political spectrum in rural and urban communities around the world. In order to restore trust in business, the business community needs to respond to those people\u2019s legitimate desire for jobs with dignity. The business community also needs to make the case that economic justice for all is inextricably tied to, and dependent on, social and environmental justice.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3d40\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">It is clear that government alone cannot or will not solve the problems facing us right now. In their absence, business must play a leadership role in forging a path forward. Thankfully, there are businesses around the world that have been proving that profit can come with the pursuit of a higher purpose\u200a\u2014\u200athat we can build an inclusive economy that works for all.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fbaf\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">What does an inclusive economy look like in action? In Grand Rapids, Michigan, a plastics manufacturer called <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/cascade-engineering\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/cascade-engineering\">Cascade Engineering<\/a> welcomes formerly-incarcerated returning citizens and offers on-site benefits that have helped hundreds of employees transition off of social support. In New York City, a worker-owned cooperative of home health care workers in the Bronx called <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/cooperative-home-care-associates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/cooperative-home-care-associates\">CHCA<\/a> provides exceptional care for patients while creating secure jobs and ownership for women of color. In the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/the-stroopie-co\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/the-stroopie-co\">The Stroopie Co<\/a> employs recently-settled refugees and offers ESL classes to help them move into leadership roles. In Chicago, <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/method-products-pbc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/community\/method-products-pbc\">Method Products PBC<\/a> is bringing high-quality manufacturing jobs back to the Midwest, including the South Side of Chicago.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5187\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">An inclusive economy looks like a living wage for all workers. An inclusive economy looks like a boardroom and management team with the same demographics as the company\u2019s factory floor. An inclusive economy looks like a world in which business creates opportunity for those who have been marginalized, instead of maintaining the status quo while lamenting the constraints of market forces. These ideas don\u2019t require government regulation; they can be realized through the leadership and stewardship of the business community\u200a\u2014\u200aif we choose to take action.<\/p>\n<p id=\"e31f\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">We are inspired by <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/\">the leadership of 2,000 Certified B Corporations<\/a>. They\u2019ve proven that you can do well and do good, and they offer a path forward. But they can\u2019t build an inclusive economy alone. We need everyone. We need you.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ff88\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">One way to begin is for every company to take concrete, measurable steps to build a more inclusive business. Every change your company makes has a real impact on real people.<\/p>\n<p id=\"882b\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Think about what matters to you. How can your company contribute? If you need a starting place, consider picking two or three of the practices and policies <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@bthechange\/b-lab-releases-new-tools-to-move-towards-an-inclusive-economy-48884c5fb1#.pt83588pb\" target=\"_blank\" data-href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@bthechange\/b-lab-releases-new-tools-to-move-towards-an-inclusive-economy-48884c5fb1#.pt83588pb\">we have identified in our Inclusive Economy Metric Set<\/a>. Make <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncg.coop\/newsroom\/ncg-sets-new-goals-workplace-inclusion-policies-joining-2017-b-corp-inclusion-challenge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.ncg.coop\/newsroom\/ncg-sets-new-goals-workplace-inclusion-policies-joining-2017-b-corp-inclusion-challenge\">a public<\/a> <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@bthechange\/standing-up-for-our-values-is-always-a-win-rnl-design-and-the-b-corp-inclusion-challenge-306abbcc21dd#.parhrzmh0\" target=\"_blank\" data-href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@bthechange\/standing-up-for-our-values-is-always-a-win-rnl-design-and-the-b-corp-inclusion-challenge-306abbcc21dd#.parhrzmh0\">commitment<\/a> to improving on those two or three. <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/etsy-parents-on-progressive-parental-leave-policy-2017-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/etsy-parents-on-progressive-parental-leave-policy-2017-1\">Hold yourself accountable<\/a>, even (especially) when you fall short. Listen to your employees and your customers. <a class=\"markup--anchor markup--p-anchor\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?f=tweets&amp;vertical=default&amp;q=%23binclusive&amp;src=typd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?f=tweets&amp;vertical=default&amp;q=%23binclusive&amp;src=typd\">Let us know<\/a> what you are doing and what you learn along the way so that others can follow your lead.<\/p>\n<p id=\"f2a6\" class=\"graf graf--p graf-after--p\">Your business has the power to make the change you want to see in the world. If businesses like yours take action to build a more inclusive economy, we will improve the lives of millions of people that are touched by our businesses as workers, suppliers, customers, and local communities. We will rebuild an economic system worthy of people\u2019s trust. We will create a more shared and durable prosperity for all. We will change our society\u200a\u2014\u200afor good.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<header id=\"main-content-header\" class=\"clearfix\">\n<h1 id=\"page-title\">Why B Corps Matter<\/h1>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"region\">\n<div id=\"block-system-main\" class=\"block block-system no-title no-title\">\n<article id=\"node-106\" class=\"node node-page article clearfix\">\n<div class=\"node-content\">\n<div class=\"field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden view-mode-full\">\n<div class=\"field-items\">\n<div class=\"field-item even\">\n<div class=\"two-col\">\n<blockquote><p>The B Corp movement is one of the most important of our lifetime, built on the simple fact that business impacts and serves more than just shareholders\u2014it has an equal responsibility to the community and to the planet.<cite>Rose Marcario, CEO of Patagonia<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Certified B Corporations<sup>TM<\/sup> redefine success in business.<\/p>\n<p>Individually, B Corps meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, and aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems.<\/p>\n<p>Collectively, B Corps lead a growing global movement of <em>people using business as a force for good<sup>TM<\/sup><\/em>. Through the power of their collective voice, one day all companies will compete to be <em>best for the world<sup>TM<\/sup><\/em>, and society will enjoy a more shared and durable prosperity for all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"two-col last\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/sites\/all\/themes\/adaptivetheme\/bcorp\/images\/best-for-the-world.jpg\" alt=\"Best for the world\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>B Corps are leading a global movement of people using business as force for good. &nbsp; &nbsp; B Corps: For People, Planet, and Profit &nbsp; NYC B Lab (Tribeca), Warby Parker (SoHo), and Greyston Bakery (Yonkers) discuss how businesses can work to be not just best &#8220;in&#8221; the world, but best &#8220;for&#8221; the world; moderated<a href=\"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/b-corp-global-movement\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;[ Read More ]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":286,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4,6],"tags":[10,11,16,12,14,17,13,18,15],"class_list":["post-285","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ff-main-points","category-fibonacci-fund","category-investments","tag-b-corp","tag-benefit-corporation","tag-best-for-the-world","tag-declaration-of-interdependence","tag-doing-well-be-doing-right","tag-interdependence","tag-social-entrepreneurship","tag-social-responsibility","tag-triple-bottom-line"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=285"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":508,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/285\/revisions\/508"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/286"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=285"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=285"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fibonaccifund.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=285"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}