Chances are if you're here you have heard about B Corp. You are interested in the certification but are not sure how to certify or what it entails.
The first step is to familiarise yourself with what it is all about and check that B Corp Certification is right for your business. Your 'why' is important. There is a great overview on this course from B Lab UK. It takes no more than 2 hours, so grab a cuppa and get stuck in.
But then comes the harder bit. The B Impact Assessment (BIA). In all honesty the first time I looked at it I had NO idea how I'd learn to navigate it. But that was some years ago now, I climbed that mountain, and here we are!
Ahh the mountains, where the air is crisp and clear, the birds soar and moss squishes underfoot. Let's not forget, protecting this beautiful world is why we are here.
So.
Set up a profile on the BIA. It's free (toot toot). You need to set up the track for your business. If you're not sure there is a guide here.
Next step. Completing the B Impact Assessment. It can be pretty time consuming, it doesn't take long to get a rough idea of what your score might be but to get an accurate assessment you need to read the question. Boring but essential. Does it ask 'and' or 'or'? Does it ask for 'formal' or just a practice.
The majority of questions have a learn more tab on the top left. Use it! You can also bookmark questions to come back to and set goals.
Work your way though the sections and make sure you don't miss any. Once you have done this you can see what you score 'now' - over 80 and you are good to go, under 80 and you need to make a plan about how to get beyond 80 so you can submit for certification. I'd always recommend going for at least 85 incase any drop off during the verification stage.
Every business has to make legal amendments in order to certify.
Next, we wait. Once you have submitted you will have to pay a fee and your BIA will enter the evaluation stage. You can still work on it during this time. Currently the evaluation stage is around 4 months.
After this your BIA will become locked and you cannot make any amendments, this is the verifiaction stage. B Lab will ask for evidence to be uploaded on a selection of questions and you will set a date for a verification interview. Some companies only need one interview, others need more.
Once B Lab are satisfied you fulfil the criteria and score over 80 you will be certified. Congratulations!
Businesses owned by anyone facing systemic barriers to employment are entitled to a 50% discount on the B lab fees for the first 3 years. This must be applied for before verification, so make sure you check it out to see if your business qualifies. That and pricing information can be found here.
Once certified you will have access to the B Hive which is an online portal for certified B Corps. It is a great place where people are willing and comfortable to ask questions, provide examples and help each other.
Did you know that bees do a 'waggle dance' to show other bees where a good nectar source is? The B Hive is just like for businesses. Sharing is caring and all that.
That, my socially and environmental conscious friends, is the process in a nutshell. Of course, if you have any questions please get in touch.
Take care,
Laura
p.s. The images are from Unsplash, I appreciate they might seem random, but each reminds me of my why. The world and it's inhabitants are incredible, weird and amazing. I commit to doing my best to protect it and create a sustainable, safe future for all.
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