We’ve loved every minute of our first B Corp Month since becoming certified last year. It’s provided a unique opportunity to explore the B Corp mission with our team, as well as connect with other businesses taking part.
But one thing we were keen to understand was the impact of being B Corp on our team. How did our certification change their perspective, and did it provide any added motivation to the way they carried out their work?
To find out we spoke with three of our team members; Cyrus, who has been with us for several years, Eleanor, who joined us six months ago and Alex, who only joined last week and was being recruited for a role whilst B Corp Month began. Each of them addresses the question from a different and fascinating perspective.
So, read on and find out what being B Corp really means to our talent.
What does the B Corp movement mean to you and why is it important?
To me, it is an active effort by a company to adopt a more positive environmental and social business practice. This is important as it holds the company to a high set of standards, ensuring that they leave a more positive impact on our earth.
What does Future Arc’s B Corp certification tell you about the business and its values?
It tells me that they care about delivering work whilst not compromising on a set of core values which promote social and environmental change.
What have you learned about the B Corp movement that you didn’t know before?
That they have an online community called the B Hive. This is especially interesting to me, and I look forward to exploring it further and learning how other B Corp organisations have adopted better business-as-usual practices.
How does working for a certified B Corp make you feel, does it add to a sense of purpose?
100%. It is nice knowing that you work for a company with values that align to your own.
How does being a B Corp affect your daily work and how conscious of the certification are you in your work?
Now that we have joined, I am more conscious of the movement and the internal changes we have made as an organisation to be more sustainable. It feels like an important first step and we look forward to leveraging the community to further improve with time.
If you had been applying for a role at Future Arc after they’d been certified, would that have changed your perception of the business and how?
Yes. It would have been a good indicator that the business and I have similar values and that it would be a good fit culturally.
Have you noticed any changes in the business compared to before Future Arc became a B Corp?
Yes. Although we already had similarly aligned values prior to B Corp, I feel that we have since identified further areas of opportunity for improvements. We still have a lot to learn, but it’s nice that we are grouping together as a team to improve our education in this space and business processes to be a better company.
What does the B Corp movement mean to you and why is it important?
The B Corp movement means that companies are holding themselves accountable to promote social and environmental change through positive business practices. This is important because it works to encourage and contribute to creating a more sustainable environment; building stronger communities, reducing inequality and lowering poverty levels.
What does Future Arc’s B Corp certification tell you about the business and its values?
It tells me that they are committed to making the world a better place for their employees, customers and the wider community.
What have you learned about the B Corp movement that you didn’t know before?
The B Corp movement is a new concept for me but I’ve learnt that the aim is for all businesses to be a force for good. I am supportive of the change to our economic system and the need to collaborate and work together to collectively take action to address the most critical challenges.
How does working for a certified B Corp make you feel, does it add to a sense of purpose?
Absolutely! I love knowing that I am putting my time and energy into a company that shares the same values as me and wants to do good.
If you had been applying for a role at Future Arc after they’d been certified, would that have changed your perception of the business?
Yes, it gives an indication of what sort of company they are and how they treat their employees. It is a really positive thing and now I wouldn’t want to work for a company that wasn’t a B corp.
When applying for a role at Future Arc, did you register their B Corp certification and if so, did that have any impact on your perception of the business?
Yes, I did, in the past I have looked at the registration process for businesses for B Corp to appreciate the work and effort that is required to get the status, and through that understand how the business is audited to operate in a way responsible to the planet and people.
Would you be more inclined to apply for a role with a B Corp certified business versus one with no certification?
I wouldn’t say it’s a deciding factor for me at this stage, but the morals of the business and how it operates for people and the planet would affect who I applied to.
What does the B Corp movement mean to you and why is it important?
To me it means better businesses, and they’re taking responsibility for their impact on the world, whether it be the people they employ, the products and services they sell, or the way they conduct business.
How does working for a certified B Corp make you feel, does it add to a sense of purpose?
Yes, and it gives me pride in the business that I am working for, knowing that it’s doing all that it can to be transparent in its practices.
