Becoming a B-Corp. Insights, intuition and trust.

Many agencies contemplate a B-Corp certification, but little know what it truly means when they initially start the journey. After having been rewarded our B-Corp status in June 2023, we want to give an inside look into what it takes to be a force for good. From the application process to the advantages it brings, it's all about insights, intuition and trust.

1. It can be less daunting than you think. If your business is already operating with purpose, consideration and thought, the process doesn’t have to take as long as you may have originally thought or feared. Once we began the process, our initial assessment concluded we were already operating as a B-Corp - the estimated 18 months that we thought it would take to complete the process halved.
    
2. Engage the right support. Have 1 - 2 stakeholders internally to lead the process, live and breathe B-Corp principles, and onboard a consultant who understands the process and policy. Their support is hugely beneficial and the consultancy was necessary for just 24 hours. Also make sure to invest time into building relationships with people from B LAB, they will help to guide you through the process.
    
3. Put your company to the test. There is no way of avoiding it, if you undergo this process you will be delving into all areas of your business - clients, suppliers, team, stockholders, government policies, environment, sustainability and much more. You must leave egos at the door, and know that no matter what you unearth, it’s a worthwhile exercise to discover how you are, and are not, a force for good.
    
4. How good it feels when you get it! When you receive your certification there is no feeling like it - both personally and professionally. It has given our entire team, from senior leadership to juniors, a deeper meaning to their job here at BBD Perfect Storm. A greater purpose, business ethos and path to success. Our B-Corp practices run through the entirety of our operation.
    
5. Ever growing opportunities. Pre, during and post this process you become aware of all the possibilities there are within the B-Corp community. We are actively engaging in activities that can improve our status and own rating. Right now our focus is primarily on how we can continue to work towards becoming net zero and monitoring our individual footprints. There are always new perspectives and goals to achieve.
    
6. Value and validation. Becoming B-Corp has encouraged us to continuously build our reputation and awareness. When beginning the process in 2022 we weren’t aware of the profound positive effect it would have on our position in the industry. As initiatives aligned with B-Corp status including ESG, DE&I and CSR continue to grow in importance within the industry, the more value it has to our current clients, partners, employees (existing and applicants) and prospects.
    
7. Great minds think alike. Being part of the B-Corp community opens the door to new relationships with like minded people and companies worldwide. It’s comforting to have a new network of people that share similar experiences - opening doors to new opportunities you may not have seen coming.
    
8. Being fit for the future. There is an increased source of pride about what we are doing here at BBD Perfect Storm and more importantly how we are doing it. We can say we are fit for the future and mean it. The process has shown us the value of challenging our process and the status quo, something that we'll continue to do as the world, ad-land and B-Corp practices continue to change.

If you are keen to know more about our experience, seek advice or just shoot the shit, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact Fernando Desouches, Managing Director fernando.desouches@bbdperfectstorm.com