SPONSORED CONTENT assigned an assessor took the BDC a few months ; following which B Lab UK allocate a member of its team to undertake an interview and then to work alongside businesses in completing a risk review and evidencing their answers .
“ Delivering the evidence is the most challenging part of the process , with an expectation that the score initially received may fall as the stringent requirements are met with justification . The scrutiny in place , however , is reassuring ”, says Vandenburg . “ Knowing that those who certify have been tested to a level that demonstrates their transparency and commitment to better business .”
Considering the complexity of companies is also baked into the review process . The BDC itself is a multipurpose trade centre , with a dual structure comprising event space and property services , an aspect , which the B Lab team had to consider on an individual basis . The granular assessment can ' t possibly take into account the nuances of every application , but the team behind it do , down to the on-hand nature of responding to specific queries .
Once certified , the results are published transparently within the B Corp directory and in line with the intention of continual improvement ; goals and targets can be set to support companies as part of their sustainable development strategy .
With recertification taking place every three years , the expectation is that the score received by a business will rise and in doing so , as will the tangible betterment of the company and its people , the environment , its community and other stakeholders .
Under the same expectation that B Corps don ’ t stand still , neither does the framework . Its evolution addresses best practices , developing their standard which is informed by research and multi-stakeholder input to ensure the ongoing credibility of the certification .
“ A rigorous process , yes . Worth it , absolutely ”, says Jones . “ The holistic focus on sustainable development and not simply looking at positive impact in silos has allowed for aligned strategic thinking when it comes to delivering on the company ’ s wider objectives .”
Although only at the start of their journey , the BDC is now part of a community of other certified businesses , having seen an immediate outreach from the wider network . Other mission-focused organisations are the first to welcome new joining companies , all of which benefit from B Hive , an online member ’ s platform that engages on a local , national and global level , most importantly through in-person events and cross-industry collaboration .
l Find out more about what this means to the BDC and its team at www . bdc . london / bcorp
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