What have been the main challenges for you?
As a startup you are interested in these issues, but the main focus has to be on setting your business up, getting it running and meeting your goals. B Corp does take effort and we have been so busy, so it has been hard to find time to dedicate to the process.
Getting extra support from the team at Future Space and Andy Hawkins has been great. Andy is really knowledgeable so he can answer any of our questions. He has created tools that help you to streamline the process and he can introduce you to the right contacts.
As we grow, we see B Corp as a key way for us to integrate our core values into the everyday running of our business. By thinking about our impact on the environment and on people, and ensuring our workforce is looked after well, we can prepare our business for the future.
What changes have you made as a result of the process?
We have updated our processes in relation to recycling and waste management, how we source and work with our suppliers, and how we look after our people – which has involved changes to our staff handbook. For example, we used to source from as far as China, but now all of our products are manufactured in Ireland.
Now we want to go a step further and look more at how we work every day, such as where our people are and how much travel they do. Do we really need to be working like this? The move towards a more remote working culture has allowed us to make these changes much more quickly but we know there’s more we can do.
Would you recommend B Corp to other businesses?
Absolutely. If they’re looking to make sure they don’t have unintended consequences through the work they’re doing on both people and planet then yes. It requires time, but if you can use the time efficiently then it doesn’t have to be really labor intensive. The benefits from it in terms of what it means to have the accountability of the B Corp badge, and as a way to future proof yourself and check your processes every year – it’s brilliant.
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