The Greater Good - Volume 4, Issue 5
“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity."
-Nelson Mandela
As a community, you'll find our businesses all strong believers and practitioners of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. In fact, it is one of the 8 standards they must meet to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
But more than that, the leaders of these purpose-driven businesses realize that embracing DEI (Diversity/Equity/Inclusion) is not only the right thing to do, it is the right thing to do to grow their businesses. Consider these recent research findings:
76% of employees and job seekers report a diverse workforce is an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers. This is especially true for Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ job seekers and employees. (Glassdoor 2020 Workplace Survey)
Decisions made and executed by diverse teams delivered 60% better results. (Forbes 2017 Study)
Companies who focus the most on racial and ethnic diversity are 36% more likely to have financial returns that are above average for their industry. (McKinsey & Company 2020 Report)
If you're interested in learning more about best practices for DEI in your business, we can introduce you to professionals to help you do that. Just email us.
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Are you a BIPOC business? Helping create an inclusive and welcoming community, embracing all, is the highest priority for us. To do so, we are now offering 15% off our certification fee to all BIPOC businesses to become a Benefit Corporation for Good. Just reach out to us.
Are you ready to become a benefit corporation and a triple bottom line business? Here are 12 simple questions to help you answer that: https://bit.ly/3H5ArYn
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Now about this issue of The Greater Good.
First of all, you can read what 11 thought leaders describe as the "one" essential tip to writing a business purpose statement.
Secondly, do you know what authentic leadership is and why it is important? This article from Entrepreneur defines the 6 essential qualities that makes a leader authentic.
And finally, 4 reasons why every business needs a charity of choice posted by one of our certified BCFG leaders.
11 Tips for Writing a Business Purpose Statement To help you write your business purpose statement, we asked our community and other purpose-driven business leaders this question for their best ideas. From making the writing a team effort to laying out and humanizing your message with clarity, there are several ideas that may help you craft a business purpose statement that truly represents the objectives of your business venture. Read Now
What is Authentic Leadership and Why is it Important? In an ever-changing business landscape, we're seeing how important it is to have authentic leadership development that is built to last. Those who have successfully developed their brands have learned to strategically apply what they know about themselves as individuals to create more meaningful connections with others — connections that ultimately drive business success every day. Read Now
4 Reasons Every Business Needs a Charity of Choice Every business, even a small business, even a business just starting out, needs a Charity of Choice. It’s not a scheme to garner charitable credibility. It is a way to hold yourself accountable for working to improve your community while making a living. In this post, you will discover four advantages of selecting a Charity of Choice for your business. Read Now
HIGHLIGHTS
Honored to be part of the the Portland Pride parade this past Sunday with BCFG leaders Michael Jonas of Rational Unicorn Legal Services and Kim Allchurch-Flick of Mighty Epiphtye. So inspired with the love and support for the LGBTQ+ community here.
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Congratulations to The Peak Fleet, recently re-certified for 2022 as a Benefit Corporations for Good with an outstanding annual benefit report. Well done Jen and Brian!
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We're excited to announce our first Advisory Council for BCFG. These purpose-driven leaders are representative of our growing community and have made a true impact through their businesses and with their stakeholders. Most importantly, they will support the evolution and continuous improvement of BCFG. Meet them here.
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Learn more about our 8 standards for becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
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EVENTS
June 28: The Complete Business Revival System for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs
Info here.
July 8: Hiring Employees VS Contractors: Finace and Legal Perspective
Info here.
July 20: Breakthrough Breakfast: Chief Procurement Office Roundtable
Info here.
FREE GUIDE: ENVIRONMENTAL TIPS TO GREEN YOUR BUSINESS
Looking for a simple small business guide to become a more sustainable small business? Environmental Tips to Green Your Business, authored by sustainability advisory firm, Thinking Beyond Business and a certified Benefit Corporation for Good, is available as a free download. Just sign up on their website.
INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THE SMALL BIZ COMMUNITY THROUGH ADVOCACY?
The Small Business Utility Advocates is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that represents, protects, and promotes the interests of small business utility customers. Energy, water, and other utilities have a direct impact upon the success of small businesses.
As strong supporters of the work of SBUA, Benefit Corporations for Good has seen the organization in action before the Oregon Public Utility Commission and in B2B meetings using expertise and experience to push for equitable treatment for small businesses.
If you're a business leader in the Portland, OR area and want to support SBUA through work advocating for small business, you might be eligible for some compensation for your time and efforts. For details contact diane@utilityadvocates.org.
For more information about what SBUA has been doing generally and in Oregon see www.utilityadvocates.org/news-and-resources.
KNOW OTHERS WHO BELIEVE IN A BETTER BUSINESS MODEL?
Do you know other people who are interested in the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit? Conscientious eaders and businesses who believe in doing business for the greater good? Then send them this link so they can receive our eletter free every other week devoted, of course, to the greater good!
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If you're interested in seeing the companies we've certified to date, go here.
If you're interested in learning more about our certification process, go here.
If you're interested in becoming an Oregon Benefit Company, go here.