The Greater Good - Volume 4, Issue 8
“Be the change you wish to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi
When a business becomes a purpose-driven business, there's a big shift in its thinking and acting. Businesses change from thinking “how much profit can I make” to “how much good can I do while still making a profit.”
Now I know it’s a big shift. But the research supports small businesses making this shift as employees and consumer are wanting more, make that demanding more, from businesses.
These leaders are aware of the pertinent data points. Like a recent Sustainable Brands article citing a 2022 Harris Poll about employees and prospective employees where:
88 percent believe companies focused on Purpose will be more successful compared with those that are not.
86 percent say having "meaning" in their work is more important than ever before.
84 percent will only work at Purpose-driven companies/brands.
And a 2020 purpose study commissioned by Zeno Group that asked 8,000 consumers in 8 global markets about their thoughts on when a brand has a strong purpose:
Consumers were 4 times more likely to purchase from that brand
They were 4.5 times more likely to recommend that brand to friends and family, and
They were 4.1 times more likely to trust that brand
By incorporating as a benefit corporation, you as a small business owner demonstrate to your employees, customers and all of your stakeholders your commitment to doing good as you now have that commitment written into to your governing business documents such as your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization.
The businesses that are now part of our growing community believe in and realize that having a purpose of doing good is also good for their businesses…their employees…their customers…their communities…and their planet.
Most importantly, they see that small business, not just Fortune 500 companies, can be a change mechanism…a disruptor. And yes, a disruptor in their own industries.
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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 that choose to become a Benefit Corporation for Good. Just reach out to us.
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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 see our first video of a BCFG campaign putting the spotlight on purpose-driven leaders and why they chose to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
Secondly, you'll find 11 tips for your small business to create social impact. Learn from 11 thought-leaders how to bring meaningful impact to your community and beyond.
And finally, from TriplePundit.com, you can discover 9 ways to turn purpose into action with your business. Learn the tips that go beyond maximizing profit.
Why Did Your Small Business Become a Certified BCFG Many people have asked us what is a certified Benefit Corporation for Good? To help answer that, a video series has been created with responses from the leaders of our growing purpose-driven community. Here's the first of 6 different videos featuring leaders in B2C, legal, banking, creative and professional services on why they became a certified BCFG. Watch Now
11 Tips for Your Small Business to Create Social Impact What is one simple step a small business can take to create social impact? To help you identify simple steps to take for your small business to create social impact, we asked our Benefit Corp community and other business leaders this question for their best insights. From living by example to focusing on individuals, there are several tips that small business owners could follow to make a meaningful impact in the communities and beyond. Read Now
9 Ways To Turn Purpose into Action for Your Small Business Business is increasingly required to play a role in society which goes beyond maximising stakeholder profit. So it’s perhaps no surprise that 'purpose’ is gaining traction as a way for business to forge a different, more meaningful role in society. But the biggest challenge is how to start. Despite the buzz, there is very little equipping people within business to develop brands whose values align with how their business operates. Here's where to start: Read Now
HIGHLIGHTS
SPECIAL EVENING with some amazing leaders at our first BCFG "Happy Hour for Good." Got a big time hit of what "purpose-driven energy" feels like. Already looking forward to our next gathering in early January!
COME JOIN US: We’re doing another quarterly clean-up event with SOLVE! Come join us and other BCFG leaders as we all do some good for the Cully District of Portland. Bring a friend. RSVP as soon as possible by emailing tom@benefitcorporationsforgood.com
HONORED to receive this award from UpCity.com, a third-party-review site on the work we do. Read what people are saying about us.
NO COST WORKSHOP if you're interested in learning more about the "why" and "how" for the benefit corporation. We're happy to put on a "no cost" webinar for groups of 3 or more. Either in-person or via Zoom. Just email me at tom@benefitcorporationsforgood.com
LEARN MORE about our 8 standards for becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
EVENTS
November 2: How to Protect Your Business Name, Logo & Content
Info here.
November 5: BCFG "Clean-Up for Good" in PDX Cully District
Email tom@benefitcorporationsforgood.com by 11/2
November 9: Ways to Grow & Fund Your Business
Info here.
November 20: Anti-Capitalism at Work
Info here.
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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.