Stories from the Community
Who Else Wants to Help Oregon Small Businesses Impact the World?
The Oregon Benefit Company was introduced in January 2014. Yet very few state businesses know about it or the simple steps required to become one. In fact, Oregon lists over 320,000 businesses today but only 1800 of them, or less than .5%, have chosen to become one.
How can this be, you ask?
Well, the plain and simple fact is that there is a lack of awareness. But we aim to change that and need your support so we can spread the word about how a business can commit to making a positive impact on society and the environment in addition to making a profit.
How a Purpose-Driven Consulting Firm Took It Up Another Notch
Change is the new normal. Resilient, agile and adaptive organizations stay ahead of the competition. And while The Peak Fleet co-founders Jen Coyne and Brian Stinson help prepare organizations for dealing effectively with such organizational change, they’ve also embraced a transformation of their own by becoming a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
For the past 3 years, their firm has modeled the principles of the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit. No doubt those values have been part of their careers and business from the get-go. And recently they felt the time was right to certify those values and practices through Benefit Corporations for Good.
6 Ideas from Benefit Corporations To Ramp Up Product Innovation and Creativity
What is the secret sauce to product innovation? Businesses large and small understand that to stay relevant in today’s world, it’s important to stay fresh and even be transformative in their industry.
A survey by IBM of more than 1,500 chief executive officers shows consensus: Creativity was ranked as the number one factor for future business success—above management discipline, integrity, and even vision.
Too often, however, companies get stuck in the status quo…
How a Tiny California Town Underscored the Power of the Triple Bottom Line for Me
After just returning from an unforgettable trip to Northern California, I must say I have renewed and unabashed enthusiasm for the Triple Bottom Line movement. And it all started with our journey and quest for oysters and a stop at Hog Island Oyster Company.
It's what opened my eyes as we walked into this little gem of an oyster shack. For sure my mouth watered at the sight of the Sweetwaters and French Hog oysters that I saw in front of me. But what really got my attention …
How Benefit Corporations Fulfill Their Promise for the “Greater Good”
It’s in their DNA.
Serving the commons while making a profit.
It is one of the hallmarks of work culture in Benefit Corporations and it comes naturally to the Benefit Companies and Corporations we know.
For many of these companies, this purpose is equally as important as…
Why It’s Time for Kindness in the Workplace
Be Kind. It is the new mantra and each day we try hard to do kind things for others -- family, friends, and strangers we meet on the street. But it seems to be more challenging to practice this value in the workplace.
And it’s easy to understand why. After all…
3 Keys to Creating a Diverse (And Productive) Work Environment
Many small business leaders today are charged with the stewardship of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (D/E/I) work of their organization. Those who truly embrace this work as core to the achievement of their overall business goals will experience more challenges and, yes more rewards. The diversity literature indicates that holistically engaging diverse workers will lead to increased creativity and overall team performance when the differences are managed effectively.
So, what does this mean to you?
1 Simple Way To Clearly Differentiate Your Brand
It’s getting harder and harder to clearly differentiate your brand these days. And it’s not hard to believe given that the average consumer is exposed to anywhere between 4,000 and 10,000 ad messages a day! We remember not long ago when we quoted to prospects that the number was closer to 500.
Why a Company Should Certify: A Client's Review
As an advocate of the B Corporation movement and designation, I speak often about business certifications. Should a company apply for a certification? What’s the value in becoming certified? Is it worth the cost? Are some certifications more important than others?
In this post, I’ll try to answer some basic questions, framed in our company’s experience, and help you identify the kinds of designations you may want to avoid.
Why Become a Benefit Corporation: The Revealing Business Case
Certification as a Benefit Corporation business is what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk or LEEDs certification is to buildings. Benefit Companies and Benefit Corporations are for-profit companies certified around standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. In an era of ‘greenwashing’ and misleading labels…
5 Time-Tested Lessons for the Workplace (“Pura Vida” Anyone?)
We visited during the dry season, but that didn’t stop a few rain showers. But this is Costa Rica and it is an emerald world with frogs, butterflies, sloths, volcanoes and monkeys that enchant. This, of course, isn’t a travelogue but a blog about a word heard often in Costa Rica: Pura Vida. It’s a word …
How a Portland Creative Services Firm Found Its Big Idea in Legalese
Never underestimate the power of an idea whose time has come. And that time was just three weeks for creative wizard Julie Eickhof of Eickhof Creative Shop. You see, while changing her business structure to an LLC…
Confession from a Devoted Advocate for the Triple Bottom Line
As I begin my second year as an evangelist for the Triple Bottom Line movement, I need to clear my conscience. You see, I have not always been the greatest example of People, Planet and Profit. And I hate admitting that because I do believe you lead by example.
But my story needs to be told.
Seven years ago…
17 Uplifting Examples of Putting Soul Into Business
A year ago this week, my business partner and I introduced our book Putting Soul Into Business: How the Benefit Corporation is Transforming American Business for Good. It tells the story of the benefit corporation movement and all the reasons it’s not only right for business but it’s right for the times we live in.
Think…
10 Common Myths about Benefit Corporations
The Benefit Corporation movement has been around since 2010. Yet 9 years later, there continues to be confusion about this entity and its relation to Benefit Companies and B Corps. Here are the ten subjects most often asked about during our workshops in 2018.
2 Words To Ensure Long-Term Entrepreneur Success (Hint: Cause-Driven)
There is no magic formula for a startup. But in today’s world, it is not just about focusing on the bottom line of generating revenue and managing expenses. In 2019, customers make choices not solely on the cost and quality of a product or service, but whether the company itself is doing good. That means for entrepreneurs who want to ensure long-term success …
Why the Heck Should I Become a Benefit Corporation in 2019?
It’s a new year and you have been hearing things about this new business model. It’s called a Benefit Corporation.
Are you are intrigued?
It’s based on the principles of the triple bottom line of People Planet and Profit. Perhaps your business already practices some of the principles.
How an Oregon Website Management Company Created a Connection Way Beyond Digital
Everyone wants a solid, reliable connection to the digital world. But what if that connection was also part of building a better community and planet. Enter David and Angela Anderson of Canvas Host. Not only are they B Corp and 1% For the Planet certified, but they are a recently certified Benefit Corporation for Good.