Stories for the Benefit Corporations Community.
How a Strategic Financial Services Firm Found Its Purpose Far Beyond the Bottom Line
As the founder and CEO of Tailwind PDX, Colleen Ruhlin brings a Fortune 100 financial and accounting skill set to her clients. Her strategic thinking and ability to see beyond a company’s financial statistics can do much to improve the performance of a business.
But when she made the decision to become an Oregon Benefit Company, she knew it wasn’t solely about the numbers. It was based on the practice of a Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit where a business focuses on its employees, its clients, and its communities in addition to making a profit.
We recently interviewed Colleen about becoming a certified Oregon Benefit Company. Here’s what she had to say about it, her motivation for doing it, and why it was right for her business.
Conscientious Living: Lessons from the Tarahumara
Some say our societies are becoming more homogeneous. With increased globalization, diversity in our communities and social media connections, some wonder if our distinct differences are becoming blurred.
Is this a good thing?
Or are we losing something in the process?
These questions came front and center on a recent trip to Copper Canyon in Mexico. To reach the canyon, home of the Tarahumara Indians, we boarded the famed El Chepe train in El Fuerte, one of Mexico’s ‘Pueblos Magicos” magical towns.
How to Start Your Journey to Inclusion: Simple First Steps
Cinthia Manuel and I recently had the opportunity to present a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focus topic at the “Conscientious Leadership” workshop, hosted by Benefit Corporations for Good. Sharing our insights and hearing about attendees’ experiences trying to drive change in this area was a fantastic experience, full of learning for us all.
Especially for those on a triple-bottom line journey, the words Inclusion, Equity, Equality, Diversity, Accessibility, and Justice are commonplace.
Could Nonprofits Fulfill their Missions as Benefit Corporations?
I love many nonprofits. I support them and have been an Executive Director of one. I can go on and on about the contributions they make in our communities. But I also know the challenges they face. Executive Directors have shared these observations and realities about nonprofits:
What Role Does Authenticity Play in a Triple Bottom Line Organization?
On the podcast “Authenticity Matters,” we discuss how organizations can authentically benefit people and the planet while still managing to pursue a profitable outcome
How a World-Class Research Firm Found its Big ‘Aha’ in Becoming a Force for Good
When Marzano Research decided to become an Oregon Benefit Company, they knew that a Triple Bottom Line approach to business was the only way for them. After all, they believe that a business must go beyond just making profit to be of value in the eyes of their employees, their clients and their communities.
Recently they felt the time was right to certify those beliefs and practices of…
Conscientious Leadership: The Journey Is On
I sometimes pat myself on the back, telling myself I get it.
After all, I am pretty empathetic and consider other people ‘s feelings. But truth be told, I sometimes think that my opinion is the best one. In short, I can be dogmatic at times.
Is this conscientious leadership… driven by authenticity, transparency, equity and yes HUMILITY?
How an Organization that Helps Businesses Raise Funds Raised its Own Profile
Early in 2019, founder Nathan Gustafson launched GiveMore to help businesses and people donate more to worthy causes. His company does this by providing tools and services that enable charitable giving, matching donations, and the socialization of causes
As a certified Benefit Corporation for Good, he believes and practices the Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profit.
6 Lessons of Collaboration from the Aspen Grove
Have you ever experienced the beauty of an Aspen Grove? Its regal rhythm and movement? Its mesmerizing sound?
The Aspen tree is a treat for the eyes and ears. Not only is it a lovely tree, but it is also magical as when a breeze passes, and the leaves flutter a peaceful humming melody.
But our love of the tree goes deeper than its impact on our senses.
Many of you may not know that the Aspen Grove is a great metaphor for one of the paramount tenets of Benefit Corporations: Collaboration.
4 Key Traits to Becoming an Authentic Leader
You would have had to be under a rock for the past five years to not have heard about the value of authenticity. I’m talking about authenticity as a brand and authenticity as a leader.
Fact is, it’s something we see in the conscientious leaders of the benefit corporations we certify.
The reason for so much discussion is clear.
Benefit Corporations Know How to Reach Their Customers. Do You?
Do you have fans? Are they loyal donors, clients, partners? Are you using them as your ambassadors? Are they part of your “Friendraising” team?
One of the new “golden rules” of Benefit Corporations is to utilize your fans as champions in telling your brand story. We have all heard about the value of testimonials, but rarely…
Most Perplexing Question about the Triple Bottom Line?
Let’s set the record straight.
We absolutely love the Millennial and Gen Z generations.
In our minds, their passion, their belief in doing what's right and their commitment to a better planet and community is without question.
Yet something troubles us about the Triple Bottom Line…
How an Oregon Winery Created Real Wines of Distinction
Finding great growing conditions, harvesting the right grapes and guiding the overseeing it all with the artistry of a seasoned winemaker usually gets a winery noticed. But in the case of Archer Vineyard, the winery went a step beyond.
Not long ago, it became a certified Benefit Corporation for Good…
Now Needed More Than Ever: Humility in the Workplace
Let’s talk relationships.
I mean authentic, sincere and real relationships. Relationships that are based on respect and trust. And not founded on what we can get from one another to further the business.
It’s a paradigm shift focused around…
How a Conscientious Leader Deals with Mistakes: 10 Valuable Observations
Many of the small businesses and entrepreneurs we have certified as Benefit Corporations for Good have experienced a few bruises and some scars as well.
Yet, they persevere.
It’s hard to launch and grow a business dedicated to the principles of the triple bottom line: People, Planet, Profit. They intimately know the long hours it takes to pursue their mission of doing good for the commons. They know there are no shortcuts for a quick buck.
It’s what differentiates them from other companies: their…
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…