Stories from the Community

For the Greater Good - Volume 12, Issue 4
Tom Hering Tom Hering

For the Greater Good - Volume 12, Issue 4

As another year is rapidly coming to close, I'm reminded of the word "change." How do I as a leader continue to work toward our mission in helping create meaningful change in my community?

To spread the word of all the good the benefit corporation can do for its employees, its community and its world. And to attract other conscientous leaders to carry our banner for social and environmental impact one company at a time.

To that end, here are a few highlights of the BCFG work we did in 2023:

Advocated for and led successful effort for Oregon bill giving benefit corporations a sustainable advantage in seeking state government contracts (first in the country).

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Benefit Corporations for Good Spotlight: Willamette Technical Fabricators
Tom Hering Tom Hering

Benefit Corporations for Good Spotlight: Willamette Technical Fabricators

What kind of small business chooses to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good? Glad you asked. For we are putting the spotlight on businesses that believe in and practice a triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit. Here we are putting the light on Willamette Technical Fabricators in Portland, Oregon.

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For the Greater Good - Volume 11, Issue 4
Tom Hering Tom Hering

For the Greater Good - Volume 11, Issue 4

Gratitude is very much on my mind during this month of giving thanks. Besides my health, family and friends, I'm most grateful for the leaders of the 85 triple bottom line companies that make up the BCFG community.

They're what I call "Conscientious Leaders."

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Benefit Corporations for Good Spotlight: Bridge City Media
Tom Hering Tom Hering

Benefit Corporations for Good Spotlight: Bridge City Media

What kind of small business chooses to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good? Glad you asked. For we are putting the spotlight on businesses that believe in and practice a triple bottom line of People, Planet and Profit. Here we are shining the force for good light on Bridge City Media in Portland, Oregon.

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6 Strategies for Small Businesses Aiming to Become More Inclusive
Tom Hering Tom Hering

6 Strategies for Small Businesses Aiming to Become More Inclusive

To help small businesses become more inclusive, we've gathered six valuable tips from CEOs and HR managers. These insights range from investing in marginalized clients and customers to adopting blind-recruitment and inclusion workshops. Dive in to learn more about these strategies for inclusivity.


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10 Keys to Getting a Bill Passed in Your State Legislature
Tom Hering Tom Hering

10 Keys to Getting a Bill Passed in Your State Legislature

Let me start by saying I’m no lobbyist or legislative expert. But I recently helped get a bill passed in the 2023 Oregon legislature.

It was the first time I’ve ever worked on such a challenge.

Thanks to efforts by my outstanding state representative and a very supportive community, I was able to get my bill supporting Oregon benefit companies (benefit corporations) to the governor’s desk and her signing on July 31, 2023.

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For the Greater Good - Volume 7, Issue 4
Tom Hering Tom Hering

For the Greater Good - Volume 7, Issue 4

Oregon is now the first state to offer benefit corporations a sustainable advantage. Thanks to her diligence, my Oregon State Representative Thuy Tran helped us pass HB 3572. Here'sthe story you'll find on our blog:

Oregon benefit companies will gain an advantage in competing for contracts from government agencies after Gov. Tina Kotek signed H.B. 3572 into law on Monday, July 31st.

 A contracting government agency will be allowed to select an Oregon benefit company over a contractor that is not a benefit company as long as the values of the bids are separated by less than 5%.

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Oregon Becomes First State To Offer Sustainable Advantage to Benefit Corporations
Tom Hering Tom Hering

Oregon Becomes First State To Offer Sustainable Advantage to Benefit Corporations

Oregon benefit companies will gain an advantage in competing for contracts from government agencies after Gov. Tina Kotek signed H.B. 3572 into law on Monday, July 31st.

 A contracting government agency will be allowed to select an Oregon benefit company over a contractor that is not a benefit company as long as the values of the bids are separated by less than 5%.

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12 Essential Steps to Becoming a Sustainable Business
Tom Hering Tom Hering

12 Essential Steps to Becoming a Sustainable Business

To help you understand the crucial steps toward becoming a sustainable business, we've gathered insights from twelve industry leaders and sustainability experts. From integrating sustainability holistically to building a business on integrity, these CEOs, directors, and other professionals share their top strategies for sustainability. Dive into their wisdom and learn how to make your business more sustainable.

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How a Business Doing Good for People Doing Good Did Some Good for Itself
Tom Hering Tom Hering

How a Business Doing Good for People Doing Good Did Some Good for Itself

As a full-service staffing agency for nonprofits, Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) knows a thing or two about doing good. It’s in their DNA. After all, many of the team members of NPN have experience with or working for mission-driven organizations.

Recently, the organization made the decision to become a part of the Benefit Corporations for Good community. They saw a natural fit as their values aligned with other organizations practicing a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

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For the Greater Good - Volume 6 - Issue 4
Tom Hering Tom Hering

For the Greater Good - Volume 6 - Issue 4

BCFG continues to work at helping small businesses become beacons of light to all stakeholders. Our community has now identified two of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to support as a community and as individual businesses.

Currently we are doing due diligence to find an organization to support and advocate for in regard to SDG #10, "Reduced Inequities." The change from "inequalities" to "inequities" was initiated by a few of our purpose-driven leaders

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The Emerging New Business Paradigm: Social Justice, Equity, Allyship
MaryAnne Harmer MaryAnne Harmer

The Emerging New Business Paradigm: Social Justice, Equity, Allyship

Many of us are disheartened by the daily news.   Our society is increasingly polarized with fear and hatred of the “Other”.  And many of us wonder what businesses can do.  

 Given the reality of the times, perhaps we need to evolve the triple bottom line with more clarity to the “people and planet” parts of the equation -- as the old best practices may no longer be sufficient. For sadly, despite efforts to focus on the triple bottom line, our communities are still divisive, and more disparities are emerging. A business focus toward Social Justice, Equity and true Allyship may be an important step in the right direction.

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For the Greater Good - Volume 5, Issue 3
Tom Hering Tom Hering

For the Greater Good - Volume 5, Issue 3

And so the adventure began.

Five years ago on April 1, Benefit Corporations for Good was born. It was sparked by the book Mary Anne Harmer and I wrote Putting Soul Into Business: How the Benefit Corporation is Transforming American Business for Good. And the 11 thought leaders interviewed for the book provided the fuel for our fire.

Now 77 small businesses, 8 states, and 1 Canadian province later…

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How the Triple Bottom Line Boosted a New Jersey Solar Products Business
Tom Hering Tom Hering

How the Triple Bottom Line Boosted a New Jersey Solar Products Business

Creating a sustainable future by providing clean, renewable energy is the mission of Advanced Solar Products. The solar developer and EPC has been delivering on that mission for over three decades primarily in New Jersey, New York, and New England.

But ASP wanted to do more. It’s why they chose to become a certified Benefit Corporation for Good. Using a third-party standard helps keep ASP not only accountable but sets an example for other companies in their region to motivate and inspire them to also adopt a triple bottom line and do good for people and planet.

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1 Important Action to Show Your Business Commitment to Social Impact
Tom Hering Tom Hering

1 Important Action to Show Your Business Commitment to Social Impact

From looking at everything with an equity lens to re-designing products with waste minimization in mind, here are 11 answers to the question, "What important actions has your business taken to show its commitment to social impact?”

  • Make Equity a Foundational and Important Action Step

  • Be Honest About the Social Issues You're Up Against

  • Have an Honest Conversation About Who You’re Surrounded by

  • Invest in the Well-being of Your Team

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