Funding The Inclusive Economy: How Purpose-Minded Investors Are Changing Capitalism

While the vast majority of investments continue to go to companies owned by white men, there is a growing movement of purpose-minded investors seeking to even the playing field. Susan Baker of Trillium Asset Management and Shawn Berry of LIFT Economy talk about their work in this fledgling space.

Posted On 2020-10-09

Vital Farms IPO Shows Acceptance Of Stakeholder Versus Stockholder Values On The Market

Ethical food company and Certified B Corporation Vital Farms had an incredibly successful IPO earlier this year, raising $200 million in capital, and solidifying the marketplace as a space where purpose and profit can create competitive advantage.

Posted On 2020-10-06

Co-Operative Structure Proves Resilient In The Face Of Crisis

Cabot Creamery is a dairy co-operative based in Vermont with 800 farms throughout New England and in New York. With a diversified ownership structure, the company operates with a stakeholder approach that has provided resilience during COVID.

Posted On 2020-10-01

Do Businesses Have A Role In Solving Poverty In The Time Of COVID-19? These B Corps Say ‘Yes’

COVID-19 shook what was a fragile financial foundation for many. What is the role of business in addressing poverty during COVID-19? I spoke with two B Corps developing ways businesses can support marginalized communities, both as employees or as communities impacted by a company’s supply chain.

Posted On 2020-09-22

From NAFTA To COVID: How One North Carolina Business Has Built Better Supply Chains In Times Of Change

Eric Henry, president and CEO of TS Designs, discusses his journey to embracing a triple bottom line and championing transparent supply chains. When the North American Free Trade Agreement was enacted, it drastically impacted his business. Now COVID has forced the company to adapt again.

Posted On 2020-09-17

Business Social Innovation To Tackle Cycles Of Poverty

A growing number of businesses are strategically hiring people from marginalized communities, an innovative and sustainable way for businesses to address chronic poverty. This article breaks down several innovative practices B Corps are utilizing to support these communities.

Posted On 2020-09-08

How To Future-Proof Your Business For The New Capitalism

As demographics shift, purpose-driven businesses are thriving. Recent research shows companies focusing on multiple stakeholders increasingly reap the benefits. Certifying as a B Corporation effectively embeds stakeholder governance into companies’ DNA, preparing them for the future.

Posted On 2020-07-10

What Happens When COVID-19 Is Driving Demand? Grove Collaborative Delivers Soap And Sanitizer To Customers Without Sacrificing Mission

By valuing its existing customers, suppliers, and workers, the San Francisco-based household products business and Certified B Corporation navigated skyrocketing demand in an ever-changing market while staying true to its focus on sustainability and other social values.

Posted On 2020-07-07

How Allbirds Is Reinventing Shoes: The Leader Driving The Industry Into A Circular, Purpose-Driven Future

Fast fashion is the dominant trend, but consumers expect more from companies, especially as the purchasing power of millennials grows. Allbirds is on the cutting edge of this shift and has shown its commitment to purpose, including during this pandemic, and challenges other brands to follow suit.

Posted On 2020-06-29

Global Food Giant Adopts Stakeholder Model To Survive COVID-19 And The Long-Term

While Danone has a long standing commitment to incorporating social and environmental factors in its decisions, COVID-19 has honed that focus. Now, the MNC food company is formalizing that commitment through a new French business model that considers all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

Posted On 2020-06-26

How A Toothbrush Could Help Solve Our Ocean Plastic Crisis

Preserve was ahead of the sustainability game in the late 1990s, when the business launched to transform recyclables into household goods. Now, the Certified B Corporation is taking a more proactive stance to keep plastics out of ocean waters and support environmental organizations around the world.

Posted On 2020-06-18

For Businesses To Be Actively Anti-Racist, They Have To Put In The Work And Investment For The Long-Term

How can business address the structural racism that infects our society? Anthea Kelsick: "If we want to be part of a solution that moves toward a system that is truly inclusive, equitable and empowers all people—then we must talk about race and take action to dismantle racism and white supremacy.”

Posted On 2020-06-10

Why Ben & Jerry’s Won’t Stay Silent On White Supremacy—Or Other Social Justice Issues

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Posted On 2020-06-09

Through Worker Engagement, An Employee-Owned Flour Company Adapts To COVID

As COVID-19 continues to impact businesses across the nation, the baking supplies industry is seeing a surge. Employee-owned B Corp King Arthur Flour adjusted operations based on input from its workers on how to best balance worker safety and the uptick in demand for pantry essentials.

Posted On 2020-05-21

How This Impact Investor Evaluates Its Investments

See how Bridges Fund Management demonstrates the value of a multi-stakeholder approach and uses innovative tools in due-due-dilligence

Posted On 2020-05-18

Lessons From Patagonia: Stay Outspoken On Climate And Policy For Success And Social Change

Since 1973, Patagonia has built its business around environmental stewardship and social responsibility—long before those became buzzwords. As annual sales approach $1 billion, the wildly popular B Corp is committed to greater political action and stronger community connections.

Posted On 2020-05-15

How Being an Employee-Owned B Corp Played a Role in New Belgium’s Recent Sale

At the end of 2019, New Belgium sold to Lion Little World Beverages. Lion Little World Beverages acquired 100% of New Belgium in an all-cash transaction. Article discusses transaction and role of employee ownership on New Belgium culture.

Posted On 2020-05-12

Why Investments That Maximize Impact And Returns Will Be Especially Important For COVID-19 Recovery

While the investment world is known for a focus on maximizing profits for shareholders, some in the industry include other stakeholders in that equation. Investor firms considering a shift can find a good example in Bridges Fund Management, which has been living those values for nearly 20 years.

Posted On 2020-05-08

At New Belgium Brewery, Employee Ownership Results In A Pay Out Of More Than $200 Million To Workers

New Belgium Brewing, the fourth largest U.S. craft brewer, sold to Lion Little World, an Australian company owned by Japanese beverage giant Kirin, at the end of 2019. The brewery was an employee-owned B Corporation at the time, resulting in a payout of more than $200 Million to workers.

Posted On 2020-05-01

B Corp’s Innovative Employee Practice Inspires Launch of National Nonprofit

Rhino Foods’ Income Advance program paved the way for opening of foundation dedicated to scaling programs to help employees achieve financial security

Posted On 2020-04-29

Innovative Employee Practices Provide Financial Support In Good Times—And In Crisis

Through its pioneering work in establishing an Income Advance Program, Rhino Foods helps employees weather short-term financial challenges.

Posted On 2020-04-16

The Business Roundtable CEOs Have Spoken. Here’s How They Can Act

The CEOs from the Business Roundtable can take two inspirations from the B Corp movement in order to move their initiative from the domain of talk to the domain of action.

Posted On 2019-09-26

Varieties Of Capitalism And The Future Of Stakeholder Management

Yesterday, American nonprofit B Lab announced an important step in the transition to stakeholder capitalism. Six publicly-traded global multinational companies from Europe and Brazil are committing to work together to advance stakeholder governance and accountability into their businesses.

Posted On 2020-09-11

The Anti-Racism Work Your Business Should Be Doing: Insights From B Corp TMI Consulting’s Tiffany Jana

In the wake of shootings and other violent attacks on People of Color, companies are stepping up to address the pressing issues associated with systemic racism. Dr. Tiffany Jana of TMI Consulting discusses the anti-racism work her company does in leading organizations.

Posted On 2020-09-02

Innovative Workforce Programs Make Businesses Work For Employees

COVID-19 put the insecure and vulnerable plight of many workers in the spotlight. Employee practices at two B Corps provide an example of how businesses can give workers an opportunity to learn new skills, contribute to a social mission, and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Posted On 2020-08-26

Brands Are Only As Successful And Impactful As Their Stakeholders: Transparency And Brand Activism With B Corp Beautycounter

For Beautycounter, this includes advocacy at the federal and state level, investments in research, and a focus on issues surrounding the sourcing of ingredients such as mica, a key component of cosmetics and other consumer products. Edit Details... UPDATE

Posted On 2020-08-26

Customers Care About How Your Supply Chain Functions—Time To Bring Its Impact Up To Higher Standards

People increasingly expect businesses to uphold higher social and environmental standards, and this includes a company’s supply chain. Cleaning-products brand Seventh Generation serves as an example of how to bring your supply chain up to higher standards.

Posted On 2020-08-19

It’s No Longer A Viable Option For Capitalism To Ignore Carbon Impact

Carbon emissions, often viewed by businesses as an externality, are beginning to cost companies, and investors are taking note. To learn more, I spoke with Fifth Wall, a venture capital firm focused on real estate’s carbon impact.

Posted On 2020-08-13

How Athleta’s Purpose Shaped Its Response To The COVID-19 Crisis

Athleta is one of the largest apparel brands in the world to adopt a legal structure that requires it to consider all stakeholders, not just shareholders. That business approach takes on new significance during the current COVID-19 pandemic, which has created financial uncertainty for many workers.

Posted On 2020-08-06

Operate Your Business As You See Fit: New Legal Form Widens Directors’ Decision-Making Considerations

The benefit corporation is a corporate form that enables companies to consider a broad range of stakeholders in decision-making, giving business leaders a greater choice in how their companies operate.

Posted On 2020-08-03

Is Your Business Ready For Stakeholder Capitalism?

Stakeholder capitalism is growing in prominence around the globe, and consumers are taking notice of whether companies join in or not. Business leaders should adapt to this economic model, and can look to B Corporations as examples of how to do it.

Posted On 2020-07-29

An Interactive Arts Space Reinvents Itself For The Post-Covid Era

Learn about how Santa Fe based Meow Wolf, an interactive arts space with a social mission has responded to COVID-19.

Posted On 2020-07-28

How Patagonia became the B corps poster child — Quartz at Work

Posted On 2020-02-17

What are B corps, and can they fix capitalism? — Quartz at Work

Posted On 2020-02-16

Cornell Faculty Highlight

My co-authored paper on activism in China was recognized as one of eight finalists for the 2019 IACMR-RRBM Award for Responsible Research in Management.

Posted On 2019-05-15