Why Do The WhyB: Programme 2022

X+Why are on a mission to change the way the world works for good. As a certified B Corporation, part of the way in which we do this is by helping other start-ups in the space achieve their place amongst the growing network of companies reinventing business, by pursuing purpose as well as profit. The WhyB programme helps to streamline the process, bringing clarity and organisation to businesses of all sizes. The next Programme will be running across three Thursdays this Spring - 31st March, 14th April and 28th April. Businesses need to attend all three sessions, which will be held at x+why, People's Mission Hall, Whitechapel.

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📈 Are you interested in measuring your impact?

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♻️ Do you want to understand how you can be a more responsible business?

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🏅 Have you considered becoming a certified B Corp?

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If you answered 'Yes!' to any of these questions please check out the WhyB Programme - a course designed to support and motivate businesses as they learn more about the B Corp Certification and complete their B Impact Assessment (BIA).

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What Is a B Corp?

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Certified B Corporations are companies who are committed to prioritising the environment and society in the way they do business.

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Currently there are 4,000 businesses globally who have certified as B Corps. The B Corp community in the UK, represents a broad cross section of industries and sizes, comprising over 400 companies and includes well-known brands such as The Guardian, innocent, Patagonia, The Body Shop and organic food pioneers Abel & Cole.

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Being B Corp Certified is about growing a business in the right way and is the only certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental performance. All B Corporations are independently assessed to ensure they meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

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The certification process is rigorous, and considers the entirety of a business’ operations, covering the key impact areas of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers. To complete certification, companies must legally embed their commitment to purpose beyond profit in their company articles. This is where the WhyB comes in!

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The WhyB Programme

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The WhyB Programme is hosted at x+why in partnership with: B Lab UK, a non-profit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good; and Seismic Change, a consultancy of B Corp Consultants, Net Zero Experts and Sustainability Strategists.

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It is designed to motivate businesses as they complete their B Impact Assessment (BIA) - the key to unlocking the coveted BCorp certification, but also an excellent planning tool and way to measure impact for businesses of all sizes.  

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The Programme combines the expert help of B Corp Consultants from consultancy Seismic, a network of likeminded peers, and an inspiring environment in which to meet and work. The usual steps are:

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• With the support of a B Corp specialist from Seismic, and a network of peers, each business will complete the entire assessment, and achieve a score by the end of the Programme.
• The B Impact Assessment can feel overwhelming. It is often deprioritised as mounting work takes over. Knowing where to find the right information can be tricky. Plus there are just so many questions! If any of this sounds familiar, then the WhyB Programme can help. Designed to motivate and support businesses as they navigate the BIA, it creates focused time and accountability, plus gives you access to a dedicated B Corp Consult who can answer those impossible questions.
• There are three sessions spread over six weeks. Each session covers one or two of the pillars of the B Impact Assessment; Governance, Environment, Workers, Community and Customers. Together, with the support of a B Corp specialist from Seismic, and a network of peers, each business will complete the entire assessment, and achieve a score by the end of the Programme.
• WhyB is an excellent way for business, large and small, to understand their impact, improve it, have fun and create long term impact within their company, as well as meet and network with like-minded businesses and CEO's. The live sessions are designed to remove any confusion or complexity, and allow time and space to ask those impossible questions and get the answers as you need them.
• The WhyB Programme is hosted at x+why in partnership with: B Lab UK, a non-profit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good; and Seismic, a consultancy of B Corp Consultants, Net Zero Experts and Sustainability Strategists. It is designed to motivate businesses as they complete their B Impact Assessment (BIA) - the key to unlocking the coveted B Corp certification, but also an excellent planning tool and way to measure impact for businesses of all sizes.
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Who’s Invited:

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We invite any businesses* - and specifically leaders, CEOs, and sustainability managers - who are interested in:

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• Why social and environmental impact matters
• Becoming a certified B Corporation or just assessing their impact
• Networking and learning from like-minded peers
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*Whilst all companies can become B Corp Certified, this programme is specifically designed for companies with >12 months of operations and more than 1 employee

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Seismic Spotlight: Becoming a B Corp

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If you’re interested in finding out more, workshop leaders Seismic Change host a B Corp Podcast series where you can hear more from business leaders like you; running companies on a mission to do good and certify their journey to B Corp standards of success. Be inspired, learn from their challenges, and find out what it takes to both achieve and maintain the gold standard when it comes to building a brave new world of better businesses.

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Programme Dates

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The next Programme will be running across three Thursdays this Spring - 28th March, 14th April and 28th April. Businesses need to attend all three sessions, which will be held at x+why, People's Mission Hall, Whitechapel. This is an inspiring workspace of mission driven businesses, walking distance from the City and with its own Private Garden. Attendees are welcome to stay on and work in the space following the sessions. The Programme costs £250 per business.

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