In this weekly series we’ve been looking into various B Corporations to see how they bring to life their intention of being good for the world. This week we will highlight more B Corporations, and look again at the beliefs and intention of the creators of the ‘B Corporation’ concept. We’ll begin with a quote from Andrew Kassoy, CEO and co-founder of B Lab Global:
“It’s amazing what capitalism can produce. I think we, at our peril, underestimate how much business can do for social good if the system is structured in the right way.”
The following paragraph tells us more about how the B Corporation organizers view their mission, and what they believe:
“Society’s most challenging problems cannot be solved by government and nonprofits alone. The B Corp community works toward reduced inequality, lower levels of poverty, a healthier environment, stronger communities, and the creation of more high quality jobs with dignity and purpose.”
AMS Fulfillment is fully aligned with the B Corp vision. Information on our various programs and policies has been published in a number of blogs at the AMS website. We have made exciting advances in workforce development and education programs. Our hiring practices, our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and our involvement in the community are well known. We’ve made outstanding efforts in the past few months with regard to employee safety during COVID. We’re proud to be a B Corp.
This week we feature B Corporations that are also focused on their workforce and their communities in special ways. The first article is about Rhino Foods. As a benefit, this company offers a no-interest loan program, so that if employees have an emergency they won’t have to take out a high interest payday loan.
The next article goes into three different B Corps who are creating a better world by building strong community connections as a safety net for the people. These companies are Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC³), based in New York City; in Maine, Luke’s Lobster and in Oregon, AllCare Health.
** ** **
B Corps Turn to Stakeholder Connections to Help Workers and Community During COVID-19
Amid Public Health Crisis and Financial Upheaval, B Corps Provide Assistance to Maintain Stability
As the ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the globe, shaking economic, health care, employment, and education systems, the impacts were and continue to be felt most by the least fortunate among us. In the United States, the effects include historically high unemployment rates, financial instability, and food and housing insecurity. On a global scale, the pandemic has fragmented global trade and supply chains while further exposing health inequities and infrastructure shortfalls.
Even before COVID-19, many people in the United States were on a shaky financial foundation: 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and 69% have less than $1,000 in savings for an emergency. That means small and large unexpected events, from car trouble to medical bills to job loss, can lead to a financial spiral or force workers to borrow against their retirement fund.
The HoneyBee program differs from other employer loan programs, including the Income Advance program launched by B Corp Rhino Foods, in scale and design. The program is offered as an employer-provided benefit, like health insurance or retirement savings.
– – –
Why Doing Good for All People Is Good for Business
B Corps Demonstrate the Power of Connections with Services Focused on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
As a community of companies that realize how business can be a force for good, Certified B Corporations see interdependence as a strength. By creating and strengthening connections — in their community, their workforce, or their industry — B Corps create a safety net for people who often fall between the systemic cracks.
Whether it’s improving housing while fighting climate change, developing workplace skills, or enhancing community health, the B Corps highlighted below are making an effort to reach out to people who often are overlooked in our society and economy. It may be part of a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion program (JEDI) or just inherent in the policy and practice.