The honour of being awarded B Corp status is a huge accolade. It’s news that’s coincided with my son starting at a new school. I can’t help but draw the parallels between these milestones.
Pinstone’s B Corp journey
I have always thought of the business as my first child (sad I know). There was an unrelenting pace in the early years. Learning as you go, trial and error and a nervous sense of the weight of responsibility that every new hire and client win would entail.
But with time comes confidence. You learn from your mistakes, recognising the patterns that lead to success. There’s a quiet satisfaction in a job well done. A sense of camaraderie with others sharing the rollercoaster journey with you. Sometimes you just don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Yet, there comes a moment when the opportunity arises to validate the years of hard work. Just like guiding a child through a lengthy coursework project and exam preparation. The foundations of success laid over the years may not be apparent when faced with the daunting task at hand.
But when it came to pursuing B Corp status, it felt like a no-brainer. A confirmation of our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. While it’s an award reserved for a select tier of leading businesses, the approach to doing business advocated feels like common sense, even if it’s not the norm.
It’s nonetheless important to appreciate that the path to accreditation is a demanding one. Filled with assessments, audits and meticulous scrutiny of business practices. It takes time.
The impact on team and community
Doing the right thing by our hardworking team goes without saying. It makes good business sense. We’re rewarded with a team that’s motivated, sees a clear career path, who are fairly renumerated, embrace continuous learning and support their colleagues.
It was gratifying to know that our flagship Target 52 commitment to team training as well as simple communications such our monthly newsletter, our internal WhatsApp group and annual survey were looked upon favourably. These contributed to the accreditation.
What is B Corp?
A Certified B Corporation, or B Corp, is a symbol of a business’s commitment to balancing profit with purpose. B Corps are companies that have undergone rigorous assessments to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. Achieving B Corp status signifies a business’s dedication to not only generating financial returns but also creating a positive impact on society and the environment.
The same ethos extends to how we treat our clients. Encouraging a positive dialogue, transparency and honest dealing equates to simply doing business the right way.
It seems that the survey and conversations that I personally engage clients in annually are an example of business practice that’s positively recognised. With clients collectively scoring the overall relationship with Pinstone consistently at over 85% for four years consecutively is something we are immensely proud of.
This commitment to ethical practices is reflected with other groups in our community. This includes those operating in our sector specialisations — food, farming and the environment.
We provide role models for women in business and support industry initiatives which focus on making a difference and creating a more inclusive industry.
We support the UN recognised networking organisation Meat Business Women, both through sponsorship and in hosting masterclasses delivered to the membership. We’ve also implemented policies that support inclusivity and have established structures that amplify voices from across the breadth of the communities we interact with.
A commitment to our planet
In the pursuit of B Corp status, we’ve reaffirmed our commitment. Not only to our team, clients and industry sector, but also to a cause that extends far beyond our immediate sphere — the planet.
We understand that even small steps towards environmental responsibility matter. At Pinstone, we’ve taken measures to reduce our carbon footprint. We’ve set up 10 commercial bee hives, planted seven acres of wildflower meadows, minimising waste and championing sustainable practices. Whether it’s adopting eco-friendly technologies, supporting conservation initiatives, or promoting responsible farming practices, we’re taking steps to make a positive impact on the environment.
But our journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning. We recognise the collective responsibility we share.
B Corp status isn’t just an accolade; it’s a symbol of our dedication to a sustainable future. A future where businesses and individuals come together to benefit people, planet and yes, delivering profit too.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Thank you for being a part of our mission.
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