At Fiasco, we’ve always had an innate belief in the power of creativity; that great work that has an intrinsic value beyond marketing spiel. It can make you smile, or think. It can also make you see the world differently.
We also believe that, whilst creating meaningful work, we can be an ethical business. A business for good. This led us to B Corp…
From early on we set out to create an environment and culture that encourages and supports creativity. One that is democratic, open and kind.
In recent years, as myself and my business partner Jason have grown up and had families, and the business has grown older, our focus has shifted towards our impact. Not just on our people, but also into wider society and the environment. Whilst we’ve taken steps towards this; pro-bono work for local charities, mentorship schemes, improving our equality and diversity in hiring; we know we can do more.
At the end of last year we made the commitment to put policies in place that would ensure that we’re operating the business in a way that has a positive impact on the world around us. This promise led us to B Corp.
If you don’t know, B Corp is a certification which demonstrates a company’s commitment to people and the planet. Certified B Corps are for-profit companies that have been verified by B Lab to meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.
Firstly, it’s the right thing to do. At the time of writing we’re a team of 16, and from our studio in Bristol, we partner with brands all over the world. As we look to evolve over the coming years, it’s our responsibility to ensure that we’re managing growth in a measured and sustainable way.
Secondly, it’s the natural next step… Our belief in the power of creativity to inspire change has underpinned both our work and our studio ethos for the past 12 years. It continues to be our north star as we grow. Applying for B Corp feels like a natural next step for us; a progression from internal policy changes and the forward-thinking, purpose driven companies we work with.
Finally, it holds us to account. Once achieved, certification is reviewed every three years to ensure long-term commitment. It is a rigorous process that looks holistically at a business; its stakeholders, community, and the world in which it exists.
Although we’re only just at the beginning of the journey, we’re already finding the process itself valuable. With the help of our friends at Twelve, we are challenging ourselves to think about how we operate – from the big decisions right down to the small details.
Certification doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a huge challenge, one that requires time and dedication. We’ve set up a small group of ‘B Champs’ from across the team to be part of the process. A big part of achieving B Corp is championing a better way of doing business, so we aim to be entirely transparent about the journey, both internally and externally.
I hope to share more as we progress. In the meantime, I’m keen to hear your thoughts and experiences of B Corp – @BenSteers.
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