Lessons learned from B Inspired
B Inspired, a conference hosted by B Corps, took place in London in October 2019. The event was attended by over 600 people looking to explore the changing role of business in society.
Certified B Corps are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving of a global movement of people using businesses as a force for good.
Nishita Dewan of CollaboratEQ shared her insights on some lessons she learned from the conference:
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The Overview Effect is a feeling described by astronauts, when they see planet Earth from a distance. It is a profound cognitive shift in awareness that comes from seeing our planet from afar. We each have our micro ‘Overview Effect’ moments in our life, a moment of realisation or ‘waking up’ to what is truly important.
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Build bridges don’t build walls. Don’t close yourself off from what you consider an issue, work with others. How can each of us operate as bridges to connect to overcome difference and find common ground and common goals between people and organisations?
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Lead with integrity. “People look at you every day and the actions you stand for. We need to lead by example through our actions.”
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The power of trusted networks. The difference between a network and a trusted network is the degree of honesty you can have in the first conversation with a new connection from the community.
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We need transparent aligned values with others in the network.
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We can all be the change. Dedication and commitment to change trumps size. There is no organisation too small.
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Don’t delay, just start.
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Should we compete with each other in doing good?
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Ownership structures are flawed. We need to re-think ownership, incentives, and corporate governance structures to encourage responsible action from corporations.
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We need to be visibly inclusive.
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If you are a designer or a creator for a brand which is exploiting the planet, you are not a creator, you are a destructor.
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Ensure MBAs graduate with a social conscience and a systemic lens to problem solving to build a more sustainable future for us all.
See more about B Corps in a previous blog here.
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From an article by Nishita Dewan of CollaboratEQ, 11/12/2019