Catherine Rutland reveals how navigating the challenging road to B Corp certification helped define a company-wide understanding of sustainability.
When our company gained B Corp certification last summer, as employees, we felt a huge sense of pride.
It had taken almost two years of work to get the business in a position to be accredited. The changes required within the company were both physical and cultural.
The aim of B Corp is about harnessing the power of business as a force for good. Becoming B Corp certified is our genuine (and legal) commitment to uphold our purpose, values and beliefs. To continue to care for our customers, our community, the environment and of course, our colleagues.
Getting to a point of being carbon neutral in 2021 was just part of the journey. With so much awareness of the importance of sustainability and the part we can play in protecting our planet, B Corp aims to go wider and create a shift in how we do business.
Last year, we asked our member practices over a series of events whether making their practices more sustainable was important to them.
The resounding answer was yes – however, with different levels of commitment. As our regulators start to bring the importance of sustainability into their view of a practice, it’s an area that practices will need to consider.
Making changes
It’s been great to hear that so many practices are well on their journey, considering how they travel to work, what they purchase (and from whom) and the efficiency of their buildings.
Yet, with this, as ever, we need to make sure that the public understands and believes in any changes we make, especially if patients feel that it may alter their care.
Of course, much will be behind the scenes and not noticeable to a patient. But if changes are made around how you work clinically, then they probably will start to notice!
Yet, this should be a real positive for the practice. Showing patients and teams how important sustainability is to you, and how you’re playing your part, is something worth shouting about!
Knowing that anything new can seem a little daunting to get started, it’s been great to get my team working with experts in sustainable dentistry to make sure we can support our members.
Like the B Corp certification, working on this has helped us all focus on what we can do, both inside and outside of work – and do our part to help drive change.
Catch up with previous Core Strength columns:
- Sending the right message
- Finding time to pause for thought
- Personal and professional development
- Being honest and open
- Step out of your comfort zone.
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