Forces for Good

The ability for employees to speak up is critical to creating a system that is fair, representative, and works for all. Our guests today, Jenny Holdcroft and Antoine Heuty, are both on a mission to make sure people are heard by their employers. Jenny is Deputy Director of Business Engagement at the Shift Project, the leading center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. She and Shift champion unions and organized labor. Antoine is Senior Vice President of Human Rights at EcoVadis and founder of Ulula.  Ulula is a B Corp that gives workers the ability to communicate with their employer anonymously. It can be used to make complaints about working hours or conditions in real time.If you see or know about human rights violations in the workplace, you can report them to the UN:https://www.ohchr.org/en/reporting_violations Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best way to build a thriving business is to build a thriving workforce. In this episode, we look at two ways both a business and its people can prosper.First, we’ll learn about worker cooperatives from Julian McKinley, Co-Executive Director for Partnerships and Growth at the Democracy at Work Institute. A business co-op is a group of workers coming together to co-own the business for which they work. Generally, workers in a co-op have better working conditions, higher wages, and more power. The business also benefits from more democratic decision making, lower administrative costs, and even tax benefits in some cases!In the second half of our episode, we're going to take a look at the B Corp, Naturesweet.  CEO and President, Rodolfo Spielmann and Sustainability and Social Impact Officer, Fernanda Suarez tell us about how having a prosperous work force is a part of their business model. Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alternative ownership structures, like cooperatives and employee ownership trusts, are some of the most powerful wealth and power distributors we have at our disposal. Are they the key to creating better jobs?Today’s guests would tell you yes!In this episode, we hear the story of how B Corp and outdoor clothing brand, Patagonia donated itself to Planet Earth and we learn more about alternative ownership structures.Greg Curtis is the Executive Director of Holdfast Collective, the nonprofit that owns all of Patagonia’s non voting stock and distributes its profits to environmental causes. Our second guest is Mark Hand, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Arlington. He’s an expert in democratization and teaches us about the alternative ways to set up a company that you might not learn in business school.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to go green? As the climate crisis accelerates, businesses are under pressure to transition away from fossil fuels, adopt sustainable practices, and reduce their environmental impact. But this shift isn’t just about the planet—it’s about people, too. In this episode, we hear from Marina Gning, CEO of ApiAfrique, a B Corp proving that sustainable businesses can create both environmental impact and quality jobs. She shares how manufacturing locally in Senegal—despite industry norms—has empowered workers, especially women, and strengthened the local economy. We also speak with Andrew Prag, Managing Director for Policy at We Mean Business Coalition, about why businesses must center workers in their sustainability strategies and how a just transition benefits both people and profit.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we make sure everyone feels welcome when they show up to work? Our unique qualities are what make us great at our jobs and we have to build inclusive workplaces where we can show off those talents. Our guests today are Tom Strong, Director of Employer Activation at the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and Sarah White, CEO and Founder at Fairware. Sarah shares why social justice is a business imperative for her and how she promotes inclusivity on her team. Tom shares his experience working with companies to simply ask workers what they need and provide that support. Overall, this episode provides a guide book to increase worker's access, wellness, and sense of belonging.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People want meaningful, purpose driven jobs now more than ever. In this series so far, we’ve talked about what makes a job "good" - we’ve looked at pay, economic mobility, benefits, hours and scheduling. But what about purpose? In this episode, we dive into why workers are demanding more meaning in their careers and how it keeps them engaged for the long haul. Annemiek Nusmeijer is the owner of Greenjobs.nl, a B-Corp and the largest job board in the Netherlands for sustainable positions. In this episode, she tells us how young people are flocking to her site in hopes of finding meaningful employment. We also welcome Julie Richards, Guardian News & Media director of sustainability and operational transformation to the show. Julie tells us how The Guardian pursues impact in their day to day operations. Finally, we asked some members of the B Corp community to tell us what they look for in a ‘good’ job. Spoiler Alert - It’s almost always purpose! Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Policy and progress can’t exist without each other. Without progress there would be no demand for new policy and without new policies we wouldn’t see progress continue. In this episode we focus on policy and the workplace - is it business-focused policy or societal progress that really improves the livelihoods of employees? Our guests for this episode are Jamila Rizvi, Deputy Managing Director at Future Women, a B Corp committed to achieving gender equity in Australian workplaces and Wojciech Baginski, B Lab Global-Board of Directors and Partner at Impactive.law.  They share examples of policy and progress working in tandem ranging from the rise of the 40 hour work week to child care options increasing women's participation in the workforce.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maine’s Lobster Industry is at a breaking point. Jobs all over the state depend on lobster fishermen bringing in over 100 million pounds of lobster each year. But with fewer and fewer legacy lobstermen this is becoming harder and harder. That’s where retraining and economic mobility come in. Young people and immigrants from all over the country, and the world, are filling the labor gap in Maine.In this episode we’re joined by Ben Conniff, Co-Founder of Luke’s Lobster and Ryan Rippel, Director, Economic Mobility and Opportunity at The Gates Foundation. We’ll discuss how businesses can create economic opportunities for workers in their communities and meet the challenges of a changing economic landscape through training, development and mentorship programs.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘A good job’ is a phrase we hear all the time. But what does it really mean?  Perhaps some combination of fair pay, flexible hours, and a strong purpose? In this episode we set the foundation for our series on good jobs with Sarah Kalloch, Executive Director of Good Jobs Institute and Joachim Krapels, Head of Strategy & Global B Corp Movement at B Lab Global.  We dive into the current employment landscape, how we got here, and how businesses in the B Corp community are supporting employees to thrive, not just survive. Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forces for Good from B Lab is back with host Irving Chan-Gomez. Our show takes a hard look at how businesses are helping to solve the biggest social and environmental challenges of our time. This season we dive deep into what makes a good job. Across this 10 episode series, we'll use examples, anecdotes and data from experts and the B Corp companies to explore how workers can demand more from their employers. We'll make the business case for good jobs, look at how society and economic systems are contributing to rising inequality and we’ll hear what businesses are doing to improve.Forces for Good Season 3 launches January 21st! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why don’t Black and brown entrepreneurs have the same access and opportunities as their wealthy, white counterparts?  How can access, opportunity and support empower these entrepreneurs so that their great ideas are able to thrive and make a difference in the world?Jay Bailey is the President and CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. When we sat down in Aspen, we talked about how access is the key to empowering entrepreneurs and how RICE is building that access.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com.Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is philanthropy’s role in finding the next world-changing great leader? What if the solutions to some of the world's biggest problems are out there, but they just need a little help scaling? Anne Welsh McNulty is the co-founder and president of the John P. and Anne Welsh McNulty Foundation.  When we sat down in Aspen, we talked about impact centered leadership, what moral courage means and how the McNulty Foundation is helping develop some of the next great problem solvers.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com.Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does purpose matter? How can for profit companies have a positive impact on their communities? How are purpose and profit linked? Rob Falzon is Vice Chair at Prudential Financial and a Member of the Board of Directors and Lata Reddy is Senior Vice President of Inclusive Solutions. When we sat down in Aspen, we talked about impact investing, community work, and balancing purpose in the financial sector. Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com.Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are food and justice linked? How can we change the way our society approaches nutrition? How can businesses and individuals be a part of that?Maya Feller is a nationally recognized, registered dietician-nutritionist who brings a culturally sensitive approach to her work. Curt Ellis is the CEO of FoodCorps, a nonprofit focused on food justice and education. When I sat down with the two of them in Aspen, we talked about how to infuse culture, connection, and community into food.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com.Check out System Catalysts.Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we increasingly witness the effects of climate change, what can we expect for the future of our planet? How can we mitigate these harmful effects? What is the importance of coming together to find solutions?Greg Gershuny is the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program, – and co-director of Aspen Ideas Climate. When we sat down in Aspen, he underscored the importance of convening. He says coming together to drive solutions and change creates the greatest impact.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com.Check out System Catalysts.Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How are for-profit companies changing the way businesses operate to benefit people and the planet? What challenges do they face along the way? How is B Corp certification helping? Melanie Chow is the Vice President of Mission and Sustainability at Danone. When we sat down in Aspen, we had an honest conversation about how Danone is grap-pling with creating impact in an agricultural industry that demands innovation and effort.Danone North America is one of the world’s largest Certified B Corporations and we’ve partnered with them to bring you this live series from the Aspen Ideas Festival.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netLearn more about Danone North America at Danonenorthamerica.com. Subscribe to our podcast. Rate and leave us a review.Produced by Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Driving positive impact for people and the planet takes collaboration, innovation, and inspiration. In this special series, B Lab’s Forces for Good is featuring live conversations from the 2023 Aspen Ideas Festival. In partnership with Danone North America, one of the largest Certified B Corporations, this podcast will share groundbreaking ideas and stories about putting purpose into action. From inclusive nutrition to reimagined models of leadership in business , learn about the solutions that help address some of the toughest societal and environmental challenges of our time.Join host Irving Chan Gomez (Growth and Partnerships at B Lab Global) as he interviews experts and leaders from some of the world’s most remarkable nonprofits and businesses attending this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival.  If you’ll be at the Aspen Ideas Festival, come say hi! We’ll be in the Danone tent in The Grove on June 28th and 29th. Even if you’re not heading to Aspen, look out for our special series coming soon!This series is produced by our Webby-winning partner, Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

B Corp Certification is a journey, not a destination. Making your business a Force for Good – and ensuring it stays that way – means constantly working to improve your practices. Whether or not they are part of the B Corp community, all businesses looking to improve their social and environmental impact can benefit from a continuous improvement mindset. The goal for every B Lab employee, non-profit leader, and business we’ve talked to on this podcast is not perfection. It’s focusing on learning, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to getting better all the time.  In this episode we answer:What is continuous improvement and why is it important?How can B Corps acknowledge mistakes and continue to improve even after certification?What is the B Impact Assessment and how can it help your business become a force for good?Guests include:Femme van Gils, Sustainability Manager, Ace and Tate (article)Kaye Matereke, Senior Partner, Lighthouse Capital and Member, B Lab Standards Advisory CouncilChris Marquis, Professor, University of Cambridge and Author, Better Business: How the B Corp Movement is Remaking Capitalism Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So much of what makes up a ‘good’ business is external. They promote the positive impact of goods and services to customers, they put out PR statements about their purpose, and they make commitments that shareholders and customers call for.But what about the people who make a company run? In this episode we answer:How can companies ensure that workers are satisfied and share their sense of purpose?How can businesses give employees opportunities to learn and grow? What is the best way for businesses to get and implement feedback from workers? Guests include:Bernard Gouw, Senior Manager Social Standards, B LabDouglas English, Founder and CTO, Culture AmpMoniek Tersmette, Business Humanizer and Founding Partner, Innate MotionJasmine Huang Qian, Cultural Decoder and Business Humanizer, Innate Motion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Businesses are usually seen as competitors but, in order to solve the crisis facing our planet they need to work together, collaboratively and collectively. In this episode we answer:What does collective action really mean?How are coalitions built within industries and among businesses with similar goals for sustainability, social change, and more? What are the advantages — and challenges — of taking action as a collective?Guests include:Shaun Russell, Founder, SkandinaviskManjyot Ahluwalia, Regional Director Asia, The Global Methane Hub, formerly Senior Program Officer, World Wildlife FundAmy Clarke, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Office, Tribe Impact Capital Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.