March is B Corp month and I want to celebrate this year by talking about what it means to create a people-first business. Even if you’re not actively planning to become a B Corp, these ideas will help you build the people-first culture that employees value. The B Corp movement is evolving. With new, more rigorous standards on the horizon, it’s more clear than ever that building a better and more meaningful business starts with your people. Purpose-driven work isn’t just about what product or service you offer, it’s about the culture you create and how people are treated. The new B Corp standards shine a spotlight on human-centric practices, offering a roadmap for creating a truly exceptional workplace.
This shift isn’t just about checking boxes – nothing at B Corp ever is. It’s about using these new requirements to build a business that is equitable, supportive, and humane, from the inside out. For companies like Reverb, a certified B Corp and a firm focused on people and culture, many of these human-centric approaches have been at the heart of our work for years. The new standards will help us continue to refine and hone our approach.
Creating a Foundation for Success
Your commitment to employees should be easily recognized, from their first day to their last. Companies can recognize and celebrate key moments throughout the employee lifecycle as one way to build a healthy, inclusive culture.
Inclusive Onboarding: A great onboarding experience is more than just paperwork and computer setup. It’s about bringing new hires into your company’s culture and mission from the start. Designing a process that ensures every new employee feels welcomed, understands their role, and is set up for long-term success is critical.
- Use a standard onboarding or launch plan to tell new hires who to meet with and where to find valuable company and department information.
- Assign a new hire buddy who can quickly answer questions of all kinds.
- Set up a 30-60-90 day check in process to see how they’re doing and how you can help.
Performance and 360-Degree Feedback: Performance management shouldn’t be a rigid, annual event that everyone dreads. Effective performance processes foster continuous growth, and implementing 360-degree feedback can ensure employees receive well-rounded insights. This approach leads to more meaningful professional development and career advancement.
- Remember to address any development needs that came up during the interview process.
- Train people how to give and receive feedback, making it easier and therefore more common.
- Check in on goals and performance quarterly, even if formal reviews only happen once a year.
Investing in People for a Stronger Future
A truly sustainable business invests in the growth of its team. This is a core part of the new B Corp standards, which emphasize creating a “good quality job” which includes fair wages, benefits (health, parental leave), flexible schedules, robust training (onboarding, skills development), clear communication, opportunities for growth, health & safety, and inclusive, equitable workplaces with dignity and voice for all.
- Professional Development: Companies can create customized professional development plans that align with both employee goals and company objectives. Whether it’s access to external workshops, internal brown-bags, or specialized training, ensuring your team has the skills and resources to grow is a hallmark of a people-centric company. If budget is an issue, consider online options.
- Cross-Skilling and Manager Training: Cross-training and ongoing development create a more agile and resilient workforce. Designing programs that empower people to take on new responsibilities builds a stronger team. Additionally, providing new manager training ensures leaders can effectively coach and mentor their teams, creating a positive, productive environment where everyone can thrive. Research shows that companies who invest in leadership development often see increased revenue, sales, and higher employee retention.
Supporting the Whole Person’s Wellbeing
Caring for your team today goes beyond their day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. It’s about supporting their whole selves and measuring the impact of your efforts. This is something younger generations expect.
- Health and Wellness Programs: A healthy team is a happy, productive one. Robust health and wellness programs that support both physical and mental wellbeing, from mental health resources to lifestyle spending accounts, are essential for a thriving workplace.
- Progressive Leave Policies: Companies can implement policies that truly support employees during life’s most significant moments. This includes designing and implementing inclusive policies for parental leave, caregiver leave, and bereavement. These policies are more than just benefits; they show you care about people and are willing to put them first in times of need.
- Measuring Employee Satisfaction: You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Implementing tools to track key metrics like eNPS (Employee Net Promoter Score), attrition rates, and satisfaction across different demographics provides a clear picture of company health, helping you spot and address issues before they become problems.
Building a Foundation of Fairness and Equity
Fairness in compensation and giving people a voice are non-negotiable for B Corp certification and for building a business you can be proud of.
- Compensation Reviews: Conducting thorough compensation reviews to ensure your pay structure is equitable and competitive is crucial. This includes analyzing current wages against living wage standards to ensure all employees are earning a fair, livable income and that no one is left behind in the pursuit of profits. We also recommend periodic reviews for gender pay equity.
- Elevating Worker Voices: Building trust requires transparent, safe ways to give people agency, provide feedback, and raise concerns. Companies should establish confidential complaint and feedback mechanisms, ensuring every voice is heard and every issue is addressed with integrity.
- Internship Programs: Investing in the next generation of talent is also a key component. Setting up structured and meaningful internship programs can provide valuable experience for students while offering your company a fresh perspective.
The Path Forward
The new B Corp standards are an invitation to build a better more purpose-driven business. Instead of seeing them as a challenge, we see them as an opportunity to implement practices that will create a stronger, more engaged, and more resilient team.
Reverb is actively working on our own plans to embrace these standards and improve our own people-centric policies, turning the new requirements into a competitive advantage. By focusing on people, all companies can build a foundation that not only meets the mark but becomes a model for what a truly purpose-driven organization can be.
