B Corp Assembly: 6 conversations that changed the way we think about business and social impact

The 2024 Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand B Corp Assembly brought together B Corps from all industries in our region for two days of collaboration, learning, and inspiration.

Across those two days, our founders Lyndal and Justine were energised by challenging and reaffirming conversations about the role of B Corp businesses. Here’s the 6 ideas that impacted them the most.

1/ The Maori 100-year business plan

Michele Wilson, founder of AWWA Period Care, and Laura Thompson, founder of Clothing the Gaps discussed how striving to create a positive legacy is such an ingrained part of indigenous businesses that many Maori businesses develop 100-year business plans.

2/ Take care of your people. Pay your taxes.

Do the business of business well, and build from there. Prof. Carl Rhodes, Dean of UTS Business School pointed out that until an organisation is doing these two key things, any focus on other ethical and sustainable practices will lack credibility.?

3/ ‘B’ the change for the ones who need to change

The best thing B Corps can do is model the change we want to see in the world. As a global movement we have a lot of potential power. We need to be models to our clients and customers of how best business can, and should, be done.

4/ Harness neurodiversity to get more from - and for - your team

Performance looks different for different people. To create the best team and culture, lead with empathy and work to understand individuals.?

Natalie Smith (Frost*collective), Sasha Titchkosky (Koskela), and Brooke Anderson (Yellow Edge) challenged us to start by changing our language to dig deeper than the corporate norm. For example, swapping “What are your biggest weaknesses?” to “You get the best of me when…” and “You get the worst of me when…”

5/ Humans will reach the brink - but the story doesn't end there

Award-winning director Damon Gameau, explained that while our society and our planet have passed the point where we can avoid ‘the brink’, the future is not hopeless. Humans have an endless capacity for creation and survival - and people are already doing amazing things to help us continue past the brink, into a newer and better way of living.

As storytellers and part of the B Corp community our role is to share their stories.

6/ We must build an economic system that serves people - not the other way around

An economy that relies on the majority living and working in disconnection and disempowerment to sustain the lifestyle of the 1% is an economy that is fundamentally broken. The B Corp movement should lead a new economic system - one that everyone can participate in, and that measures its success by the wellbeing of the people participating in it, not simply by profit.

Could this be the start of a beautiful friendship?

Following the B Corp Assembly, we’re more fired up and ready to start making big, bold moves for change in collaboration with other organisations - including our Melbourne B Locals group.

If you’re a purpose-driven organisation, B Corp or not, with a vision for driving positive impact in our community, we’d love to work with you.

Or, if you’re an organisation looking to use your business for good but don’t know where to start, we can help.

Either way…let’s chat, and change the world together. (But we can start with coffee).