Sustainable SMEs – how to create positive social & environmental impact using the B Corp framework

As stakeholder demands increase for businesses to create positive impact and mitigate risks, it’s

imperative to have a robust strategy that incorporates sustainability into the business’ operations.

How is your business measuring up?

This workshop showcases the B Corp framework to help your business on its sustainability journey,

regardless of what stage you are currently at. The B Corp Framework looks at sustainability beyond

the immediate needs of customers and the internal workings of a business. It integrates

considerations of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and governance.

The B Corp Business Impact Assessment tool developed by BLab, offers a structured visualisation of a

company’s performance spanning multiple Impact areas. Using the B Corp Impact Assessment tool,

you will be able to identify how you are performing currently across the five impact areas of 1)

governance 2) workers 3) community 4) environment and 5) customers.

By embedding planet and environmental values within strategic processes, organisations are better

equipped to create value that extends beyond customer-centric solutions.

This powerful (free) digital tool will also help you prioritise areas for improvement and track

performance against your goals. You’ll also be able to benchmark your performance against

thousands of other businesses who have completed the assessment.

Utilising the B Corp framework, organisations are also positioned to directly engage with the 17 UN

Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) at a strategic level.

Who should attend?

 People who want to improve the social and environmental performance of their business

 Businesses considering become Certified B Corporations 

 Typically founders and leaders of smaller companies; sustainability managers and

communications managers in larger companies

Before the session: 

 Learn more about B Corp

 Link to SCHQ ESG strategy blog (link to come)

Your Facilitators

Lee Tonitto 

Lee Tonitto is a Sustainability Advisor, with experience working with leading B2B2C organisations,

including with listed businesses like AMP, Count Financial, Revlon and Unilever.

A highly skilled and experienced Senior Advisor at Social Change Headquarters, Lee supports

inspiring businesses to improve their social and environmental performance.

Drawing on over 25 years of NED and C Suite experience across Australia and New Zealand in the

Consumer Goods, Financial Services, and Education sectors, Lee guides businesses using

comprehensive Sustainability standards towards meaningful environmental and social impact. Lee is

an accredited B Corp Consultant and GRI-trained.

In the Education sector, Lee serves as a Professional Credential assessor for Deakin University. Lee

served as a Casual Academic on Sustainability practice for the AGSM Full Time and Part Time MBA

Program and as an Industry Advisor on Marketing curriculum to the AGSM @ UNSW Business School.

As a seasoned Social Impact CEO, Board Director, and Chair, Lee has provided Board Directorship to

the Australian Marketing Institute, Australian Association of National Advertisers, Association of

Data Driven Marketing and Advertising and the Australian Society for Progress and Well-Being.

 

Mei Ling Ho 

Specialising in strategy, social impact and marketing, Mei Ling has worked within corporates, SMEs

and Not-for-profit organisations including Westpac, Diageo, Nestlé, Unilever, The Centre for Social

Impact, United Way and the Australian Charities Fund. She has over twenty five years’ experience

across a range of industries from finance and professional services to manufacturing and retail.

A qualified B Consultant, Mei Ling works with purpose-oriented companies to become B Corp

certified, using the B Impact Assessment tool to measure and track their impact and develop a

road map for continuous improvement. She has spearheaded many cross-sector initiatives

including corporate / community partnerships, social research projects, employee engagement

programs and cause related marketing programs. 

 She is passionate about the role of business in creating positive social and environmental impact

in our community through business as a force for good. Having worked within corporates and not-

for-profit organisations, Mei Ling brings a unique combination of corporate experience, strategic

insight, and deep social impact expertise, to help businesses create a better world.

About Social Change Headquarters

We support Australian businesses to create greater positive change.

At Social Change Headquarters, we imagine a world where people feel purposeful and empowered

at work, where business leaders are making a difference and inspiring others, where employees

have pride in their workplaces, and change agents across all sectors are creating a thriving

economy that puts social and environmental wellbeing at its core.

We want to support leaders and intrapreneurs within Australian businesses, to match their

commercial success with their social and environmental impact. This starts with measuring and

tracking performance, incorporating social and environmental goals into the business strategy,

and developing a road map for continuous improvement.

Learn more at www.socialchangehq.com

About B Corp Certification 

B Corps are businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance,

accountability, and transparency.

Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, envision a better economic system where businesses can

benefit people, communities, and the planet. They choose long-term investments over quick wins,

and measure their success based on the positive impact they create.

As a movement, there are over 7,000 Certified B Corporations spanning across more than 161

industries, employing almost 630,000 people around the world. More than 560+ of these B Corps are

based in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

B Corps come in all shapes and sizes, proving there’s always an opportunity to use business as a

force for good.

Learn more at www.bcorporation.com.au