Vera’s Path to B Corporation Recertification

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In today’s world, consumers are increasingly conscious of the impact their purchases have on society and the environment. They seek out businesses that not only deliver quality products or services but also prioritize ethical practices and sustainability. Enter B Corporation certification – a badge of honor for businesses committed to balancing profit with purpose. In this blog post, we’ll delve into Vera’s path to its fifth consecutive B Corporation recertification.

Introduction to B Corporation Certification

B Corporation certification, awarded by B Lab, is a recognition bestowed upon businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It’s like a gold seal for ethical and sustainable business practices.

Vera’s Decision to Pursue B Corporation Certification in 2012

For Vera Solutions, obtaining B Corporation certification back in 2012 wasn’t about checking a checkbox; it was a strategic decision aligned with our core values. We saw it as an opportunity to formalize our commitment to sustainability by embedding it into our corporate bylines, differentiate ourselves as leaders in the “tech for good” space, and attract impact-driven clients and prospective employees.

Assessment and Preparation

Every 2-3 years, Vera Solutions has to recertify and renew our commitment to better business practices in service of the “triple bottom line”: people, planet, and profit. Our latest recertification journey began in 2022 with an in-depth assessment of Vera’s operations against B Lab’s Impact Assessment standards, which covers various aspects such as governance, employee benefits, environmental impact, and community engagement. This process revealed areas where the company excelled and areas that needed improvement.

Implementing Changes

Armed with insights from the assessment, Vera Solutions embarked on a journey of internal improvements. We continued our push to implement sustainable business practices across our supply chain, from sourcing eco-friendly office supplies to responsibly recycling e-waste. We also enhanced employee benefits and continued to engage in charitable endeavors in alignment with our Pledge 1% commitment. For example, one recent change we made in alignment with B Lab’s standards is expanding employee ownership opportunities by implementing an Employee Incentive Plan for all current staff, regardless of their role or geography. Another is a 2020 reform of our compensation model to reflect and reinforce the following values: fairness, transparency, clarity, and predictability.

Transparency and Accountability

One of the hallmarks of B Corporation certification is transparency. Vera Solutions embraces this principle by openly sharing information about our performance metrics with stakeholders in our public B Corp company profile. We are committed to regular assessments and audits to maintain accountability and hope to recertify in the future.

The Moment of Triumph: Achieving our 5th B Corp Recertification

After over a year on the journey, Vera Solutions finally passed its fifth audit to achieve B Corporation recertification.

“We’re proud to be an active member of the B Corp community. Recertification represents Vera’s continued commitment to innovate and explore new avenues for social and environmental impact, benefiting not only Vera employees but also clients, vendors, and the greater community” commented Rachel Glogowski, Director of Global Operations at Vera and former Board Member of B Local Boston, a regional group of business representatives committed to furthering the B Corp message.

Vera’s B Corp recertification is one milestone in our long road as a purpose-driven social enterprise. In a world where businesses are increasingly seen as agents of change, Vera Solutions is proud to serve as an example of what’s possible when profit and purpose converge.
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