Welcome to Coffee Talk with Anna, our B Corp Expert.
8 july 2024
Coffee Talk: An interview series by The Terrace
By Deike Robotta
Welcome to “Coffee Talk”, our new interview series.
I’m Deike, communication consultant at The Terrace, and I’m thrilled to kick off this series where I chat with my colleagues about the sustainability topics that drive us at The Terrace.
Today, I grabbed a cup of coffee with my colleague Anna, strategy consultant and trained B Leader at The Terrace, to discuss her experience with the B Corp Certification.
Join us for our coffee chat in the Vondelpark, Amsterdam.
Hey Anna! What drew you to specialise in helping clients with the B Corp certification?
My interest in the B Corp certification began with my application at The Terrace. The Terrace is certified since 2018, so naturally I was curious to understand what really stand behind the certification. But my journey as B Corp consultant officially kicked-offed at the B Leader training in autumn 2023. My very first week at The Terrace. During the training, I gained a good understanding of what B Corp entails, what the movement stands for, and how the B Impact Assessment (BIA) tool works. Yet, working on B Corp projects at The Terrace taught me the specifics of certifying companies. The type of information you cannot learn in a training session. From understanding the challenges of certifying to learning how to collect the right proof-points, tackling company-specific challenges, and engaging the right stakeholders.
Becoming B Corp certified is a big achievement. But companies shouldn’t stop there. Can you explain?
Absolutely. The B Corp certification is more than just a badge; it’s about embedding B Corp values into everyday practices. It’s crucial that everyone—from employees to supply chain partners—understands and lives by these principles. During the recertification process, every three years, we will see a clear distinction between certified companies that have genuinely integrated the B Corp values and those that haven’t.
Could you give examples how you help companies in their B Corp journey?
As external consultants, we bring a fresh perspective, challenge the status quo, and uncover unrecognised impact opportunities. This new insight often helps clients redefine their impact on society and the planet. Also, many of our B Corp clients ask for support in managing and engaging the relevant stakeholders. The certification touches every part of the business. And that can sometimes be overwhelming to manage. That’s where I come in to help!
What has been a highlights in your work with your B Corp clients so far?
Good question. This year, I worked very closely with one B Corp client. For several months, we had to manage a diverse group of stakeholders. And at the same time, I had to make sure we always kept our shared goals in sight. I’m proud to have successfully managed that challenge. And of course, helping clients navigate the certification process and finally clicking the “submit” button in the BIA together is always a great feeling.
