Oakdene Hollins’ Post

🗣️ “We like to say, ‘We do the hard work because the hard work is the right work.’” In our chat with Sarah Catalfo from Piper & Skye we learn how the brand is driving real change, and Sarah shares her advice for individuals seeking to contribute to their company’s sustainability goals.  🔗 Tap link below to read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/g5qWqenY #RealChangemakers

So let's get details of another speaker for B Corp Fest... The second speaker is Laura Ford (PIEMA REnvP) - Laura is the Sustainability Director at the incredible Faith In Nature. Faith in Nature" is known for its environmentally-conscious approach to personal care products. The company was founded in 1974 by Rivka Rose with the aim of creating natural beauty products that are ethical and sustainable. Faith in Nature products are made using naturally derived ingredients. Almost fifty years later, it was this same pioneering spirit that prompted them to ask: ‘Can Nature really be the boss? In August 2022, Faith In Nature became the first company in the world to give Nature a voice and a vote in all its decision making processes — reimagining how the world might do business — and in so doing, enshrining the Rights of Nature into UK corporate governance. Faith In Nature is also a B Corp and proud to be a driver of change amongst a cohort of businesses exploring what it means to be a purpose-led business. What a treat to be able to hear the story of the effects of giving nature a proper vote on all decisions and a place at the Board. Just make sure you don't miss Laura's insights into purpose-led business and the positive effects this can have. Make sure you book your ticket https://lnkd.in/emGSYPsF #bcorpfest #bcorp #sustainableevent #ecoevent #greenbusiness #speaker #panellist #businessasapowerforgood

Sustainability is so much more than a buzzword. In many companies, such as Belden, it has become part of how we do business. But one aspect that sometimes goes unmentioned as part of sustainability is the people. I appreciated this article because it mentions how people contribute to sustainability. This includes employees of the company itself as well as its suppliers and partners. Belden gets this. We know our people and taking great care of them is important. But it’s not just our people, it’s those who are impacted by our business, too. Our ESG goals strive to capture this and help us measure that. We recently completed risk assessments for suppliers to ensure they are meeting our responsibility requirements. This helps Belden reach our goals and is also something we can pass along to our customers to help them meet their goals as well. #Belden #Sustainability #SustainableBusinessPractices #ESG

🌿 Why companies are saying 'Yes' to cork: The business case for sustainability🍃 In an era where corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability are not just buzzwords but pivotal factors in business operations, companies across the globe are seeking innovative ways to align their practices with these values. One such path being increasingly embraced is the integration of cork products into their operational, promotional, and corporate gifting strategies. In the article we explore how incorporating cork products can significantly enhance a company's brand perception, showcasing a genuine commitment to the environment. Our partnership with Ecologi means that every cork product purchase aids in reforestation efforts, allowing businesses to contribute actively to a greener planet. 🌍 Discover how your business can benefit from choosing cork and make a tangible impact on the environment. Let's embrace sustainability and lead by example. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dSNd7UVZ

Anita Roddick: The Activist Who Showed Business Can Be a Force for Good! In the rich tapestry of environmental activism, every thread plays a crucial role. While many valiant activists take to the streets, courtrooms, or media to demand change, Anita Roddick chose a path less traveled. Anita began like many changemakers: marching in the streets, sign in hand, voice loud. But then, she had a lightbulb moment (eco-friendly, LED, of course). Why keep yelling at businesses to change when you can show them how sustainability is done? In 1976 she founded The Body Shop. A groundbreaking venture that redefined the beauty industry. Anita didn't just sell products; she sold a promise of a better sustainable world. Fair trade ingredients, cruelty-free formulas, and activism baked right into every bottle of shampoo – she showed the world that business can be a beautiful force for good. Anita Roddick's legacy teaches us a vital lesson – Environmental Activism comes in Many Shades. One shade is to create a new and better system (business) built on the foundations of Sustainability! It’s important to remember, especially for those in the trenches of activism, that starting a business isn't inherently evil or selfish. Rather, it can be a powerful platform for enacting the very changes we wish to see in the world. #Sustainability #Innovation #AnitaRoddick #TheBodyShop #EnvironmentalActivism Photo, David Levenson/Getty Images.

ESG, growth and profitability One of the first examples of disinformation is cited from 1888, during the murders in Shoreditch by Jack the Ripper, a stone's throw from BDALondon’s HQ. Two young men were heard to shout “arrest of Jack the Ripper tonight” at the top of their voices as they sought to sell newspapers. The police were called, and the men were taken to court over the spreading of false information. Your business will soon be tasked with developing ranges of products that will have to adhere to stricter government guidelines on sustainable and ethical practices. These changes in the rules of engagement for the fashion industry have started to happen and will escalate very quickly over the next few years. It will lead to greater transparency in our industry. We at BDALondon are working to better alleviate redundant stock while driving growth with fewer markdowns. We have also engaged with a leading environmental agency to better understand impending international laws on ESG. It will no longer be possible to make false claims or greenwash your business. Is your in-house or strategic partner able to help navigate the new legal requirements without compromising growth and profitability in your product ranges ? #sustainable #outsourcing #innovation #bdalondon #greenwashing #productstrategy #transparency

Our latest article on Inc Masters examines both the importance of authentic values and the harms of empty ones. Businesses that fail to live up to their values demoralize their employees, who see through the gap between the stated and the real. https://lnkd.in/dyiKu3ky

Our client's client brand partner in Germany their CEO was a man of old-school charm – bespoke suits, mahogany office, and a management style straight out of the Industrial Revolution. Begriffe like "circular economy" were unheard of! But his forward-thinking #CIO wanted to champion a marketing strategy integrating sustainability, green practices, and #circulareconomy principles – from technology to manufacturing, even #employeewellbeing. They reached out to one of their clients, who happened to be one of our old clients in the #healthcare sector in #Ireland. Unfurling amidst sun-drenched European vineyards, the venue stood as a testament to modern minimalism, a stark contrast to the CEO's traditionally appointed world. Here, nestled amongst rolling hills, a sense of Silicon Valley chic pervaded the air – a far cry from the mahogany-clad confines of his usual domain. My initial discussions with their team, unearthed a hidden treasure, the company's #Marketing Head, a woman of remarkable intellect and brimming with innovative ideas. Despite her esteemed position on the board, a platform for her voice had remained elusive. I immediately recognised the brilliance she possessed and I entrusted her with the momentous task of initiating the session. She was nervous as she told me that during her 27 months here, she had never been given an opportunity like this. I assured her to stand by her side championing her voice & unwavering in my conviction of the invaluable insights she harboured. Though her presentation was momentarily fragmented by the enthusiastic inquiries of her colleagues (whom I politely redirected), her words laid a foundation of profound significance. The CEO, surprisingly receptive to these novel concepts, began to envision the potential of incorporating recycled materials into the very fabric of his manufacturing endeavours. By the retreat's culmination, a metamorphosis had transpired within him. Sustainability, once a distant notion, now blossomed into a core principle. The company embraced ethical sourcing practices, implemented meticulous waste reduction strategies, and embarked upon a journey of operational efficiency, all while maintaining an unwavering focus on environmental well-being. The most gratifying consequence, however, was the emergence of the Marketing Head as a preeminent voice for both marketing and strategic endeavors within the organization. #BreakingTheGlassCeiling The results? A remarkable 11% reduction in material costs and a 4% improvement in resource productivity within two to two and half years – all thanks to integrating circular economy practices! ♻️ #sustainability #leadership

In celebration of B Corp month, we're asking some of our favourite B's in the business why being a part of this growing community matters to them. Here's what they have to say 👇🏽 🍻 Capital Brewing Co (Jonny Day, Marketing Manager) “Rather than simply being ‘for profit’, the three core elements of a B-Corp - a commitment to the planet, people and purpose - has been at the core of every decision we’ve made since we started Capital over seven years ago." 💄 The Body Shop (Shannon Chrisp, Brand & Activism Director): "The world is facing some of the biggest challenges we’ve ever seen, and we believe businesses must play a part in solving these issues. So, we’re continuing to lead the way as a purpose-led business, balancing people, planet and profit in equal measure, being inspired by our incredible fellow B Corps along the way.” 🍦 Ben & Jerry's (Steph Curley, Impact & Activism Manager): "Being a B Corp is part of our lifelong commitment to not just make delicious ice-cream, but using our business to create prosperity for everyone that's connected to our business. We do this by our business model called linked prosperity, which is why working with fellow B Corps like Compass is a natural fit.” 🏡 Local: Residential (Megan Hondromatidis, General Manager – Marketing and Communications): "At Local, the mission matters. Being a B Corp aligns with our purpose of strengthening communities by making home a power for good, putting people and the planet at the core of everything we do." ✈️ Intrepid Travel (Sara King, General Manager of Purpose): "To us, being a B Corp makes us accountable to being better – in the ways that matter. It's our official pledge to be a responsible business and use travel as a force for good in the world." 👗 SPELL (Angie Menghini, Sustainability Manager): "As they say, if you want to move mountains, we have to do it together, and as a B Corp, we are excited to contribute to a movement that prioritises making a positive difference in the world." 💥 COMPASS STUDIO (Natalie Dean-Weymark, Co-Founder + Co-Director): "It’s not enough to just say that you're a good business; where it counts is action and how the business prioritising Impact. Sustaining and maintaining B Corp Certifications moves that from the nice-to-have to the essentials list.” These leading Australian B Corps showcase why certification goes beyond a stamp, guiding businesses to prioritize positive impact and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world that sees purpose as important as profit.   Keen to get certified? Read the full article over on the Compass Journal to get inspired by these incredible brands. 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gpf8HcNW B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand #BCorp #Sustainability #PurposeDrivenBusiness #BCorpMonth #Purpose

It is at least 10 years ago that I read Michael Braungart's book "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things" which he wrote and published together with William McDonough. In our Expert Stories at ADA Cosmetics, we explain what Cradle to Cradle means for us and the hospitality industry. That will give an idea of why we decided to get certified. This still is a major step on our way of leading the industry in sustainable amenities of the highest quality. https://lnkd.in/e-ah-2hs