Andrew Kassoy, one of the co-founders of B Lab, recently wrote:

“Delaware Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware legislature have introduced benefit corporation legislation in the home state of American corporate law.

“With the support of the Delaware Bar and the Court of Chancery, we expect the legislation to move quickly through the legislature, to be signed by late June, and to become effective August 1st.

“Thanks to the leadership of the B Corp community and its many friends who have helped move benefit corporation legislation across the country, collectively, we have achieved what members of the Delaware Bar and Chancery Court have called a seismic shift in U.S. corporate law.”

Click here to read an article about this landmark development.

“Today, B Lab is releasing its second annual list of companies that score in the top 10 percent on its assessments, what it calls the “Best for the World” list.

“How did the 67 companies get there? There’s no single formula. Many paid workers generously and gave them good benefits. A lot of them have business models intended to create broad public benefits, like providing services to the poor or elderly, or promoting clean energy.”

Read the full article by clicking here.

CleanWell becomes a Certified B Corporation:

Larry Weiss, Founder of CleanWell, Inc. (www.cleanwelltoday.com), gives a video testimonial about his experiences in working with Honeyman Sustainability Consulting, LLC.

“Alterrus’ B Corp certification demonstrates our commitment to a better way of growing, both in terms of our product and our company,” said CEO Chrisopher Ng. “We received points for our environmental performance, governance model, and for staffing our greenhouse from disadvantaged populations in the city.  B Corp gives us the opportunity to tell our story to investors, stakeholders, and produce buyers.”

“Alterrus’ certification as the first publicly traded B Corp is a huge step for the movement to redefine success in business,” said Jay Coen Gilbert, Cofounder B Lab. “By cementing their commitment to creating a positive impact, Alterrus sets an example for all businesses, so that one day every company competes to not only be the best in the world, but the best for the world.”

Achieving B Corp certification required that Alterrus change its Articles of Incorporation through a special resolution approved by two thirds of its shareholders. This change makes explicit that the directors of the company consider the long-term interests of a broad range of stakeholders in governance decisions. While this extended director responsibility is already implicit for Canadian companies, Alterrus was the first public company to explicitly make the change.

“Our investors recognize that our social and environmental responsibility are core to our sustainable financial responsibility,” said Ng. “Our B Corp certification directly puts us onto the radar of investors and partners looking to work with trailblazing firms.”

Read the full press release here.

What was your reaction to learning about the B Corp movement?

I was very intrigued when I first heard about B Corps. As someone who used to run a business, it was interesting to hear about a movement in the corporate world that looked beyond a narrow definition of corporate self-interest.

B Corps impressed me because they accounted for their own bottom line and the community’s bottom line.

What value do B Corps provide the City of San Francisco and policy-makers like you?

San Francisco is a city that embodies progressive values of working and living. B Corps not only create valuable jobs for San Francisco, they also help address our social and environmental challenges.

If it were up to me, every company in the world would have more than one bottom line.

In order to ensure that more B Corps base themselves here, we passed legislation that uses the City’s purchasing power to promote doing business with benefit corporations.

The extent to which we can support triple bottom line businesses in San Francisco is very important.

How can B Corps fit into your next term and help you achieve your goals?

I am interested in the types of companies that look at urban economies and help figure out how to improve urban areas.

This could be businesses participating in the “shareable economy” (i.e. Netflix, City CarShare, Airbnb, etc.), businesses who are creating green collar jobs, or companies that have innovative and supportive labor practices.

In other words, any type of business that can positively impact cities with urban areas is a priority for me.

I think a fascinating new area is in companies developing products and services to address social needs and goods, particularly in urban communities.

In your opinion, where should B Corps focus next?

Right now, many B Corporations are fairly small. What does it mean for B Corps to scale in a way that creates a larger impact on the market?

I think it’s important to look beyond local impact and continue to foster the movement nationally and throughout the world.

What’s Your Secret “Non-Green” Habit?

It’s funny, I was about to say that I like to hold real newspapers, but the technology where you can actually flip the pages–like Flipboard–has gotten so good, that I now only read my newspapers online.

I would’ve given you a different answer just a few years ago. So even that’s pretty green.

Hmm… I try to have very little paper. I don’t own a car. Hold on… I’ll think of something.

How about this: if I could, I would travel more (the plane flights wouldn’t be very green). The problem is I don’t have enough time!

Watch B Lab Co-Founder Andrew Kassoy speak about B Corporations at the recent LH Forum in France.

“Over the past few years, many businesses have launched an office green initiative with high-hopes, enthusiasm, and cheer. Six to 12 months later, many of these initiatives are rudderless and ineffective. Why?

Because most businesses overlook the key to green success: motivating and engaging their employees.

While physically greening your space is important, understanding what drives human behaviors–and how to motivate people to change–is more valuable. It doesn’t matter how many compost bins or energy efficient plug load adapters you install in your building. If your employees don’t understand how or why they should use the latest green thing you installed, they won’t. You will lose the majority of the benefits that come with an effective sustainability initiative without the buy-in of your employees.”

Read the full article on TriplePundit here.

“Attorney Laura Jordan, who runs the Capital Law Firm in the District, is the region’s go-to lawyer when it comes to benefit corporations. She chaired the D.C. legal working group that studied the legislation, and worked with business groups to get it introduced and passed. In 2010, when Maryland became the first state to pass benefit corporation legislation, Jordan incorporated the first benefit corporation in the nation, pet companion store Big Bad Woof in Hyattsville. A year later, when Virginia passed a similar law, she incorporated the first benefit corporation in that state, Farm Community Consultants. She also represents Pine Benefit Corp. and Alli Sosna Group, two of the dozens of local companies that have adopted benefit corporation status.”

Read the full story at the Washington Post here.