From reducing your email signature to switching coffee suppliers, experts reveal tips for businesses seeking to be certified for B Corp on a budget…
With almost 240,000 UK businesses working towards B Corp certification, HR experts have revealed seven small, practical steps companies can take to begin their journey.
Between 2023 and 2024, UK B Corps experienced a 23.2% increase in turnover, surpassing the national average of 16.8%2. This indicates that gaining certification can provide incredible benefits for SMEs, who make up 95% of B Corps nationwide3.
To mark World Environment Day (5th June), Ciaran Chaney, Director, Workplace & IT, from Personio, Europeโs leading HR software provider for small and mid-sized businesses, shared 7 simple and affordable tips to help small businesses become more sustainable.
7 ways to do B Corp on a budget
1. Go green as a team
Sustainability works best when everyoneโs involved. Set up a voluntary โGreen Teamโ to lead the charge, including hosting workshops, lunch and learns, or suggesting ways to cut waste. Itโs great for company culture and can boost your workplace engagement score if youโre going for B Corp certification.
2. Less paper, better planet
Remote and hybrid setups are good for work-life balance and even better for the planet, as fewer commutes mean fewer emissions. You can also go greener by switching to cloud-based tools and reducing printing. Small changes like slimming down email signatures and avoiding unnecessary attachments can also help cut your digital footprint.
3. B ready to B better
Completing the free B Impact Assessment is a great way to see how your business measures up and where you can improve. It’s also recommended to network with existing B Corps4, who are often willing to provide support and advice on the process, where possible.
4. Hire people who care
Sustainable workplaces start with who you hire. Employees who align with your mission are more likely to stay long-term and contribute to your impact goals. Write job ads that reflect your values, with inclusive language, and clearly define your sustainability targets.
5. Progress, not perfection
Transparency is key, so posting a short sustainability report or impact blog on your website shows youโre acting, even if youโre still early in the journey. It also builds trust with customers, employees, and future partners.
6. Count your carbon
Tracking your carbon footprint can help you understand your businessโs impact. Measuring waste output, energy bills, and team commute habits gives you a baseline to improve on. Online tools such as CarbonChain can give you a snapshot of your footprint, or you can use a spreadsheet.
7. Pick planet-friendly partners
Choosing green suppliers and partners will go a long way in improving your sustainability credentials. Look for partners who share your values, from your coffee supplier to your office cleaner. Bonus points if theyโre B Corp certified too, as youโll lower your impact and strengthen your supply chain in the process.
Ciaran Chaney from Personio said: โAchieving B Corp status might feel out of reach for small businesses, but many are already doing the right things โ they just need a framework to bring it all together.
โWhether it’s rethinking how you hire, reducing waste in the office, or simply being more transparent about your goals, there are plenty of affordable, practical steps SMEs can take today to make a meaningful impact.โ
About Personio
Personio provides The Intelligent HR Platform that helps unlock the power of people for small and medium-sized organizations. Trusted by more than 15,000 organizations that together manage more than 1 million employees, Personio automates people workflows, adapts to the specific needs of HR teams and uncovers hidden insights. With Personio, HR teams can say goodbye to manual workflows, inflexible tools and constant guesswork, making Personio a clear choice for organizations for now and the future.
