How can workers share in the prosperity they help create?
The best way to build a thriving business is to build a thriving workforce. In this episode, we look at two ways both a business and its people can prosper.First, we’ll learn about worker cooperatives from Julian McKinley, Co-Executive Director for Partnerships and Growth at the Democracy at Work Institute. A business co-op is a group of workers coming together to co-own the business for which they work. Generally, workers in a co-op have better working conditions, higher wages, and more power. The business also benefits from more democratic decision making, lower administrative costs, and even tax benefits in some cases!In the second half of our episode, we're going to take a look at the B Corp, Naturesweet. CEO and President, Rodolfo Spielmann and Sustainability and Social Impact Officer, Fernanda Suarez tell us about how having a prosperous work force is a part of their business model. Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
20:00
What does it mean to “go purpose?” with Patagonia
Alternative ownership structures, like cooperatives and employee ownership trusts, are some of the most powerful wealth and power distributors we have at our disposal. Are they the key to creating better jobs?Today’s guests would tell you yes!In this episode, we hear the story of how B Corp and outdoor clothing brand, Patagonia donated itself to Planet Earth and we learn more about alternative ownership structures.Greg Curtis is the Executive Director of Holdfast Collective, the nonprofit that owns all of Patagonia’s non voting stock and distributes its profits to environmental causes. Our second guest is Mark Hand, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at Arlington. He’s an expert in democratization and teaches us about the alternative ways to set up a company that you might not learn in business school.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
18:48
Will the green transition work for workers?
What does it really mean to go green? As the climate crisis accelerates, businesses are under pressure to transition away from fossil fuels, adopt sustainable practices, and reduce their environmental impact. But this shift isn’t just about the planet—it’s about people, too. In this episode, we hear from Marina Gning, CEO of ApiAfrique, a B Corp proving that sustainable businesses can create both environmental impact and quality jobs. She shares how manufacturing locally in Senegal—despite industry norms—has empowered workers, especially women, and strengthened the local economy. We also speak with Andrew Prag, Managing Director for Policy at We Mean Business Coalition, about why businesses must center workers in their sustainability strategies and how a just transition benefits both people and profit.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
23:21
Workplace belonging: Perk or priority?
How do we make sure everyone feels welcome when they show up to work? Our unique qualities are what make us great at our jobs and we have to build inclusive workplaces where we can show off those talents. Our guests today are Tom Strong, Director of Employer Activation at the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and Sarah White, CEO and Founder at Fairware. Sarah shares why social justice is a business imperative for her and how she promotes inclusivity on her team. Tom shares his experience working with companies to simply ask workers what they need and provide that support. Overall, this episode provides a guide book to increase worker's access, wellness, and sense of belonging.Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
--------
18:06
How do you find meaning at work?
People want meaningful, purpose driven jobs now more than ever. In this series so far, we’ve talked about what makes a job "good" - we’ve looked at pay, economic mobility, benefits, hours and scheduling. But what about purpose? In this episode, we dive into why workers are demanding more meaning in their careers and how it keeps them engaged for the long haul. Annemiek Nusmeijer is the owner of Greenjobs.nl, a B-Corp and the largest job board in the Netherlands for sustainable positions. In this episode, she tells us how young people are flocking to her site in hopes of finding meaningful employment. We also welcome Julie Richards, Guardian News & Media director of sustainability and operational transformation to the show. Julie tells us how The Guardian pursues impact in their day to day operations. Finally, we asked some members of the B Corp community to tell us what they look for in a ‘good’ job. Spoiler Alert - It’s almost always purpose! Learn more about B Lab at www.bcorporation.netViews and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the individuals expressing them and do not necessarily reflect those of B Lab or Hueman Group Media. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Forces for Good, a new podcast that tells the story of economic systems change through the lens of the B Corp movement.Building on the foundation of our pilot season (a special series created in partnership with Finding Humanity, Webby People’s Voice Award Winner for Best Series in Public Service and Activism), Forces for Good takes a hard look at how businesses are solving the biggest societal and environmental problems of our time. Host Irving Chan-Gomez (Growth & Partnerships at B Lab Global) speaks with entrepreneurs and experts on what companies are doing to move beyond buzzwords, change destructive practices across industries, and drive positive impact for people and the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Portugal