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V O L . X X V I I I N O. X I M AY 3 0 , 2 0 2 2 18 C O R P O R AT E R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y Companies say it's an excellent recruitment and retention tool and a quick and easy way to communicate company values. For solar company ReVision Energy, certified in 2015, the ability to attract and retain employees, particularly younger workers, has been enhanced. "Being a certified B Corp has helped us attract great people and keep them here and keep them happy," says Phil Coupe, ReVision's co-founder. Another advantage, he adds, is the growing number of consumers gradually becoming aware of the concept. "Most people who learn what it means to be a B Corp want to spend their money with those types of compa- nies," Coupe says. "When we're compet- ing for clients, B Corp certification is a powerful differentiator." "is is absolutely a great market- ing tool, and helps us attract teammates who are passionate about working for a mission-driven company that puts people before profits," says Meaghan Dillon, marketing director for Portland- based Luke's Lobster, which became a B Corp in 2018. "It's also allowed us to find a wonderful network of other like-minded B Corps to partner with, collaborate with, or just learn from." Report card For Bob Garver, co-owner of Wicked Joe Organic Coffees and Wicked Leaf Organic Teas in Topsham, the assess- ment provides a useful report card on his company's practices. "I felt like this would be a good opportunity to find out whether we were doing as good a job as we think we are," Garver says. "We wanted to be a mission-based company long before B Corp started. We've always striven to be better. is allows us in some ways to quantify that." Whether companies choose to complete the process or not, the impact assessment "is incredibly valuable," says Wilson. "It's almost like a free management consulting resource. It's a useful framework that allows companies to basically hold up a mirror to its prac- tices, to create an objective score for itself and revisit that score to make continual improvement." Rigorous process Navigating the assessment is rigorous and complex, requiring countless hours of communication, paperwork and auditing, says Dillon. "e thing that makes B Corp cer- tification powerful is that it really isn't any one thing that qualifies you as a business," say Tod. "It's a whole array of different metrics across the entirety of our business. And a big part of the certi- fication is that it gives you concrete ideas about how to improve." Says Coupe, "You're really going through every aspect of your business with a very fine-tooth comb." e metrics and practices depend on the company. Notable initiatives at ReVision include 100% employee ownership and helping to fund solar in low-income communities. Allagash committed to buy over a million pounds of Maine-grown grain per year, increase brewing efficiencies, use less water and recycle waste. Luke's mission includes transparent pricing to fishermen, R EGI ONAL S PONS OR S Join us at our third stop in the 2022 On the Road with Mainebiz event series as we showcase and network with the greater Dover-Foxcroft business community! JUNE 22 / 4–6PM / THE MILL CAFE, 5 WEST MAIN STREET HORS D'OEUVRES / CASH BAR / NETWORKING WITH AREA BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AT TENDANCE IS AT TENDANCE IS FREE FREE BUT SPACE IS BUT SPACE IS LIMITED! LIMITED! Please be sure to register ahead at mainebiz.biz/OTRDover22 DOVER-FOXCROFT » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F R E V I S I O N E N E R G Y ReVision Energy's co-founder, Phil Coupe, says certification has helped the company attract and retain employees You're really going through every aspect of your business with a very fine-tooth comb. — Phil Coupe ReVision Energy F O C U S

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