Aha! And what was your biggest challenge?
A.R.: We were surprised by the complexity of the BIA. Some questions may seem simple, but they require a lot of work to gather all the necessary data to justify the answers.
Oh, that must have been quite a challenge to manage. But you held on and continued the process. Well done!
Did you also have any pleasant surprises?
A.R.: Yes, the BIA also contains IBMs (Impact Business Models), a kind of "bonus" for companies that have successfully implemented an innovative business model with a positive impact. This is our case, as we decided to focus on an organic range, with organic ingredients produced as close as possible to the biscuit bakery, in Switzerland. We believe in the convergence of organic AND local.
Now that it's done, you can relax, enjoy some small Swiss biscuits in peace, and bask in the glory, right?
A.R.: Not quite, no! Being B Corp certified and joining the movement is just the beginning. The goal is to implement a continuous improvement approach, both environmentally and socially. And our re-certification, in 3 years, will be more demanding than the current one. That's the principle of this virtuous circle, so we need to start preparing for it now.
Ah, it does mean questioning ourselves daily. But if it's for the good of the planet and our beautiful Switzerland, it's worth it!
B Corp bases its company analysis on five distinct sectors: governance, employees, community, environment, and customers. What were your best results, and in which sector do you need to put all available hands on deck to maintain your certification?
A.R.: Environment and customers are the areas where we have the best results. The other advantage of the BIA and joining the movement is being able to compare our results with other B Corps for each of these 5 themes.
We have already identified a number of areas for improvement, but we will have the opportunity to discuss them later.
What do you take away from this experience? What has it concretely brought to Biscuits Agathe?
A.R.: It's very positive. I can only encourage other businesses to join the movement. The more of us there are, the greater our impact will be. It's interesting to see the first awareness campaign for the B Corp movement, to which we are contributing along with 12 other Switzerland-based companies.
And what do you recommend to companies interested in the B Corp movement? Should they think it through carefully first, or jump in headfirst?
A.R.: The most important thing is that there's a genuine will. It's not something you decide on the spur of the moment. The B Corp movement is a compass for society and a long-term commitment.
Thank you very much for your time and your explanations, Alexis! No doubt many people will want to follow in the footsteps of Biscuits Agathe and join this global community that is fighting for a more inclusive and sustainable future for the planet!
