The rigorous B Corp evaluation process, which took just under a year, would have been more daunting had Rogerwilco not already embarked on its own Be BetterTM enrichment programme to redefine its purpose, says the agency.

Rogerwilco's CEO Charlie Stewart says, "We initiated the Be BetterTM initiative in late 2023 because we know that businesses with an authentic, credible purpose consistently outperform for their clients and themselves. This meant that by the time we started the B Corp evaluation, we'd already created a culture of self-improvement and an appetite to find ways of bettering our actions and impacts."

Rogerwilco says that it scored 106.8 on the B Corp scale, putting it in the top 10% globally. This is way above requirements: The median score is 50.9 and the global average for certified businesses in the marketing industry is 80.7.

Stewart says B Corp's verification analysts examined the agency in detail, from governance structures to staff welfare and development, plus the way they interact with their communities.

"Environmental impact is also rated and it mattered that we don't take on clients in destructive industries like mining, fossil fuels and gambling," adds Stewart.

Rogerwilco says that becoming a B Corp quickly deepened the sense of togetherness and belonging inside the agency. Staff attrition dropped sharply.

Stewart says there's a buzz in the company that he hasn't felt since before lockdown. Clients are happier and profits are up. The external validation earned from becoming a B Corp has turned Rogerwilco's organisational purpose from words into visible action.

"This authenticity is helping us grow a powerful, unifying culture because everyone associated with the agency has found something in the B Corp status that resonates with their personal values and gives them reasons to believe in us," adds Stewart. 

According to the agency, some appreciate care for their wellbeing and personal development, others value micro-community CSR initiatives, and most are proud to be part of the environmental improvement process.

Stewart says that there's a lot of goodwill towards a company whose business practices align with their personal principles. There are myriad reasons to apply for B Corp certification: to demonstrate a commitment to the triple bottom line, to be part of a community of like-minded changemakers, or to attract staff and new business.

"For us, it was about providing hard evidence that we really are on a journey to improve ourselves," says Stewart.

According to the agency, the entire evaluation process takes anywhere from 10 to 18 months, depending on the business's preparedness. Some assessment criteria are similar to the B-BBEE scorecard although far more robust. Being a Level 1 contributor meant that some of the agency's groundwork was already in place but a number of policies had to be updated to meet B Corp’s more rigorous standards.

B Corps are re-evaluated every three years to ensure they continue to meet the required standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

"We're keen to see how a more conscious approach to conducting business impacts on our score in our 2027 recertification," says Stewart.

The agency concludes that B Corp is an initiative of the non-profit network B Lab, which aims to create a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy. Its USP is its ability to measure a company's entire social and environmental impact.

For more information, visit www.rogerwilco.co.za. You can also Rogerwilco on Facebook, X, or on LinkedIn.

*Image courtesy of Facebook