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Quiz: What's Your Relationship Mindfulness IQ?
Self-Care

When it Comes to Love, Are You Mindful or Meh?

Relationship mindfulness is a long-proven method toward improving our relationship happiness. In 2004, the University of North Carolina launched a study of “relatively happy, non-distressed couples.”The results of their study proved what experts have known all along: Couples who practice “relationship mindfulness” are happier, have less stress and have a better ability to cope during challenging times.Take our quiz to find out how mindful you are when it comes to your own relationship.1. In my relationship, I consider my partner's feelings when making a decision.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never2. If I need to discuss an uncomfortable subject with my partner, I am conscious of my behavior throughout the discussion.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or Never3. I can tell when my partner is not in a good mood.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never4. When my partner appears to be having a tough day or is in a bad mood, I attempt to inquire about what is wrong. A. Most of the time B. Some of the time C. Rarely or never5. When my partner appears to be having a tough day or is in a bad mood, I try to provide comfort.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never6. When my partner appears to be having a tough day or is in a bad mood, I make an effort to see if I can be helpful.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never7. When having a conversation with my partner, I do my best to focus on the exchange and try to avoid multi-tasking.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never8. When it comes to my relationship, I would consider myself to be present, mindful and aware.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never9. In times of stress or conflict with my partner, I take time out to think about how to best handle the situation before I react.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never10. When it comes to my relationship, I make an effort to avoid saying things that I might regret.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never11. I realize that my partner and our relationship shift and evolve over time; I try to adapt to those changes.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never12. I stay on top of what triggers me, stresses me out or makes me angry so that I can anticipate what might create conflict in my relationship.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never13. I am honest with myself about my relationship.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never14. I initiate bookend connections with my partner (the connections when I wake up in the morning and go to bed at night, and when I leave and arrive at home)A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never15. I focus on good communication with my partner, both verbal and nonverbal.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never16. I take time out to assess and understand my partner’s wants and needs.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never17. I realize that personal growth will help my relationship, so I work toward that goal.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never18. I know that I am not always the perfect partner, and so I acknowledge my mistakes when they happen.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never19. I make efforts toward deepening my relationship with my partner.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or never20. I make an effort to put my partner’s happiness on an equal standing with my own.A. Most of the timeB. Some of the timeC. Rarely or neverEvaluate your answersA'sIf most of your answers are ‘A’ then you are doing a great job at having a mindful heart in your relationship and you are successful at striking the balance between what is best for you and what is best for your relationship. You are able to assess and adapt to your partner’s needs and have the ability to find compromises for the greater good of the relationship. You are mindful of your partner’s wants and in return that should result in a more successful and happy relationship.B'sIf most of your answers are ‘B’ then you have either been mindful of your partner and relationship, or you are naturally gifted with some of those skills. It would be helpful to you and your relationship if you would carefully look at exactly how and when you are considerate of your partner’s wants and needs so that you can assess where your strengths and weaknesses are. For the areas of strength, pat yourself on the back. For the areas that need improvement, make more of a conscious effort to practice being more mindful in your relationship so that you can deepen your connection.C'sIf most of your answers are ‘C’ then you either lack the natural skills to be mindful in your relationship, or you haven’t put in the time or energy to improve your abilities in this area. If you were not aware of your imperfections in this area, perhaps you can invest more of your focus on being more aware and balancing what both you and your partner want and need. If emotional distance or resentment has been the cause of your lack of mindfulness, then make an effort to bridge the emotional gap and diffuse the tension by trying to engage in more of these connecting activities.Stacy Kaiser is a licensed psychotherapist, author, relationship expert and media personality. She is also the author of the best-selling book, How to Be a Grown Up: The Ten Secret Skills Everyone Needs to Know, and an editor-at-large for Live Happy.
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33 Ideas for Happy Travels
Travel

33 Ideas for Happy Travels

Whether you are leaving on a jet plane or off to a weekend getaway, taking regular trips can be beneficial for your mental and physical well-being. Here is a list of our ideas for you to do, read, watch, and contemplate in your daily travels.1. “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” —Lao Tzu2. Read An Inland Voyage by Robert Louis Stevenson.3. “Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.” —Pope Francis4. Listen to “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohn.5. “Never go on trips with anyone you do not love.” —Ernest Hemingway6. Go to a music festival.7. Watch Into the Wild.8. “It is better to travel well than to arrive.” —Buddha9. Read A Walk in the Woodsby Bill Bryson.10. Watch The Endless Summer.11. Travel with a purpose.12. Take a weekend trip.13. Make a slideshow from previous vacations.Read more about making the most of your vacations here.14. Learn a new language.15. Go camping and unplug.16. Listen to “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and the Papas.17. Listen to “Roam” by the B-52s.18. Watch Planes, Trains and Automobiles.Learn the 8 Secrets to a Happy Family Roadtrip.19. Book a train ride.20. Host an international dinner party.21. Watch Rick Steve’s Europe on PBS.22. Read A Cook's Tourby Anthony Bourdain.23. Pretend to be a tourist in your hometown.24. Spend time with your family planning a vacation.25. Read The A to Zen of Travelby Sarah Tucker.26. Listen to “Enjoy the Silence” by Depeche Mode.27. Read Pass the Butterworms: Remote Journeys Oddly Renderedby Tim Cahill.28. Witness the beauty of America on two wheels.29. Listen to Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger.”30. Visit a national monument or a state park.31. “I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” —Rosalia de Castro32. Read On the Roadby Jack Kerouac.33. Watch Roman Holiday.Need more inspiration? How about 33 Ideas for Living a More Courageous Life.What are some of your favorite places to go? How do you like to spend your time when you travel? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
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Apps designed for mindfulness
Practice

3 Must-Have Mindfulness Apps

Although technology is known as a great distracter, it also has allowed for the creation of some terrific tools to help fine-tune your mindfulness. If you’re looking for a way to become more mindful, here are a few apps designed to help: Insight Timer Available for both Android and iOS users, the Insight Timer is a combination meditation timer and mindfulness guide. Enjoy guided meditations by gurus like Sharon Salzberg and Jack Kornfield, and find others in your area who are meditating. This one uses a guided meditation as well as Tibetan singing bowls to create the meditation experience that’s right for you. Free. The Mindfulness Training App Designed for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, the Mindfulness Training App walks you through a number of practices and styles, all presented by experts like Dr. Andrew Weill and Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Whether you’re looking for a basic introduction to mindfulness and meditation, want to cultivate spiritual awareness and physical well-being or find-tune your deep breathing skills, this robust app covers all the bases with a full library of resources that are designed to be shared with friends. Free. In-app purchases available. Stillness Buddy Who doesn’t need a friend to remind us to take a break, take a breath and re-center ourselves? That’s the role that Stillness Buddy plays. This desktop application can be customized to your schedule, and at the chosen time, you’ll get a message on your screen that reminds you to take a moment of stillness. You can also choose what exercise you prefer to be guided through during that moment, and can choose from meditations by spiritual teachers including Thich Nhat Hanh, His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama and Barry Long; there are also programs on mindfulness-based stress reduction and stretching. Free 14-day trial; after that, user licenses provide access to content for about $15 a month.
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Practice

Wake Up Happy: Series 9

Thank you for attending Wake Up Happy Series 9! As a special added-bonus for your participation, we are gifting you with on-demand access to the entire series--at no cost to you. If you missed a session – you’re in luck, we have it all right here at your fingertips; no matter what time of day.These powerful insights and practices will give you the positive outlook you need to plow through your busy schedule. Listen to these leading happiness experts and positive psychologists from all over the country and have a greater positive emotional benefit. Listen in as Dani DiPirro, author ofStay Positive,The Positively Present Guide to Life, and a variety ofe-books, talks about how to be Positively Present. Tune in as Arthur Woods, entrepreneur, speaker and writer on the future of purposeful work, talks about Purposeful Work. Join in as Dr. Mitchel Adler, licensed Clinical Psychologist, certified group psychotherapist and the Director of MindBody Intelligence Consulting, talks about How to Boost your Emotional Intelligence and Thrive. Get excited as Thomas Bradbury, Professor of Clinical Psychology and author of more than 100 research articles and three edited books, including The Psychology of Marriage, talks about his new book Love Me Slender: How Smart Couples Team Up to Lose Weight, Exercise More, and Stay Healthy Together.
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3 Practices for Developing Your Mindful Parenting Superpower
relationships

Mindful Parenting 101

Sometimes it feels like it takes more than a village to raise a child—it takes a superhero. On any given day, we have work, commitments, emails and, of course, people (big and little) fighting for our attention. The problem is, we’re not superheroes. We can’t fly, we don’t have super-speed, nor can we be in several places at once. And unfortunately for us, we don’t have eyes in the back of our heads (what a handy parenting super-power that would be!). What is mindful parenting? There is, however, one superpower we can all have, if we develop it: mindfulness, which can easily and usefully be applied to parenting. Simply put,mindful parenting is when we pay attention and listen to what our children are saying, become aware of their emotions, are compassionate toward our children (and ourselves) and accept them for who they are, without judgment. When we add elements of mindfulness to parenting, our relationships with our children are strengthened by the warmth, trust and sharing. And, as an added bonus, our own stress tends to ease and is replaced by a sense of calmness. With that in mind, here are three easy ways to implement mindful parenting into our daily lives—no super-human strength required: 1.Self-Regulate When your little one doesn’t clean his room or when the wall becomes the canvas for artwork, “pay attention to what you’re feeling, but don’t act on it,” advises Laura Markham, Ph.D. The Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids author says our first responsibility as parents is to be mindful of our own inner state, particularly during challenges. “Mindfulness is the opposite of losing your temper.” Instead, imagine the world, and how you appear and sound, from your child’s perspective, say Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., and his wife, Myla, the authors of Everyday Blessings. Doing this allows you to use self-talk to think about how you carry yourself in your body and the words you use, and modify them as needed. 2.Practice Gratitude One of the best ways to foster mindfulness in children (and ourselves) is by encouraging them to identify the good thoughts and feelings they experienced throughout in the course of the day, as well as and who or what brought them about. Kristen Race, Ph.D., author of Mindful Parenting, suggests creating a gratitude jar for family members to write or draw pictures of who or what they’re grateful for and then reviewing the jar together each week. Or, make sharing gratitude a daily event by encouraging family members to acknowledge three things they’re grateful for each night during dinner or before bedtime. “In order for our children to be grateful, they must first slow down enough to recognize all of the blessings in their lives,” say Jeffrey Froh, PsyD, and Giacomo Bono, Ph.D. “Being mindful does just this.” 3. Disconnect to Connect To create moments for connection daily, whether it’s snuggling before bedtime, engaging in active listening and conversation, taking a walk together outside or immersing ourselves in child-led playtime, we have to disconnect from technology, tasks and thoughts of other responsibilities. “The trick here is to notice when our attention has wandered, and then gently bring it back to our child,” says Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., in her book, Parenting in the Present Moment. “Imagine that a specific event is the last time you’ll ever experience it.” Because while we don’t move as quickly as the Flash, time can feel like it does. Little moments with our children are more significant than all the other things that seem so important. After all, our kids deserve our mindfulness superpower, and so do we. Dr. Colleen Georges is a nationally certified psychologist, licensed professional counselor, certified positive psychology coach, Rutgers University lecturer and mom who lives her purpose of helping others to see the good in themselves. Colleen authors the positive psychology blogSeeing All The Good, blogs for the Huffington Post, and is a co-author in the award-winning Contagious Optimism,as well as 10 Habits of Truly Optimistic People,101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career, and The Book of Success.
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Give Your Job a Makeover!
work

6 Quick Tips for a Job Happiness Makeover

With approximately one-third of our waking hours spent at work—and another third presumably spent thinking about it—there’s no question that where, how and with whom we work plays a significant role in our overall well-being. “Being happy at work is key to being happy in life,” notes Shane Lopez, Ph.D., Gallup senior scientist and research director at Clifton Strengths Institute. “Lots of different domains in our life hinge on it. If that work domino doesn’t fall into place, it’s hard to make the most of your relationships or be your best self. So you have to make sure you’re as happy as possible at work.” Gallup’s numbers show that only 30 percent of U.S. workers are truly engaged and like their jobs. Of those, a mere 1 percent claim to love their jobs. Of the other 70 percent, about 40 percent say they are not engaged at work, and 30 percent are actively disengaged. Maybe you used to love your job, but the thrill is gone. Or maybe you never felt much love for it to begin with. Regardless, there are many ways to improve things. Kerry Hannon, author of the new book, Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness, columnist for The New York Times and AARP’s Job Expert, offers the following tips: Take a moment; take a breath Mindfulness and other forms of meditation have been found to be extremely effective in helping relieve stress and can change the way you feel about your situation. Read about the new movement in workplace wellness. Remove the toxins Avoid engaging in negative conversations, gossip and backbiting. Volunteer Doing something for someone else will make you more grateful for your own situation. Many companies offer volunteer opportunities, or you can look for a cause you feel particularly passionate about. Learn Keeping your brain stimulated can help improve your feelings about your job. Don’t have time for a class after work? Set Google alerts for your area of work so you can keep up with industry trends. It may give you new ideas for innovating on the job. Focus on the positive Keep a work journal, and each day write down one thing you did well or that went right. It will make for great reading on days when you’re feeling down. Laugh Gallup polls show that people who laugh and smile are more engaged at work. Read about how coworkers at Hallmark let loose and have fun together.
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4 Secrets to Following Your Dreams
Self-Care

4 Secrets to Following Your Dreams

A decade ago Margaret was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania’s MAPP program, the first applied positive psychology graduate program of its kind. “What’s the big deal?” you might think. People apply to college and graduate school every day. For Margaret, it took courage.First, she had responsibilities. She was already paying college tuition for one daughter. She was also taking care of her teenage daughter still at home, who would be starting college the next year.Obstacles to the dreamExpenses were increasing, and the MAPP degree had a hefty price tag. She also had a busy consulting and coaching practice to run. She couldn’t just take a sabbatical, study full time, and expect her business to still be afloat when she returned. Lastly, Margaret hadn’t stepped foot into a college classroom for more than 20 years.Yet in her heart, Margaret was convinced this new field of positive psychology was something she just had to study. She had to find the courage to follow this direction. Courage originates from the French word coeur, meaning heart.Follow your heart—and your brainOur brains give us the ability to dream of what we want, but our hearts motivate us to act on those dreams. It takes courage to start a business. It takes courage to leave a comfortable job to embark on a new career. It takes courage to ask your boss for more challenging work or a raise. And most of all, it takes courage to go against the expectations others may have of you.In our coaching of hundreds of business leaders, colleagues and friends, we have found three main culprits that prevent people from pursuing their dreams: fear of success, fear of disappointing others and uncertainty of the very next step.So what can you do to be more courageous and resilient or to be what we call a “positive deviant” in our book, Profit from the Positive.1. Quit being an expertAsking for help is one of the hardest things any of us can do. But remember this: You know how good it feels to help someone, right? Give your friends, family and colleagues that same opportunity.2. Put on an explorer's hatExploring empowers and creates momentum. Dust off your resume and go on an interview just to practice. Looking to start your own business? Reach out to other business owners and pick their brains. Ask, "How can I make this work?"3. Win debates against yourselfIgnore the inner critic that tells you to "Play it safe" and "Don't look stupid." Trust the inner voice that says, "You can do this"; "What's the worst that can happen? and What might I learn even if I fail?4. DabbleHerminia Ibarra of INSEAD business school suggests that if you want to follow your dreams, don't quit your job cold-turkey. Dabble in the field or job you want. Blog. Volunteer at a business or organization for a few hours a week.Read more about avoiding pitfalls when starting your dream business.What have you been dreaming of doing? What is one small step you can take today to act on those dreams? Let us know in the Comments section, below.Margaret H. Greenberg and Senia Maymin, are organizational consultants and executive coaches, and authors ofProfit from the Positive: Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your Business, with a foreword by Tom Rath.For more information about Senia and Margaret, go toProfitFromThePositive.com.
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33 Ideas on Leadership
Practice

33 Ideas on Leadership

1. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams2. ReadThe 5 Levels of Leadershipby John C. Maxwell.3. WatchLincoln.4. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister (bbbs.org).5. WatchLean On Me.6. ReadThe Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadershipby Richard Branson.Read about the trajectory of media mogul Arianna Huffington.7. WatchTheIron Lady.8. “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” —Steve Jobs9. Start aJimRohnLeadership Journal.10. Download theMind Toolsapp.11. WatchSaving Private Ryan.12. Read The7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen R. Covey.13. Volunteer as a mentor in your area of professional expertise.Read more about the benefits of mentoring.14. Listen to“Centerfield”by JohnFogerty.15. ReadThe Last Lionby William Manchester.16. WatchCoach Carter.17. “The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes.” —Tony Blair18. Follow your favorite entrepreneurs onLinkedIn.19. Listen to“GonnaFly Now (Theme to ‘Rocky’)” by BillContievery morning.20. ReadLean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Leadby Sheryl Sandberg.21. WatchRemember the Titans.22. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” —C.S. Lewis23. Participate in a project to improve your community.Read more about how you can improve connectedness in your community.24. Listen to “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons.25. ReadHow to Win Friends and Influence Peopleby Dale Carnegie.26. Watch Drew Dudley’s “Everyday Leadership” TED Talk.27. “You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a whole lot more of who you already are.” —TomRath28. Set regular self-improvement goals.29. “The speed of the leader determines the speed of the gang.” – Mary Kay Ash30. ReadDriveby Daniel Pink.Watch our interview with best-selling author Daniel Pink.31. “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” —WarrenBennis32. Watch SimonSinek’s“How Great Leaders Inspire Action” TED Talk.33. Check out the next issue ofLive Happyfor 33 Ideas for Happy Travels.Let us know your ideas of what makes a strong leader by leaving a comment, below!
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Live Happy's Tips for Happy Healthy Summer
Well-Being

9 Ways to Stay Healthy and Happy This Summer

Summer is synonymous with happiness. How can you not be happy basking in the sunshine, relaxing on the beach, celebrating with a cookout, playing with your kids or lounging poolside? And while it all sounds heavenly, sometimes summer is spent figuring out how to entertain the kiddos from dawn to dusk so they don’t drive you wacko. If you really want a happy, healthy summer—one where you can bask in its long days without the kids driving you crazy—try these nine tips. (We recommend reading this in your hammock.) 1. Plan “me” time When life gets crazy, (when is it not?) the first thing that usually goes to the wayside is time just for you. Take turns with your spouse and make dates with yourself. Watch the kiddos while your spouse gets a little solitude, and then let your spouse give you that precious time, too. Hang out in a coffee shop, read a good book, meditate, take a long bike ride or catch an afternoon matinee—do something that allows you to think, reflect, relax or just unplug. 2. Make healthy eating fun Browse farmers markets and get some gorgeous seasonal produce. Teach your kids about the health benefits of real foods by experimenting with clean-eating recipes to make delicious, colorful meals and snacks. Learn the three easy steps to healthier eating. 3. Fill your calendar with joy You can have a lot of control and influence over how happy your summer is if you proactively plan weekends with your absolute favorite things to do, like hosting a cookout for your street, planning a weekend getaway or scheduling an outdoor adventure. Not only do you get the joy that comes from anticipation, but you also get a fun experience and a wonderful memory! (It’s a trio of happiness.) 4. Investigate your favorite exercise The key to exercising regularly isn’t about finding the time—it’s about finding an exercise you love. Because if you love it, you will do it. Summer is the ideal time to try out some new activities. Paddle-boarding anyone? Golf? (Skip the cart.) Take your kids on a family hike. Sign up to jog your first 5K. Go in search of an exercise to fall in love with, and you just might get hooked. 5. Remind yourself why sleep is wonderful Make your bedroom a place of serenity and calm by cleaning out any clutter that could be clogging you mentally. Get your favorite sheets and comforter. Open a window if it’s cool enough for gentle breezes. Fully embrace sleep as one of life’s great pleasures. 6. Know what recharges you When you’re feeling run down and frazzled, what restores you? What fills you up? Make a list of the top three activities that replenish your mind and body and then carve out time to do them. You’ll love life more when you feel full and mentally clear, instead of frazzled and depleted. 7. Seek a change of scenery Go on a vacation, drive to your neighboring town or just try a new restaurant. Changing up your normal environment can be uplifting and offer a new perspective. Read our 5 tips for an energy-boosting vacation. 8. Keep a journal Journaling helps with self-awareness, mental clarity and preserving memories, but keep the right journal for you. It could be a one-sentence journal about your day or maybe a travel journal where you record your summer adventures. You may even consider keeping a gratitude journal, where you jot down what you appreciate about your day. If it’s more your speed, use your journal to doodle or brainstorm your next big idea. Read more about journaling as a five-minute misery cure. 9. Go deeper with conversation If you’re having a dinner party, as you set the table, think about how you’d like to direct the conversation with your guests. Sometimes, with a little planning, you can cultivate meaningful conversations instead of surface chitchat. Bonus tip: Don’t start cleaning up when people are done eating, as that signals everyone that dinner is over. Sit and just enjoy your conversations—it’s good for your health and longevity! Make this your best summer yet by aligning it closer to what you value most. Happiness will follow. Click here to read about how to have a happy family roadtrip this summer. Sandra Bienkowski worked as the national columns editor for SUCCESS magazine for three years, and is widely published in print and on the web. See more about Sandra at The Media Concierge.
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B Corps are changing the way we do business
News & Trends

B the Change

Do you know the saying “You must be the change you wish to see in the world”? Well, a growing number of businesses are doing just that.Business as a force for goodBusinesses have a tremendous impact on our lives, as owners, employees, consumers and community members, and now B Corps are using that power to solve social and environmental problems.The B Corp designation is to business what Fair Trade certification is to coffee or USDA Organic certification is to milk. Today, 1,281 Certified B Corps from 41 countries and over 121 industries are working together toward a single unifying goal: to redefine success in business.Getting the B grade to redefine successA business interested in becoming a B Corp goes through an assessment process that measures the social and environmental performance of everything it does, including accountability and transparency. If the company scores well, then it’s eligible to obtain the B Corp certification from B Lab, the supporting nonprofit organization.All shapes and sizesB corps come in all shapes in sizes, from small firms with sole proprietors to global brands like Ben & Jerry’s. Rob Michalak, Ben & Jerry’s global director of social mission, led the company’s effort to obtain its B Corp certification. “At first, the whole idea of assessment can be intimidating, but then people realize the benefit of the tool,” he says.The certification process has helped the company affirm what it’s doing well and provided insight into opportunities for improvement. So far, Ben & Jerry’s management has benefited the most from the guidance provided by the assessment process. With its deep social mission, the company is committed to supporting the B Corp movement. “There is true power in movements—much stronger than any individual company,” Rob says.Aligned ValuesMany companies join because there is strong alignment between a company’s established values and that of the B Corp movement. That was the case for Founding B Corp member King Arthur Flour, an employee-owned business. King Arthur Flour Chief of Staff Carey Underwood says the existing employee engagement, management transparency and employee-owned culture all contributed to the company’s high social scores during the assessment.Sustainable, Inside and outFor Patagonia, taking care of the planet has always been a driving value, so the B Corp designation was a natural fit, says Elissa Loughman, the company’s manager of corporate responsibility.The company knows that examining its own business practices and the way it uses resources are essential to being a responsible company. The outdoor clothing company uses organic cotton, makes fleece jackets from recycled plastic bottles and traces all the down used in their products back to the geese farms to ensure humane animal practices. Patagonia also uses wool from sheep raised sustainably in the Patagonia region of South America.Patagonia is also a founding member of 1% for the Planet, through which companies donate 1 percent of sales to environmental nonprofits.What Members AppreciateBeing part of a community and movement with shared goals has its benefits. Because B Corp certification is so rigorous, it validates and values the good work member companies do and helps them identify opportunities to improve. Members benefit from a culture of collaboration and exchange that even includes the signing of a “Declaration of Interdependence.”Additionally, for companies like Cabot Creamery, the first dairy farmer cooperative to become a B Corp, building brand awareness has been very helpful. Cabot Creamery Director of Marketing Amy Levine says “being a member has helped educate and communicate to consumers how a co-op is a beneficial business model” for the broader community and their high-quality products. The company appreciates that the assessment recognizes its acts of gratitude and volunteerism.Just Getting StartedThough it’s growing quickly, the B Corp movement is just getting started. B Corps range across all types of businesses and industries, from food to finance, from clothes to consulting and from consumer products to waste management.“All these companies are united by one common goal: to be best for the world,” says Katie Kerr, B Lab’s director of communications. Certification helps companies differentiate themselves and improve, helps consumers align their purchases with their values and helps people find good places to work. Building the brand and movement go hand in hand—both increase well-being for all.Are you ready (consumers and businesses) to “B the change”? If so, check out bcorporation.net, watch the “We Have a Dream” short video, begin an assessment and find a B Corp to do business with.Contributor Brian Kaminer is the founder of Talgra, a certified B Corp and consulting firm, and the creator of Invest With Values, an education website for people looking to align their money and values.
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