Our Theory of Change & future strategy
Learn more about our future strategy, Theory of Change, and how we envision a world where business can benefit people and the planet — not just shareholders.
The future of our movement
Our ambition
Over the past 20 years, B Lab and the B Corp movement have shown the world that we can evolve business to benefit people and the planet. We’ve proven that we can care for the stakeholders we impact – not just our shareholders, but our workers, suppliers, customers, communities, and nature itself.
We know it’s possible. Now, it’s time to use our collective power to embed this change in both the culture — the stories we hold about the role of business in society — and structure —the laws and policies — of our economy. Our five strategic priorities and Theory of Change guides our Global Network’s mission to transform the economic system into a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative global economy.
Our 5 strategic priorities
World-leading standards
The B Lab Standards are a credible, open source tool available to all businesses. We’re introducing a rigorous third-party audit process to cement trust in B Corp Certification.
An ambitious and inclusive community
We’re retaining and growing our global community through this transition, delivering valued experiences and products that support continuous improvement and impact.
Enhanced engagement and collective action
As B Lab becomes an integrated organization, we’ll deliver more opportunities for B Corps and allied businesses to connect and collaborate across geographies and industries.
Coordinated advocacy and mobilization
We’ll advocate to embed stakeholder governance in law and advance policy proposals around the world, rooted in our Government Affairs & Collective Action standard.
New narratives of success in business
Drawing on the powerful stories and data from partnerships and more than 10,000 B Corps, we’ll redefine the role of business for business leaders, policymakers, and investors.
Our Theory of Change
The problem
The current economic system, driven in part by business, is failing to live up to its potential for creating a positive impact in the world. In fact, it creates significant negative impacts for people, communities, and the planet. We’ve identified three key aspects that reinforce the problematic role of business:
The design of legal systems
Business behavior and operations
Corporate culture and the dominant narratives around business and success
This leads to three types of negative impacts that we see across societies and cultures:
Structural social and economic inequality
Environmental degradation and resource extraction
The decline of individual well-being and loss of social cohesion
Our solution
System change — shifting the structure and culture of the economic system — is our solution to these problems. By working with other movements, coalitions, policymakers, activists, and organizations, and by catalyzing our stakeholders — Certified B Corporations, benefit corporations, and businesses adopting the B Lab Standards — we can achieve our vision system change, and create a world where all stakeholders, not just shareholders, are valued and prioritized.
Our strategic direction
Our impact
Guided by our Theory of Change, B Lab’s impact extends beyond B Corp Certification, to impacting the structure and culture of our economic system. We led on and contributed to the adoption of benefit corporation legislation in over 50 jurisdictions, successfully participating in regulatory and legal consultations across the world, and are present at critical global bodies, from the IMP to ISO. Read our special-edition impact report for a closer look at our impact over the past 20 years.
Our impact
Guided by our Theory of Change, B Lab’s impact extends beyond B Corp Certification, to impacting the structure and culture of our economic system. We led on and contributed to the adoption of benefit corporation legislation in over 50 jurisdictions, successfully participating in regulatory and legal consultations across the world, and are present at critical global bodies, from the IMP to ISO. Read our special-edition impact report for a closer look at our impact over the past 20 years.
Advocacy & collective action
Policy advocacy and collective action are two key ways the B Corp movement aims to transform the global economy, from local community initiatives and coalitions to legislative change. Our policy strategy is based on campaigns, direct policy engagement, advocacy and lobbying, and collective action. Read more about our latest global initiatives, outcomes, and find out how you can get involved.
Advocacy & collective action
Policy advocacy and collective action are two key ways the B Corp movement aims to transform the global economy, from local community initiatives and coalitions to legislative change. Our policy strategy is based on campaigns, direct policy engagement, advocacy and lobbying, and collective action. Read more about our latest global initiatives, outcomes, and find out how you can get involved.
Support our work
B Lab depends on the support of donors to drive the B Corp movement. These investments have helped build a global community of 10,000 B Corps in over 100 countries. Find out how you can support our work here.