It has been exactly one year since Little Dot Studios became a Certified B Corporation - an achievement that was years in the making. Becoming a B Corp was never going to be a quick checklist exercise; rather, it required a deep, holistic, and introspective look at how our company operates on a global scale. We put everything under the spotlight, from our people policies and corporate governance to our environmental footprint, our role in the local community, and the clients we choose to partner with. We wanted to ensure that every facet of our business aligned with our core values.
This distinction places us alongside roughly 2,500* certified UK businesses (out of 5.7 million), including purpose-led pioneers like The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, Tony’s Chocolonely, Sipsmith Gin, and The Jamie Oliver Group. It cements Little Dot Studios as one of the select few media entities to satisfy the rigorous criteria, no easy feat within a sector defined by ever growing content creation, international productions, complex operational frameworks and increasing environmental responsibility.
“For anyone considering B Corp certification, the process is gruelling and likely to take years; but the results and the fundamental improvements you’ll make to every aspect of your business, and its impact on both people and the planet are enormous.” Dan Jones, CEO, Little Dot Studios
Now, one year on, we are taking a moment to reflect on the journey so far, what it means to be a certified B Corp, and the impact it has had so far and might have going forward.
Why We Did It
The decision to pursue B Corp certification was rooted in a fundamental sense of role and responsibility. As Little Dot Studios grew, so did our footprint and our potential for impact. We realised that to be the kind of industry leader we aspired to be, we needed more than just good intentions, we needed something to go alongside all of the sustainability focussed work we were doing on measuring and reducing our carbon emissions, changing our business, travel and people policies and striving to operate with less impact. We needed the accountability that is so crucially important to marry with any sustainability based understanding and the external assurance and credible certification that would automatically vouch for our efforts and give partners trust that we are doing things the right way. We wanted absolute certainty that our internal policies, operational standards, and company culture were as robust and forward thinking as we believed them to be.
The B Corp Assessment provided that rigorous framework. It challenged us to prove our commitments with initiatives, policies and data, forcing us to look under every rock of the company. Globally, inclusive of all subsidiaries including History Hit & WING. We didn’t embark on this journey just to acquire a badge or tick a box. We did it to embed a long-term form of responsibility into the DNA of Little Dot Studios, from the top down. We wanted our clients, partners, staff and our audiences to know that we mean what we say when we talk about our sustainability goals and ambitions and balancing profit with purpose.
What It Means To Be A B Corp
On a personal level as Little Dot Sustainability lead, reaching this milestone has instilled an incredible sense of pride. Not just because of the intensity and extent of the work that went into being certified but because it represents us being part of a global movement of like-minded, purpose-led companies. Sharing the same certification as trailblazers like Patagonia brings great satisfaction and hope for a better future, with businesses understanding their impact and working towards making the world a fairer, cleaner and ultimately better place. It places us in a community of businesses that refuse to accept the status quo and are willing to go through moderate discomfort and break the mould for the greater good. In a way, redefining commercial success.
That connection extends far beyond the office. It alters how you view the world as a consumer. Every time I see the B Corp logo on a growing number of companies and products, I am reminded of the monumental effort required to earn it. That small 'B' in a circle carries enormous weight. It has become a huge sway for me personally when purchasing products and services. If I am looking at two options in a supermarket, even if the B Corp option is more expensive, more often than not, I want to reward that company for the efforts they are making to be better and will be putting that ‘B’ branded item in the basket. Knowing that Little Dot Studios status as a certified B corp can evoke that same respect and trust in others is a powerful realisation that brings immense pride.
What Difference Being A B Corp Made
The impact of our B Corp status over the past year has been both culturally rewarding and motivating as well as commercially tangible. B Corp is not just an ideological stance; it helps drive the business forward in other ways.
RFP Process and Pitching
In today’s landscape, clients are increasingly scrutinising the ethical and environmental practices of their agency partners. Almost every RFP or pitch request that comes in now has sustainability and environmental footprint related questions as part of it. Clients and partners have told us that being a B Corp instantly communicates our standards and creates trust that we are a sustainability focussed business. It has become a vital asset during the RFP process and in our pitches.
Retention and Pride
Most importantly, it has strengthened our internal culture. Recent sustainability survey results, conducted as part of our annual carbon emission reporting, highlight that over 65% of staff were proud to work for a B Corp certified company.
The Journey Continues
Reflecting on our first year as B Corp, it is clear that achieving certification was one of the most challenging yet rewarding initiatives Little Dot Studios has undertaken. It validated our on-going efforts while setting a high bar for our future as a leading and purpose-driven sustainable agency. As we look ahead, we know that certification is not a finish line. The ongoing requirements keep us accountable, ensuring we do not rest on our laurels and it continues to act as a compass for every new policy we draft and every new client or partner we work with and we are more committed than ever to amplifying our positive impact.
Written by Saunders Carmichael Brown, Sustainability Lead
