Some 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, the letter B was on its belly and meant shelter. Alchemists believed the letter represented what holds the four main elements together and compose all things, thus embodying difference, diversity as well as interdependency. Closely resembling the symbol of number eight, it has also come to signify infinity. 

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Fast forward to the 21st century, and to our context, these interpretations still hold. What we add is that the 'B' represents a change in how we must do business, and that we all need to 'B' a part of that change. We recognise that our current economic model is broken and that only we can fix it. After all, we created it. "Be a Better business. Benefit all your stakeholders". This should really be the basic purpose of any business venture; to create value and positive impact for all of its stakeholders. Maybe what the Egyptians meant by "shelter"? It recognises a business and all its stakeholders as parts of an eco-system, where everything is interlinked. Holding the elements together, composing all things. The opposite of a zero-sum game. The 'B' represents a race to the top and 'Certified B Corporations™' are leading that race - companies that compete for the top spot of being the Best FOR the world, not just the Best IN the world. 

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The values and aspirations of the B Corp™ community are embedded in the B Corp™ Declaration of Interdependence.

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"We envision a global economy that uses business as a force for good. This economy is comprised of a new type of corporation - the B Corporation™ - which is purpose-driven and creates benefit for all stakeholders, not just shareholders.

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As B Corporations™ and leaders of this emerging economy, we believe:

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• That we must be the change we seek in the world.

• That all business ought to be conducted as if people and place mattered.

• That, through their products, practices, and profits, businesses should aspire to do no harm and benefit all

• To do so requires that we act with the understanding that we are each dependent upon another and thus responsible for each other and future generations."

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To find out more, please visit B Lab Global and B Lab HK & Macau , the non-profit organization behind B Corporations™.

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B Purpose Bureau operates completely independently from B Lab™ and has no affiliation with this organization. B Purpose Bureau has been certified as a  B Corp™ in 2023.  “Certified B Corporation™“, “B Corporation™“, “B Corp™“, “B Impact Assessment™” and the “Certified B Corporation™” logo, and all related names and marks, are trademarks of B Lab Company, and are used here with explicit permission from B Lab Company.

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