Question 1

What are the Sustainable Development Goals and why are they important for businesses?

Accepted Answer

The Sustainable Development Goals, also called the SDGs, are 17 goals developed by the United Nations in 2015. These goals range from no poverty, to sustainable consumption and production, to protecting life, just to name a few. 193 countries have committed to achieving these goals by 2030. However, it was established that the SDGs could not be reached unless businesses take action on a large scale. The good news is that businesses have major incentives to contribute. By aligning their strategy and business model with the goals, businesses can reduce their costs, manage risks, identify opportunities for growth and increase trust with their stakeholders. Read more about the SDGs; (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

Question 2

How can I improve my impact after I completed the benchmark?

Accepted Answer

We’re glad you ask. To improve your impact, all while making sure your business is future-fit, you can join the Swiss Triple Impact program. In three clear steps, you will be guided towards making sure you’re focusing on the most relevant SDGs for your business, having a solid action plan in place, and communicating your impact.   Sign-up for the first step (free introduction workshop) https://www.swisstripleimpact.ch/events.

Question 3

Why is this benchmark unique?

Accepted Answer

This benchmark will be the first benchmark calculating Swiss businesses’ contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. This matters, because in order to improve our collective impact, we need to know exactly where we stand today. Moreover, it will allow you to know how you are performing compared to your competitors (breakdown by sector and size) and other Swiss businesses.

Question 4

How are these questions selected?

Accepted Answer

The Swiss Triple Impact benchmark contains a set of questions based on B Lab’s global standards and tools. B Lab standards are best-in-class standards developed by the independent Standards Advisory Council, https://bcorporation.net/about-b-lab/standards-and-governance.

Question 5

Why "Triple Impact"?"

Accepted Answer

Triple Impact stands for: People, Planet, Prosperity. A growing movement of people and businesses are aware of the need to redefine the notion of success in the economy, so that businesses, in addition to being prosperous, positively impact people and the planet. The Swiss Triple Impact (STI) is designed to enable Swiss businesses to achieve this triple impact.

Question 6

Eligibility: What kind of companies / organizations can participate in the STI program?

Accepted Answer

The STI program targets companies of all economic sectors, sizes and revenues within the Swiss private sector, as well as organizations with significant economic footprint (for instance, social organizations with significant value chain, staff number, etc…).   Eligibility and sensitive industries: For companies operating in sensitive industries (i.e., those subject to systematic social taboos, moral debates, political pressure and those that are more likely to cause social and environmental damage), participation in the STI program will be subject to a review process by B Lab Switzerland prior to acceptance in the program. If a controversial issue arises a participant's activities during or after their engagement in the program, B Lab Switzerland reserves the right to revoke participation if the issue cannot be addressed and remediated adequately and transparently. You will be contacted if this procedure applies to your organization. For more details, please contact info@swisstripleimpact.ch.

Question 7

Who in our company should participate in the STI Program?

Accepted Answer

Anyone that is interested! There's no minimum title or tenure to take part. We recommend appointing one internal team member as a lead; this individual typically attends the STI - Introduction Workshop and then assembles an internal team to assist him throughout the program by providing the needed information. This team member will be the “STI Champion” and will be equipped with necessary resources and tools to drive the company through the STI program.

Question 8

What will I need to prepare before entering the STI Program?

Accepted Answer

You will be informed of everything during the STI - Introduction Workshop. Just make sure you have enough time and resources to commit to the program. On average, 9 months are necessary for a company to complete all 3 steps of the STI pathway. These 9 months comprise the 3 workshops, thematic workshops, and participation in the Swiss Triple Impact events and celebrations.

Question 9

How long does the STI program last?

Accepted Answer

On average, we estimate the time of program completion for a single company to 9 months. This is the estimated time needed to ensure full ownership of the program at company level.

Question 10

What happens if I am not available to participate in one of the workshops?

Accepted Answer

There is no problem! The STI workshops are replicable every month in every region of Switzerland so that companies can participate in all the workshops at any time. Every workshop is animated multiple times. You can join any workshop, wherever you are, whenever you want.

Question 11

Does the STI Program offer Certification?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no certification behind the STI Program. However, a verification of the companies’ answers to the SDG Action Manager and the B Impact Assessment tool, as well as the operationalisation of their pledges will be conducted by B Lab Switzerland, and will reward good performers, who will gain visibility and a strong reputation by being Listed on the STI Directory (national recognition).

Question 12

Is there any overlap between the content of the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager?

Accepted Answer

The beta version of the SDG Action Manager includes approximately 35% of questions that are directly from the B Impact Assessment, while approximately 20% are based off, but not identical to, questions from the B Impact Assessment. The SDG Action Manager also includes newly developed questions to address the appropriate gaps. Both tools are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.

Question 13

What does the output score look like?

Accepted Answer

In the SDG Action Manager, companies will receive a score on the baseline and on specific SDG modules, but there will be no overall score. The intention is to help businesses determine which SDGs should they be working on and to identify actions that they can take while enabling them to benchmark their performance.

Question 14

What does the Swiss Triple Impact offer?

Accepted Answer

In practice, companies will measure their social, environmental and economic impacts through the SDG Action Manager measurement tool, result of a fruitful collaboration between UN Global Compact and B Lab at global level.   The STI program equips the companies with ad hoc tools, activities and networks (regional platforms, workshops, reference guides, study cases, etc.) to integrate solutions at the core of their businesses in order to contribute to social and environmental progress.   However, the global goal of the STI is larger, as the STI aims to support businesses with knowledge and tools to build a resilient, inclusive and sustainable economy.

Question 15

Why "Triple Impact"?"

Accepted Answer

Triple Impact stands for: People, Planet, Prosperity.   A growing movement of people and businesses are aware of the need to redefine the notion of success in the economy, so that businesses, in addition to being prosperous, positively impact people and the planet.   The Swiss Triple Impact (STI) is designed to enable Swiss businesses to achieve this triple impact.

Question 16

How do the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and B Lab Switzerland collaborate?

Accepted Answer

B Lab Switzerland and UN Global Compact Network Switzerland are members of the STI program Steering Group. B Lab worked in close collaboration with the UN Global Compact at International level to launch the SDG Action Manager, a new integrated SDG measurement tool used by participating companies during the Swiss Triple Impact program.   Both organizations share the same commitment towards the achievement of the Agenda 2030. While driven by different mandates, they have decided to combine forces around the STI program, bringing their own network in the pursuit of this common objective.

Question 17

What is the SDG Action Manager?

Accepted Answer

The SDG Action Manager is a confidential and free online assessment tool to help companies measure their contribution to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   The SDG Action Manager brings together B Lab’s B Impact Assessment, the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, and the Sustainable Development Goals, to enable meaningful business action through dynamic self-assessment, benchmarking, and improvement. It is informed by the work and feedback of a range of stakeholders, including experts in corporate sustainability, civil society, UN, and academia; and it is inspired by the Certified B Corp community and participating companies of the UN Global Compact.

Question 18

What enables the SDG Action Manager?

Accepted Answer

Find your starting point. Learn which SDGs matter most to you based on your company profile, and how to take action today.
 Understand and share your impact. Get a clear view of how your operations, supply chain, and business model create positive impact, and identify risk areas for each SDG.
 Set goals and track improvement. We have 10 years to achieve the SDGs. Stay motivated and visualize your progress on the dashboard.
 Collaborate across your company. Invite colleagues to join the SDG Action Manager, contribute expertise, and see real-time progress and performance.
 Learn at every step. Determine high-impact action based on thought-provoking yet actionable assessment questions, benchmarks, and improvement guides.
 Trailblaze together. Join a global movement of companies working to build a better world for people and planet by 2030.

Question 19

Which activities take place during the STI program?

Accepted Answer

Aside from the tools provided during the program (i.e. access to the SDG Action Manager, reports, reference guides, study cases, etc.), the following activities are organized to deploy the program throughout Switzerland and benefit companies of all regions from tailor-made workshops. - Training workshops - Thematic workshops - Regional platforms events - National celebrations

Question 20

What is a training workshop?

Accepted Answer

Training workshops provide participating companies with dedicated resources and expert knowledge to effectively measure the impact of their business on people, planet, and prosperity with the SDG Action Manager tool, and work on identifying opportunities in order to take concrete action on these practices.   Throughout the Step 2 (Participant), companies benefit from two training workshops :   - Prioritization Workshop - Implementation Workshop.   During these workshops, they will check their impact on all relevant SDGs for their own business, take engagements on concrete actions, and find solutions to implement these engagements in their business.

Question 21

What is a thematic workshop?

Accepted Answer

B Lab Switzerland and its partners organize “thematic workshops” on selected topics of engagement. Such topics may include impact measurement of a company’s value chain, products’ life-cycle, carbon footprint, human rights’ issues in the supply chain, etc. These workshops will answer the specific needs of participating companies and aim to support them to operationalize their pledges.

Question 22

Which are the three steps of the STI Program ?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 - Introduction:Interested companies participate in the STI - Introduction Workshop. This workshop includes an introduction to the STI program, to the sustainable development goals and impact of the private sector on the SDGs. Companies then complete the baseline section of the SDG Action Manager tool. This step is free of charge.   Step 2 - Participant: Through 2 dedicated workshops (Prioritization Workshop & Implementation Workshop), as well as thematic events, participating companies are accompanied in their journey towards sustainability. Workshops include deep diving into circular economy principles and impact and opportunities that the companies have on the SDGs. Companies then complete the required data in the SDG Action Manager and are invited to take pledges in order to improve their social and environmental impact.   Step 3 - Listed Directory Member: Participating companies implement their pledges and go through a performance review carried out by B Lab Switzerland, which allows those meeting performance criteria to be listed in the National STI Directory.

Question 23

Dive-in Step 1 : Introduction

Accepted Answer

Introduction Workshop: This is the Introduction Workshop to the STI Program. Companies will learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and work on identifying all potential positive and negative impacts on companies’ value chain.

Question 24

Dive-in Step 2 : Participant

Accepted Answer

Prioritization workshop: This workshop deepens the knowledge on circular economy principles, on the impact that the companies have on the SDGs and the opportunities derived from their accomplishment. Companies use the online assessment tool SDG Action Manager to evaluate their contribution to the SDGs and are invited to take pledges in order to improve their social and environmental impact.   Implementation workshop: This workshop enables companies to work on how to operationalise their socio-environmental pledges by providing them the needed follow-up to improve their impact on the identified issues. Companies will receive support to fulfil their assessment in the SDG Action Manager tool and be able to register to the STI Step 3.   Thematic workshops: B Lab Switzerland and its partners organize “thematic workshops” on selected topics of engagement. Such topics may include impact measurement of a company’s value chain, products’ life-cycle, carbon footprint, human rights’ issues in the supply chain, etc. These workshops will answer the specific needs of participating companies and aim to support them to operationalize their pledges.

Question 25

Dive-in Step 3 : Listed Directory Member

Accepted Answer

There is no workshop in this step. Companies are requested to fill out the required data on the B Impact Assessment (BIA) tool, and pass a process of verification which will be conducted by B Lab Switzerland. Companies’ answers to the SDG Action Manager and the B Impact Assessment tools will be verified, as well as the operationalisation of their pledges, and these companies will be rewarded, gaining visibility and a strong reputation by being Listed on the STI Directory (national recognition).

Question 26

What are the national celebrations?

Accepted Answer

On a yearly basis, national celebrations are organized in order to bring together STI participants, public authorities, chambers of commerce, industry associations, and academia to celebrate the success of the STI program as a bottom-up initiative which globally inspires companies to use business as a force for good to address a systemic economic transformation in Switzerland and abroad, attaining the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Question 27

What kind of companies / organizations can participate in the STI program?

Accepted Answer

The STI program targets companies of all economic sectors, sizes and revenues within the Swiss private sector, as well as organizations with significant economic footprint (for instance, social organizations with significant value chain, staff number, etc…).

Question 28

Who in our company should participate in the STI Program?

Accepted Answer

Anyone that is interested! There's no minimum title or tenure to take part. We recommend appointing one internal team member as a lead; this individual typically attends the STI - Introduction Workshop and then assembles an internal team to assist him throughout the program by providing the needed information. This team member will be the “STI Champion” and will be equipped with necessary resources and tools to drive the company through the STI program.

Question 29

What will I need to prepare before entering the STI Program?

Accepted Answer

You will be informed of everything during the STI - Introduction Workshop. Just make sure you have enough time and resources to commit to the program. On average, 9 months are necessary for a company to complete all 3 steps of the STI pathway. These 9 months comprise the 3 workshops, thematic workshops, and participation in the Swiss Triple Impact events and celebrations.

Question 30

What happens if I am not available to participate in one of the workshops?

Accepted Answer

There is no problem! The STI workshops are replicable every month in every region of Switzerland so that companies can participate in all the workshops at any time. Every workshop is animated multiple times. You can join any workshop, wherever you are, whenever you want.

Question 31

Is the STI program free?

Accepted Answer

B Lab Switzerland has defined participation fees as follows:   Step 1 – Introduction: is intended for companies that wish to know more about the STI program and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They can participate in the STI - Introduction Workshop. This step is free of charge.   Step 2 – Participant: is meant for companies that want to go further. These companies can participate in both workshops and specific thematic workshops. This step requires a financial contribution as defined on our page Events.   Step 3 – Listed Directory Members: is meant for companies that want to complete the entire engagement path and be listed in the STI Directory, know their actual contribution to the Agenda 2030 and their impact (in terms of governance, workers, community, environment and customers) and carry out specific actions to improve their impact. Since a performance review is required and carried out by B Lab Switzerland, this step requires a financial contribution as defined on our page Events.

Question 32

What is a Regional Platform?

Accepted Answer

They are loose structures whose main responsibility is to bring together a wide range of local economic actors around ad hoc platforms and fora. At cruising speed, the STI deployment foresees the creation of 10 regional platforms during the entirety of the STI program.   The main role of a Regional Platform is to act as an STI relay in the various regions, notably through the organisation of ad hoc events and workshops, program promotion with partners’ own networks, and concrete support to participating companies (facilitating companies self-evaluation using the provided measurement tool).

Question 33

Who facilitates each Regional Platform?

Accepted Answer

The Regional Platforms are facilitated by B Lab Switzerland managers and local coordinators who lead the Executive Committee composed of local partner organisations, such as (while not limited to) : A local coordinator; A representative from the local business association; A representative from cantonal/regional department of economic affairs (Government); A member from Academia; Any association with expertise in the local economic fabric.

Question 34

What are the regional platforms’ events?

Accepted Answer

Led by B Lab Switzerland partners, regional events are organised within the regional platforms to foster the adoption of the STI program, notably through promotional events led by core local partners targeting their own network and/or supply chain. These events contribute to know-how transfers, enabling exchanges among peers, and facilitating the understanding and adoption of the theory of change.

Question 35

How is the data collected going to be used during the evaluations?

Accepted Answer

Thanks to the data collected during impact assessments (based on the SDG Action Manager), B Lab Switzerland will build a trustworthy impact baseline of the Swiss market (within borders and abroad), and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda, on an annual basis. Your data is kept confidential when you answer questions in any of B Lab developed tools (SDG Action Manager & B Impact Assessment). The answers from businesses are never shared publicly. Furthermore, if you choose to complete the process and your performance to be reviewed, B Lab staff are bound by confidentiality agreements.

Question 36

Does the STI Program offer Certification?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no certification behind the STI Program. However, a verification of the companies’ answers to the SDG Action Manager and the B Impact Assessment tool, as well as the operationalisation of their pledges will be conducted by B Lab Switzerland, and will reward good performers, who will gain visibility and a strong reputation by being Listed on the STI Directory (national recognition).

Question 37

What is the difference between the STI program and the B Corp Certification?

Accepted Answer

The STI program is initiated by B Lab Switzerland, the Swiss representation of B Lab organization. The STI Program is specifically designed to engage all Swiss businesses on the path to positive impact, regardless of whether B Corp Certification is a goal for their organization. The STI program uses mainly the SDG Action Manager as measurement tool. Moving towards B Corp certification can be part of an internal company strategy, but on no account is this part of the STI end goals.   Furthermore, there are no prerequisites of scores or standards for companies who want to participate in the STI program, while Certified B Corps go through a different process. B Corps adhere to rigorous standards regarding employees, community, environment and transparency, and are therefore subject to a more in-depth evaluation process. B Corp requirements include a minimum performance of 80 points in the B Impact Assessment and a legal obligation to consider stakeholders in decision-making.

Question 38

Is there any overlap between the content of the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager?

Accepted Answer

The beta version of the SDG Action Manager includes approximately 35% of questions that are directly from the B Impact Assessment, while approximately 20% are based off, but not identical to, questions from the B Impact Assessment. The SDG Action Manager also includes newly developed questions to address the appropriate gaps. Both tools are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.

Question 39

What does the output score look like?

Accepted Answer

In the SDG Action Manager, companies will receive a score on the baseline and on specific SDG modules, but there will be no overall score. The intention is to help businesses determine which SDGs should they be working on and to identify actions that they can take while enabling them to benchmark their performance.

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