Featured leader Q&A: Andy Hawkins, Business on Purpose

30 Nov

Andy Hawkins is Chief Purpose Officer and B Leader at consultancy Business on Purpose.

He has been in business for many decades helping clients transform the way they do business using technology. Now he does the same thing but with a focus on purpose, how to measure it and how to improve it. He has supported over 60 clients with their B Impact Assessment process.

Can you summarise what you do and the types of clients you work with?

I help businesses to utilise the B Impact Assessment to measure and improve their social and environmental impact as part of their B Corp Certification process. To use their business as a force for good.

How has your business grown over the last year?

During the last 15 months I have helped support over 60 clients through the process, Half of these on a 121 basis and the other half for smaller businesses as part of B Corp cohorts.

Why do you think interest in B Corps and the purpose-driven business movement has grown so much recently?

Interest in B Corp and purpose-driven business has grown so much as companies realise that they need to take action to measure and improve impact rather than simply talk about it.

What do you think remains the biggest challenge for businesses?

I think that the biggest challenge is apathy and lack of urgency. We need to take action, every single business, and we need to do it now, not in 6 months or a years time.

How can businesses avoid purpose-washing in their marketing?

Companies can avoid purpose washing by ensuring that they are all taking action to match their claims. We want them to be aspirational, to do more, but they need a process and a plan to help them do that.

What are some simple things companies and sole traders can do right now to start working towards becoming purpose-driven?

The most basic thing that they can do is measure how they are currently doing. The B Impact Assessment is the best and most robust way of doing this, ideally with some external support to help them go through the process in an efficient and effective way.

How to get in touch with Andy

Visit his website
Email andy@businessonpurpose.uk
LinkedIn

Marketing for purpose-driven businesses

I can take you through the marketing planning process to help you get clarity on what marketing goals to set, and how to achieve them. I can also help with content and copywriting, email and more. I also offer 90 day content plans so you can let me take the strain and remove the hard work of planning for each of your marketing channels.