Digital downsizing: do you know the carbon cost of digital?
By Sally Pritchett
CEO
Let's talk about digital downsizing and we raise our voice about the carbon cost of everyday digital activities.
In recent years, many of us have made a conscious effort to be kinder to the planet by doing things such as reducing our landfill waste, using less single-use plastic, and recycling more. But have you thought about the impact your digital activities are having on the environment?
We’re working to hard to make Something Big a sustainable business that has a positive impact on our environment and humankind. We’re not just doing what we can to reduce, mitigate or eliminate our impact on the planet, but as a B Corp creative communications agency, we’re also making it our responsibility to raise our voice and lead by example. You can see our previous sustainability campaign, tackling single-use plastic pens in the marketing industry here.
With technology playing a huge part in our everyday lives, at work and at home, it’s become second nature to sign up for email newsletters, do a quick Google search when we’re curious about something, and save our documents and photos in the cloud. However, every one of these actions contributes to our digital carbon footprint. With our latest campaign driven by our Sustainability Champions, we have looked to encourage people to make more sustainable choices when it comes to their digital habits.
Tips to downsize your digital footprint
Did you know that sending just one email containing an image or attachment can produce up to 50g of CO2? That’s the same as a light being on for 35 minutes. Or just two internet searches via Google can produce up to 15g of CO2? That’s the same as the amount produced when you boil a kettle.
Here are some simple steps you can take to downsize your digital footprint:
- Regularly clean out unused files from your cloud storage and avoid storing the same file in multiple places.
- Consider using cloud storage providers that use 100% renewable energy.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters.
- Keep mailing lists clean and targeted.
- Avoid sending unnecessary emails.
- Consider using cloud storage links for email attachments where possible.
- Only turn your camera on when it’s necessary and adds value to the conversation.
- Be specific with your search terms.
Read more about our sustainability commitments in our impact report ‘Growth redefined’.
If you’re looking to improve the impact that your business is making on the planet, get in touch to see how we can help.
Working with a B Corp creative agency: what to expect
By Sally Pritchett
CEO
As a B Corp creative agency, we're proud to contribute to a global movement that leverages business for positive change, making a meaningful difference to the world and those around us.
But what does that mean when you work with us?
Being a B Corp creative communications agency signifies our dedication to upholding the highest ethical standards throughout all aspects of our business. We try to do the right thing by not only our team, but our customers, their customers, our community, society, and the planet, all whilst balancing the need for profit in order to maintain a well-invested and thriving business.
In this article, we explore how being a B Corp creative agency benefits our customers, and what you can expect when working with a B Corp business.
Here are just some of the things you might notice.
Better service
As well as being a B Corp, we’re also an employee-owned business, which means everyone in our team is genuinely invested in creating great outcomes for our customers. Our staff retention is better than the average business which means our knowledge of your business grows as we maintain longer and more trusted relationships internally and externally.
Honest communication
Whether we’re delivering good news or not so good, you can expect transparency. We work in genuine partnership with our clients and external partners, built on honesty and trust. B Corp businesses are in trusted partnerships with society, the planet, and everyone they do business with, we’re seeking win:win opportunities.
End-to-end fairness with B Corp creative agency
From the way we work with our supply chains to the pricing we agree with our customers, we seek fairness. We’re not in a race to the bottom because we know that somewhere along the line either the planet, our team or our suppliers pay the price.
Always striving to de-carbonise
We consider the planet in every decision we make, we’re committed to de-carbonising and we will work closely with you to support you to make the most sustainable choices.
For example, all the paper we use for your production needs is FSC Certified and carbon-balanced (and chlorine and acid-free). We also use vegan inks where possible. We use efficient printing methods that optimise water and energy usage, and we recycle as much as we can. Our print suppliers, like us, hold Planet Mark certification, signifying our joint commitment to measuring and reducing our environmental footprints.
We’re inclusive
A big part of fairness is making sure everyone is included, represented authentically, and has a voice. We work hard and have stringent processes in place to make sure our work is diverse and represents everyone in a way that resonates with them. We set high standards of education and awareness on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging internally and will guide you where it’s appropriate.
We believe in progress, not perfection
We know that moving forward isn’t always linear. We’re curious and always learning about new ways to improve, what’s right today may be different in the future so you can expect us to constantly change and evolve.
Everyday impact
We recognise that impact comes in all shapes and sizes. We value small impacts just as much as major ones, as they collectively contribute to positive change.
Recommendations and referrals
The B Corp movement is a global community of connected and like-minded organisations, so we’ll often recommend other B Corp agencies or businesses to our clients if we feel their services would be useful.
Does this sound like the kind of relationship you’d like to have with your agency partner?
If so, great news. As a certified B Corp creative agency we’d love to hear from you, or you can search for all the great B Corp businesses here.
Celebrating one year as a B Corp: using business as a force for good
By Sally Pritchett
CEO
It's been an incredible journey for Something Big as we celebrate our one-year anniversary as a certified B Corp.
As we reach our first B Corp birthday, we wanted to reflect on this milestone and its alignment with our values and commitment to ethical practices.
The B Corp movement represents a new business approach, prioritising purpose alongside profit. For those unfamiliar with the movement, B Corps are companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. All B Corps undergo a rigorous assessment to ensure they are making a positive impact in areas such as governance, workers, community, and the environment.
Aligning values with actions
Becoming a certified B Corp last year was a natural progression for us, due to our unwavering commitment to always do the right thing. The B Corp movement embodies our belief that business should be a force for good, not just in words but in actions. By meeting the B Corp standards, we have joined a global community of like-minded organisations that are reshaping the future of business.
Even before our certification, Something Big was on a journey to be a force for good. Doing the right thing has always been in our DNA. But the B Corp framework enabled us to solidify our commitment to social and environmental consideration, and holds us accountable as we work towards making a meaningful difference to people and planet.
The power of community
One of the most inspiring aspects of being a B Corp is the sense of community. We are proud to be part of a global network of businesses united by a shared purpose: using business as a force for good. This community serves as a source of inspiration, collaboration, and learning.
Alongside fellow co-chairs, our CEO Sally has taken a proactive role in leading the B Corp movement locally, by starting B Local Surrey. Recognising the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing, Sally and her co-chairs have brought together businesses across Surrey, building a local community of B Corps (and those who aspire to become one) who now meet for networking and information-sharing events.
Growth redefined
As we celebrate our one-year anniversary as a certified B Corp, we are thrilled to be publishing our impact report for FY23, titled ‘Growth Redefined’. This report tells the story of our efforts to create meaningful change for people and planet over the past year. We invite you to check out our impact report and join us in celebrating the progress we have made this year, and the plans we have made for the future.
Together, we can redefine what it means to grow as a business, creating a future where prosperity is not only measured by financial gain, but by the positive contributions we make to the wellbeing of people and the planet. Get in touch if you’d like a copy of our impact report to be shared with you as soon as it is published.
Moving forward with purpose
As we celebrate our one-year anniversary as a B Corp, we are more committed than ever to driving positive change. We recognise that the work doesn’t end with certification; it is an ongoing journey of continuous improvement. We will keep challenging ourselves, setting ambitious goals, and pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a responsible business.