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A code of ethics is a set of principles for employees to adhere to while conducting their business in order to meet the standards set by the company. A strong code of ethics will help to set clear policies and professional standards of behavior in all areas of employee performance, such as appropriate use of the company's facilities and how employees are expected to approach problems and handle them. Setting an ethical code is important to guide employee decision making to align with the company's values when there are no explicit rules or direct oversight.

Every company needs a sustainability strategy, regardless of the size of the business. While for a long time social impact and business have been seen as separate, recent years have shown creating a sustainability plan allows businesses to save money, attract employees, reach more customers, and build a stronger brand -- something every business can benefit from.

Ecolytics had an incredible year in 2022! Our company saw tremendous growth in product, team, revenue and customer satisfaction. We were able to expand our product line to include several new and innovative features that resonated our customer base. In addition, Ecolytics implemented a number of sustainability initiatives within our own business operations, to show how our company is able to walk the talk. Overall, 2022 was a banner year for Ecolytics, and we are excited for what 2023 has to bring!

Over the past decade, the green building programs have gained recognition nationwide as leading the way for responsible, modern buildings and designs. These rating tools, which are usually voluntary, recognize and reward companies and organizations that construct and manage more environmentally friendly buildings, thus encouraging and motivating them to push sustainability boundaries. Two programs are rising as the most popular: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the WELL Building Standard. This blog post will explore these two standards and why companies should choose real estate that has achieved these designations.

The B Corporation certification is the most rigorous certification for companies that want to be socially responsible. Some of the top benefits of becoming a B Corp certified company include attracting more investment, joining a community, and achieving a social badge of proof for their work towards sustainability.

Diversity is a critical element of excellence in all areas of life. Employers and educators have found that promoting diversity in their workforces makes for a better-functioning organization. They also benefit from having a diverse workforce by receiving more ideas and insights from different backgrounds and cultures. In addition, promoting diversity improves interpersonal relationships between workers in the office and increases employee satisfaction.

Public benefit corporations (PBCs) are a new way to operate a for-profit corporation, one legally required to think about the effects its decisions will have on society, not just shareholders. Unlike a nonprofit, though, a PBC is still a for-profit business, like a limited liability company (LLC) or a C corporation. They have a socially beneficial purpose, but they also are a profitable business.

Employee resource groups (also known as ERGs or affinity groups) are voluntary, identity-based communities formed by employees within the firm. Creating ERGs is one method to build a more inclusive environment and approach diversity and inclusivity in a more holistic, community-based manner. If your organization does not have a program for Employee Resource Groups, here's a look at ERGs and how they might be working together in your company.

As the fields of ESG, sustainability, and impact continue to grow and change, many have questions about the distinctions between these words and phrases. When thinking about these terms, it’s important to not get too caught up in the details to the point that you’re not actually taking action to improve in these areas.

A B Corp -- or "B Corporation" -- is a business certified by the non-profit organization B Lab to have met high standards across various areas, ranging from environmental factors to diversity of employees. The non-profit keeps things transparent by listing each B Corp on a page available to the public, showing the date that the company was certified and the breakdown of its scores. There is also an annual fee companies pay to nonprofit organization B Lab in order to keep their certifications and use the B Corp logo, which is based on the region and the size of the business. B Corp certified companies use their certified stamps to drive movements, foster relationships, attract talent, enhance their impact, amplify others voices, and defend their missions.

Creating an employee handbook is a good idea if you want to keep your employees happy and motivated. It helps you communicate company policies and deadlines to all your workers. Plus, it helps you deal with problems with staff members by outlining disciplinary actions and procedures to follow. Employers who create effective employee handbooks end up saving time, money, and grief.

When it comes to the climate crisis, businesses are often a step behind. While the severity of climate change has been understood for some time, many corporations are just beginning to take action to reduce their environmental impact. Now, history is seeming to repeat itself in the arena of environmental justice (EJ), or the idea that people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds should be treated fairly in the implementation and creation of environmental policies. Climate change does not affect everyone equally. Racial minorities too often bear the brunt of this worsening issue. Yet despite mounting evidence and the increase in environmental justice activism, businesses have been slow to acknowledge this issue and especially to act on it.‍

With the climate crisis continuing to worsen and consumers increasingly concerned with the environmental consequences of their purchases, businesses are eager to become more sustainable. However, many of these companies have no clue where to start, and don’t have anyone on their team that is well-versed in environmental issues. Thus, many companies in recent years have turned to sustainability consulting.

There is more need now than ever for sustainability in business. With many companies seeing the benefits of adopting more ESG practices, it is important that these initiatives are integrated properly. A lack of standards and digital tools have historically made it difficult and inaccessible for some companies to achieve these goals. A new platform Ecolytics helps businesses measure, report, and integrate their environmental impacts.

Today, Ecolytics announced its participation in the Techstars Alabama EnergyTech Accelerator to advance their growth in helping companies measure, improve, and showcase impact, so businesses can immediately take action on sustainability. Techstars is a top global accelerator program that provides startups with funding, mentorship, and access to the Techstars mentor and alumni network.