#WhoWhatWhy - Alex Mendoza-Farias, Global Communications, B Lab Global
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Before learning about the existence of the B Corp movement, I used to think that, although each of us needed to try to be 'good citizens of the world', our individual power was somehow limited and that real change was in the hands of others with greater power and influence. Now I understand that everybody has an extraordinary sense of agency, and pretty much all of our actions hold the power to effect systemic change.
Alex Mendoza-Farias leads the integrated brand & marketing efforts for the B Global Network; that's all the B Lab and Sistema B entities around the world. When we reached out to Alex in the run up to the launch of B Corp Month 2023, we weren’t sure he’d quite have the time in such a busy period to share his recommendations and insights with us, but we’re so pleased and grateful that he did:
Alex, What is your 'Why’?
I've always felt fascinated by the power of storytelling; it can shape thinking models and even transform the world. At the same time, I feel very frustrated that we humans continue prioritising the wrong things and struggle to see beyond our noses. This is why I am trying my best to play a part in a movement that showcases that success in business can come hand-in-hand with benefiting everybody and taking care of our planet rather than being at odds with it.
Tell us something you find helpful in your working day.
Witnessing the B Corp movement grow and interacting with so many people excited by the change we're creating fills me with energy and optimism. In a world where sometimes it's easy to feel hopeless or cynical, seeing so many incredible people pushing in the same direction makes me feel absolutely confident that together we will achieve our collective vision of a transformed economic system.
When it comes to the past, present and future of your B Corp Journey, do you have any key insights from each stage?
Before learning about the existence of the B Corp movement, I used to think that, although each of us needed to try to be 'good citizens of the world', our individual power was somehow limited and that real change was in the hands of others with greater power and influence. Now I understand that everybody has an extraordinary sense of agency, and pretty much all of our actions hold the power to effect systemic change. My truly advantaged position, which allows me great visibility of how our movement is taking shape in different parts of the world, helps me learn about the diverse ways in which businesses of all sizes and industries are coming together and transforming our world for the better, every day with increased strength.
Shoutout time! Name a company you think are doing great things.
I think the 6,500+ B Corps across the globe are all doing fantastic things, starting with the intention of understanding what sort of impact they're having and how they can continue learning how to add value to the world rather than extracting from it. I also believe it's critical to remember that all these companies are the public representation of the people that move them forward and take them beyond; whether it's one person or thousands in the workforce, this is where the transformational power really comes from.
Reading recommendation?
If picking a single company I admire feels impossible, choosing one book represents a similar conundrum! One of my all-time favourites is Maya, by Jostein Gaarder. It's such a fascinating story that combines mystery, existentialism, and even evolutionary biology, so you can imagine how wild the ride gets! It's also set in some lovely places around the world, which are described in a very compelling way.Reading is one of my biggest passions in life, so this would be a great conversation starter to chat about with a coffee at x+why :)
Thank you, Alex, for taking the time to share your world with us. We’d encourage all readers to follow the global B Corp Month movement, and find out what x+why are up to by clicking here.
