Why conversations about better business matter

The visit was an opportunity to talk about something that's increasingly important to us as a business - how companies create value, and who they create it for.

The Better Business Act is calling for an amendment to Section 172 of the Companies Act, giving businesses greater freedom to consider the interests of employees, customers, communities and the environment alongside those of shareholders.

We've supported the campaign since joining the coalition in 2023. As a Certified B Corp and employee-owned business, it's a discussion that resonates with us.

Not because we think we're a perfect example of what better business looks like, but because we've seen first-hand how different business models influence the way decisions get made.

Since becoming employee-owned, we've found ourselves thinking even more carefully about the long term. Our employee-owners have a direct stake in the future of our company, which naturally changes the way we think about decisions. Success isn't measured solely by quarterly results. It's also about sustainability, opportunity, culture, quality and the kind of company we want to be in five, ten or twenty years' time.

That's one of the reasons we were pleased to host Josh and share some of our experiences.

Alongside employee ownership, we talked about what responsible business looks like in practice. Not as a set of policies or certifications, but as the choices organisations make every day.

What encouraged me most was seeing how mainstream these discussions have become. Employee ownership, B Corp certification and stakeholder-led decision making are no longer niche ideas. More organisations are exploring how they can build successful businesses while taking a broader view of their responsibilities and impact.

The expectations placed on businesses today are different from those that existed twenty years ago. Customers, employees and communities increasingly want organisations to think beyond short-term outcomes and consider the wider impact of their decisions.

Whether or not the Better Business Act becomes law, creating space for these discussions feels valuable.

I'd like to thank Josh for taking the time to visit us and share his perspective. We enjoyed the conversation and the opportunity to contribute to an important discussion about the future of business.

Zoonou is a UK-based digital QA and software testing company. We’re a B Corp and 100% employee owned helping organisations improve the quality, reliability, and confidence of their digital products and services.