Vianova Benefit Report

A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.

– Henry Ford

Founder Statement

As a company, VIANOVA is committed to using business as a force for good. This means operating ethically and with uncompromising integrity; giving back through volunteerism, pro bono services and financial support; and reducing our environmental footprint in any way we can.

We affirmed this commitment in 2008 by seeking and earning B Corporation certification for the first time. One of the first companies to do so. In 2013 we reaffirmed this commitment by becoming a California Benefit Corporation. I’m happy to report that in 2023, VIANOVA was re-certified as a B Corporation for the seventh time.

Who We Are

Vianova is a consulting and facilitation company specializing in helping leaders and teams come together to create long-lasting positive change for their organizations and those they serve. Our services include strategic planning facilitation, company retreat planning, and meeting and retreat facilitation.

Vianova, which means “new path,” is a purpose-driven business committed to doing its part in building an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable economy that works for everyone and the planet.

Our Mission

Helping leaders and teams collaborate, explore what’s possible and create positive change for their most important stakeholders, their communities, and our planet.

Vianova, Inc. Impact Business Model

Introduction

At Vianova, Inc., our mission is to ignite transformative and sustainable change within organizations by harnessing the collective power of group dynamics. As a certified B Corporation, and a California Benefit Corporation, we are committed to creating a positive impact on our clients, community, environment, and employees. Our Impact Business Model (IBM) is central to this commitment, guiding our strategies and operations to ensure we balance purpose and profit effectively. This section of our 2023 Social Impact Report outlines our IBM and assesses our performance in key impact areas.

Core Impact Areas

1. Environmental Impact
   • Carbon Neutrality: Since 2016, Vianova has maintained carbon neutrality. We achieve this through a combination of reducing our carbon footprint and investing in certified carbon offset projects.
   • Sustainable Practices: Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our operational practices, including the use of eco-friendly materials, digital documentation to reduce paper waste, and promoting virtual meetings to minimize travel.
2. Customer-Oriented Impact
   • Positive Client Outcomes: Our facilitation services are designed to enable organizations to achieve their strategic goals, fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth. We measure our success through client feedback and the tangible outcomes of our facilitation engagements.
   • Educational Impact: We provide educational resources and workshops that empower our clients to implement effective collaboration and strategic planning techniques independently.
3. Community-Oriented Impact
   • Economic Impact: Vianova is dedicated to supporting economic development in underserved communities by offering pro bono facilitation services to non-profit organizations and local businesses.

Our B Impact Assessment Reports

A company’s B Impact Assessment score is measured on a 200-point scale, with a minimum score of 80 required in order for a company to be eligible for B Corporation certification. VIANOVA has selected the B Impact Assessment as its third-party standard for measuring its social and environmental performance. For more information visit: B Impact Assessment.

About Our Score

The B Impact Assessment is updated every three years. With each revision, the bar is raised – as it should. Revisions to questions in the B Impact Assessment naturally cause score fluctuations between versions, and will affect some companies more than others as evidenced in the changes in Vianova’s scores. 

Our latest assessment (V6) had a new goal structure, which is more aligned with other relevant initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Reporting Initiative.  

We are very proud 20 point impact improvement in our latest B Impact Score.

Our Impact: Governance

Our Impact: Community

Giving Back

In keeping with our commitment to giving back, we continued our 1% for the Planet pledge in 2023 by donating 1% of our gross sales to environmental organizations tackling our planet’s most pressing environmental issues. In addition, we provided sliding-scale fee discounts to all our nonprofit clients.

We are committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, and the issues that impact quality of life for all. We are proud to have supported these amazing nonprofits in 2023:

Supplier Diversity

We continued to support our community by purchasing from and partnering with small, local and/or women and minority- owned business for essential business services.

Our Impact: Environment

NetZero by 2030 Commitment

In 2017 we signed the NetZero by 2030 pledge as part of our commitment to B Lab’s Declaration of a Climate Emergency.

Our commitment to a low carbon future includes encouraging customers to use electronic versions of our work products, reducing paper use and shipping.

Vianova’s total measured CO2 emissions equaled 22.504 metric tonnes. For 2023, we offset 100% through fellow B Corp  Offset Alliance. View our our certification details here: 2023 Certification

Scope 2: Direct Emissions

Our Scope 2 emissions come from electricity usage for our office. Ways in which we reduced our electricity usage in 2023 included the recent purchase of more energy efficient computers and the replacement of doors and windows designed to meet ENERGY STAR® qualifications.

Scope 3: Business Travel

The majority of our greenhouse gas emissions is from business travel. Wherever lower emissions method of air and ground transportation, for example selecting hybrid vehicles for car rentals. In 2023, we experienced a significant increase in business travel due to growth.

eWaste

Our commitment to protecting the environment includes the proper handing e-waste, where things like computers, cell phones, laptops and ink cartridges are returned to their manufacturer or other entity for repurposing, recycling, or otherwise responsible disposal.

Our Impact: Customers

Below are examples of capacity-building and social impact client engagements that demonstrate our work in supporting organizations to achieve sustainable growth and greater impact.

Capacity Building

We are honored to have helped many clients build a plan for sustainable growth and greater impact. Our capacity building engagements represented 70% of our total business in 2024. (Capacity Building: % of revenue from services that help build the financial and social viability of purpose-driven enterprise clients, which in turns helps them continue to serve their stakeholders.)

California Consortium for Independent Study

In partnership with the California Consortium for Independent Study (CCIS), Vianova is leading a strategic planning process to guide the organization’s growth and operations over the next three years. Through stakeholder engagement, SWOT analysis, and a collaborative planning session with the board of directors, this initiative aims to solidify CCIS’s long-term vision and enhance the success of independent study programs across California, ultimately benefiting over 200,000 learners.

Plenty

In collaboration with Plenty, Vianova facilitated an offsite meeting aimed at enhancing the clarity and communication of the company’s five-year plan and newly refreshed Objectives and Key Results (OKRs). By addressing communication gaps and improving employee engagement, this initiative is helping Plenty’s leadership ensure organizational alignment, foster stronger team commitment, and drive success in their mission to deliver fresh, sustainable produce.

Social Impact 

Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health

Through our collaboration with the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), Vianova facilitated critical regional meetings that brought together subject matter experts and public health professionals to shape the development of a national Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) certification program. This initiative has empowered public health leaders across the country to address workforce gaps, enhancing the nation’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases and improving health outcomes in diverse communities.

More in Common Alliance

Through our collaboration with the More in Common Alliance (MiCA), Vianova provided the critical support in the development of strategic plans and implementation frameworks aimed at addressing health inequities and expanding medical education in underserved communities. This partnership is helping to advance the next generation of culturally competent health professionals, ultimately strengthening healthcare delivery and fostering equity in care for marginalized populations across the nation.

Vetting Clients

Since the company’s founding in 2005, our business development practices have focused on working with mission-aligned organizations. Helping social enterprises, Certified B Corps, nonprofits, and other purpose-fueled organizations achieve their missions is key to how we achieve our own.

Certified LGBT Business Enterprise

Vianova renewed its LGBT Business Enterprise certification through the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. This is an important part of our identity as a company that prioritizes equity and inclusion and encourages employees, clients, and other stakeholders to fully engage in the work we’re doing.

Looking Ahead to 2024

In 2024 VIANOVA will continue to build on and improve upon its efforts in 2023. As a small consulting business, our greatest impact will come from helping other purpose-driven companies and nonprofits improve theirs. In addition we will continue our efforts to grow the B Corp community here in San Diego and beyond.