betaIcon
img
img

Want to be a Good Business?
Join now

Free sustainable business tools

for a demo click here
Demo
img

Search for a
Good Business

Sponsors


Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What are Responsible Business Practices?
    Responsible business practices include a business's positive impact on society and the environment through its operations, products or services and through its interaction with key stakeholders such as employees, customers, investors, communities and suppliers. A responsible business makes good sense.
  • 2. What are the Five Principles of Responsible Business Practice?
    The Good Business Register® adheres to Five Principles of Responsible Business Practice. They draw upon existing international (Global Reporting Initiative, United Nations Global Compact, Corporate Responsibility Index) and local leading practice frameworks from corporate, federal, state and local government and non-government organizations. Tailored to align with the unique qualities and needs of the SME market, these Five Principles of responsible business practice provide SMEs a framework within which they can understand their existing position and identify areas for further action and improvement.



    Tailored to align with the unique qualities and needs of the SME market, these Five Principles of responsible business practice provide SMEs a framework within which they can understand their existing position and identify areas for further action and improvement.
  • 3. Describe the benefits of registering and creating a Good Business Report®
    The benefits of registering and creating a Good Business Report® The Good Business Register® enables SMEs to document and publicise their responsible business and sustainability credentials in accordance with the Five Principles of Responsible Business Practice. Businesses currently registered identify many benefits:

    Improved reputation, credibility and understanding
    Engaging with and investing in close relationships with all stakeholders will help them to understand you, your business commitment to responsible business practices and approach to sustainability. This in turn builds your business's reputation, credibility and transparency.

    Presenting a more visible, prominent profile
    Being able to communicate what you are doing to support responsible business practices and sustainability can help you to 'punch above your weight', raising the profile and visibility of your business.

    Better competitive positioning
    Setting your business apart, making it a little different by being demonstrably socially and environmentally responsible may improve your market position and make you a preferred supplier.

    Business growth opportunities
    A commitment to sustainability may help you to win business, especially from procurers and customers who are looking to trade with businesses with similar credentials. Value can be added to products and services that demonstrate social and environmentally responsible characteristics.

    Better employee relations and return on human capital
    As society expects better social and environmental responsibility from businesses, current and potential employees measurably prefer working for 'good' companies with strong values that they feel proud to work for. Employees need to know that you value their contribution. Satisfied, involved employees are likely to be more motivated and productive which lends itself to better employee relations, reduced staff turnover costs and absenteeism.

    Cost savings and increased efficiency
    Investment in environmental and energy use improvements can lead to efficiencies and cost savings for your business. Reducing your bottom line makes sense!

    Facilitates a cohesive culture
    Having shared values and beliefs that are well communicated between your staff and stakeholders can have a positive impact on your business's culture. Know who you are and proudly tell others!
  • 4. Is my Good Business Report® validated or verified by St James Ethics Centre?
    Your Good Business Report® cannot be validated or verified by St James Ethics Center. However it can be verified by an independent third party verifier such as an accountant. For more information, see the Verification Guidance Document Fact Sheet.
  • 5. How much does it cost to register?
    The Good Business Register® is a free service, so now is the time to register and complete your Good Business Report™. So register now!
  • 6. How long does it take to complete the Good Business Report®?
    The Good Business Report™ asks you to consider what your business is already doing in the area of responsible business practice and sustainability, and identify areas for further action and improvement for you. The time it takes to complete depends upon what you already have in place to demonstrate responsible business practices and what you learn or take away to improve your business management. You can complete the Report incrementally, editing and saving changes at your convenience until you have finalized it. Basically, we have done the hard work for you; all you have to do is fill in the questionnaire (which may take a few hours or a few days) and, once submitted, you end up with a professional report that looks like months of hard work!
  • 7. Do I need to complete each of the five principles of responsible business practice?
    All Five Principles do have to be completed in sequential order. However, once each section is complete you can move between sections and edit the answers prior to submission. To submit the Report and make it publicly available (if you have selected this option), you will have to complete all sections first.
  • 8. What employees should complete the Good Business Report®?
    The Good Business Report® should be completed by the CEO, Managing Director, Owner Manager or a senior executive member of your business. Throughout the process, you can also involve other areas of your business to leverage engagement and motivation of employees.
  • 9. What happens when I have completed my Good Business Report®?
    Unless otherwise indicated by you during registration, your completed Good Business Report™ is automatically published to the Good Business Register® website, making it publicly available for searching and viewing by other businesses interested in sourcing registered good businesses via the Search Directory feature. You can choose to publish your Good Business Report™, save it, print and/or email it to your stakeholders.
  • 10. How do I use the Good Business Report® in the procurement process?
    Once you have completed your Good Business Report®, you can email it to a procurer or any other interested party who requests to view your commitment to responsible business practice as part of their decision-making process. This is your ‘responsible business and sustainability’ passport so get out and share it with the world!

Back to top