Silvia Tassarotti – CEO and Founder Coach4Planet
What impact am I having? And what impact do I want to have?
As I begin drafting the first Impact Report for Coach4Planet, my startup and Benefit Corporation, I find myself reflecting on the very meaning of the word impact.
I’m in good company. Like me, thousands of Italian Benefit Corporations have officially committed – within their legal bylaws – to creating not only economic value, but also positive social and environmental impact. This represents a true paradigm shift: directors are required to consider the interests of shareholders alongside those of stakeholders and the environment, moving beyond the traditional divide between for-profit and non-profit.
Impact: going against the grain
For decades, the dominant economic model has conditioned us to equate success with growth – revenue, profits, market share. But at what cost? Too often, social and environmental costs have been externalized, absorbed by communities and the planet.
That’s why talking about impact means choosing to go against the grain. It means placing fundamental questions at the heart of our business vision – questions that go far beyond numbers.
What does Impact really mean?
In the business context, impact refers to the set of direct and indirect effects an organization generates on its ecosystem: employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, the environment, shareholders.
Measuring impact isn’t simple, but it is possible. And today, it’s also necessary.
It requires a holistic perspective, one that evaluates the value generated or overlooked on a social, environmental, and economic level. Key questions include:
-
How do we treat the people who work with us?
-
What is our environmental footprint?
-
How do we contribute to the well-being of the communities around us?
-
Is our governance model fair, transparent, and inclusive?
A Practical Tool: The B Impact Assessment
To begin answering these questions, there is a powerful (and free) tool: the B Impact Assessment. Using it is a first step toward greater awareness and continuous improvement.
In my case, it helped me take a deep dive into Coach4Planet’s structure and practices. We haven’t yet reached the 80-point threshold to qualify for B Corp certification—it’s our first year completing the assessment—but we’re close. And above all, we’ve started the journey. For me, that’s already a meaningful achievement.
Impact as a Strategic Lever
Investing in impact is not just an ethical choice – it’s a long-term business strategy that delivers tangible benefits:
-
Attracting talent, especially from younger generations seeking purpose
-
Strengthening connections with increasingly value-conscious customers
-
Boosting resilience and adaptability in the face of change
-
Gaining access to impact-oriented and sustainability-focused investors
-
Fostering innovation through solving real-world problems
Toward a Regenerative Economy
The era of extractive economics is over. As entrepreneurs, leaders, and citizens, we’re being called to build a regenerative economy – one that gives back more than it takes.
Benefit Corporations, the B Impact Assessment, and new models of responsible governance are not just technical frameworks. They are value-driven choices that challenge us to redefine what success truly means.
Have you started measuring your 360° impact?
What kind of leadership do you choose to embody today, to leave a meaningful mark tomorrow?
If you want to guide your business toward more conscious, regenerative, and measurable impact, Coach4Planet is here to support you. Get in touch and let’s build the change together.