Kindness Certified Companies



Kindness Certified Companies In today’s business landscape, integrating kindness into corporate culture is not only a nice “core value” to place on a plaque in your lobby but also a strategic advantage. In 2021, The Kindness Certified Company (KCC) program was initiated by Kids for Peace in collaboration with the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.

This program offers businesses a structured pathway to embody kindness in their day-today operations. The core of a Kindness Certified Company is a company that is committed to being good to its people, good to the community, and good to the environment.

THE GENESIS OF THE KINDNESS CERTIFIED COMPANY PROGRAM
Building upon the success of The Great Kindness Challenge—a program that has engaged over 20 million students across 40,000 schools globally—the KCC program was created to extend the principles of kindness into the corporate sphere. The aim is to recognize and celebrate companies that prioritize kindness.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A KINDNESS CERTIFIED COMPANY
Participating in the KCC program offers numerous advantages:

TALENT ATTRACTION: A reputation for kindness makes companies more attractive to prospective employees seeking meaningful work environments. The upcoming workforce is looking for more than just a paycheck.

Both Millennials and Gen Z workers seek jobs that allow them to make a positive impact and contribute to a larger cause. They want their work to align with their personal values and have a purpose beyond just earning money.  Kindness is a perfect place to start.

ENHANCED BRANDING: A focus on kindness reinforces positive branding, appealing to consumers who value corporate social responsibility.  Research indicates that customers are increasingly prioritizing companies that align with their personal values and demonstrate social responsibility. Certified companies receive a physical and digital seal and certificate, symbolizing their commitment to kindness.

Displaying this seal on your window, door, website, social media, and/or email signature helps identify your brand with a universally respected value.  Chris Ryan, Owner of Chris Ryan Video shared, “Every business wants to work with their ‘ideal customer’ and for me, this would be someone who is kind and appreciates kindness as a core value. For my business, this was a no-brainer. I attract my ideal type of client by showing that kindness is something I prioritize. Being a kind company is just good business.”  

IMPROVED ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE: Emphasizing kindness fosters a supportive and inclusive workplace, boosting employee morale and retention. 

Does anyone really want to work for Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)? American companies spend on average, about $2,200 per employee annually on efforts to improve company culture. For much less (only $150/year total for Carlsbad Chamber members), you could become Kindness Certified and receive regular tips on practical ways to bring kindness into your day-today office experience. Devin Hughes, an award-winning keynote speaker, and Chief Inspiration Officer at Devin C Hughes Enterprises shared,

“Becoming Kindness Certified aligns with our core values of fostering a supportive and positive work environment. In today’s fast-paced and often stressful world, kindness is no longer just a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s a ‘must-have.’ Promoting empathy, respect, and understanding is essential for creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported.

By prioritizing kindness, we strengthen employee morale and build deeper, more meaningful relationships with our customers, driving personal fulfillment and business success.”

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: The program facilitates connections with like-minded businesses, fostering collaborations rooted in shared values.  Who doesn’t like to connect with like-minded businesses and people?  Philanthropists like to hang out with other generous people.  Kind people don’t enjoy doing business or spending time with jerks!  Personally, I’d rather avoid the Gordon Gekkos of the world (I know, I am showing my age by mentioning Michael Douglas’s 1987 film “Wall Street”, but who can forget his iconic and slimy Greed is Good speech). Through the KCC program, you get a chance to network with other Kindness Certified businesses and professionals on a regular basis.



INCREASED VISIBILITY: Certified companies are featured on the Kids for Peace and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce websites, enhancing their public profile.  At the Chamber, we also feature our Kindness Certified members each year with a full-page ad in the Carlsbad Business Journal. In addition, we annually profile a Kind Company of the Year Inspiration Award winner at our CBAD Award Luncheon. Past winners of this recognition include Chris Ryan Video, Bitchin’ Sauce, Shear Karma, and Handel’s Ice Cream. Access to Volunteer Opportunities: KCC provides avenues for employee engagement in community service, enriching corporate social responsibility efforts. 

Our friends at Kids for Peace send out regular newsletters with ideas on ways to give back to our community. Returning to our new workforce of Millennials and Gen Z, they specifically are concerned about climate change, sustainability, and all things environmental.  In Carlsbad, we are blessed with some very beautiful and meaningful ways you can engage in these efforts.

BECOMING CERTIFIED: Kindness Certification is self-certification, so there is a very low barrier to joining this extremely cool club.  We are excited that we have over 100 companies in Carlsbad that have become Kindness Certified, but I want there to be 1,000 – yep Gordon Gekko is rubbing off on me. But I’ll be greedy for kindness all day. In the final tally, kindness has the largest ROI imaginable!  It is free to give, has a never-ending supply, and provides the giver with more benefits than the receiver! Join today: www.KindnessCertified.org