Company engagement process

Our engagement with companies throughout the research cycle

Step 1: Initial outreach and research planning
WBA begins by reaching out to companies through an email to establish alignment and set expectations. During this initial engagement, WBA shares the research scope, anticipated timelines, and the key points of engagement throughout the research process. This approach ensures transparency from the outset and provides clarity on how and when interaction will take place.

Step 2: Review and feedback on draft assessments
After each company is assessed, WBA shares a draft assessment with the company on an online review portal to provide an opportunity for feedback. Companies will be sent reminders to encourage them to review the assessment and provide any additional information they wish to share. Companies that do not respond or decline to participate in the engagement process cannot appeal their results and will have to wait for the next benchmark cycle to input new information.

Step 3: Finalisation of assessments and scorecards
WBA finalises company assessments and scorecards by incorporating feedback received during the review process. This step ensures that the final outputs accurately reflect company practices and publicly available information, while remaining consistent with WBA’s research methodology and standards.

Step 4: Results launch and ongoing engagement
Following finalisation, WBA launches the results publicly. Companies may contact WBA for further clarity or interpretation of the results. Ongoing engagement continues through peer learning sessions, events, and other activities designed to encourage dialogue, shared learning, and continuous improvement.