Tbh, A Manifesto for Purpose-Driven, Honest Design
The world is at a critical juncture, with pressing issues such as climate change, social inequality, and economic instability. Businesses are confronted with the urgency of global challenges, consumer expectations, technological advancements, present and future regulatory pressures and of course their conscience, wanting to preserve our world for future generations. At the same time today's informed and conscientious consumers demand transparency, authenticity, and responsibility from brands - and they want to be able to identify with product. Dishonesty is quickly identified and often punished. Practices such as greenwashing are scrutinized and can lead to severe reputational damage for a brand and the loss of customer trust. Transparency and authenticity are not just ethical imperatives but also critical for long-term success in today's market.
“They [Gen Z] are seeking something more than purpose: they are seeking honesty.“ (S. Townsend, The Solutionists)
At TO BE HONEST, we aim to help good people with good ideas make a difference. We want to raise awareness, encourage people to care, and support businesses in their growth.
With over 18 years of experience in our industry, we have witnessed the positive outcomes of operating with integrity. We feel a deep responsibility to extend this approach to all aspects of our business and lead by example.
Purpose, Impact and Solutions
Unfortunately, today purpose and impact often degenerate into meaningless buzzwords that companies use to decorate themselves. We want to support our clients in real change – change that is based on real purpose and impact.
If the Internet were a country, it would rank fourth in CO² emissions globally by 2025.¹
These are the 4 pillars on which our work is based:
Sustainability: By implementing technical optimizations, every website can reduce its carbon footprint, contributing to lower global GHG emissions. Similarly, sustainable practices in branding and printing—like using eco-friendly materials and minimizing waste—can significantly decrease environmental impact.
Ethical Conduct: Integrity, fairness, transparency, and honesty form the cornerstone of all our interactions, with both our customers and partners. We uphold these values ourselves and expect them to guide our collaborations with others. Remember, we want to help good people make a difference.
Social Responsibility: We are not separated from the world we live in; our actions directly impact the lives of others, our immediate environment, and the global community. We are mindful of this responsibility in every action we undertake.
Innovation with Purpose: Many potential solutions are not even on our radar yet, highlighting the importance of staying open to innovation and new opportunities. Simultaneously, each innovation should serve a meaningful purpose, adding value for both customers and society while meeting the criteria mentioned above.
A work-in-progress
It's not about being perfect; it's about continuous improvement. Ethical and environmental transformation is a process, and in this journey, we strive to make steady progress and create lasting positive changes together. And we will share our progress with you.
Sources:
¹ https://internethealthreport.org/2018/the-internet-uses-more-electricity-than/
Photo: Pexels / Ibertola
