BLYDE WAKE-UP CALLS

The past years have laid bare many truths about our current model of capitalism — the severe income inequality and the belief that improving human lives and taking care of the environment are expendable for better profit margins. The changemakers in the growing Certified B Corporation community are demanding an end to the myth that profits must come at the expense of purpose, and environmental and social care. It’s time to wake up, it’s time for action.

At Blyde we believe in questioning the status quo. We believe in the power of the collective, in taking a stand and inspiring people by showing what can and must be changed. In our Wake Up Calls, Blyde stirs up hunger for positive change. We listen to several B Corp voices who talk about their call to action for companies around the globe today. By letting people from different perspectives and businesses speak, we would like to underline the important role of business in this decade of action. ‘On stage’ today: changemaker Véronique Misteli, managing director at Misteli Creative Agency.

Misteli has been a purpose-driven company from its start. What was your wake-up call for contributing to a better world?

It was the first project I worked on when I started Misteli creative agency in 1994, that showed me how to create real impact with my business. It was a huge project for the municipality of Rotterdam, the development of the ‘Kop van Zuid’ area. The assignment was to give people a view of the future there. I had the opportunity to walk through the old harbour with Riek Bakker, the well-known Dutch City Developer. She would visit the neighbourhood year after year, talk with the citizens in that area and visit them to see first-hand what their issues were, in order to make their lives better by developing a new neighbourhood. She was a great inspiration and I learned a lot from her. Her style of communication was intense, honest, clear and empathic. The development of the Kop van Zuid was accompanied by a social program, so the unemployed people in the neighbourhood were helped with a job at all the companies who were settling in the area. An impressive and social program that made me want to do more purpose-driven work.

What is your call to action for companies around the globe?

We all have to contribute to a better world, and as a company you can do a lot. It can be hard to see where to start at first, since sustainability is such an extensive word, but just start! Even for service companies like us, there’s a lot of impact to be made. And you will reap the benefits. It’s inspiring and addictive, and it only brings more good to your company.

Which SDGs call you most and why?

As a creative communication agency, one of the industries we’re very active in is area development. We love to contribute to SDG 11 “creating sustainable cities and communities”. In the coming years cities all over the world will grow fast and it is very important to have healthy and green cities; places that people actually love to live in. 

Personally, as a female leader, I strive for SDG 5 “gender equality”. That is one of the reasons why our agency is working pro bono on a B Corp coalition project for equality, Let’s Play Equal, together with like-minded agencies in Amsterdam. You will hear from us soon.