Why We Believe in Mission-Driven Business: The Power of Purpose
JOI Creative was founded on the belief that doing business can mean more than just making money. We see “doing business” as “doing good” in the world, where people and the environment come before profit and where profit is invested in bettering our future. Companies that share this same belief are the type of mission-driven businesses we want to work with – companies that prioritise their values and social responsibility alongside financial success. This is the power of purposeful work – the capability to change the world for the better.
Here are a few reasons why we are passionate about working with mission-driven businesses and why we think their work is powerful:
Purposeful work boosts employee motivation and engagement
You hear it all the time – people hate their jobs, they don’t get any joy or satisfaction out of the work they do, they feel like they’re just a number to the higher-ups. It’s so common there’s entire subcultures around working “for the man” and having nothing but misery to show for it (it does make for some funny content, though, even when the truth behind it is a bit depressing).
Purposeful work can help with that. Working towards a shared mission or purpose motivates and engages employees in ways a meaningless job never will. It gives them a sense of pride and belonging and makes them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves, especially when they can see the positive impact they are making. This naturally leads to increased job satisfaction, lower turnover rates, and a more positive workplace environment, making purposeful work better for the staff and for the business.
It's how we view our work here at JOI Creative. We've all done our time working jobs that we struggled to find meaning and joy in, so we know the value of finding work that is mission-driven and purposeful. It makes work something to look forward to, something to feel a part of, and something to drive us to succeed so that we can make a positive impact on the world. We think our mission-driven work is good for our business and we think it's good for yours, too.
Mission-driven businesses can have a positive impact on society
When a business prioritises social and environmental responsibility, it can have a positive impact beyond just its bottom line. It can help solve social and environmental problems, support local communities, and contribute to a more sustainable future. This is a win-win situation for both the business and the world, as consumers are increasingly looking for brands that have a positive impact and that align with their values. People want to feel good about the companies they support, and they want to know that their dollars are making a difference. That's why mission-driven businesses are more important now than ever before and why they can play a vital role in making positive changes to this messed up, crazy world we live in today.
Think about it: what if the reusable water bottle you just bought not only helped cut down on single-use plastic but also funded clean drinking water initiatives in communities that lack access to this basic necessity? You'd probably feel even better about your purchase and you might even feel part of a solution to one of the world's biggest problems. And the business you purchased the bottle from not only made a sale and gained a happy customer, they also had a positive impact on the world by the way they do business.
Mission-driven businesses can create a sense of purpose for customers
As mentioned above, customers are becoming increasingly aware of how they spend their money and who they give it to. More and more are looking for businesses that make their purchases feel more valuable than just the product or service and its associated dollar value – they want to feel like their purchases are making a difference. Finding a mission-driven business that meets these needs can create loyalty, a sense of connection, and a meaningful relationship between the business and its customers.
Say you’re a consumer that loves to hug trees and rescue sea turtles from discarded plastics in the ocean. Environmental sustainability is obviously your jam so you’re likely going to vibe with a company that makes this a focus of their business model. You’ll likely feel better about buying their products or services when you know that your dollars are going towards saving those trees and sea turtles. You might even find purpose in your purchase, meaning not only is a business doing purposeful work, they're giving their customers a sense of purpose, too.
Mission-driven business can drive innovation and creativity
When a business seeks more than just profits, they often find more creative and innovative solutions to problems. This is because the business isn’t trying to find the most profitable or cheapest solution but the solution that best aligns with its values and purpose. This lends itself to more unique and impactful products and services.
With our Earth-friendly consumer in mind, let me give you an example with a fictional company called "Clean Green Machine" that makes eco-friendly cleaning products.
Clean Green Machine was founded by a group of tree-hugging, sea turtle-saving, environmentally-conscious entrepreneurs who wanted to revolutionise the cleaning industry. They saw an opportunity to create cleaning products that are safe for people and the planet, without compromising on effectiveness.
To achieve their mission, Clean Green Machine invested heavily in research and development to create innovative, plant-based formulas that are just as effective as traditional cleaning products but without the harmful chemicals. They also made sure that all their packaging is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable or compostable to reduce waste and pollution.
But what sets Clean Green Machine apart is their commitment to giving back to the environment. For every product sold, Clean Green Machine donates a portion of the profits to support reforestation and wildlife conservation efforts around the world.
The result? A line of eco-friendly cleaning products that are not only effective and affordable but also help customers make a positive impact on the environment. Because they didn’t limit themselves to only using the cheapest option, they sought out better alternatives even though it came at a higher cost. Clean Green Machine’s mission-driven approach has not only driven innovation and creativity in their products, but it has also allowed them to create a loyal customer base that shares their values and wants to support their mission.
At JOI Creative, we were built to do purposeful work for mission-driven businesses because we strongly believe in the power of it. We see content being a powerful tool for these businesses to amplify their mission and elevate the positive changes they want to make in the world, which is why we’ve made it our central focus. Mission-driven business isn’t a trend or utopic fantasy – it’s a way of doing business that prioritises values and purpose and can have a positive impact on employees, customers, and society as a whole. It is our firm belief that prioritising purposeful work can lead to a more just and sustainable future for everyone.
Interested in learning more about mission-driven businesses? Follow this blog for more mission-driven content, and in the meantime, check out some of our favourite mission-driven brands and the positive impacts they are making:
Patagonia
tentree
Bullfrog Power
Diva
Fill It Forward
Hippie Snacks
