We believe creativity and design are essential tools for leading global transformation towards a sustainable future. Because we work closely with industry leaders and consumers, we are uniquely positioned to define change and design end-consumer solutions that are both sustainable and relevant.

Companies are now being held accountable for the impact they have on society and the environment on all levels, and rightly so. Increasingly, investors expect the companies they invest in to have a positive impact program in place. At the same time, consumers expect the brands they buy to take responsibility for the waste they produce and the people they employ. For their part, employees want to work for companies with a clear purpose and vision on sustainability, equality and diversity.

However, that creates a conundrum. On the one hand, products with no sustainable ambitions have no place in this world. Nor do, however, fully sustainable products that no one wants to buy. This is why we at Qindle believe in sustainable innovation. Sustainable innovation is the sweet spot where a company’s social, environmental and economic ambitions come together.

To determine a company’s sustainable proposition, we ask our clients 4 simple questions:

What is your corporate ambition?

Can you link your ambition to one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Anything from product, production, logistics and supply chain to society and the environment.

How will you make this real?

Where can you have the biggest impact in your supply chain?

Consider raw materials, energy and water waste in production, logistics emissions, social impact, standard of living, health, safety and/or education.

What will you measure precisely?

What metrics will you use to measure and gauge progress?

Carbon footprint, recycle rate, sustainability index and external certification.

How will you communicate it?

How will you brand and communicate the positive impact you’ve created?

A page in your annual report, integrated into your brand values, the basis of a new product or the focus of a campaign.

Positive social or environmental initiatives can function as an innovation engine for any brand. After all, new perspectives bring new opportunities.