5 Ways to Make a Positive Impact with a Purpose-Driven Business
Written By Cristina Villalón & Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA
ABOUT THE AUTHORS | Cristina Villalón and Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz, FAIA are the Founders of AD&V®.
AT AD&V, WE'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN THE POWER OF PURPOSE. IT’S THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.
Our purpose centers around human-centric design, team empowerment, and sustainability, both internally at our workplace and externally in our projects. The path of purpose has taught us that we can all help transform the world for the better, and we want to pass on what we’ve learned to others.
Discover how purpose-driven businesses can create a positive impact by exploring our evolution, business model, and cherished vision.
1. EVOLVING WITH INTENTION & DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS
Initially, when AD&V was established through the merger of AD+Group and Villalón Interiors, Inc., the focus and intent was to provide more value to clients and reduce waste in the built environment. However, as our company evolved, our practices became more intentional and data-driven.
We believe that what gets measured gets improved, and thanks to the data we’ve collected, we’ve been able to set benchmarks and showcase metrics on how our firm’s policies, operations, initiatives, and projects impact lives through our annually published Impact Reports. We’ve used our firm’s data to set goals in terms of lives impacted rather than revenue generated.
Companies can strategically harness the power of data to set benchmarks and drive intentional growth and meaningful impact.
2. ADVANCING WELL-BEING
AD&V's mission is to translate a client’s vision into a cohesive, user-centric, and sustainable design solution. Ultimately, we want to positively transform people’s lives by designing Places of Purpose. Our offices are a reflection of our beliefs. We designed them to promote a culture of mentorship, learning opportunities, personal growth, and physical and mental wellness. Our dedication to nurturing talent has resulted in long-term employee loyalty and a win-win scenario for both our firm and our team members.
Businesses can profoundly impact their employees' well-being and, in turn, create a positive impact that reverberates beyond the workplace and into the wider world.
3. OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF AN UNDERVALUED PROFESSION
Architects face the challenge of being undervalued compared to other service providers. We are working to change this perception through education, awareness, and professionalism while competing in an industry that often underappreciates our value. Our business model hinges on talent and people. We sell time and expertise, and our value is far too often intangible.
By prioritizing talent, fostering education, and challenging industry perceptions, companies can add substantial value to their professions and ultimately foster a more balanced and appreciative business landscape.
4. FOSTERING SUCCESS THROUGH TEAM EMPOWERMENT & CUSTOMER SERVICE
Taking care of our team members directly translates into excellent customer service. By teaching, training, and mentoring our employees, we ensure that they feel empowered to continue on a path of upward mobility.
We work to nurture relationships and connections to bring more value to our projects and ensure a positive impact on people's lives. We attribute our firm’s success to great customer service, responsiveness, responsibility, adaptability, and constant pursuit of improvement.
Companies can redefine the conventional benchmarks of success by intertwining team empowerment and superior customer service. This allows firms to propel themselves toward success while cultivating a profound societal impact.
5. USING LEADERSHIP TO EMPOWER & INSPIRE OTHERS
As AD&V Founders, we believe that the best leaders are servant leaders. This type of leadership provides guidance and support while also ensuring that each team member has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
By focusing on developing our team and creating an environment of growth and empowerment, we have established ourselves as leaders in sustainable, human-centric design. More importantly, our approach to servant leadership has not only empowered our teams but also inspired growth.
A company establishes itself as a trailblazer in its field through servant leadership that prioritizes team development and fosters a culture of empowerment and growth. It ignites inspiration and positivity, creating a transformative and lasting impact.
ANY PURPOSE-DRIVEN BUSINESS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Our journey has been a testament to how purpose-driven businesses can genuinely make a difference. We've grown and evolved, not just as a company but as a beacon of positive change. We aren’t just aiming to design and build structures; we are aiming to create environments that enhance the human experience.
Our growth demonstrates what's possible when a business aligns its actions with its values. We've seen firsthand how our commitment to being a purpose-driven business has propelled our company forward and positively impacted the communities we serve. Every project we undertake is a new opportunity to put our purpose into action, creating ripples of positive change that extend far beyond our client's expectations.
Looking back, we are proud of what we've achieved but are even more excited about the potential for further growth and impact. Fusing our passion for design with our commitment to making a difference motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Our growth and evolution are examples of how purpose-driven businesses like ours can create lasting change. We hope to inspire other businesses to find their purpose and use their platforms to impact the world positively.