A Commitment to Sustainable and Socially Responsible Business

In a world reshaped by global challenges, a profound philosophical shift is underway, moving companies beyond a singular focus on shareholder profit to a more inclusive approach that considers all stakeholders. This expanded view recognizes that a company's success is intrinsically linked to its impact on its customers, employees, partners, communities, and the environment.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this evolution, forcing leaders to re-evaluate traditional operating models. Many of the resulting changes—such as increased reliance on digital platforms, flexible work arrangements, and a heightened focus on employee well-being—are here to stay. As Michael Dell, CEO of Dell, noted, this new era has made the world "a little smaller and a lot more connected," highlighting our collective reliance on digital capabilities. Now is the time for businesses to recommit to their core values and broaden their understanding of who their stakeholders truly are.

Today, we face a convergence of global crises—health, economic, social, and environmental. While the scale of these challenges can be paralyzing, every organization, regardless of its size, has a platform for change and a responsibility to act. The urgency of climate change is evidenced by the devastating wildfires, flooding, and other catastrophic events we are witnessing globally. We must all contribute to driving the systemic change necessary to preserve our planet for current and future generations.

At Visionary People (VP), we are committed to doing our part by integrating sustainable practices into our core business model. Our "Go-Digital" initiative is a testament to this commitment, offering a 5% discount to all clients who agree to conduct 100% of their business with us electronically. This program not only rewards our clients for their partnership in this effort but also drives mutual financial benefits and significant environmental impact.

By embracing this digital-first approach, we are able to reduce our carbon footprint and operational overhead by over 80% per representative through several key methods, including but not limited to:

❖ Minimizing Travel and Fuel Consumption:

Eliminating unnecessary travel to meetings dramatically reduces our fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This allows us to invest the time saved directly into our clients' projects, offering greater value and efficiency.

❖ Transitioning to Paperless Operations: 

By producing all of our work in digital documents and media assets, we significantly reduce our reliance on paper and physical printing. This not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the waste and energy associated with traditional document production.

❖ Enhancing Efficiency and Cost Savings: 

Our "Go-Digital" initiative was specifically designed to influence a seamless transition for clients from paper-based to digital-based operations. This saves both our company and our clients money by eliminating the costs associated with printing, shipping, and physical storage.

❖ Reducing Environmental Impact from Dry Cleaning: 

By conducting business from home, we have eliminated the need for formal office attire, reducing our reliance on dry cleaning services. This is a small but significant step, as dry cleaning often involves the use of chlorinated solvents like tetrachloroethylene (PCE), which are toxic pollutants that can persist in the environment for decades.

❖ Reducing Commercial Real Estate Footprint:   

Our digital-first model allows us to operate without a traditional physical office space. This is made possible by our team working from their home offices. This eliminates the significant energy consumption associated with heating, cooling, lighting, and maintaining commercial buildings, which are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

❖ Optimizing Energy Consumption: 

By working remotely, we empower our team to manage their individual energy consumption more efficiently. This includes reducing energy waste from office equipment, lighting, and HVAC systems that would otherwise be running in a central office.

❖ Minimizing Waste from Office Supplies and Equipment: 

The lack of a physical office reduces the need for a wide range of consumable office supplies, from pens and staplers to single-use plastics and packaging. This reduces our overall waste stream and the resources required for manufacturing and disposal.

❖ Promoting Sustainable Commuting: 

Our remote work model completely eliminates the need for daily commuting, a major source of transportation-related carbon emissions. This supports a broader societal shift towards reduced vehicular traffic and cleaner air. 

In conclusion, Visionary People is dedicated to moving beyond a narrow profit-centric model. By embracing a broader stakeholder approach and integrating social and environmental considerations into our core practices, we are fostering a more ethical, responsible, and resilient business landscape for ourselves and our clients. Our "Go-Digital" program is a cornerstone of this vision, proving that sustainable business practices can lead to shared success, both financially and environmentally.

At Visionary People, our foundation is built upon a professional and sophisticated framework for sustainability, which we call the "Sextet Bottom Line." This innovative approach, developed by Mr. Mohsen Z. Salehi, Trans-Global EMBA, during his rigorous intercontinental thesis research, a mandatory requirement for the Trans-Global Executive MBA (T-GEMBA) Graduate Program at Saint Mary's College of California - The School of Economics and Business Administration (SEBA), expands upon the well-established Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework. While the TBL, created in 1994 by John Elkington, focuses on People, the Planet, and Profit, Mr. Salehi recognized the need for a more comprehensive model that addresses key components essential for modern-day businesses. This led to the creation of the Sextet Bottom Line (also referred to as the 6 Ps or SBL), incorporating six pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, Provenance, Purpose, Probity, and Profit. The SBL framework encourages businesses to consider these six aspects equally when evaluating their performance and striving for sustainable growth. This robust framework and philosophy are the bedrock of Visionary People.

I. People: Empowering Our Community 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

This pillar measures a company's social impact, encompassing employee welfare, community engagement, and social responsibility. Companies that prioritize the well-being of their employees and communities foster improved morale and productivity. Research shows that happy workers are 13% more productive, and companies with strong well-being programs report higher employee satisfaction and retention.

II. Planet: Nurturing Our Earth 🌍

The Planet pillar assesses a company's environmental impact, including energy consumption, waste management, and sustainable practices. Adopting eco-friendly methods reduces carbon footprints and contributes to environmental conservation. The median environmental impact for organizations is close to 2% of revenues, with some industries exceeding 10%. Sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, can significantly mitigate these effects.

III. Provenance: Honoring Our Origins 🌿

Provenance refers to the origin, source, or history of materials. This critical pillar highlights the importance of understanding where materials come from and their relationship to specific ecosystems. It emphasizes sourcing materials responsibly and ethically, ensuring that our supply chain is transparent and supports sustainable practices.

IV. Purpose: Driving Our Mission 🎯

The Purpose pillar defines the core reason for a business's existence beyond making a profit. It is the company's mission and values, outlining its commitment to a greater social or environmental good. A strong sense of purpose guides strategic decisions, inspires employees, and builds trust with consumers who increasingly want to support 

businesses that align with their values.

V. Probity: Upholding Integrity 🤝

Probity refers to the principle of having strong moral and ethical standards. This pillar ensures that a company operates with honesty, integrity, and transparency in all its dealings. It encompasses ethical leadership, fair business practices, and accountability. Businesses that uphold probity build a reputation for trustworthiness, which is invaluable for long-term success and stakeholder confidence.

VI. Profit: Sustaining Our Future 📈

Profit is the traditional measure of a company's financial performance. It includes revenue, expenses, and overall profitability. The Sextet Bottom Line framework emphasizes that profit must be generated ethically and sustainably. Studies indicate that companies with strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores often financially outperform their peers, demonstrating that profitability and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.