Branding has changed a lot over the years. Positioning yourself on the market or selling more products isn't enough anymore; you've got to adapt to new consumer habits and social values. In the past, the focus was on having: producing, consuming, accumulating. Today, people prioritize health, well-being, free time, and the environment. Brands aware of this change understand that strong connections happen between people, not between businesses and consumers. The goal today is to build human brands that inspire emotion and bring something good to the world.
Successful brands are not only present in consumers' minds, but also in their hearts. It all starts with communicating from purpose sharing the reason behind what we do and the impact we hope to make.
Defining your why, your reason for being, what makes you stand out.
Connect authentically with your ideal client by understanding their needs, fears, and desires.
Developing a value proposition that speaks to the heart, not just the head.
Give your brand personality by giving it a voice and tone that communicates empathy and consistency.
Simon Sinek introduces a concept that’s as simple as it is powerful. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
He uses the Golden Circle to explain how we tend to communicate: starting from what we do, to how we do it, and lastly why.
However, he suggests reversing the order and starting with why.
Why? Because it’s the most effective way to reach people who think and feel like we do.
Our brain has several systems, and the limbic system, which manages emotions and decisions, also defines our behavior, including what we buy.
When we decide to purchase something, the choice is 100% emotional, and then our neocortex, the rational part, looks for logical reasons to validate the purchase.
Communicating from a "why" perspective activates emotions and creates a genuine and deep connection with clients. Inspiring brands connect with us not for what they offer, but for what they believe in.
More brands now see that their value begins with their purpose, not with their products.
When a brand communicates from its purpose, it creates something more meaningful than a simple transaction. It creates identity, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Below are some examples of brands that have connected with millions thanks to a genuine and clear purpose.
Apple
Its purpose was never to “make computers or phones” but to “challenge the status quo and think differently.”
That vision is reflected in everything it does: its products, minimalist design, communication, and user experience. People don’t buy an iPhone for its technical features, but because it represents innovation, simplicity, and creative rebellion.
Patagonia
Its why is clear: “We’re in business to save our home planet.”
That philosophy guides every decision, from using recycled materials to creating campaigns that promote repairing clothes instead of buying new ones.
The result is a global community that shares values of environmental activism and responsible consumption.
Dove
Its purpose goes beyond personal care.
For years, it has worked to “help the next generation develop a positive self-image.”
Each campaign, such as Real Beauty or the Self-Esteem Project, promotes self-confidence, inclusion, and authenticity, creating an emotional connection with millions of people.
Corona
In recent years, it has focused on the purpose of “protecting our beaches and oceans.”
Through campaigns such as Protect Paradise, it has positioned itself as a brand that stands for nature and Latin identity.
According to the 2018 Cone/Porter Novelli Purpose Study, 79% of people said they would be more loyal to purpose-driven companies. And it’s not just about numbers. It’s about building an emotional and authentic relationship between the brand and the people who choose it.
The Japanese have a word for this: Ikigai.
It means “reason for being” and comes from the balance between four dimensions:
What you love to do.
What you are good at.
What you can be paid for.
What the world needs.
When a brand manages to align these four points, it finds its purpose, something that inspires, transcends, and leaves a positive impact. Finding a brand's purpose isn't easy. It requires introspection, consistency, and deep honesty. But once you find it, your brand stops being just a business and becomes a powerful tool for you, your team, and everyone who believes in the same things you do.
We are biologically programmed to follow those who share our values. That’s why purpose-driven brands don’t just sell, they connect.
They don’t just grow, they make a lasting impact. Ask yourself:
What is your purpose?
Why do you do what you do?
What mark do you want to leave on the world?
Discovering it is the first step toward building a brand that is authentic, human, and meaningful!