2023 Annual Impact Report
As I reflect on the journey of GLIDE, from its inception in 2003 to where we stand today, I'm filled with a profound sense of gratitude and purpose. Our mission to "help people who help others" has not only shaped our path but has also defined the essence of our impact on the world. This annual impact report marks a significant milestone for GLIDE. It encapsulates our evolution, our learning, and our commitment to being more than just a digital creative agency. Here, we celebrate our collective efforts to drive meaningful change, support purpose-led enterprises, and foster a culture of passion, growth, and resilience within our team and the communities we serve.
2023: A Year of Purposeful Growth and ImpactOur journey this past year has been remarkable. Achieving certifications such as B Corp, Climate Neutral, and SOC2, alongside being recognized as a Great Place to Work, underscores our dedication to operational excellence and societal contribution. Celebrating 20 years in business, we’ve not only honed our craft but deepened our commitment to making a difference.
Embracing Our Core ValuesOur core values of building meaningful relationships, loving what we do, striving to be better every day, delivering faithfully, and enjoying the journey, have been our guiding stars. They have steered us through challenges, inspired innovation, and nurtured a culture where passion meets purpose.
Looking ForwardAs we look to the future, our vision remains clear. We aim to amplify our impact, inspire others to join us in our mission, and continue to support the incredible work of our clients and partners. This report, our first of many, is a testament to our journey, our achievements, and our aspirations.
To Our GLIDE Family and BeyondTo our dedicated team, our esteemed clients, and our invaluable partners, thank you. Your belief in our mission fuels our drive to do meaningful work that makes a difference. As we move forward, let us continue to embrace our purpose, uphold our values, and make each moment count.
Together, we are GLIDE. Together, we create, inspire, and transform.
The heart of GLIDE
GLIDE’s purpose is to help people who help people. GLIDE’s mission is to scale impact for purpose-led organizations through our work.
75% of our clients are purpose-led organizations we love, who love us.
B-Corp
Achieving B-Corp Certification underscores GLIDE’s commitment to high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. This milestone aligns us with a global community of businesses dedicated to using their success as a force for good.
Climate Neutral Certified
Becoming Climate Neutral Certified demonstrates GLIDE’s commitment to measuring, reducing, and offsetting our carbon footprint. This certification highlights our dedication to sustainable practices and our role in combating climate change.
Great Place to Work
Being Great Place to Work certified reflects GLIDE’s dedication to fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive work environment. This certification recognizes our commitment to employee satisfaction and well-being.
1% for the Planet
As a 1% for the Planet certified business, GLIDE demonstrates our commitment to giving back to environmental causes. This certification signifies our pledge to donate 1% of our annual revenue to support environmental initiatives worldwide.
20 Years in Business
Celebrating 20 years in business marks a significant milestone for GLIDE, highlighting our longevity, resilience, and continued commitment to excellence. This achievement underscores our proven track record and dedication to serving our clients and community for two decades.
How did we determine what to focus on?
- Introduction on materiality topics
- Featured KPIs (shown)
- All KPIs (hidden but expandable)
How do we think about, measure, and celebrate impact?
1. Build Meaningful Relationships
GLIDE is committed to amplifying the impact of businesses that aim to do good in the world. That’s why we have an ambitious 10-year goal to shape our client base for the better, following two key objectives.
| Supporting Purpose-Led Enterprises | Supporting Underserved Populations | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| % of revenue from purpose-led organizations* | % of revenue from clients serving underserved populations* | ||
| 10-Year Goal 75% |
2023 Actual 32% |
10-Year Goal 25% |
2023 Actual 2% |
Other Supporting Metrics
| Goal: # of IRL new client meetings | Goal: % of GLIDErs who have met IRL | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Target 4 |
Actual 3 |
Target 100% |
Actual 45% |
New Purpose-Led Clients
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Notable Existing Purpose-Led Clients
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
“We are grateful for the work you do, and that work is making an impact on communities in Texas-many of whom do not often think about the importance of preserving our natural environment for many generations.”
Reflections & Challenges
Achieving our Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) and increasing our engagement with underserved audiences presents a formidable challenge. While in-person meetings (IRL) are instrumental in forging strong connections, the logistical and financial implications are significant, especially as a remote, distributed, and international agency. Our journey towards reaching 75% revenue from purpose-led organizations and serving more underserved populations requires perseverance, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.
References
- Definition of “purpose-led” organization (according to B Corp)
- Definition of “underserved audience” (according to B Corp)
2. Love What You Do
Our work may be fun, but we take employee wellbeing VERY seriously. That’s why we keep ourselves accountable to them through various workplace culture KPIs, each focused on elevating the experiences of our teammates.
| Employee Satisfaction | Living Wages | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee net promoter score (-100 to 100) |
% of all employees paid a living wage (specific to family & location) |
||
| Target 70+ |
2023 Actual 83 |
Target 100% |
2023 Actual 100% |
Other Supporting Metrics
| Weekly mood pulse score | Great Places to Work Trust Index score | # of employees that achieved 1-year growth plans | % of GLIDErs involved in quarterly wellness challenges | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target 80%+ |
Actual 82% |
Target 65%+ |
Actual 65%+ |
Target 80% |
Actual N/A |
Target 80%+ |
Actual 76% |
Quotes from Employees
Notable Highlights / Wins
 Offering 401K to all employees
|
 We rolled out skip-level 1:1s for all managers
|
 Rolled out Figma Index Plugin v2
|
Reflections & Challenges
Navigating the balance between providing competitive compensation and maintaining our status as a great place to work is a continuous journey. The impact of wage inflation and the occasional necessity to part ways with clients who do not align with our values remind us of the complexity of loving what we do. These challenges underscore the importance of fostering a workplace where passion is not just encouraged but lived daily.
References
- Definition of “living wage” according to BCorp
- Definition of eNPS
- Reference to 15Five mood pulse score
- Reference to Great Places to Work Trust Index
3. Better Every Day
When it comes to our personal and professional selves, we believe in progress over perfection at GLIDE. Our take on sustainability is no different. This is why we’ve collected a handful of social and environmental goals and milestones that align with our 3rd core value: BETTER EVERY DAY.
| Environmental Stewardship | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain 1% for the Planet certification requirement | % of GLIDEr carbon emissions offset in 2023 | ||
| Target 1% Giving |
Actual Recertified |
Target 100% |
Actual 117 Tons (100%) |
Other Supporting Metrics
| % of GLIDErs who identify as women | % of GLIDErs who identify as ethnically/racially diverse | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Target N/A |
Actual 52% |
Proof & Evidence
 Certified B Corp
|
 1% for the Planet
|
 SOC2 Certification
|
 Climate Neutral
|
Reflections & Challenges
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and environmental sustainability challenges us to rethink traditional remote work paradigms. Encouraging our team to embrace change, engage in equity and justice training, and commit to sustainability goals requires a delicate balance between personal conviction and professional responsibility. These initiatives, while challenging, are essential for fostering an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable work environment.
4. Deliver Faithfully
Holding promises and acknowledging faults are part of our DNA. Our core value, DELIVER FAITHFULLY, and the associated KPIs below represent our determination to provide authentic, high quality work to both our clients and our community.
| Customer Satisfaction | Business Ethics | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Client net promoter score (-100 to 100) |
# of legally filed complaints in 20 year company history | ||
| Target 60% |
2023 Actual 83% |
Target 0% |
2023 Actual 0% |
Other Supporting Metrics
| Customer support satisfaction | Maintain BCorp “Designed to Give” donation commitment | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Target 90%+ |
Actual 95% |
Target 5% |
Actual 5% |
Reflections & Challenges
Ensuring client satisfaction while safeguarding our team’s well-being demands a delicate equilibrium. This core value, while outwardly client-focused, has internal implications as well, pushing us to find innovative ways to fulfill our promises without overextending our resources. The pursuit of excellence, combined with the reality that not every client relationship is sustainable, emphasizes the need for clear communication, realistic expectations, and mutual respect.
5. Enjoy the Journey
Embracing life’s wonders is integral to who we are. Our latest uncovered core value, ENJOY THE JOURNEY, reflects our commitment to a balanced life. These KPIs ensure we stay energized, fulfilled, and ready to bring our best selves to every aspect of life.
| Supporting Employee Rest & Time Off | Public Recognition & Acknowledgement | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| # of scheduled days off per GLIDEr (excluding holidays, sick and leave) | # of team “shoutouts” per GLIDEr weekly (as an average) | ||
| Target 5% increase |
2023 Actual 14 days off per GLIDEr |
Target 4 |
Actual 3.5 |
Other Supporting Metrics
| % participation in weekly shared gratitude practice | # of countries represented in team | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Target N/A |
Actual 57% |
Target N/A |
Actual 12 |
Notable Highlights / Wins
 Pilot tested ZERO INBOX on sabbatical
|
 Maintained 4DWW throughout 2023
|
 16 quarterly core values award winners
|
Reflections & Challenges
Balancing the demands of being an elite agency with our commitment to generosity and employee well-being is an ongoing challenge. Our initiatives like unlimited time off, flexible hours, and a four-day workweek are designed to prevent burnout and promote work-life harmony. However, ensuring these policies translate into genuine rest and recovery for our high-performing team members requires ongoing attention and adaptation. Our endeavor to protect our team’s time and encourage full disengagement during vacations is a testament to our commitment to enjoying the journey together.
As we bring our 2023 Impact Report to a close, I am reminded of the powerful moments and connections made throughout this year. In October, I attended the 1% for the Planet Global Summit in New York City. Connecting with fellow business leaders reinforced the fact that there is no silver bullet. Achieving holistic success—balancing social good, profitability, and employee satisfaction—requires constant, intentional planning. In March, Travis attended the MO Summit for Impact CEOs and experienced similar validation that our partnerships have amplified our impact, enabling us to support programs where there is need, not just market demand.
As we look to the future, we are guided by the principle that “simple, smart actions done repeatedly in community lead to change at scale.” I am proud of our user-centered approach in both running our business and delivering our work, ensuring our work is secure, private, accessible, and ethical, providing both beauty and utility. By continuing to foster a culture of purpose and passion, we inspire our team and partners to make these commitments that, over time, yield significant results. We invite our stakeholders to join us in this mission, to refer like-minded organizations, and to provide feedback that helps us improve and grow.
Together, we can continue to amplify our impact, support purpose-led initiatives, and create a better world.