BEYOND BUSINESS MANIFESTO
- Ozay Burak Konar
- Aug 17
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 24

The traditional business paradigm is changing. The Beyond Business approach advocates defining a company's success not only by financial profit but also by its social and environmental impact. Indeed, the World Economic Forum's Davos Manifesto (2020) emphasizes that a company's purpose is to create shared value by serving not only its shareholders but also its employees, customers, suppliers, the society in which it operates, and all its stakeholders in general. From this perspective, it argues that company performance should be measured not only by the return it brings to shareholders but also by the success it achieves in achieving environmental, social, and governance objectives. It even states that companies operating globally, along with governments and civil society, should be viewed as "stakeholders of the global future." Similarly, the Terra Carta manifesto aims to expand the concept of sustainability beyond net-zero emissions targets to include elements of nature, people, the planet, equality, and prosperity.
The Beyond Business philosophy redefines the very concept of "doing business" by combining the objectivity of science, the creativity of art, and the stimulating approach of visionary thinking. This philosophy calls on companies to go "beyond business" and encourages them to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. Companies that aim to create stakeholder value by moving beyond profit-focused thinking can produce more sensitive and holistic solutions to major issues of our time, such as the climate crisis, social injustice, and digital transformation. This isn't just an idealistic stance; it's also a demand from new generations: 63% of millennials believe that the primary purpose of businesses should be to benefit society, while profit should be secondary. In short, the Beyond Business manifesto is a roadmap inspired by scientific data and artistic thinking that invites the business world to a purpose-driven transformation.
The Role and Vision of CreaVexus X
As a pioneer of the Beyond Business philosophy, CreaVexus X is at the forefront of an innovative and inclusive transformation in the business world. Our vision is to create an experience space that brings together science and art, blends technology with ethical values, and brings the corporate world closer to the creative economy. Like a moonshot laboratory, CreaVexus X establishes an ecosystem where unconventional ideas flourish and grow. In this ecosystem, projects focused on artificial intelligence, sustainability, design, and social benefit are addressed together. For example, we embrace an open innovation approach; 84% of executives state that open innovation is critical to growth, and companies leading in open innovation have a 59% higher revenue growth rate than others. CreaVexus X aims to foster this collaborative innovation culture with both internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring that innovative ideas emerge through collective efforts rather than behind closed doors.
Our role is to transform scientific curiosity and data-driven thinking, combined with artistic creativity and an aesthetic perspective, into visionary projects. In this context, CreaVexus X operates like an incubator, closely monitoring future trends, developing insights, and then transforming these insights into tangible initiatives. Our vision is to be a catalyst for building a more sustainable, more equitable, and more creative future not only for our company but for all our stakeholders. Every project undertaken under CreaVexus X not only achieves business goals but also creates value beyond the business world—whether it's addressing the societal impact of an AI application or enhancing employee happiness through an experimental organizational structure. This visionary approach distinguishes CreaVexus X from traditional corporate identity, positioning it on the axis of purpose and innovation.
Business Models of the Future: AI, Sustainability, and Ethics-Centered Systems
The future of business is being shaped at the intersection of technological innovation and social responsibility. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and big data are at the heart of new business models. In recent years, AI has empowered businesses in many areas, from process automation and gaining insights from big data to enhancing customer service with chatbots. Businesses that want to remain competitive in 2024 and beyond are integrating this transformative power of AI into their business models. However, the business model of the future is not solely technology-focused; it is also founded on sustainability and ethical principles.
Today, the triple bottom line (People, Planet, Profit) is becoming increasingly important for sustainable growth. Company success is no longer measured solely by financial performance but also by its social and environmental impact. Artificial intelligence is becoming a key tool in this regard: AI can help companies optimize their operations and increase efficiency while achieving their sustainability goals and improving their societal impact. For example, AI-powered systems can be used to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing energy consumption, minimize waste in supply chains, or monitor employee well-being. Experiments like the 4-day workweek trialed by Microsoft in its Japan office demonstrate that rethinking business models can benefit both productivity and employee well-being (Microsoft Japan achieved a 40% productivity increase with a 4-day workweek). Such innovative practices are also supported by the flexible work arrangements made possible by AI and automation.
Of course, with the rise of AI, concepts of ethics and responsibility are becoming central to business models. As artificial intelligence systems take over decision-making processes, issues such as algorithmic bias, data privacy, and transparency become critical. Experts emphasize that a human-centered approach to AI must adhere to ethical principles and consider sustainability requirements while developing the technology's capabilities. AI developers and users must act with a balance between people, planet, and profit; otherwise, AI can undermine societal trust as much as it provides efficiency. The business models of the future will be shaped around companies that integrate the automation advantages of AI with sustainability principles and an ethical framework. This gives rise to the concept of sustainable innovation: innovative business models that are both environmentally and socially responsible and use advanced technologies responsibly.
Post-Capitalism and the Creative Economy
There is an intense debate on the limits and future of capitalism on a global scale. Post-capitalism is a concept that describes the forms economic systems can take after capitalism. According to some theorists, capitalism will give way to a radically different order in the age of information and technology. As early as 1993, Peter Drucker predicted in his book Post-Capitalist Society that capitalist society would evolve into a knowledge-based society. According to Drucker, in this new order, knowledge would replace capital, labor, or natural resources, becoming the primary source of wealth; society would be shaped by knowledge workers and service workers, rather than the capitalists and workers we see in the capitalist system. Today, these predictions have partially come true: The share of knowledge and creativity in the economy is rapidly increasing. Advances in automation and digitalization are making post-capitalist scenarios more feasible. In fact, experts state that advanced automation and information technologies could radically alter the profitability dynamics of the traditional capitalist model by reducing production costs to near-zero levels. For example, open source software or digital content can be replicated and shared at almost no cost, opening up new economic models focused on sharing and collaboration rather than ownership for profit.
A key component of this transformation is the concept of the creative economy. The creative economy is an economic model shaped by the increasing share of creative industries such as culture, art, design, and media in economic growth and employment. It's no wonder the United Nations declared 2021 the "Year of the Creative Economy for Sustainable Development": creative industries are seen as engines of inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth. The creative economy fosters entrepreneurship and innovation, creating new business models and employment opportunities, while also increasing social inclusion by supporting disadvantaged groups (e.g., women, youth, immigrants). For example, individuals producing content on digital platforms (YouTubers, digital designers, game developers, etc.) can create their own economic value and reach millions without the need for large capital investments. This heralds an economy in which creativity and knowledge are more decisive than capital. Such creative and sharing-based models are at the heart of post-capitalist discussions: the sharing economy (such as Uber and Airbnb), platform cooperatives, the open-source movement, crypto-economies, and similar formations stand out as practices that go beyond classical capitalism. Ultimately, post-capitalism and the creative economy invite us to believe that a more just, collaborative, and creative economic order is possible.
Social Innovation Examples and CreaVexus X Experimental Areas
One of the most important areas where the Beyond Business philosophy is embodied is social innovation. The Stanford Social Innovation Review defines social innovation as "innovative solutions that are more effective, efficient, sustainable, or equitable than existing solutions, and whose resulting value significantly benefits society." In other words, social innovation is a set of approaches that offer an unconventional and improving solution to a social problem, prioritizing social benefit over commercial profit. Today, we see countless examples of creative solutions to social problems around the world. Some of these include:
Microfinance: These are innovative financial models that offer small-scale financial services (microcredits, microinsurance, etc.) to low-income individuals or those without access to banking services. The microfinance movement, initiated by Prof. Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, has given millions of people the opportunity to start their own businesses and escape poverty. Microfinance, by staying outside the traditional banking system, serves as a pioneering example of social innovation.
The "One-for-One" Model: This is a business model in which a consumer donates a similar product to someone in need for every purchase. For example, TOMS Shoes popularized this model by donating a pair of shoes to those in need for every pair sold. Today, there are startups offering similar products like eyeglasses, water, books, and more. This model directly connects profitability with social benefit, offering a creative approach to social innovation.
"Bottom-Up" Products: These are innovative products and services that focus on meeting the basic needs of poor or disadvantaged populations. For example, LifeStraw is an inexpensive, portable water filter developed for communities lacking access to clean water. Low-cost solar lamps or internet-enabled kits developed for areas without access to electricity also fall into this category. These products create both social impact and create a new market by offering solutions to segments overlooked by large corporations outside of profitable markets.
CreaVexus X also serves as an experience platform in the field of social innovation. We create spaces within and outside the company where ideas from different disciplines are prototyped, tested, and small-scale experiments are conducted. For example, we develop projects that seek solutions to social problems (such as inequality in education or access to healthcare) using artificial intelligence and data analytics. Similarly, we support social enterprise ideas suggested by our employees or business partners and implement them as pilot projects. In these experimental spaces, failure is also seen as a learning experience; what matters is the continued search for creative solutions. While a social innovation project undertaken within CreaVexus X may not initially yield commercial returns, the insights gained and the benefits it provides to society contribute significantly to our company culture and reputation in the long run. Ultimately, the social innovation approach is an integral part of CreaVexus X's DNA and represents one of the most tangible ways to create value "beyond the work."
Call for Visitors and Business Partners: "Let's experience the future together"
At CreaVexus X, we believe in one thing: The future is shaped in the hands of those who build it together. As we bring our vision and projects to life, we prioritize the participation of all our stakeholders in this journey. Whether you're a curious visionary visiting our website, an investor, an internal team member, or a business partner, we invite you to experience the future together. Research shows that a culture of collaboration and co-innovation is one of the keys to success in the business world. Organizations advanced in open innovation practices have been found to achieve 3.3 times higher revenue growth than those without. This tells us that the path to overcoming even the most challenging challenges lies in working together, producing together, and bringing together diverse perspectives.
Under the umbrella of CreaVexus X, we offer an environment where knowledge is shared, ideas flourish together, and experiences are shared. When our visitors come to our office or events, we want them to not only see the technologies of the future but also experience them firsthand. When developing projects with our business partners, we go beyond the traditional customer-supplier relationship and act with an understanding of collective value creation. Because we know that visionary collaborations can open doors we can't reach alone.
You too can be a part of this movement and together we can make the Beyond Business philosophy a reality. Come join our innovation workshops, pilot projects, and ideation marathons; share your experiences and expertise with us. Let's experience the future together. This call is more than just a slogan; it expresses a shared promise: A more sustainable, more creative, and more humane future is possible, and we will build it together. At CreaVexus X, we are ready – now we invite you to join us on this journey.

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