Building Trust Through Impactful Stories: Key Takeaways from B Lab's Workshop

Spot us!

We had the privilege of attending B Lab's workshop: How To Build Trust through Impactful Stories. The session had an engaging panel that brought together leaders across industries to share how storytelling can be a powerful bridge between businesses and their audiences.

The panel was moderated by Cara McLeod, Cheif Executive at Mahlab and featured insights from:

• Peilin Lee, Head of Marketing at Nespresso

• Gayle Wong, Head of Marketing at Stone Cybersecutrity

• Irene Goh, Managing Director at L'Occitane APAC

Together, they unpacked what it really means for brands to tell stories that not only inspire, but also build long-lasting trust.

Embedding Impact at the Core

One of the strongest messages that resonated with us was 'Impact should be embedded, not added on'. When purpose-driven work is woven into a company's business model, it creates authentic value. Audiences today are quick to discern when purpose is an afterthought versus when it's truly part of a brand.

At Make The Change, this is an approach we actively practice. Purpose is not an afterthought, but a guiding principle behind every programme we design.

Transparency Build Trust

The panel also emphasized that trust grows through transparency. People respond to clarity and honesty. Brands don't have to be perfect, but they do need to be open about both their progress and their challenges.

This aligns strongly with the way we work. In our collaborations with partners, schools, and communities, we are transparent about objectives, challenges and outcomes. Transparency also extends to how we measure and share impact. Rather than focusing only on numbers, we highlight the stories and transformations that show real change.

Local Stories, Local Resonance

A recurring theme was the importance of local contexts. Purpose becomes most powerful when adapted to the cultural context of a community. Stories that feel rooted in people's lived experiences have far more impact than generic global narratives.

MTC actively adapts our programmes to the unique needs of the communities we serve:

• Youth: We integrate familiar digital platforms and creative tools, ensuring programmes are not only educational but also relevant to their world

• Seniors: We simplify digital literacy into bite-sized steps and tie lessons to meaningful themes

• Corporate / NGO partners: We design the programme to be aligned with their organisational values, helping them embed social impact into their own narratives

By tailoring our approaches, we ensure our programmes are not just delivered to communities but with them.

Final Thoughts

The event underscored that impactful storytelling is far more than a branding exercise. It is the foundation for trust, credibility and long-term change. By embedding purpose, practicing transparency, and telling authentic stories, businesses can inspire action and shape culture.

But as we think about storytelling, one question remains worth reflecting on: How do we strike the balance between showcasing impact and avoiding the dissonance of turning someone's lived experience into a marketing tool?

This balance, between impact and dignity, is where true, purpose-driven storytelling lies. And perhaps that is the challenge for all of us, to ensure our stories not only inspire change, but also honour the people at the heart of them.