Our Story
In 2017, Annie founded Be The Difference VA – a consultancy helping changemakers accelerate their efforts towards achieving the SDGs. The offer was a range of social impact co-pilot services, delivered 100% virtually, leveraging Annie’s impact space expertise AND virtual assistant (VA) skillset.
Despite a high demand for such a niche combination of expertise and skillset, Annie was convinced that the Be The Difference brand could go further and do more.
Following a challenging conversation with a coach, Annie thought long and hard about where Be The Difference was headed: how could it add the greatest value and create the biggest impact?
“If you can dream it, you can do it.”
- Walt Disney
So in 2019, Be The Difference pivoted to primarily serve philanthropists and companies. Recognising that the world of financials, business growth and asset management made utter sense to this cohort, we applied a business development approach to establishing, scaling and growing social impact. This is encapsulated in our strapline:
#GoodSynergy for success - business development for social good.
Our proposition now focuses on strategic impact advisory and implementation consultancy services, embedding an inclusive approach wherever possible. The social impact co-pilot services remain, dovetailing with the new offer as a ‘bolt-on’ addition.
Today, Be The Difference continues to grow organically, whilst maintaining the highest levels of integrity. We attract the best talent as part of a core team building out the three interconnected pillars of: philanthropy, responsible business and impact with the cross cutting fourth one of learning.
‘When I engaged Be The Difference's services, I already knew integrity was guranteed: I trusted that Be The Difference wouldn't 'sell' but rather to help build lasting connections with organisations aligned with our values. I briefed Annie and Susie, of the Be The Difference team, to do outreach to businesses seeking sponsorship for different changemaker categories at the annual Igniting Inspiration Awards. From the outset, they provided a seamless service, each leveraging their specific skills and expertise to overdeliver on the brief…I'd thoroughly recommend Be The Difference. The team's combined ability to fulfill the brief is second to none.’
— Anj Handa, Founder Inspiring Women Changemakers