Interview on the LIMBUA company profile
The LIMBUA company profile was awarded the top grade by the German Journalism Academy (DJA). The profile was written by Manuel Maurer, founder of the online journalism magazine STB Web. We spoke with him about his career in journalism, his motivation, and his impressions of LIMBUA.
Manuel Maurer: “LIMBUA shows how digitalization and sustainability can go hand in hand.”
Mr. Maurer, how did you get into journalism – and why did you choose to study at the German Journalism Academy?
M. Maurer: "I originally studied business administration. After successfully participating in a start-up competition, I founded my company STB Web, initially primarily as an internet agency for tax consultants. This later included editorial services and specialist content for accounting firms and the creation of an online journalism magazine, which today has around 3,800 newsletter subscribers.
Having gained many years of professional experience in online media, I qualified for the advanced course in business journalism at the German Journalism Academy. This was, and still is, an academically sound ‘upgrade’ to enhance my journalistic work and further development."
Which topics are particularly important to you in your journalistic work?
M. Maurer: "In addition to developments in the tax sector and tax law, my journalistic focus includes issues surrounding more sustainable business practices. I am particularly interested in social enterprises, value-driven businesses, forms of corporate social responsibility, as well as concepts from post-growth economics. In short: entrepreneurial ideas and economic concepts that explore new, sustainable ways – often going beyond the usual approach – and show that things can indeed be done differently."
Digitalization creates efficiency and transparency in food production
How did you become aware of LIMBUA – and why did you want to write about our company?
M. Maurer: "I learned about LIMBUA through the German Federal Government’s CSR Award. What immediately impressed me was the connection of digital solutions with sustainable business practices and fair trade. I wanted to know more about it.
I increasingly view digitalization with some ambivalence: data usage for questionable purposes, algorithms harmful to democracy, enormous energy consumption, threatened jobs, overwhelmed organizations, and stressed people. There are so many sustainability deficits, I often ask myself: what exactly is being solved here, and for whose benefit?
And then I came across an ecological social enterprise that, seemingly far removed from all the ‘digital noise,’ had developed a very smart digital solution enabling fair trade with smallholder farmers and ensuring a transparent supply chain. The true innovation here is the entrepreneurial will to act responsibly, with positive economic and social impact. The technology is simply a tool to achieve that.
Further research convinced me about LIMBUA in many other aspects, and it quickly became clear that I wanted to write about it."
Traceability is a key element of LIMBUA’s digital solutions
Did working on the company profile give you new perspectives on sustainable agriculture?
M. Maurer: "Yes, working on this project showed me the many positive synergy effects of sustainable agriculture: healthier soils, higher yields, better-quality food, stronger resilience to climate change, more autonomy, improved economic conditions – and how everyone involved, including the end customer, benefits."
And on a personal level – what do you take away from your work with LIMBUA?
M. Maurer: "Sustainable living is a real challenge and a continuous process in our industrial consumer society. Companies and projects like LIMBUA motivate me to keep going. Personally, I am connected to nature, interested in woodcraft, and value mostly natural foods. Respectful interaction is also central to me.
What impressed me about LIMBUA is the attention to detail that creates a coherent overall picture. I am also impressed by seemingly simple, pragmatic solutions that reflect understanding and communication – and especially by the focus on empowerment and impact."
The full, top-graded LIMBUA company profile can be found HERE
Organic farming and fair partnerships – part of the award-winning company profile
About the German Journalism Academy (DJA)
The German Journalism Academy offers practical, part-time programs and advanced courses, including a focus on business journalism. It is aimed at professionals, career changers, and experienced journalists who want to further develop and certify their journalistic skills.
More information: www.deutschejournalistenakademie.de