Lessons on Social Innovation - B374:02

This week we learned about how some efforts in social entrepreneurialism can actually become more damaging to the very people they are trying to help than they do help. Evaluating our end game is vitally important so that we can make a plan that will really make a difference and change the course people’s lives are on. It reminds me of the talk from Marion G. Romney, that shared the story of the seagulls and the shrimpers feeding them. They learned that they could just get fish from the shrimpers instead of wasting time fishing for themselves. Later generations were only taught to go the shrimpers for fish and didn’t learn how to fish. So, when the shrimpers left, they began to starve. We certainly don’t want to create this type of environment when we are trying to help improve people’s lives. I feel it does beg to be mentioned that there are those who just need a hand. Perhaps there has been a temporary setback and they need a bit of assistance to get back on their way. In these case...

Our class is just speeding right along! We are well into the last half of the semester and I am already looking forward to the break. Our lessons this week centered around Corporate Social Responsibility and B Corps. I had no idea that B Corps had such stringent requirements. They include legal accountability, transparency, assessments of their impact on the environment, community and both workers and customers. They must balance both profit and purpose while aspiring to benefit all and not to damage the world in any way. That does make me feel good though that when I do run across one, I can be assured that they are really working and making the impact they are aiming for. I appreciate that as a consumer because I often feel we are duped by companies looking to improve their self-image but not really making the change. I am also realistic that it is difficult to meet all the requirements and that there are plenty of companies doing all they can but still may not meet the right criter...

This week we learned more about business canvas models, lean start-up, and keys to success for social innovators. I appreciated the 5 Keys to Success for Social Entrepreneurs that Lluis Pareras listed in his TEDx talk. In particular, key point 3 where you should shout your existence to everyone and not hide any inventions you have made up for fear that someone would steal it. I think this hit me the most because if you are more concerned about theft then are your priorities really in the right place for the social issue you are trying to help. However, this was also coupled with key point 1 which was to focus on social impact and money at the same time. I spent some time thinking about these two in order to reconcile them against one another. What I came to understand is this. Sure, protect your inventions from theft but don’t allow the fear to stop you from seeking help and feedback on your inventions. This is a major way that we improve our product and make it better. We must be w...