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By Manoj Sharma Social entrepreneurship is an irresistible power for the collective betterment of humanity that is sweeping through the world today. It was a term originally coined by Bill Drayton, the founder of Ashoka, based on the belief that “social entrepreneurships deliver the highest leverage and impact society-wide for addressing social problems.” Social entrepreneurship is arguably distinct from conventional entrepreneurship in one very clear way. Where conventional entrepreneurs are often driven by personal profitability and fulfilment; social entrepreneurs are compelled forward by collective fulfilment and profitability. Profitability in this case as a reference to immediate, sustainable and scalable financial and/or non-financial benefits! Sustainable development and corporate social responsibility are just two examples of the far reaching effects of the evolution of social entrepreneurship. These are clear indications of the progress and acceptance of social entrepreneurship into the main stream of everyday business practices, albeit at a slower rate than what is needed. Social entrepreneurship today is more than just an individual cause. More and more organisations are waking up to a strong sense of what we can call social intrapreneurship – the spirit of social entrepreneurship within organisations. This is sometimes done by encouraging individuals and teams to play a more active societal role in their communities, environments and the world-at-large. In some cases this is done with the support of the organisation’s resources. The other way that social intrapreneurship takes place within an organisation is through the commitment of the organisation itself to support worthy causes or reinvest a percentage of their takings into the development of communities they work with. All in all, social entrepreneurship is proving itself to be an opportunity for generosity, fuelled by the contributory spirit present in every human being. It is an altruistic and workable means to a mutually beneficial end, drawing upon the willingness to serve that is already present in all of us. At the same time, this doesn’t necessarily have to compromise individual and organisational goals and ideals. We find ourselves at both a fortunate and unfortunate moment in history. Fortunate as the global opportunities for advancement available to us are truly unparalleled. Unfortunate, because seemingly more and more of our fellow human beings find themselves in trying circumstances, on a worldwide basis. Since we are at a unique moment in history - a moment in which social entrepreneurship is ripe for the picking as an ideal solution to many of the supposedly “unsolvable” problems of our communities, environments and the world-at-large - isn’t it time we pay more careful attention to it? The truth is that while much has been said and done in social entrepreneurship in the last three decades, there are still not enough people sufficiently informed about the potential and benefits it holds. Too many people (and possibly you too) are largely unaware of the big differences they can make with a little bit of effort on their part. Since you are reading this article I invite you to actively partake of a social entrepreneurship projects and play your part to make a difference - right here and now. Below is an interim step-by-step guide to get you thinking and started. Identify social and societal problems that you care to address that would mutually benefit all parties concerned.
Do a quick check to ensure that your chosen problem is something you are willing to have a long-term commitment to.
Having done the first two steps, do not concern yourself whether these problems are truly “your calling” since your process of choosing them would already have something to do with your personal values and passion.
Study and research the problem as thoroughly as you can.
Communicate the problem to as many people as you can and invite them to join you in a brainstorming session.
Create a vision for how you would like things to be and identify the different roles each of you will need to consistently play to turn that vision into reality.
Think though how you’d like to be personally rewarded for undertaking this mission and ensure that it fulfils and satisfies you.
Come up with a list of creative solutions that you feel will go a long way in solving the problem at the root itself.
Identify the financial and non-financial resources you will need to ensure a successful undertaking.
Identify the resources you will need to ensure the sustainability of the project.
Be mindful of the competencies you will personally need to develop or complement to give you the best chance of success.
Work relentlessly with a high degree of passion and do not rest till you goal is achieved. Do so with the highest ideals and rights of humanity in mind and with a deep respect and appreciation of all parties concerned.
Always do your best to work with the existing system and never against it.
Keep a clear eye on the immediate benefits, the sustainable objectives and the scalability of the solution by being as forward thinking as possible.
Know that while there are no “perfect” solutions, your well-intended and respectful course of action will certainly produce mutually beneficial outcomes for all to win.
Enjoy the journey and allow yourself and others to grow while you contribute wholeheartedly.
The article is written by Manoj Sharma, the Managing Director of DifferWorld Pte Ltd a people-potentialisation company that is reputed to deliver some of the world’s best personal, professional and executive education, development and coaching initiatives. Mr. Sharma can be contacted at +65 6338 5669,
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or www.DifferWorld.com
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