The Women’s March after Trump’s Inauguration Is a Perfect Example of Social Entrepreneurship

A new breed of Social Entrepreneurship is what Trump is bringing into America. They could paint the streets of Boston, Washington and other 600 odd cities literally pink. Yes, scores and scores of women marched on the chilly Saturday morning expressing their solidarity against the Trump tyranny. This unprecedented movement took place when Trump was attending the customary ‘morning after swearing in ceremony’ services in the Washington Cathedral. They could muster support from the ‘who is who’ of America.

Donald Trump swore as President with the lowest approval rating of 40%. Well, this is not the usual techie meet or agitation but a real massive protest mustering support even from other countries. America is generally and comparatively tolerant on right fronts like usage of obscene words, divorce or extramarital affairs. But Donald Trump broke all the thin lines with his utterances.

The Women’s March without the support of taxpayers money or Government mechanisms fought against Trump’s comments, policy ideas and past behaviour towards women. The President did not even spare his daughter in his remarks.

His stated goal to reduce funding for reproductive health research and Planned Parenthood also did not go well with the fringe group. They used the social media successfully to make the 21 January protest a reality. Yes, a new breed of women social entrepreneurship is born in the US and abroad.

Right from logistics, marketing, fundraising, and attire, they could muster support –monetarily as well as moralistically. The swelling crowd crossed one million, and the movement went viral. Typically they have to brainstorm for their next strategic move. Fuzzy logic of a new amazing social entrepreneurship in America has taken shape.

But the target, Donald Trump, the 45th President of America seems to be least bothered when he was moving to the cathedral CIA headquarters to thank them for their support. But the ‘pink social revolution’ is going to be a black mark on the White House.

Reference URL: http://www.forbes.com/sites/nishacharya/2017/01/19/womens-march-is-social-entrepreneurship-at-its-best/#50b1962c16fe

Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship in 2016

Suddenly a spurt of demand for the Master of Social Work courses in India. The reason is simple; the Corporate have to organize CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) schemes under qualified MSW post graduates. Primarily a company having a turnover of 10 Billion Rupees and above a minimum two percent need to be put into CSR kitty. This 2014 law is in force.

Tata Power a business agglomerated has spent Rs.47 crores Last year toward CSR. So did Reliance, L&T, and a host of others numbering few hundreds. Tata Steel, situated in a tribal belt of Jharkhand is reviving the tribal sports and arts.

The disparity in education, poverty, gender, sex, hunger and social issues was the talking point with start-ups and Corporates alike. Some corporates are doing this act sincerely whereas a few think this is unnecessary. Typically CSR metrics covers defensive, charitable, promotional and strategic. For a change, more youngsters are coming up into social entrepreneurship. Last month UrbanClap and Snapdeal asked their customers to donate “Happiness Boxes” to NGOs top make the year-end brighter for the underprivileged. For this, a platform Snapdeal Sunshine platform was created. Uber also followed suit. Cairn India came out with clean drinking water kiosks to communities.

The growth of social entrepreneurship scenario in India is going to be significant. Solar energy projects, smokeless stove, wind energy, etc. are few of the projects taking shape in different parts of India with Government –private sector collaboration. The technology incubator concept is fast catching up.

Funding social enterprises was introduced into the Schedule VII of Section 135 of the Indian Companies Act through an amendment, where companies can fund start-ups incubated in ‘technology incubators’ connected to academic institutions. The social purpose vehicles which were so far unknown in the corporate or start-up is fast changing for better.

Reference URL: http://bwdisrupt.businessworld.in/article/Impact-of-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-and-Social-Entrepreneurship-in-2016/05-01-2017-110897/

Lessons for Social Entrepreneurs

A 2016 is already in the past, and the new one is worth exploring.

Supply chain management

dōTERRA, the Utah-based consumer cum health product supply organization has a social commitment. They support the farmers in developing countries. The turnover of this supply chain management company is 1.2 Billion. They are the pioneers of essential oil supplier globally, and their suppliers come from developing countries like Nepal, India, etc. they have tied up with Helping Hands Foundation to distribute Grants to the needy.

Life Style Management.

Healthways, an organization dedicated to dealing with cardiac problems was established by the doctor turned entrepreneur Dean Ornish. He licensed his healthy lifestyle programme helped ‘people across the country gain access to professional help with implementing his program.’ That deal was the masterstroke.

The blue haired girl makes the difference.

Starbucks enforced the taboo on Maria De La Croix and denied her a job. The reason was simple- the blue color of her hair was not as per Starbuck’s policy. She took revenge by starting a venture by setting up her coffee shop on a bicycle. That was a tremendous success. Within two years she sold over 600 bicycles mounted cafes in 60 countries. She makes sure to sell only organic food and coffee using only renewable energy.

The impact of the shared understanding platform.

Colleen Copple found out there is no real go between the community and the law enforcers. And the gang war in her home town reached alarming proportions she started an organisation Strategic Applications International twenty-five years back. Now she runs a consultancy firm covering clients around the globe, including the U.S. Justice Department. Her firm is recognised by President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Her social venture was what underprivileged were looking for a shared understanding platform.

Three –wheeled car

Paul Elio launched the sale of a three-wheeled car that costs just $7,300 and gets 84 miles per gallon

STEM skills

MIT graduates their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to create a device that converts text to braille helping the blind. This cost just $100.

Reference URL: http://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2016/12/29/6-lessons-for-social-entrepreneurs-from-2016/#5b9cf22c75e7

Crowd Funding for Social Entrepreneurship: 4 Lessons for Making Impact

Whether it is a social entrepreneurship meant for a positive social impact or profit making, the crowd funding is the essential ingredient to make it take shape. Of course, there are risks involved for the investors, but without that, the start-up would be in a standstill stage. The assess feasibility of the venture right from the conceptual stage, to nurture and put into action needs support- both moral and financial. This is true, especially in the social enterprise arena.

The causes and aims can be varied right from global warming, eradication of hunger, prevention of cruelty towards animals, elimination of illiteracy, abetment of pollution, bettering medical facility, social up lifting, etc. Social entrepreneurship is nee of the hour and the upcoming business models. This is because business is an integral part of social commitment and purpose. The enterprise can interact with real situations, consumers as well as the fund managers.

For social entrepreneurship to succeed, mainly the following are required. They are the feasibility, the purpose and the sustainability of the idea. The crowdfunding is the right solution to answer all these questions.

Bakeys who makes the world’s first edible cutlery (spoons, forks, chopsticks, etc.) made primarily from sorghum is a classic example of how crowd funding can help. Bakeys could raise US$38,344 from 1,571 supporters in their campaign in India and US$278,784 from 9,293 backers in their U.S. campaign. The delay in crowd funding did affect the takeoff. The delivery on worldwide destinations was affected in spite of a good product and logistics.

The updates Bakely put on the net about the delay was indirectly construed as a sort of fault finding. A better approach would have pacified them. The growth potential of Bakey was oriented on the percentage of crowd funding and the timely disbursement. A general trend in crowd funding is 30 percent by friends and family, another 30 percent from your wider network and associates, and the remaining 40 percent of the crowd.

Reference URL: http://techwireasia.com/2016/12/crowdfunding-social-entrepreneurship-lessons-impact/

Social Entrepreneurship, the Key to Prosperity: Pakistan

The pace at which the social entrepreneurship is growing in Pakistan is comparatively slow on a global scale. Even though that growth can influence the social, economic issues, precious little is one by the concerned in promoting social entrepreneurship in Pakistan. Instead of looking forward to the West, Pakistan has the home grown solution right within.

Social entrepreneurship is typically a different business model that can bring in changes. Especially this is applicable in those places where conventional models failed to take of in bringing in social, financial and environmental field. With social entrepreneurship, the long elusive and innovative solutions for social transformation are within the reach. The positive changes social entrepreneurships can bring in changes – social, political and economic aspects– to the underprivileged and backwards communities. Social entrepreneurship can eradicate the social stigma and bring in new enthusiasm and zeal in bringing in positive changes.

The untapped fields essentially revolve around youth, which comprise of 35 percent of total population aged 15 years and below. UNICEF is of the view that shortly Pakistan with no family control program worth mentioning will have more working population than those who have retired. But alas, the new generation has very little idea where they can utilize their talents.

At the moment, Pakistan is going through enormous change, as exemplified by the democratic transfer of power and rapid population growth and these changes present opportunities for social entrepreneurs to help society. With the power center being shifted occasionally from Military to democracy and vice versa, the stability in Pakistan is always a concern. However it is heartening to know the new breed of social entrepreneurships are springing up even in the remote villages of Pakistan. They are into environment, health, skills, water and sanitation problems as well as those which can address its energy and environmental concerns.

The answer to the lackadaisical attitude of the Governments is bright in Pakistan thanks to the new trend.

Reference URL: http://nation.com.pk/business/12-Dec-2016/social-entrepreneurship-key-to-prosperity

Social Entrepreneurs Offer the Gift of Filipino Dairy Products

Marie Cavosora, the social entrepreneur and founder of CalaBoo Creamerry in Makati City offering the gift of Filipino dairy products said ‘to spread the love this holiday season, try giving the gift of butter—but not just any butter.’

Falling in love with her home country, the 46-year-old business executive working for two decades in with the US corporates took a bold decision. Having traveled all over, she found solace in her ‘corny’ country.

Having convinced that most of the milk- her favourite food- is of the powdered stuff, Calaboo offered milk products without extenders or preservatives. She found dairy products in the Philippines were produced in bulk and without a taste. Dominated by foreign milk products, the availability fresh milk was rare there. She produces butter, yogurt, cheese, etc. with minimum two weeks shelf life without refrigeration. She sources the milk with grass fed animals, and the farmers are paid better. Her products are entirely local and slightly costlier comparatively. She hates the idea of the export quality concept.

She tries to get involvement from all- workers, suppliers, and customers. Thanks to this social entrepreneur, Filipinos get better quality dairy products fresh, without preservatives, chemicals, and life extenders.

She was influenced by Tito Tony Meloto in starting this venture in Makati City in the Philippines. Her exposure with Pepsi, IBM, Disney, Ikea, BBDO Worldwide, OgilvyOne and Kraft Foods helped her formulate her vision to help her fellow citizens. She observed the dire need for a local brand rather than giving undue importance to the imported stuff. Strangely those imported products do not meet the quality or taste. And whatever the locals produced, the best quality was exported depriving Filipinos what they deserve.

Marie Cavosora successfully changed the mind-sets of people. As she is treating the workers and suppliers better, the support for her grows. Also, the reputation of CalaBoo Creamerry touches new heights.

Reference URL: https://business.inquirer.net/220564/social-entrepreneur-offers-gift-filipino-dairy-products

The Danger of False Delegation in Social Entrepreneurship

The ‘Running from pillar to post syndrome’ is not altogether faded off, but persists with social entrepreneurs. More often than not, they will be in a dilemma on whom to turn for guidance. With the primary or rather the only capital of passion, zeal or enthusiasm the entrepreneurs, a wrong advice can boomerang the entire start up. This is also true that a bad move, flop in the delegation or bad focus can result in disaster.

The teamwork is a major factor. If neglected it would also spell trouble in sustainability and scalability of the start-ups. The exercising of a false delegation of tasks, ownership and empowerment over your team is the worst scenario. The wrong delegation creates an illusion of involvement or empowerment of a team. Prioritization of the power of delegation has following criteria.

For entrepreneurs and leaders, delegation keeps the most important tasks on your plate and helps you prioritize your work while building a healthy team and company culture. Not sure if you’ve been delegating or just empowering for illusion? Here’s what to watch for:

Uninspired Team

This could be the death bell of a start-up. The team should be engrossed, enthused and inspired to have the best output. The delegation shall have to be in clear cut terms without any ambiguity whatsoever. While at the helm, you should be accessible for guidance as well.

Empowerment should not be Jeopardized

The sense of empowerment will be lost if the delegation is false. The team will be handicapped without a clear objective, task or orientation. The empowerment should be ripe and avoid the illusion of delegation if there is none.

Prioritization

Without instilling the importance of priority, the entire delegation would be at stake.

Stress and Strain

The workload should be within the tolerance limit of the team members. Maybe a rejigging of the teams is called for.

Reference URL: http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/toriutley/2016/11/28/the-danger-of-false-delegation-in-social-entrepreneurship/&refURL=https://www.google.co.in/&referrer=https://www.google.co.in/

Singtel Ventures Success

The old taboo of profit in social entrepreneurship is fading away. And those who defy the norms are likely come out with flying colors.

Singtel Ventures, a successful corporate venture capital arm was started in the late nineties. At the end of the nineties and through the subsequent years successful social entrepreneurs are a class apart. They are building sustainable and viable commercial businesses and in the process solve social inequality.

Bompipi.com business was founded with the aim of encouraging more people into social entrepreneurship and to return societal needs. The result turned out to be a creative and sustainable business model for online grocery shopping. A small donation clause was inbuilt for people to give back to the charity which was welcomed. This started a chain reaction in social uplifting.

The Singtel Future Makers is established to encourage start-ups and Bpmpipi.com, and six others were chosen for the social innovation program. Even though the concept of social w entrepreneurship was there, the new focus is bit new- to create social good.

The social entrepreneurs should have a deep conviction what they can give back to the society. Like the people behind Bompipi.com had a little starting, but they did not or rather cannot forget their pasts. Next to empathy, the purpose emerges. The factor of target usually lacks in business and social ventures. The confidence and courage that emanate from the desire to start should be sustained and not kept temporary.

The stigma associated with profit should be eliminated. Profit and ROI are not taboo. In fact, without a profit clause inbuilt, the sustainability would be hampered. Even though profiteering is not a virtue, profit making is highly desirable to make a social entrepreneurship to grow. The growth is from a charity giver of a business model where a lot of people are benefited.

The social entrepreneurship should adapt to the realities of the situation and be dynamic.

Reference URL: https://e27.co/rise-social-entrepreneur-will-good-good-business-20161121/

 

Sharing Personal Values as a Basis for Social Entrepreneurship

This is the extraordinary tale of two women social entrepreneurs. Lara San Gil and Julie Kervadec, were students for Masters program in an international marketing program in Madrid. Both had many similarities and crystal clear goals.

Eco-friendly & ethical lingerie

One of the lingering thought they were discussion was about real cotton underwear. They both preferred cotton because of the breath ability and its skin friendliness. Naturally they were aiming at making beautiful healthy and durable lingerie out of organic cotton and ethical production. They were clear in creating eco-friendly products that can influence people in a positive way. They aimed for a sustainable entrepreneurship with a social cause inbuilt with the profit as a secondary concern

Community friendly

Julie’s had a wealth of experience in the procurement portfolio in the international garment industry. Her globetrotting did help her to gather the business models deployed in different countries and industries. She knew well of the challenges in front of her.

On the other hand, Lara was concerned about the environment. She knew about the pollution that causes the oceans very toxic. She was looking forward better ‘sustainability volunteering for conservation and recycling projects’.

Together they made a formidable pair- one with unethical business models across the globe and other highly perturbed on environmental degradation. And that gave birth to AmaElla Ethical Lingerie.

Incubation of a successful venture

Cambridge, where Lara did her MBA, was the right place to be incubated for such an unconventional venture. Julie flew down to Cambridge after resigning her lucrative job. The duo has nothing to regret, and their success has now become a case study in many entrepreneurship discussions.

Their crowd–funding spree to raise working capital met with success as well. Their zeal, adventurous spirit and vision kept the social enterprise area lively. Many ecologists, financiers, advisers have come forward to help. The birth of a new social entrepreneurship

AmaElla without dilution their vision-ethically and socially correct – is born.

Reference URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/sharing-personal-values-a_b_12882002

Social Entrepreneurs Making Slow Headway

Are the social entrepreneurs stagnant? Or at a standstill? Well. The general reaction is that without generous support from the philanthropists, authorities and governments, the social entrepreneurs will find it difficult to grow and sustain. A silver lining is the recent study among 900 social enterprises experts suggesting that a majority close to 85 percent are growing. But there is a lack of support from investors, public or governments which needs to be tuned up.

Percolation of ideas

According to Pakistani-based Company Docthers, who does excellent work in the insurance field in comparatively emerging countries like Chile and Mexico, finding the awareness about social entrepreneurship is almost non-existent. The insurance coverage does not reach to suppliers and factory workers properly. Most of the big corporations know the basics of social responsibility and wealth but they do not have the concept of the right mix of these two ingredients to reach the needy. Rather, they follow the conventional way and not what the society needs as of now.

The primary concerns of the social entrepreneurs, to deploy business environment in improving the conditions in social and ecological conditions there by the financial and societal needs, are met. New blood, creative ideas and fresh funds are the need of the hour, so necessary workshops and training is required.

The entrepreneurship diplomacy

The entrepreneurship diplomacy, a new concept emerged in the wake of establishing a common platform to mitigate the lacuna in achieving the goal, is found to be a real solution. The business schools’ syllabus should include the social entrepreneurship as a subject. Maybe the new trends seen among the students coming out of such institutions into venturing for social causes is a result of these curriculum changes. The Clean Cookstoves is just an example of how the social entrepreneurs can help the downtrodden.

The upcoming conference SOCAP in San Francisco will bring together investors and entrepreneurs to deal with poverty, climate change, and job creation, profit and food supplies.

Reference URL: http://www.news.com.au/finance/business/breaking-news/social-entrepreneurs-making-slow-headway/news-story/e238252b5608c3f5b37f445ec4926331