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Social Enterprise

Can a Business Have Social Impact and Make a Profit?

When people talk about having an impact in the world, they are usually thinking about serving at a food kitchen or administering vaccines in Africa. Usually, these ideas are not associated with business or making money in general, which are often characterized as selfish. This idea likely stems from the history of philanthropy, which was […]

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Innovation

Collaborative Consumption and Social Entrepreneurship, A Cautionary Tale

A few weeks ago I attended a panel discussion at Oxford’s Said Business School entitled “Trust Me, I’m A Stranger: Learn from leading entrepreneurs innovating in the collaborative economy”. The panelists were Lily Cole founder of Impossible, a social network that encourages users to exchange skills and services for free in the hope of encouraging […]

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Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise

It’s about much more than generating social good. It’s about changing the financial goal posts.

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Social Enterprise

Why business can be good at solving social problems

By addressing social issues with sustainable business models, business leaders have the potential to provide scalable solutions MICHAEL PORTER makes an astute observation – the world is full of social problems. From environmental degradation and disease to unemployment and inequality, solving social problems has traditionally been the domain of NGOs, the government and philanthropists. Meanwhile, […]

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Social Enterprise

Flourishing in a Social Enterprise World

THE YEAR is 2050. Imagine waking up in a world where you feel positive and motivated about going to work, knowing that your work provides value to customers in a way that is sustainable and responsible. Your employer operates with the express aim of benefiting members of the community and reinvests all profits to further its […]

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Pro Bono Consulting Social Enterprise

Sustainable Social Enterprise

Lack of a sustainable ‘business engine’ is a Social Enterprise’s Kryptonite IT’S a charity … It’s a for-profit … No, it’s a social enterprise! Social enterprise is on the rise (the number of social enterprises in Australia has grown by 37% in the last 5 years).  Just like a regular business, but with one key difference; a […]