News on The Edge
Welcome to the Social Edge update!
In a recent Wall Street Journal blog post, management consultant Gary Hamel claims that “humanizing the language and practice of management is a business imperative (as well as a moral duty).”
His thinking is based on a review of corporate annual reports and mission statements, in which he found plenty of talk about “superiority, advantage, leadership, differentiation, value, focus, discipline, accountability, and efficiency.”
This made us think, in turn, about the language we social entrepreneurs use. How often do we mention “beauty, truth, wisdom, justice, charity, fidelity, joy, courage and honor?” Are we really offering a language expressive of care and concern, or are we just trying to mimic the business world? Join Charles (Hipbone) Cameron in the conversation.
Then welcome new blogger Julie Engel Manga, a leadership coach who helps social entrepreneurs generate greater impact and sustain themselves for the long haul. In her first post, she helps us deal with the “Apparently Perpetual Overwhelm” syndrome.
Don’t forget the family, recommends fund raising expert Dr. O, especially family foundations. His three-step prescription for success: find them, research them, relate to them.
Jonathan Lewis tells the story of family foundations and high net worth individuals who are currently financing small businesses around the world by simply signing a financial guarantee (no donations involved).
And Andy Smith and Jennifer Aaker reflect on the ripple effect and how you can disseminate information from community to community to increase impact – the simple idea that small acts can create big change.
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Join this Week’s Live Discussions
The Language of Social Entrepreneurship
Consultant Gary Hamel says that humanizing the language and practice of management is both a business imperative and a moral duty. What about our own language – do we already offer a language expressive of care and concern? Join Charles (Hipbone) Cameron in the conversation.
Microfranchising
How can we help microfranchising reach the level of success that microcredit now has? And does it need to have a social aspect, or is job creation enough? Join David Lehr and Lisa Jones Christensen in the conversation.
Nonprofit Analysis: Beyond Metrics
To quantify whether your social venture is high performing, you should discard simplistic measures and embrace a more holistic analysis. Sean Stannard-Stockton, CEO of Tactical Philanthropy Advisors, helps you understand the new SROI.
Mergers in Social Entrepreneurship
Why are mergers so rare –is it because of our ego and our reluctance to give up independence? Or is it the lack of profit motive? Join Rod Schwartz, CEO of ClearlySo, in the conversation.
The Case against Corporate Social Responsibility
Is Corporate Social Responsibility mostly irrelevant, a façade with some social benefits, or a major corporate initiative, urgently needed? Charles (Hipbone) Cameron dissects a recent provocative Wall Street Journal article.