#8. Incubators for premature babies?

Hihihi!

Today's article is rather short, its one describing 4 famous social incubators.

Oh ya, these are legit!! If any one of you are serious about securing funds for a business idea, please READ.

Just incase you guys are like me, clueless about what social incubators are here's the definition I gathered from the article- Programs that provide social entrepreneurs with the opportunities to network with mentors, get their advice, refine their business model, perhaps secure start-up capital by pitching their business ideas.

Since incubators are supposed to promote growth, I guess social incubators promote growth of social entrepreneurs and their ideas/business plans.

So anyway, the main point of this post is a discussion I had with Shaz. 

We met for dinner right, and she was telling me about this malay social entrepreneur who started a business providing employment for the malay community. In the article he shared that one of the biggest difficulty he faced was retaining staff. His idea to combat this was to offer up a portion of the shares of his company to employees who stay in the company for two years. Shaz then proceeded to tell me that she thinks he's really dumb, how much of his company is he willing to sacrifice?

That would grow to become a serious issue because if too many people has a say in the business direction, there will be slow progress. Therefore, I believe that such social incubators are not only applicable to young social entrepreneurs with seedlings of ideas but clearly also very crucial for "experienced" social entrepreneurs whose ideas may still be a little too premature.

Most of the incubation programs are catered for new social enterprises or targeted to successful social entrepreneurs. I believe that this distribution is very useful and efficient as the needs of specific groups of social entrepreneurs can me met. However, I feel that there should be cross-fertilisation of ideas among social entrepreneurs as well. 

#7. How do you measure social impact?

Sooo, the article for the week is...How to measure social impact?

It is increasingly more important to have a standard procedures to measure social success of social enterprises as in this day and age, we see more of such businesses. 

Moreover, it is more important or minimally equally important to have both the social and financial aspect adequately analysed.

The article proposed a few methods of analysis, of which two are an extension of the IRIS system. 

IRIS (Impact Reporting and Investment Standards)

• Organization Description – metrics that focus on the organization’s mission, operational model, and location
• Product Description - metrics that describe the organization’s products and services and target markets
• Financial Performance – commonly reported financial metrics
• Operational Impact – metrics that describe the organization’s policies, employees, and environmental performance
• Product Impact – metrics that describe the performance and reach of the organization’s products and services
• Glossary - definitions for common terms that are referenced in the metrics (Ip, 2012, para.7)
  
  
  This internal tool helps to standardise impact reporting and thus measures impact more effectively. Though this method is not unique to social enterprises, it is a set of performance measures that can be used to describe social and environmental performances.
  
  

In my opinion, it is good to have such measurements. But to improve the governance of social enterprises, the measures should be further developed. Currently the above stated measures are not specific to social enterprises, perhaps in the future there will be standardised social and environmental measures that can be implemented across all social enterprises. I believe other factors such as impact on beneficiaries can be included in as well, though it may be a little difficult to measure environmental impact (no. of trees dying???!!!).. I am sure though that some day, someone will develop a comprehensive and detailed set of analysis methods. Could it be you?   

References

http://www.socialenterprisebuzz.com/2012/10/16/how-to-measure-social-impact/

#6. Get your head out of the ☁☁☁

Cathy Pharoah gave a little commentary on social enterprises.

READHERE! 

She used the example of Linda Kirk who was a very enthusiastic but maybe rather idealistic social entrepreneur who failed to sustain her social enterprise.

Her idea was to provide employment for poor and vulnerable women in County Durham. Her business caught the attention of local media and of course she had many requests to fund her enterprise. And yet, with a sufficient demand, and financial fundings, Ms Kirk an experienced business woman had to close her business down.

Ms Pharoah mentioned this "The cult of enterprise has held iconic status in the sector over the past decade or so. But the fact is that in a sector where income is under pressure on all fronts, entrepreneurialism is no longer just an aspiration; it's a necessary condition of survival. "(2012, para.1)

It is SO true that the entrepreneurial aspect of an SE is very essential to keep it sustainable and unique. It is not sufficient to get by with passion and a business head, being innovative and creative is equally if not more important for social entrepreneurs.  

In the last paragraph, she mentioned that we mustn't rely on charitable funds to sustain us because social enterprise are essentially businesses! And businesses have to be sustainable and self-reliant. 

She proceeds to say "Existing social enterprise approaches place huge importance on entrepreneurial mindsets, on personal abilities to be innovative, creative, action-oriented, problem-solving, a leader (are you feeling up to the job?). But I think the sector already has these qualities in bucket-loads. They explain its successful growth over decades."(para,5) 

Do you feel up to it?? I have always looked at social entrepreneurs and the big responsibilities that embody.

Even as I endeavour to start up my own social enterprise (8fahrenheit) with my classmates, I am preparing myself for the future challenges that it might bring. Especially when we start to incorporate the social side to our business. I am most worried about the part what we have to mangage beneficiaries because I feel that that might be most difficult. Not too worried about the sustainability though...everyone likes icecream right?!

Ms Pharoah continued "Enterprise failure (or success) in the social sector has little to do with these attributes, and the rhetoric is masking the real challenges of the small-scale local enterprise sector. One is poor access to intelligence and analysis of local market opportunities, and how they can best be used to meet need, or to fund ways of meeting it. The other is the ongoing lack of appropriate easy access to small-scale, higher-risk social finance. Small ventures need help to respond quickly and flexibly when a market opening appears."(para.6)

^^v

Isn't this where we come in? 

Seems like we're all trained to retrieved information and properly analyse the market opportunities!

Maybe all what would be good is to have upgrade classes for social entrepreneurs training them in analysis skills and things like that, so that everyone would be well equipped to harvest opportunities in the social sector sustainably. 

So, r u ready?

Reference

Cathy Pharoah: Heed the case of Linda Kirk who tried and failed to get local social investment. Third Sector. http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/news/1129332/cathy-pharoah-heed-case-linda-kirk-tried-failed-local-social-investment/. Retrieved on 27 November 2012 

#5. THAT'S an idea!

HEYLO.

Aren't they familiar?

Well known amongst us all!

The article that I'm sharing says that social enterprises are able to stop acts of terrorisms, say whhhaaattt?

Clickclick,readread!

For me, this article really challenged me to see how the SE model can do so much more good that what I imagined!

There are no limitations!!! (Maybe a little idealistic, but hey, a wonderful thought that keeps the passion alive~)

Mr Noor Huda Ismail, the author of the article started an interesting SE idea by starting programmes for post-detention convicted terrorists. That was a social issue that I completely missed, like it wasn't even on my radar...

One very important piece to how this whole thing works is that Mr Ismail was able to understand how a terrorist thinks because he went to Islamic school and knew how twisted these people's ideas can be. Mr Ismail also attended school in Scotland, there he gained greater insight on the Western culture.     

These experiences helped him to achieve a balanced attitude towards them, not judging them but understanding how they became who they are.

His idea was to employ them, and reintegrate them by helping them see that they can contribute back to the community. His SE restaurant hires drop-out terrorists and drop-out students. 

The best thing is that he gets the ex-terrorists to search for drop-outs, giving them a sense of communal usefulness. By doing so, they are less likely to go back to their old network of terrorist groups.

Towards the end of the article, he seeks greater support and involvement of the government and encourages more NGOs to look into this social gap.

I am not yet convinced that this is the problem I wish to address, but it is nonetheless an important issue that has been overlooked.

Any of you keen to take this up?;)

#4. GIRL POWER

Watch this clip! It's really interesting!

I was really inspired by Kiah Gek's post on Betty Makoni, this amazing lady who started an organization called Girl Child Network, which aims to empower girls all around the world with knowledge on their rights.

Soooo, I want to share with you this movement called The Girl Effect.

I chanced upon this organization 2 years back when I watched a video on Eve Ensler on TED.

She is an advocate on women's rights, do watch her videos!

like this one over here!

Back to The Girl Effect: http://youthinkyouknowme.girleffect.org/

Why are organizations such as these important?

SO many so many girls are being robbed of their basic rights, most of the time, girls are being sold off as child brides. Sometimes even as young as 5.

These girls would then never see the chance of ever being educated. No education would mean that she would be fully dependent on her husband's family. She would probably never find a job and never be able to support herself.

Last video! on child marriages.

This issue on women's rights and empowering women is very dear to me.

It was actually the reason why I wanted to join BZSE three years back. 

Along the way I've learnt more on other equally important and imminent social issues, but providing help, safety and empowerment for women has still remained #1.

See, movements like The Girl Effect is very powerful. It provides all the information, resources and materials for anyone around the world to educate and share about this issue. By doing so, they create advocates for the cause all around the world, yet what they sorely lack, is sustainability.

The Girl Effect is fully dependent on donations to fund their programmes.

That is why I think social enterprises would play an integral role in helping such organisations do much more.

& I guess that's why I'm here!

I don't know if this counts as a proper post... Will do a normal one next week haha!

{WATCH THE VIDEOS!! its so cold and rainy so you can just snuggle up with tea and watch and be inspired!!}

#3. I WANT CANDYYYY

Hello! Week 4 already, 1 month has passed!!!

So anyway, I picked an article titled "Social enterprises 'a key priority'"

It sounds so positive and happy, makes ya hopeful for the future, no? 

Do click and have a read, 90s The Candy Studio was featured  in the article, like their FB page!

The candy shop was started by 3 students from Nanyang Polytechnic, who hires hearing impaired individuals. 

They just started in August this year and I always get inspired when I hear of success stories such as this. They are located at Bugis, really prime location for sale since so many youths frequent that area.

Anyway, you can find out more about their business from their website!

The article talks about the increase support for social enterprises from both the public and private sector. In a reading article Mr Damien shared, it mentioned that social enterprises are forming the 4th sector. The public sector being the traditional businesses and the private sector being the NGOs etc. It is great and important that people from these two sectors are being involved in the formation and strengthening of the 4th sector since its like a mix of them both.

I think what SEA is doing is really good, organising events such as Social Collab which provides a platform for social entrepreneurs, businessmen and government representatives to meet. We should have went you guys!!!! 

Such events are essential for fostering greater understanding and cooperation about all these different players in the economy. If we want the social sector to grow it is important that we have the support from all these bigger partners as they have the resources and influence. 

At this year's Social Collab, Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing mentioned that he hopes "that more businesses could take the lead in working with social enterprises, in addition to the "broad-based support" the Government provides." 

Well, don't we all hope that there will be more of such collaborations as well?

But from a businessmen's standpoint, what does he have to gain? What are his incentives?

I believe very few companies would be so kind or have the time to spare to impart industry skills to social entrepreneurs.

In the article, Ms Siti mentioned "It's a two-way learning experience. We learn from them and they learn from us.""

If only more business people would see the value in social enterprises, and adopt such a mindset, i think we would be able to see a greater increase in businesses such as 90s The Candy Studio.

References

Social enterprises 'a key priority'. Asia One. http://www.asiaone.com/A1Business/General%2BNews/Story/Social%2Benterprises%2B%2527a%2Bkey%2Bpriority%2527.html Retrieved on 8 November 2012

#2. Social entrepreneurship 101

Hello again!

Second article might be somewhat familiar to you guys... I can't recall when we might have came across this, maybe year 2? 

But its okay! DEFINITELY not year 3 ;)

Click it, read it, it's good for ya!

Its basically some pointers from two social entrepreneur pioneers, Carol Chyau & Maria So. (Our seniors!! Not BZSE seniors, but hmm y'know seniors in the social enterprise arena~~)

This two ladies own Shokay, which sells stylish posh products made from yak down.

This creates a livelihood for the Tibetan nomads, and ups their income bracket!

Yaks, by the way are very cute animals.

  AWWWWW.

*pats furry head*

Okay, so anyway its not a particularly long article, do have a read. 

Deep down in my heart I don't really think there are characteristics that you need to posses innately to be a social entrepreneur. 

I believe anyone can be a social entrepreneur, its only a matter of choice.

I guess the article provided 5 simple things we can learn from social entrepreneurs who have more experience than us~

#1. Be absorbant like:

Spongebob!

Don't ever stop seeking advice from professionals, share your business plans!

Get feedback, attend conferences, learn, learn, learn!

Keep GROWING~

As stated in the article, Carol and Maria had absolutely 0 experience in the fashion industry, and yet they went in, head on. I think we can learn to develop this gung-ho spirit.

Setting up a business would surely have challenges. 

The initial stages would require you to get down and dirty, to familiarize yourself with the industry that you intend to work with. 

#2. Be curious like:

George? Nah! Like the charming Sherlock Holmes.

Carol likened the process of creating a social enterprise to something like solving a mystery. She said "Sometimes all you have are clues. When you don’t understand something you have to ask why." 

Why why?

I feel even without uncertainties or questions, you have to continually ask yourself why to ensure that the in the end, your enterprise can be the best one it can ever be. 

"Why am I doing it this way, is there a better alternative?"
"Why am I spending so much on XXX, is there some way to cut cost?"

And the most fundamental question "Why am I doing this?" What is your purpose?

 Don't stop questioning yourself, as 

“All our knowledge results from questions, which is another way of saying that questioning is our most important intellectual tool."    (Neil Postman)

So as Neil the Postman have stated, the power to question is our most important intellectual tool.

You don't have to be too smart, you just gotta keep questioning. 

#3. Be inventive

This old man is supposedly to be Thomas Edison, the great man who invented the lightbulb, gramophone and the motion picture camera, which is an old fashioned word for video camera.

It took 10,000+ failed attempts before Mr Edison finally found the right material to make the bulb filament.

Although not that drastic, Carol and Maria took 5 years before finally constructing the best business model for their enterprise. 

We've got to be flexible and innovative in the way we create our business so that it can maximize profits as well as maximize social good.

Of course its not gonna be an simple activity! The traditional business model has been existing for so many decades to become what it is now. The social entrepreneurs of today will be the ones shaping this landscape, isn't it so exciting that we can all be part of this?

#4. Perspective like an:

Eagle.

As Robbie Williams sings in his song Bag Full Of Silly

/What I need now, is an aerial view/

'Cause I can see for myself/

That I can't see for myself/

Isn't it so true, sometimes we gets so wrapped up in the nitty gritty details of things, we forget the big picture?

Sometimes we need to alleviate ourselves to be able to see the flaws and improvements that can be made. 

The article mentions that as a social entrepreneur , we need to think of 2 bottom lines, profit + people/planet/both

It is easy to lose your way trying to achieve that, but having your mind set on the bigger picture can keep yourself in track. 

I feel its also important to maintain that mentality even in school, its so easy to get jaded by assignments and put aside our initial reasons for being here. Stay focused!!

#5. Be..

YOU!!!

I am very sure the last thing this sector needs are cookie cutter business models!

So many social issues to tackle, so many ways to get at it.

You can bring new dynamics, ideas and plans that no one else can.

What a great thing it is though to share all these creativity, and work together to achieve change. 

I know there's a sudden influx in pictures (albiet not very professional looking ones...). Realised that this blog looks sad and boring without pictures so hahaha I've included some this time around. Hopes it makes this post a little more interesting?

Hehe, but it's the content that matter right! 

Anyways! You guys can comment on some other things you think are important for social entrepreneurs, I would really like to know~

Also, I don't know if I'm really following the assignment guidelines..

Nevertheless, you could comment on other stuff too hahaha. 

References:

Huang, J. (2012). Social Enterprise 101: Five lessons from an experienced social entrepreneur. Sg Entrepreneurs. Retrieved October, 30, 2012. http://sgentrepreneurs.com/2012/01/01/social-enterprise-101-five-lessons-from-an-experienced-social-entrepreneur/#more-31279
Beals, G. (1999). The Biography of Thomas Edison. Thomas Alva Edison. Retrieved October, 30, 2012. http://www.thomasedison.com/biography.html
(n.d.). The importance of questioning. QUEST quality education support and training. Retrieved Octobet, 30, 2012. http://ictnz.com/importanceofquestioning.htm

#1. Youths and Social Enterprises

Hellowello everyone!!

I took my article, titled "Social Innovation and Social Enterprise: Report" off TheOnlineCitizen.

Does that count as an article?? It does right!

Do click and have a read, it's quite interesting. Not too long too!

Okay~ 

So to summarise the article briefly, here are 5 points it touched on:

1. Factors hindering youth in Singapore to explore social innovation

2. Existing challenges faced by social innovators/ entrepreneurs

3. The future of growing & nurturing social innovators. 

Relevant right!!!

So ya'll should click on the link;)

For the first point- roadblocks to social innovation. The writer (Ng Yi Shu) mentioned a big and relevant point: FEAR.

To quote exactly "In answering the question about the issues that were stopping youth from social innovation, the panel concluded that a culture of fear and introspection caused by competition has led to a growing belief that financial security is paramount to a secure future. This culture has led to youths not taking risks towards solving social issues, and hence has stopped them from doing social innovation." (Ng, 2012, para. 6)

I believe that this resonates with many of us who have big hopes and dreams in becoming social innovators/entrepreneurs. It has been ingrained that a good future first consist of having a good and stable job that generates an income that is sufficient to support not only yourself but your parents as well. With the prices of, well, almost everything on the rise, how can we discount the importance of financial security?

I am thankful that my parents have always been supportive of whatever i endeavour in, sustainable, profitable, practical or otherwise. But yet, this fear still remains real. Would I still be a responsible daughter if I am halfway across the globe, rendering aid to countries which have been hit by disasters? Or helping in developmental programmes which honestly, doesn't pay very much. More importantly, besides money, who will be there to accompany them, to look after them, to make sure that they are healthy? This may seem a little off-point what i was mentioning, but even in starting my own enterprise,  would I have the hours and energy to spend with them?

Mr Tong Yee said "... that he hoped youths of today would have ‘the courage to take (social) responsibility for more things.’ In having more responsibility, youths would have the ability to socially innovate new solutions to social issues, he added." (Ng, 2012, para. 9)

Which leads me to point 2-CHALLENGES. 

I guess courage sounds a whole lot easier in theory than in practice. Taking the road less traveled would in itself ensue a lot more challenges that many might not have faced. It would be more convenient to get into a university, graduate with a degree. And find a boring ol' job.

But I know I won't be satisfied. There will always be this restlessness in me to do something more.

Mr Damien mentioned that this world beginning to take on a consumerism mentality, whereby people focus more on their needs and to buy,buy,buy. 

I don't want to be part of that, I am sure many of us now equipped with some knowledge of the community needs out there, can't just close our eyes and spend recklessly without feeling a stab on our conscious. I am sure that we are not the first of our generation that seeks to be part of social change. 

The article yet again mentions on teachers and parents, to quote "Competencies with regards to the character of a person can be built in education, but the culture of competition and survival must first be changed among parents and teachers." (Ng, 2012, para. 12)

I feel that this is only partially true. Yes parents and teachers play an essential role, but to be more effective, the different environmental elements must work together. 

What I would suggest is making awareness more evident across all levels of education and not just isolated to just the BZSE or humanities courses. My opinion is that very little is done to show how much a youth can do to make changes, for example in secondary school, our community service activities are merely picking rubbish at the beach or conducting performances at old folks home. They aren't bad activities, and I am sure schools have their limitations, but I feel that stopping at this first level leaves the impression that that's all students can do. Anything more than that has to be left to more "trained and educated professionals". 

It is such a waste to see the passion extinguished before it has been fully harnessed. Imagine all the innovative ideas that could have made ground breaking changes if only a little more time and guidance had been given to these motivated youths. 

And that's touching on the last point! Nurturing future social creators and not consumers. 

    "The beliefs that pragmatism is the way to go has been increasingly been shattered by a greater number of driven youths who count themselves as responsible citizens advocating and creating change – and this trend is something society cannot ignore." (Ng, 2012, 16) 

Youths will in time come on board this bandwagon that is creating social changes, but how long would that take? How many generations will pass before greater changes in society will be seen? 

The time is now!!! Do not let all these seeds of compassion and awareness wither and dry out, lets all do the most we can into sowing them and growing them, so that it can bloom pretty flowers of positive change in time to come.  ❀ ✿ ❁ ✾

-end-

Reference:

Ng, Y.S. (2012). Social Innovation and Social Enterprise:Report. Theonlinecitizen. Retrieved from http://theonlinecitizen.com/2012/09/social-innovation-and-social-enterprise-report/