Doing Good While Doing Well in Business Summary
Did you miss it? Here's a quick overview.
Wednesday's Entrepreneurial Workshop, "Doing Well While Doing Good in Business" with Jaime McDonald was simply fantastic. She went over strategies and benefits of being in business not only to make a living, but to do good for your community and the world.
Her company, GiveCorps, was recently acquired by Network for Good. Both companies work with Non-Profits to help them fund raise in the 21st century. But, don't think that they are simply in it for the goodness of their hearts.
While most businesses are responsible to their shareholders and for making a profit, social enterprises often have a double or a triple bottom line. They focus on their profit, but also focus on how their efforts effect the people in the community and its effect on the planet (not necessarily environmentally, but the overall effect on the world).
Social enterprise is different than being a social entrepreneur. McDonald explained that a social enterprise is any organization or venture that achieves its primary social or environmental mission using business methods. Social entrepreneurs are the change agents in the social sector. They often run non-profits that are pursuing a goal to make change in the world. Their goals can be similar to those of social enterprises, but their methods of business are different and can be limited to fundraising and grants.
She also mentioned a number of social enterprise companies that are actively bridging the gap of doing good and doing well. Many we have heard about in classes and case studies, like Tom's, Ben & Jerry's, and Kiva, but here are two that have made an affect to all three bottom lines.
An Australian company that delivers toilet paper to individuals and companies across Australia. They shipped their first product in March 2013 and have been "over the moon ever since." Their toilet paper is gracing bathrooms across Australia, but since they donate 50% of their profits to WaterAid to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world.
Catchafire matches professionals who want to volunteer their skills with nonprofits who need their help.
Listen to the unedited recording of the event: Download it here
Posted: October 24, 2014, 3:44 PM
