Thank you

Francisco Noguera — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:37:33 -0400

Thanks Nick for your comment and for sending us your links on the subject. A very thorough collection indeed! I look forward to learning more about your work and research at SSE. You can contact me ar fnoguera@wri.org. All best, Francisco

Definitions of social entrepreneur / social enterprise

Nick Temple — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:05:18 -0400

Hi there. Just thought I'd add in a note from us at the School for Social Entrepreneurs, which is hopefully useful.

After a decade of debating definitions here in the UK, generally we encourage people to focus on quality, implementation and impact...and not worry about where they are pigeon-holed (unless that is affecting their organisation's ability to work).

There are lots of links related to the subject here: http://del.icio.us/SSE/definition

And a critique of the Skoll definition that you link to above can be found on the SSE blog (and lots of comments underneath the article on SSIR as well).

Thanks for the links and all the posts.

Lunch Time Roundup: Defining Social Enterprise and The Latest on Water Concerns

Francisco Noguera — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:25:49 -0400

I believe that the dialogue on philantrocapitalism featured in NextBillion is actually rooted in a question of semantics. As Edwards points out in his book, the whole conversation surrounding NextBillion.net has coined a number of terms (Social Enterprise/Entrepreneurship, patient/creative capital/capitalism, blended value, double/triple bottom line, B, M and ToP, inclusive business, and the list goes on...) that can create confusion and may pose a risk overheating for the sector. Even SMEs are now being called Small and Growing Businesses. Not that I disagree; we want them to grow and become the next microfinance, but agreeing on a nomenclature wouldn't hurt. By the way, stay tuned next week for a wrap-up of the ANDE conference.

Anyway, I guess this is the case for any growing sector and challenges like Edwards' are necessary for the it to gain maturity and continue its consolidation. Skoll Foundation has previously tackled the question of definition, and two recent papers continue the conversation around key issues for the sector's maturity: the first, by CGAP, discusses the (some may argue) blurring line between the for- and non-profit models, analyzing ownership and governance challenges faced by MFIs as they leave the NGO model and transform into commercial institutions. Also, Harvard Business School discusses the future of social enterprise, as part of its year-long 100^th birthday celebrations.

On another note, just a couple of links to remain current on the latest water debate: Scientific American offers a very informative piece on the coming water crisis, possible courses of action and how it will affect everyone at the base and elsewhere in the economic pyramid. This week's Economist also goes into water shortages focusing on the markets and pricing issues, as does Aguanomics' David Zetland in a recent Forbes article. All pieces seem to agree at least on one point: sooner than later, prices will keep us from taking water for granted.

NextBillion.net - Development Through Enterprise - Lunch Time Roundup: Defining Social Enterprise and The Latest on Water Concerns - Comments

Thank you

Definitions of social entrepreneur / social enterprise

Lunch Time Roundup: Defining Social Enterprise and The Latest on Water Concerns