Hybrids

 This week the study was Hybrid organizations. Basically a hybrid company is one that takes parts of the nonprofit a for-profit business and combines aspects from both. This idea is really taking off. They are not without their trials however as a business who is trying to be socially innovative. 

One of the things that stood out to me this week was the chapter we read in the book “How to change the world”. The author talks about six qualities of a successful social entrepreneur. They are 1. Willingness to self correct 2. Willingness to share the credit 3. Willingness to break free of established structure 4. Willingness to cross disciplinary boundaries 5. Willingness to work quietly 6. Strong ethical impetus. I believe all of these to be great characteristics of a successful social entrepreneur. 

The question was posed as to why Hybrid’s are so successful. The first thing that came to me was they are the best of both worlds. They have a business model and background that helps them be the money behind the idea. As much as we want to believe things are different, they aren’t. It takes money to make real change. Having a hybrid allows money to be made to put back into the business to continue to bless others lives. 

Non Profit or NGO

 I think non profit organizations are amazing. They make things happen in this world in a time when many people thought it would be a good idea but they didn't put the rubber to the road. In todays world many business' are trying to do good in this world, hopefully with people in mind as well as the world we live in. Society at large is requiring business to do something to protect the environment and to help people who need it. 

We read an article called "Building Movements, not organizations" by Hildy Gottlieb She talked about how the world is experiencing individual organizations all over the world trying to become socially minded but they are all individual organizations or business'. She presents the idea that we need a movements! Doing so would help us define success, define leadership, and define means. 

This weeks assignments could help as a non profit volunteer, donor, board member, or employee in several ways. First off they address the issues and problems with current trends. This lesson can help to understand why we need sturdy infrastructure and we need to spend money on overheard. We need to be honest about our overhead. It takes money to be able to make a difference in the world and that includes paying the electric bills and rent on the organizations offices. We need to have honest conversations and portray things how they truly are if we are going to succeed. 

CSR

     CSR is a acronym for Corporate Social Responsibility. That means that Corporations feel and practice social responsibility hopefully in three different ways. These are called the triple bottom line. Basically it explains that profit is not the only thing companies need to focus on. It includes people, people and profits. I love the idea of a Venn diagram that overlaps all three parts. We need all three of these points to have success. Customers are interested in social issues. They want to take care of the environment, they want to support business that cares for the environment and try and leave the smallest carbon footprint as possible. The video from our studies this week did a good job of explaining the triple bottom line. 

    They also want to help people. If a business uses their business to help a population with a social need. Some help people have clean drinking water, sustainable farming, or literacy. There are tons of different issues that social innovation are addressing. They are using some of their profits to help people!

    CSR has become more popular in recent years because with the World Wide Web we are shrinking the world. We can see into many countries around the world. The social issues are more real for us when we can access it anytime on the internet. Also, I think we live in a time of plenty. Many have the things they need and they then look to help others. If there is a business that is helping others they want to spend their money there. In fact, it is demanded. If a business wants to succeed society is demanding a CSR.