Defining the stages of a social enterprise can be difficult. With the help of social entrepreneurs in our network we were able to pull out a few stages that nearly all of us go through. Without further ado, here are the 4 stages of a social enterprise – where are you?
Continue reading "From Early to Exit: What Are the Stages of a Social Enterprise?"
How can the founders of social enterprises sustain their purpose throughout organisational growth? It’s a question that encompasses so many factors that it’s hard to pin down any answers. In this post, Alessandra Wulf explores some of the strategies, approaches and solutions for maintaining a sense of purpose on the job. These 6 strategies are helpful to consider when you are under stress or are struggling to identify and maintain focus on your sense of purpose.
Continue reading "Strategies for Finding Meaning and Sustaining Purpose"
Some of the best ideas come in the form of inspiration found in the strategies, reach, and stories of other organisations and individuals making a difference. From Oscar winners to indie favourites, here are the best documentaries to fire you up to make a difference.
Continue reading "The Best Social Impact & Change Documentaries Ever"
While every business idea and angel investor vary in different contexts, there are foundational elements that remain the same. At the core, these are what investors are looking for, and they are, therefore, what you should be mastering and incorporating into your social enterprise and pitches to win them over. Here’s some of the most effective ways to persuade an angel investors for buying into your social enterprise.
Continue reading "How To Convince Angel Investors To Back Your Social Enterprise"
Perhaps since the 2008 global financial crisis, now is the first, if not the biggest, period of transition for many social enterprise founders and workers. Just like Australian social enterprises are unique and varied, so too have been their responses to Covid-19.
Continue reading "Social Enterprises Fighting COVID-19 in Australia"
Although we’re living in unprecedented times and every path is unique, we found that some lessons come in handy over and over again. News and stress about the coronavirus from around the world are creating significant uncertainty among leaders, employees and customers. Beyond common sense measures, we wanted to provide a list of practical tips, tactics and strategies to help you make quick and needed decisions to help you navigate through these stormy times.
Continue reading "How to Survive a Crisis as a Social Entrepreneur"
Pandemics like the H1N1 influenza of 2009 have not only set the stage for novel approaches to public health concerns, but have joined the global financial crisis in welcoming new entrepreneurial activities that address both economic and societal concerns. The outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting our lives as social enterprise founders, managers, funders, and volunteers—and it will continue to do so in several ways.
Continue reading "The Impact of Coronavirus on Social Entrepreneurs and Changemakers"
An interview with Pete Williams, writer, producer and director of THE NEW BREED, a new film documenting the rise of a new generation of change-makers, using business to tackle the world’s biggest social and environmental problems.
Continue reading "THE NEW BREED: A New Generation of Changemakers"
Where social entrepreneurs and social impact workers have been aware of systemic inequalities that have existed for decades, the emergence of coronavirus has made these clearer for the rest of the world. COVID-19 has presented the world with a new look at how individuals or certain groups are exposed to health crises, food shortages, job insecurity, and more. It is becoming increasingly clear outside the social enterprise sector that social impact entrepreneurs and companies are needed in this space.
Continue reading "Crisis, COVID-19, Social Enterprise and Social Change"
Life has changed for many of us over the past several weeks. We’ve had to acclimate to Zoom meetings, spending the day in our pyjamas, and workspaces surrounded by kids, clutter, and distractions. What could this mean for our social impact?
Whether within local communities, nationally or globally, social entrepreneurs are dogged changemakers who put the needs of the ordinary citizens above financial gains but understand the need to be financially sustainable to scale their solution to more people. While a lot is known about what it takes to run a successful for-profit business, little is known about how a social changemaker navigates life as a business person.
Continue reading "4 Phases of the Social Enterprise Lifecycle"
If you’re thinking about impact investment, sit down with your core team and be honest with yourselves. Answers to these questions will help illuminate whether you are ready and, if not, what you need to work on in order to get there.
Continue reading "Questions to Answer Before Seeking Impact Investment"
If crowdfunding is so great, why do the vast majority of crowdfunding campaigns fail? Here’s the top five mistakes and misunderstandings to avoid at all costs.
Continue reading "Crowdfunding for Social Enterprises: 5 Mistakes That Will Kill Your Campaign"
Juanita Pope from Justice Connect has many vivid memories of the Social Enterprise World Forum 2019 in Ethiopia – the people, the dancing, the camaraderie, the incredible stories of entrepreneurs pushing against the odds to create impressive social impact. But the one thing that really struck a chord was the structural and systemic aspirations of many social enterprises speaking at SEWF.
Continue reading "Systems and Structures That Help Social Enterprises Succeed"
Australians are working on innovative solutions to society’s most pressing social problems. Here’s a wrap up of the year’s most worthy headlines.
Continue reading "Top Stories: Australian Social Entrepreneurs of 2019"
As we stepped over the threshold of a new decade, it’s true that what should have been a celebratory greeting of new beginnings was instead a time of collective sadness and loss – a feeling that persists even as we endeavour to anticipate where the destructive bushfires will impact next. But, although this event will […]
Australian social innovators are working on innovative solutions to society’s most pressing problems. Check out Optus’ insights into how corporates can help further develop and scale social enterprises.
Continue reading "What Corporates Look for When Partnering With Social Innovators"
When the traditional lean canvas just won’t cut it.
Impact comes in many different forms, but what’s often overlooked is the positive impact that flows from ensuring your staff are working with purpose.
The Xfactor Collective specialist member Kristi Mansfield shares how a small grassroots organisation is proving you don’t have to be a powerhouse to use data to achieve your goals.
Continue reading "How Small Organisations Can Use Data for Big Impact"
If you’re thinking about impact investment, sit down with your core team and be honest with yourselves. Answers to these questions will help illuminate whether you are ready and, if not, what you need to work on in order to get there.
Continue reading "How to Get Your Social Enterprise Investment Ready"
Right now, in Australia and indeed globally, there’s a big, audacious story that needs to be told because of its potential to transform the world we live in: the story of the Aussie social enterprise movement.
Continue reading "Telling the Story of Australia’s Thriving Social Enterprise Sector"
