Comments on: Some thoughts on Clayton Christensens article on Social Innovation http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/ Exploring Entrepreneurial Ideas that Address Social Issues, Enhance the Environment, Sustain Development and Transform the Developing World Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:12:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-719 Raj Melville Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:22:47 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-719 Campus Entrepreneurship thanks for sharing your insights. I agree with you that Americans have a tremendous track record of supporting social innovation. In the past this was in the form of grants and checkbook philanthropy. The Gates and Clinton Foundation have increased the focus on results based philanthropy. As people become more concerned about the impact of their donations, they need tools and metrics to evaluate across different non-profits and social entrepreneurs to assess which organizations provide the best impact for their dollar. While entrusting the task of creating metrics to the government carries come risk of bias, there are ways around this, For additional thoughts on what I think government's role in social innovation should be see my next post entitled "Responding to Clayton Christensen’s article Government’s potential role in Social Innovation" Campus Entrepreneurship thanks for sharing your insights. I agree with you that Americans have a tremendous track record of supporting social innovation. In the past this was in the form of grants and checkbook philanthropy. The Gates and Clinton Foundation have increased the focus on results based philanthropy. As people become more concerned about the impact of their donations, they need tools and metrics to evaluate across different non-profits and social entrepreneurs to assess which organizations provide the best impact for their dollar. While entrusting the task of creating metrics to the government carries come risk of bias, there are ways around this,

For additional thoughts on what I think government’s role in social innovation should be see my next post entitled “Responding to Clayton Christensen’s article Government’s potential role in Social Innovation”

]]> By: Campus Entrepreneurship http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-718 Campus Entrepreneurship Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:47:05 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-718 Thanks for the link and your commentary. The Eco system for social entrepreneurs is growing w/out direct government action. The office is nice, but due to policy realities ($$) will have little impact. Moreover, the size and scope of the vested interests in the current allocation of government resources will likey have a major role in writing rules and regulations if new metrics were demanded. All that said, the office, however small, is there and is a reality. That is a good thing. Secondly, as more individuals choose to get involved and show they can provide real social value, finders (donors/philanthropists) will support social entrepreneurs.. Americans, from the masses to folks like Ford and Gates, have an incredible track record of funding social innovations. Thanks for the link and your commentary. The Eco system for social entrepreneurs is growing w/out direct government action. The office is nice, but due to policy realities ($$) will have little impact. Moreover, the size and scope of the vested interests in the current allocation of government resources will likey have a major role in writing rules and regulations if new metrics were demanded. All that said, the office, however small, is there and is a reality. That is a good thing. Secondly, as more individuals choose to get involved and show they can provide real social value, finders (donors/philanthropists) will support social entrepreneurs.. Americans, from the masses to folks like Ford and Gates, have an incredible track record of funding social innovations.

]]> By: Pamela Hawley http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-716 Pamela Hawley Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:57:53 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-716 Raj and Daniel, Great to see the conversation going forward so productively. Raj, thank you again for getting the word out about important social movements, causes and social entrepreneurs. I think it important to bring into the mix: How can we be creative during challenging times such as these?As social entrepreneurs, we need to be tailoring our services to how people are already living. For example, on UniversalGiving (http://www.universalgiving.org) we feature Gift Packages. People can give $50 to feed a family in Sudan, or $25 to buy eyeglasses for a child in Tanzania. Why is this so important? One main reason is that people are still going to give on birthdays and anniversaries, no matter how tough the economy. And we can use this as an opportunity to allow people to make their gift and make it more meaningful. Work with existing habits and patterns, and change the world gift by gift, birthday by birthday. http://www.universalgiving.org/gifts Keep sharing the innovation! Pamela Founder and CEO UniversalGiving http://www.universalgiving.org Living and Giving http://pamelahawley.wordpress.com Raj and Daniel,

Great to see the conversation going forward so productively. Raj, thank you again for getting the word out about important social movements, causes and social entrepreneurs.

I think it important to bring into the mix: How can we be creative during challenging times such as these?As social entrepreneurs, we need to be tailoring our services to how people are already living. For example, on UniversalGiving (http://www.universalgiving.org) we feature Gift Packages. People can give $50 to feed a family in Sudan, or $25 to buy eyeglasses for a child in Tanzania.

Why is this so important? One main reason is that people are still going to give on birthdays and anniversaries, no matter how tough the economy. And we can use this as an opportunity to allow people to make their gift

and make it more meaningful.

Work with existing habits and patterns, and change the world gift by gift, birthday by birthday. http://www.universalgiving.org/gifts

Keep sharing the innovation!

Pamela

Founder and CEO
UniversalGiving
http://www.universalgiving.org

Living and Giving
http://pamelahawley.wordpress.com

]]> By: Responding to Clayton Christensen’s article on Government’s potential role in Social Innovation « The Social Ecosystem http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-715 Responding to Clayton Christensen’s article on Government’s potential role in Social Innovation « The Social Ecosystem Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:40:06 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-715 [...] Some thoughts on Clayton Christensens article on Social Innovation [...] [...] Some thoughts on Clayton Christensens article on Social Innovation [...]

]]> By: Daniel Epstein http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-712 Daniel Epstein Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:36:55 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-712 greatly looking forward to the conversation Raj. I actually just noticed the comment above mine posted by Pamela, and I have to also extend my thanks and my appreciation to her. Her organization, Universal Giving, is doing some truly incredible work around the world utilizing market principles and with a specific focus on nothing less than what works. She is actually a personal inspiration for me in the development of Unreasonable. greatly looking forward to the conversation Raj. I actually just noticed the comment above mine posted by Pamela, and I have to also extend my thanks and my appreciation to her. Her organization, Universal Giving, is doing some truly incredible work around the world utilizing market principles and with a specific focus on nothing less than what works. She is actually a personal inspiration for me in the development of Unreasonable.

]]> By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-711 Raj Melville Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:54:51 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-711 Pamela Thank you for your detailed response. I too agree with you that both large scale and grass roots support is needed. The recent Obama Administration on Social Innovation has definitely raised the profile of Social Entrepreneurship. However we really need to reinforce the infrastructure for innovation for social impact and the government does have a role in this. I will post a follow up to this post shortly with my thoughts on what I think is an appropriate role for the government based on all the feedback I have been getting from my comments. Thanks again and I look forward to perhaps collaborating in the future Raj Pamela

Thank you for your detailed response. I too agree with you that both large scale and grass roots support is needed. The recent Obama Administration on Social Innovation has definitely raised the profile of Social Entrepreneurship. However we really need to reinforce the infrastructure for innovation for social impact and the government does have a role in this. I will post a follow up to this post shortly with my thoughts on what I think is an appropriate role for the government based on all the feedback I have been getting from my comments.

Thanks again and I look forward to perhaps collaborating in the future
Raj

]]> By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-710 Raj Melville Sun, 09 Aug 2009 20:37:05 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-710 Daniel Thanks for your comment - looks like The Unreasonable Institute is taking steps in the direction of encouraging emerging social entrepreneurs. We need more like you so we have as thriving an entrepreneurial environment with $$s and support for Social Entrepreneurs as there are for biotechs, or renewable energy or high tech startups. I will try to contact you directly to better understand your organization and model. Daniel
Thanks for your comment – looks like The Unreasonable Institute is taking steps in the direction of encouraging emerging social entrepreneurs. We need more like you so we have as thriving an entrepreneurial environment with $$s and support for Social Entrepreneurs as there are for biotechs, or renewable energy or high tech startups. I will try to contact you directly to better understand your organization and model.

]]> By: Daniel Epstein http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-709 Daniel Epstein Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:56:40 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-709 Good Day Raj. First off, thank you very much for your post. I couldn't agree with you more that there is a current significant gap in the support, incubation, and investment of young social entrepreneurs. There is a gap between their brilliant business models and ideas, and their ability to receive the support, ecosystem, incubation, collaboration, and investment to make their ventures actualized. Taking these realizations to heart, we have founded The Unreasonable Insittute (http://unreasonableinstitute.org). The Unreasoanble Institute is an organization that strives to do one thing: to give young social entrepreneurs wings. In short, our vision is to create a world where tomorrow's leaders develop sustainable, systemic solutions to issues of global magnitude. In the summer of 2010 we will unite 25 of the world's boldest, most unreasonable young social entrepreneurs from every corner of the world. We will bring them together for a 10 week summer institute, to train, incubate, and invest in their social ventures to ensure their impact is scalable, sustainable, and replicable. We are very much a TechStars or Y-Combinator, but our focus is on young brilliant social entrepreneurs from around the world instead of young tech entrepreneurs. I would love your thoughts and feedback on our approach and model if you have the time! Thanks again for the great article! Good Day Raj. First off, thank you very much for your post. I couldn’t agree with you more that there is a current significant gap in the support, incubation, and investment of young social entrepreneurs. There is a gap between their brilliant business models and ideas, and their ability to receive the support, ecosystem, incubation, collaboration, and investment to make their ventures actualized. Taking these realizations to heart, we have founded The Unreasonable Insittute (http://unreasonableinstitute.org).

The Unreasoanble Institute is an organization that strives to do one thing: to give young social entrepreneurs wings. In short, our vision is to create a world where tomorrow’s leaders develop sustainable, systemic solutions to issues of global magnitude. In the summer of 2010 we will unite 25 of the world’s boldest, most unreasonable young social entrepreneurs from every corner of the world. We will bring them together for a 10 week summer institute, to train, incubate, and invest in their social ventures to ensure their impact is scalable, sustainable, and replicable. We are very much a TechStars or Y-Combinator, but our focus is on young brilliant social entrepreneurs from around the world instead of young tech entrepreneurs. I would love your thoughts and feedback on our approach and model if you have the time!

Thanks again for the great article!

]]> By: Pamela Hawley http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-708 Pamela Hawley Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:10:16 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-708 Raj, my position is that both views are right and needed. We need largescale momentum and support of social entrepreneurship and innovation; we also need local individuals who commit themselves to building a network for support for social entrepreneurs. What is exciting is that there are already great new groups emerging that are supporting these social entrepreneurs. It's already happening. I've been a social entrepreneur for 15 years, and in startup mode twice. Agreed that you have to prove yourself for years, bootstrapping and scraping, until you achieve success. But the next generation will be more fortunate. See below what some of the Y generate is doing to create the social fabric of which you speak. They are not waiting! I strongly believe more support of social entrepreneurs is on the rise, and, generated by these young social entrepreneurs themselves: http://www.Sparkseed.org (the only organization supporting college social entrepreneurs with their entrepreneurial projects) http://www.Unreasonableinstitute.org (supporting great new innovative ideas from social entrepreneurs: Anything is possible) http://www.UniversalGiving.org (supporting global social entrepreneurs and their projects in more than 70 countries across the world. Working in collaboration with institutions on the macrolevel, while bolstering a stronger, local network of support for social entrepreneurs seems to be the most potent combination. All my best and thank you for your sincere comments. Pamela Hawley Founder and CEO UniversalGiving http://www.universalgiving.org Living and Giving Blog http://pamelahawley.wordpress.com Raj, my position is that both views are right and needed. We need largescale momentum and support of social entrepreneurship and innovation; we also need local individuals who commit themselves to building a network for support for social entrepreneurs. What is exciting is that there are already great new groups emerging that are supporting these social entrepreneurs. It’s already happening.

I’ve been a social entrepreneur for 15 years, and in startup mode twice. Agreed that you have to prove yourself for years, bootstrapping and scraping, until you achieve success. But the next generation will be more fortunate.

See below what some of the Y generate is doing to create the social fabric of which you speak. They are not waiting! I strongly believe more support of social entrepreneurs is on the rise, and, generated by these young social entrepreneurs themselves:

http://www.Sparkseed.org (the only organization supporting college social entrepreneurs with their entrepreneurial projects)

http://www.Unreasonableinstitute.org (supporting great new innovative ideas from social entrepreneurs: Anything is possible)

http://www.UniversalGiving.org (supporting global social entrepreneurs and their projects in more than 70 countries across the world.

Working in collaboration with institutions on the macrolevel, while bolstering a stronger, local network of support for social entrepreneurs seems to be the most potent combination.

All my best and thank you for your sincere comments.

Pamela Hawley
Founder and CEO
UniversalGiving
http://www.universalgiving.org

Living and Giving Blog
http://pamelahawley.wordpress.com

]]> By: Twitted by lhtorres http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/08/03/some-thoughts-on-clayton-christensens-article-on-social-innovation/#comment-707 Twitted by lhtorres Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:41:28 +0000 http://blog.ambientengines.com/?p=519#comment-707 [...] This post was Twitted by lhtorres [...] [...] This post was Twitted by lhtorres [...]

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