I spoke at Leeds University Business School last night. The purpose of which was to engage with MBAs in their top ranked program. I squeaked out a small group, no small feat given the Association of MBAs were hosting a networking event followed by an evening with the notable Charles Handy at just about the same time as my talk.
Why engage with the MBAs (and Masters)? Selfish answer : we are hiring. Bigger answer : we are very interested in trying to get people who would normally choose another career path to consider and indeed choose social entrepreneurship or enterprise. We can’t keep waiting until they make a million before they (MBAs and others) decide to join the slowly growing ranks of social enterprise. Also, like any movement, social enterprise will be better for the variety of participants.
Interestingly, Mr. Handy was speaking to the very same (but much larger!) group about the same thing. Asking them if money was enough (it’s not) and whether they were making a difference in the world. Bravo to Mr. Handy. His new book, which I am purchasing, looks at 20 social entrepreneurs who have come to the scene from the private sector. Most have made a ton of money and now realize that making more simply is not fulfilling, so they spend their time spending it to help others. In typical Handy style though, it is not just the why and what are you doing with your life, it is also a reflection on life in general as his wife creates still life photos of everyday items that represent important parts of each person’s life. I am not going to explain here, get the book. Rob Greenland has more to say on the subject.
I will say this: look for Mr. Handy to speak, go see him. He was a refreshing change to the monochromatic self-aggrandizing American business gurus. Thoughtful, moving, storytelling.
*As promised to the group that gave of their time to hear what I had to say on that Thursday night, please see the slide show attached here Download mba_slides.pdf
And some links you may want to explore to get a flavor for what this social enterprise thing is all about.
As a reminder on the slides…b/c it’s not death by powerpoint
1. What is it? Lots of things. But a business making a profit, but reinvesting it for a social cause.
2. The spectrum of social enterprise visible today is only one part of the possibilities.
3. Create value, not just wealth. How will you feel after you achieve that great salary? After 2 years?
4. Me. From Atlanta (hotlanta to those in the know). Seen and done a bit in my short life.
5. What inspires or drives you, really….it’s probably not money–it isn’t about money at these two firms.
6. Harehills Middle School today.
7. Harehills Middle School tomorrow.
8. Camberwell helps Leeds win LEGI money.
9. Catalyst Concept. Changing the areas of deprivation through innovation. Remember, it is a space…but more importantly it’s an innovation in the use of space and it is a network at its core, or its nothing.
10. Projects on offer for MBAs this summer.
Some interesting links to get you going:
TED
School for Social Entrepreneurs
Social Business Consulting
Skoll
SustainAbility
Podnosh
And for those MBAs who don’t know his work already…I urge you to read it. It is American style, but atypical to the genre…Jim Collins is a researcher–not a pontificate of singularities.
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