In terms of a strategy for organisational culture there are two obvious elements to get right; people and structure. It is important to recruit people who buy into the culture and have a structure that encourages the right atmosphere.
For a rapidly growing company getting only one of these right is not enough. When a company [...]
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People or Structures?
Social Business. An Antidote.
If greed is the root cause of the current financial crisis (and others), then how can we cure ourselves of the root cause. This is the premise of a short editorial in the New York Times that underscores the importance of getting at the fundamental issue of our time.
Could an emerging social business (ref: social [...]
It’s the people. Period.
So many entrepreneurs query support organisations for help and in return get asked for 50 page business plans. It is getting better, but many still focus on the product, not the people. Mike Chitty and others are using their voices to get some recognition for the people aspect. Right now it is the monolithic machines [...]
Failure!
An interesting conversation is happening over at the Skoll Social Edge portal regarding the lack of acknowledgment of or lack of value placed on failure.
* Does private sector risk taking provide important lessons for the public sector spend?
* Is being safe with the money holding back real progress in social enterprise?
* Can Fifteen’s Annual report [...]
Think Broad and Deep
Much ado about something, nothing, everything. Depending on who you talk to, the world is coming to an end and the end is signaled by ___________(fill in the blank with property, food, fuel, etc.). Trying to push forward with initiatives in this climate is difficult business. Especially if you are trying to innovate.
But, probably the [...]
Attitude is 90% of Success, just ask Iceland
I can’t confirm (via google) who said that 90% of success is just showing up or hard work or sweat. Depending on what link you follow, it was Thomas Edison Woody Allen, or Einstein. What I propose is that in fact 90% of success is attitude, because without the attitude to be part of something…you [...]
Partnership; real or imagined?
Partnership. What does this word mean?
I am getting the feeling lately that many people see partnership more
as a way for them to get something, rather than a relationship where
they give and get. Why do you think it has come to this? Perhaps the
jaded view of partnership is driven by the typical construct:
1. Two parties [...]
Social Enterprise comes to Venturefest
Although Rob Greenland is currently suggesting that an irrational exuberance and a big top atmosphere is spoiling social enterprise, I am still planning to sit on a panel at Venturefest. The topic; “Routes to Finance”.
It’s a chance to get the attention of some highly motivated people (entrepreneurs) and perhaps get them thinking about what really [...]
Difficult, But Worth It
I often say that anything worth doing is usually difficult. But Seth Godin uses an example to illustrate this parable.
Seth says,
[Re: Apple's iPhone] The takeaway for me is that there were nearly insurmountable hurdles in terms of investment, partnership, technology and even security, and that at any time, the easiest thing would have been to [...]
Yes, But HOW?
I was reminded by a friend today how unimportant the benefits of a project are to investors if they don’t get the "how" part. When pitching products or services or investment schemes, its easy to focus on the benefits for the client. This is what you are trained to do from earliest days. "Avoid features [...]
About Todd
Todd Hannula was a self-confessed “corporate boob”, before moving to Yorkshire and making things happen. He is a co-founder and CEO of Leeds-based social entrepreneurial development and consultancy firm Camberwell that makes places and spaces work; including their own social business ventures for entrepreneurs and a game-changing aspirational place.
About Chrissie
Chrissie Slater grew up on a small Scottish island. With a history of private sector business development both for the corporate sector and for her own business, she was selected as one of Yorkshire’s Woman Business Ambassadors in 2007 - and joined Camberwell the same year.
About Chris
Chris Hill has worked in the field of enterprise and regeneration for twenty years and is Camberwell's co-founder and business development director. His specialist areas include development trusts and associated property development, business planning and enterprise work with housing associations.
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CIC or not to CIC?
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From Values to Value
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Social Enterprise comes to Venturefest
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CIC | The Achilles Heel
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Going for it!
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Shine On, Lablets!
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School for Social Entrepreneurs and its Fellows Spread Their Wings
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Silly, Really!
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Restricting Structures
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Dragon Boats and Teamwork
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Mike Chitty: Lablets - lovely soundbite. Challenges - affo...
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Kieran: I generally agree that this dispute over language,...
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Todd: Gerry, Agreed. And I would add that my experience ...
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Gerry Andrews: Having been involved in working with local communi...
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Alan Wallace: Hmmmmm. He's clever and speaks well in every sens...
