Social Catalyst

Why do Social Enterprises think they are different than private enterprises? I want to shake people silly or run outside and scream every time I
hear…
"..and we will run a cafe, bookstore, creche, catering service, consultancy service, training, lettings, bakery, car repair, disco, and flower shop in our building."

You and what government? How do we get [...]

I’m back. A few weeks holiday (traversing the USA) and a week back to catch up.
I have been thinking alot lately about the mezzanine, the middle. Not the big, not the small….but the medium. What am I referring to? Finance or Investment. There seems to be a plethora of small or even micro investment out [...]

We dislike the description of us as consultant. Not because it is inherently negative in connotation, but because it describes only 5% of our activities. Here is the typical definition.
consultant n. One who gives expert or professional advice. One who consults another.

When used correctly, consultants can add incredible value. Most of the negative comments I [...]

So you want to be an entrepreneur? But, you think you need a secret recipe or killer app to make a go?Think again. According to the SBA (Small Business Association (USA)), the five characteristics you most need do not include a genius idea. (Ok, so I am stretching a bit here, proposing an original idea [...]

The question was posed to me on Friday.
Who do you admire most in business?

I did not have an immediate answer, feeling the weight of such a question. Prompting a follow-up question:
Who do you respect most in business?

I suppose it would be easy to answer this with some whizzbang entrepreneur (social or otherwise) or an icon [...]

Seth is one of my favorite commenters. I say commenter , because he comments on life and business in a natural non guru fashion. His latest post is no different. I agree completely and often find myself trying to convince clients that surprise, when used appropriately, is a great technique to boost your business or [...]

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 [...]

Committee world is a parallel universe. It is where great ideas and good intentions go to die or be seriously damaged. It is a world where high aspirations are replaced by high placation.
What is this place?
It is the world that the entrepreneur must avoid at all costs. If you intend to build your social [...]

Alan pointed me to a great commentary by Tim Smit (Eden Project). The point: think bigger, better. Tim takes to task those who prescribe to social enterprise, but within boundaries. This includes nearly everybody I meet these days and I have to agree with Tim…it is frustrating. He also attacks the paradigm that charities (social [...]

I found myself in a slightly awkward position last week. I asked a fellow consultant, whom I consider a friend, what project they were working on currently. The response, " I am not going to tell you". My response, "oh, apologies," followed by silence. I initially found this exchange quite unusual as I was asking [...]