Social Entrepreneurship is the way forward

Robert Ashton argues: "Social enterprise is the future. The ability to change lives by making a living is a powerful motivator for the true entrepreneur."

He says that the business world changes and responds fast so there is no longer a great deal of difference in levels of quality, service and price across most market sectors.

The new point of difference is social responsibility.

The impact an organisation is having on its community in the widest sense has become the latest a measure of value. Giving ‘something back’ is no longer an act to delay. Successful businesses are those that make a difference today, as well as sharing out their profits later.

By the same token, the charity world is also changing, he says, with more and more being forced to generate their own income. No longer does the public sector fund social change unconditionally. Consequently he argues that the third sector also needs to embrace both the principles and the practice of social enterprise.

Individuals too, wanting to create an enterprise that benefits others as well as delivering a return on their investment can benefit from the principles of social enterprise as a sustainable blueprint for success.

Ashton sees it as the business model of tomorrow, with lasting benefits for those who learn to do it properly today.

To be a successful social entrepreneur you need to be able to:

Identify your unique business opportunity
Combine social responsibility with profit to create value
Decide the right format/structure for your social enterprise
Recruit partner organisations able to enrich your proposition
Differentiate your offer from what else is in the marketplace
Find and win your first, all important customers
Know where to go for further help and support

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