Social Entrepreneurship Lecutures

I stumbled upon this site moments ago and was literally blown away be the quality of information. The site features lectures from the greatest minds or our time. There is an entire section dedicated to just social ventures. The site is called AcademicEarth.org. The social entreuperneurship section contains over 60 useful lectures. If you are serious about learning and running your own social venture you have to watch these.

Teen Social Venture Competition

I am excited about a current competition underway to fund social ventures founded by teens. This is a great way to capture the talented capable youth and give them the opportunity to apply themselves to improving the world. Establishing a life time of service to the needs of the poor, the abused, the hungry and the environment. The competition is the idea of Ashoka's Youth Venture and Best Buy. They are inviting teens from around the nation to select the winners. Visit http://www.GenV.net/bestbuy to cast your vote.

"It's our hope the Youth Venture partnership serves as a catalyst for other youth to become changemakers in their own communities." states Gretchen Zucker, executive director. Competitions like this will help take social change to new heights.

What Can Texting Do for Your Social Venture

South Africa is using text messages to stamp out the spread of HIV. This program called Project Masiluleke is developed and funded by a group of technology firms namely, Nokia Siemens Networks, a variety of HIV charities, and several design firms. Even National Geographic is assisting on the education. Project Masiluleke is having amazing results.

How the system works:

A message is sent using what is know as "Please Call Me" (PCM Service)

PCS is a free form of text messaging across Africa, allows someone without any phone credit to send a text to asking for a call. Similar to the "page" this person option on most American VoiceMail systems.

Each sent PCM message says "Please Call Me," and the phone number of the caller. There is also space for an additional 120 characters.Extra space is used for advertising helping to offset the cost of running the service.

Text messages are sent asking individuals to call HIV Help Centers.

Results:

So far calls to counselors at the National Aids helpline increased by 200% when messages were broadcast. Small pilot projects showed that calls to the National Aids helpline rose from 1,000 to 4,000 when the system was in use.

Apply:

He have know for a while that text message are a great way to advertise. Text messages have the better Click Through Rate than print media, calls, and email. Using text messaging in your social venture to communicate with donors, activists, and clients will do great things. Leverage this great technology to increase donations, sells and man hours.

Celebrity Endorsement of Social Ventures

Social ventures are always on my mind. Recently in a forum discussing the success of NGOs in the Darfur Conflict we came to several realizations. One that Human Right Activist in Darfur has been (comparably) so success is the use of celebrity endorsements.


Using natural tendencies of society to help remedy societal ills is the right prescription. We admire and aspire to be like our favorite celebrities. Employing their societal clout to a social venture they will be able to raise awareness and funds.

The situation in Darfur is dire but it is not be ignored. With the help of celebrities like George Clooney, Senator Obama, and Angelina Jolie awareness for Darfur is high. Lets make is style statement of social awareness and involvement.

I am interested in study how exactly celebrities choose their causes and what impact they have. What are the most successful celebrity activist. How and what do they do? Understanding these questions will help give you social venture instant viral growth. Leveraging popularity of celebrities does not trivialize the issues but in a natural way engage a normally sedated populous.

Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Social Ventures

I recently read an article at Entrpreneur.com regarding the often perplexing decision of starting a non-profit or a for-profit social venture. Arthur, Diana Ransom, illuminates the pros and cons of organizing your social venture. Most social entrepreneur tend to simply select non-profit for the fund raising benefits. Don't make the same mistake. Know your options and the reasons behind making this big decision.

The main criteria for making this decision are:

• Profits
• Tax Deductions
• Raising Capital
  
• Mission
• Scalability
• Hiring Employees
• Customers
  

Social Entrepreneurs need to make the right decision when forming their business entity. Non-profit organization isn't always the answer. Educate yourself before organizing your social venture.

Sam Goldman Social Entrepreneur

After several years in the Peace Corp Sam Goldman found a need and through education and determination he was able to make a difference in world. Sometimes before we get our ah ha moment we need to be active. Meaning we need to get involved in doing before the idea presents itself. This is a lesson well know among social entrepreneurs. It is hard to sit back an generate a unique and useful idea while being only a spectator. Sam Goldman's social venture really took shape after time spent among the very people he wished to aid. He had to understand their needs and their situations before he could invent solutions. Congratulations Sam Goldman and good luck. Watch at this interview with Sam to hear his story- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHZfNAqAPGo

Social Venture Networking Event

Social Entrepreneurs from around the world will be gathering at the Social Capital Markets Convention October 13th-15th in San Francisco. This is a great place to network with other social entrepreneurs and find funding for your business. Doing well and doing good is the mantra of a new generation of entrepreneurs and the organizations that invest in them states http://socialcapitalmarkets.net. Jump over to their site an sign up for this amazing event.