Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustainability

My Name is Rich and I am a serial socialpreneur

… and I am here to tell you about how people can change the world

Develop long term capacity within the various actors (NGO, MNC, academic, gov’t, and citizen) to create stable/ sustainable solutions
Provide a platform where civil sector professionals can share best practices
Conduct research, study problems, assess program, & create partnerships
Work with social entrepreneurs and NGO leaders to develop capacity
On campus research, develop student leaders, clubs, mentorships, internships
Established in 2004, Hands On China’s mission is connecting people – both locals and foreigners in Shanghai who want to become involved as volunteers in community activities with local charities who need assistance.
Coordinates volunteer opportunities for active professionals, according to their availability and personal interests
Support project partners with direct donations, fundraising planning and execution, community project design/implementation
Design and manage a variety of community relations programs for private sector partners in Shanghai – CorpWorks!
About Me
Developed the project based class Sustainability and Responsible Leadership
To institutionally support society by leveraging its students, faculty, alumni
Improve student awareness of the social and environmental challenges in China
Teams will conduct research, develop external partner, & present business plan

What is a Socialpreneur?

I have No Idea! … But here is why I do it Developing platforms that bring positive change to the world is AWESOME
Migrant Student Photography Program
To build the long term photography and art program that enabled
growth and development of student interests
Built confidence through accomplishment
To develop teacher capacity and encourage retention
Now up to 60 students
Hands On Chengdu Community Flowers
Deploy shipping container community centers
Training Centers, Children’s libraries, medical clinics
10 year equipment lifetime
2 centers in process

I have No Idea! … But here is why I do it
I work with people who are AMAZING
Selfless
Passionate
LOVE THEIR JOB

I have No Idea! … But here is why I do it To accomplish AMAZING things that help others

My First Steps

Personal Goals Lead to Action
What I want to be known for when I die:
A Good Businessman
A Philanthropist
A Scholar (of anything)
A family man
So, I took my first steps
Helped foreign firms enter the China market
Went to Mongolia with Habitat for Humanity
Started a blog

Meet Fractured Realities

Fractured “Sustainability” World Concern China’s Realities

Local Catalysts Economic Cycles
Global Economic downturn freezes debt markets and reduces demand
Interest in corporate roles and responsibilities grow
Regulations and austerity measures add cost to SME
Environmental awareness has taken quantum leap
Domestic / International press coverage
Public support, NGO engagement, and regulations
Environmental Degradation
24/7 Full press coverage on TV, newspaper, blogs, &twitter
Public awareness of problems with industry, and calls for changes
Ongoing investigative reporting into other areas / other companies
Supply Chain Failures
24/7 Full press coverage on TV, newspaper, blogs, &twitter
Public awareness of problems with industry, and calls for changes
Ongoing investigative reporting into other areas / other companies
Price Inflation
Public acknowledgement of system failure and call for change by party
Cost of talent increasing due to supply shortages and costs of living
Labor Issues

Something was not gelling with me. NGOs were all on the climate change bandwagon The Discovery Channel was telling me I could live a sustainable life of luxury without sacrifice No one was willing to tell Starbucks that the paper cup was an unsustainable business model … and while we were being told that climate change was the biggest issue we would face as humanity, COP 15 closed without resolution. Ministers went home, NGOs packed up their polar bears, and the media tuned off .. and yes… this paper cup is still unsustainable

So, I took a step back.

Starts With Community Simple truth: If you don’t care about your community, “sustainability” as we understand it is unachievable

Communal Sustainability How do cities organize communal life and maintain social harmony? How can Better City Better Life really be achieved? What can business contribute to these processes?

… or you get

Rebuilding Community How do cities organize communal life and maintain social harmony?
Cities have to provide 5 things
Urban Planning
Economic Development
Quality of Life
Safety and Security
Environmental Stability
Systemic gaps get interesting
Issues of Migrant Populations
Elderly Care
Wellness and Health
Niche enterprises can help, and make, millions

What is a Social Enterprise? 什么是社会企业？

What is a Social Enterprise? 什么是社会企业？ product/ service model fundraising / revenue model Social Impact Profit

What is a Social Enterprise? 什么是社会企业？

What Does that mean for you?

“ The last century, if you wanted to grow, I believe you should find a good opportunity. [..] but today if you want to be a great company think about what social problem you could solve. “

Retooling Leaders
New mission and vision
Understanding of “externalities”
A business plan for change
Focus on systems and building
Commitment to execution

Redefining Solutions … Which is where social entrepreneurs can come in

Get Engaged and Be The Change! 参与 , 成为变革的力量 ! A Single Step By a Single Person

Learn More :
HandsOn China www.handsonchina.org
Collective Responsibility www.collectiveresponsibility.org
Cleaner Greener China www.cleanergreenerchina.com
Follow my Tweet!
Hands On Shanghai @handsonshanghai
Collective Responsibility @chinaCSR
Cleaner Greener China @greenerchina
My Sites
Email Me [email_address]

Q&A “ In the end, environmental, social and economic sustainability cannot be separated. A sustainable planet must include a sustainable human civilization – resilient human systems that respect the complicated relationships among poverty, human rights, economic development, environmental health, and human success” - Institute for the Future, 2008
Richard Brubaker
Founder and Managing Director, Collective Responsibility
Founder and Executive Volunteer, HandsOn China
Adjunct Professor, Sustainability and Responsible Leadership, CEIBS
[email_address]

Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustainability

by Collective Responsibility on Nov 28, 2010

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Social entrepreneurs & enterprises: Taking Responsible Steps Towards Sustainability — Presentation Transcript