And there are a ton of toolkits and models out there to support you do this - some based on your form (ie - CESPIs for co-ops) and some on your main focus of activity (eg environmental impact).
However, as a sole trader, there's nothing really obvious that I've found that I can easily pick off the shelf and use on myself...so 4 years ago I began to create my own framework based on measuring the things most important to me in terms of what I try and achieve and contribute through how I work.
It's an evolving framework, and I usually add an additional measure each year, but surely its a start.
This year they show an increase in the extent to which I've contributed to stimulating debate and discussion around sector issues, that over a quarter of all my business purchases have been made from local companies, that the majority of all my business travel was made without the use of a gas-guzzling and polluting car, and that training I develop and deliver seems to be well received.
You can download a pdf version (as i include it in my 'blag sheet'/CV) from my website here (its referred to as the 'information sheet about me'); and below is a copy of their summary:
So what do people think? Is this a useful emergent framework for social accounting on sole traders, and what other measures should I incorprate for next years?
Nifty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this on social edge too (http://www.socialedge.org/discussions/social-entrepreneurship/the-personal-bottom-line)! I tried downloading the larger pdf version but as your site is under construction I'll have to return. I appreciate the concept though and think it's totally spot on, and will inform what we do at my own small biz which like yours needs to walk the talk.