tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.comments2024-01-30T07:01:29.873+00:00Adrian AshtonAdrian Ashtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03030921207546244517noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-85615370634993182562024-01-29T23:07:30.616+00:002024-01-29T23:07:30.616+00:00I know a tourism blogger who had been in business ...I know a tourism blogger who had been in business for several years (don't know quite how long for, but it was not far short of 10 years), when the pandemic hit. 7 out of her 8 income streams dried up overnight due to circumstances completely beyond her control. But she adapted to the new reality, and has bounced back stronger than ever. She's a one woman solopreneur. Maximum respect to people like that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-58709536299995957402023-08-30T22:36:51.196+01:002023-08-30T22:36:51.196+01:00So bowled over how familiar all of this reads. I c...So bowled over how familiar all of this reads. I can’t believe that someone has taken the trouble to study the plight of self employed carers. It feels like you know me personally. I have done this for so long that I didn’t even realise it was “a thing” until I recognised myself in the narrative. Thank you for recognising and attempting to draw attention to me and all the other people in my position. Lesley Thompsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-86190265436776440132023-07-04T10:27:53.618+01:002023-07-04T10:27:53.618+01:00Thank you for sharing your impact report! Thank you for sharing your impact report! Charlotte Östermannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-26675851143125005112022-11-11T11:58:11.900+00:002022-11-11T11:58:11.900+00:00In Mondragon, the cheapest membership fee is for t...In Mondragon, the cheapest membership fee is for the social care co-op, which is €15,000 and the engineering co-ops are mostly €30,000. <br />However you get a payment plan deducted from your wages, the shares get a dividend each year and it’s all retained until you retire/leave and get it as a lump sum.Alex Birdhttps://www.alex-bird.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-21786813804649834192022-09-01T11:58:25.372+01:002022-09-01T11:58:25.372+01:00Excellent post. Thanks Adrian for the info!Excellent post. Thanks Adrian for the info!Boomy Tokanhttp://schoolofsocialsustainability.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-57218590074044533132022-06-23T18:50:27.309+01:002022-06-23T18:50:27.309+01:00The main problem is the residual Thatcherite ethos...The main problem is the residual Thatcherite ethos of individualism and rejection of collectivism. It's evolutionary counter intuitive that 'I'm alright Jack, or Jill' should be the most successful credo in a capitalist system. If parents, schools, colleges and employers were to champion the principle of 'better together' and solidarity, then Co-op's would supercede entrepreneurs with collective endeavour.<br />I agree that investment increases engagement, but until we teach and show kids that competition can be less desirable and successful, than co-operation, we're going to be systematically disadvantaged.<br />We need a cultural shift in corporate mentality to challenge the dominant status quo and mainstream co-operation as the preferred business model. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-27921317358750829462022-05-05T09:08:35.535+01:002022-05-05T09:08:35.535+01:00very interesting, I'd say it is a trend word! ...very interesting, I'd say it is a trend word! BNut a good one, it is also all about puropse at the events that have rockstarted 2022.<br />Best from Stockholm, Leila https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilafalkenberg/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-31973684793764974292021-07-26T13:02:08.769+01:002021-07-26T13:02:08.769+01:00I actually have a video blogging note of "Don...I actually have a video blogging note of "Don't sacrifice kindness for productivity" and I'm likely going to reference your article once I get around to recording it!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17281547526003625612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-20188885054059243982021-07-21T10:18:36.183+01:002021-07-21T10:18:36.183+01:00Absolutely all about the relationship Adrian. I wo...Absolutely all about the relationship Adrian. I would say it comes down to trust and honesty - and kindness. <br />Angela Portznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-33602986584127530212021-05-10T18:03:41.828+01:002021-05-10T18:03:41.828+01:00A simple rule - don't follow the money, follow...A simple rule - don't follow the money, follow the power. Effective social accounting is a system that reinforces accountability to stakeholders and society. Ed Mayohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10300629947148652024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-75753154028833165322021-04-14T14:33:47.745+01:002021-04-14T14:33:47.745+01:00I really like this. I am sorry that I have missed ...I really like this. I am sorry that I have missed this is previous year sas I think it makes a tremendous contribution to the whole debate about the contribution of small businesses. It also shows that it isn't just big companies who can shout about their community contribution - and this seems a whole lot more genuine.B Mynotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08783828828151774843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-59407134723812325822021-04-13T14:48:05.462+01:002021-04-13T14:48:05.462+01:00I couldn't agree more Adrian and certainly, fr...I couldn't agree more Adrian and certainly, from a very personal point of view, that is exactly what I have done and continue to do.<br /><br />Of course, it is nonetheless important to acknowledge that we are all different. I'm a tough old bird and I've managed to work through all the problems that we have faced without it leaving too many scars mentally and/or emotionally, albeit there's been quite a big financial fallout! <br /><br />But yes, social entrepreneurs need to embrace such stoicism if they are really determined to make a difference that leaves a lasting legacy. I hope that's what i manage to do, but only time will tell.Jill Poethttps://orbuk.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-82301733806288261332021-03-25T08:35:09.532+00:002021-03-25T08:35:09.532+00:00Cooperation is intuitively one of our basic human ...Cooperation is intuitively one of our basic human activities. It would be wrong, if people at work, competed with each other for the hammer or the trowel. At the foundation level - mother and child - we have to support each other.David Tootillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15393144990862762227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-79316880474656107212021-01-19T19:17:16.015+00:002021-01-19T19:17:16.015+00:00Always need good compost too whatever temperature ...Always need good compost too whatever temperature you're working at. Good gardening skills required as well. whatever plants you're growing. Ethikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01860084323719867766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-2425088903014103412020-12-02T10:26:55.942+00:002020-12-02T10:26:55.942+00:00Astute, insightful and as always, on the money - n...Astute, insightful and as always, on the money - no pun intended!<br />I fear that there are 1000's who'll be blissfully unaware of the small print...Could be a few rude awakenings in 2021, especially as most people will have thought they'd left the financial pitfalls of 2020 behind them...Hope to be proved wrong of course!Caldershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13102790312117469505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-62333594420554661882020-08-06T12:17:18.965+01:002020-08-06T12:17:18.965+01:00Because hose who construct them either
- don't...Because hose who construct them either<br />- don't recognise the complexity you describe. They are maybe too reassured by their clients that the process of creating social value is all linear or have no practical experieince<br />- or they fear that introducing complexity will mean people don't engage in the process at all.<br /><br />I think there are some late comers to the Social Value/Impact Measurement party who try to support, but aren't really far enough along in their own journey to do so very effectively. (Subect for another blog maybe?)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358115523813873328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-17571310896720734922020-01-02T10:24:53.713+00:002020-01-02T10:24:53.713+00:00You've summed it up nicely Adrian as unless we...You've summed it up nicely Adrian as unless we take ourselves to the brink, we cannmot help those already there find their way back.Robert Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07259854968483120017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-2711613227672316412019-07-03T18:18:10.035+01:002019-07-03T18:18:10.035+01:00Thanks for picking up this 'gauntlet' Soph...Thanks for picking up this 'gauntlet' Sophie - pleased that you've redressed some of these arguments, and helped to push this debate a further forward.<br /><br />The original blog has seemed to catch the interest of a number of people across different social media channels, so it's obviously a theme which many are keen to explore further, which makes your comments above all the more welcome as contribution :-) Adrian Ashtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030921207546244517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-5620549209226990222019-07-03T18:05:03.731+01:002019-07-03T18:05:03.731+01:00Hi Adrian,
Sophie here, head of communications at...Hi Adrian,<br /><br />Sophie here, head of communications at the School for Social Entrepreneurs. I think you raise some interesting points. <br /><br />There is obviously some overlap in the learning styles of social entrepreneurs and ‘regular’ entrepreneurs (to use your phrase). They are, after all, both types of entrepreneur! But, as our name suggest, the School for Social Entrepreneurs exists to support social entrepreneurs. We have spent 22 years learning how best to support them to become better leaders. The article you link to by us (above) shares some insights we’ve gained along the way, underpinned by an independent evaluation of 1,350 of the social entrepreneurs we’ve supported.<br /><br />I don’t think we are pushing a “narrative that social and non-social entrepreneurs need special treatment that somehow doesn't seem to apply to the other”. It’s just that we simply don’t have the expertise or evidence to talk about ‘regular’ entrepreneurs at SSE, as those are not the people we support, and they never have been.<br /><br />But I can talk a little from my personal experience here. For context, I spent the majority of my career as a journalist and editor specialising in entrepreneurs and start-ups (the ‘regular’ variety).<br /><br />Many of the insights into how social entrepreneurs learn that we’ve identified at SSE are indeed shared by non-social entrepreneurs: a preference for learning by doing, for example. But I think there are some notable differences between social and ‘regular’ entrepreneurs. <br /><br />As our evidence shows in the article, social entrepreneurs often struggle with sales. Generating income from trading tends to take a backseat when your focus is on helping vulnerable people or tackling climate change, at least in the early days. That’s very different from ‘regular’ entrepreneurs, who in my experience are well-versed in sales and concepts like profit margin and cashflow. Their model is (typically) wholly based on income from sales, so they need to have strong sales skills. (Social entrepreneurs, on the other hand, might start out with lots of income from grant and donations.)<br /><br />‘Regular’ entrepreneurs are also often natural managers and leaders. They know when to delegate, how to manage people, and how to build networks that can unlock their next steps. The very best founders hire people who are better than them, especially in areas that they find a drain on their energy.<br /><br />About half of the UK’s social entrepreneurs, on the other hand, hire people who are excluded from the labour market. This means they need support in learning how to become better managers. They are not head-hunting the best talent in their industry, as a sensible ‘regular’ entrepreneur would - they are more likely to be recruiting people who have rarely or never held down jobs. So it’s not surprising that “being an employer” is the second-lowest-ranked business skill among social entrepreneurs we support, before they start our programmes.<br /><br />Without wanting to ramble on for too long, a quick whizz through other key challenges faced by social entrepreneurs, but not their ‘regular’ cousins: impact measurement and impact models; diversification of funding streams; what legal form to take and whether to have an asset lock; raising social investment; communicating what it means to be a social enterprise; how to develop and share evidence of impact approach; governance particular to less-common legal structures (e.g. CIC), and accountability to the community they serve; whether to pursue certification or accreditation to prove ethical credentials; balancing purpose with profit.<br /><br />This is why the School for Social Entrepreneurs exists. We help social entrepreneurs and social-sector leaders navigate these nuances, which are simply not covered by support bodies and media for ‘regular’ entrepreneurs.<br /><br />Of course, I hope that one day all entrepreneurs will be social entrepreneurs, and those who are driven profit rather than purpose will no longer be called ‘regular’. But until that day, we still need the likes of the School for Social Entrepreneurs.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16316996502010905211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-2192601739472480992018-05-01T07:46:45.705+01:002018-05-01T07:46:45.705+01:00Some very valid points there Adrian. I've bee...Some very valid points there Adrian. I've been a sole trader for around 10 years (running two different companies as a sole trader) and not had any issues at at all.Dreaming of The Outdoorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243291959351925418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-31105126222791266042018-05-01T06:45:25.282+01:002018-05-01T06:45:25.282+01:00I've always felt BNI is not for me as don'...I've always felt BNI is not for me as don't like the pressure to make referrals. I do refer frequently through networking but naturally and when there is a good fit. I go to another group regularly and chat to several other web designers which I find helpful ... we all have a slightly different offering and different target market.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00598993820302022314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-5510152828265667532018-03-10T16:06:11.118+00:002018-03-10T16:06:11.118+00:00I've been planning to write a very similar pos...I've been planning to write a very similar post myself reflecting on 6 years. Key difference was I was meant to be self employed, or at least to have a "portfolio career". Many of the observations are similar.<br /><br />Key thing for me is despite some of the challenges I remain completely sure it's right for me at the moment.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03556624330945465096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-33890834085027073872017-09-19T12:10:55.493+01:002017-09-19T12:10:55.493+01:00Many thanks to our Dancing Chair! When he couldn&...Many thanks to our Dancing Chair! When he couldn't make himself heard he resorted to shock tactics!!! Very funny!<br />Great day and even greater delight in knowing 70+ people were collectively demonstrating the V&Ps. What a movement!Sally Kellyhttp://www.the-guild.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-87588448209956964842017-07-28T10:56:57.950+01:002017-07-28T10:56:57.950+01:00It was a great event and thanks for your contribut...It was a great event and thanks for your contributions Adrian. I added my proviso the the more 'start up' response - lets differentiate between 'opportunity based' entrepreneurial activity and 'necessity based' entrepreneurship - they need quite different support as I discovered working with the UN.Andyhttp://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/iicednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6452832738433033525.post-88297514052133076152017-07-12T19:22:52.053+01:002017-07-12T19:22:52.053+01:00Pulled together in 2 weeks due to the organiser be...Pulled together in 2 weeks due to the organiser being elected to as an MP! I guess it was never going to be as comprehensive as in the past. <br /><br />Some useful insights into how our own Local Authority (Calderdale) are looking at procurement from as SV angle though. <br /><br />Re Dave from Keyfund _ Its not a social value game just a 'frame work' for social investing!Stephenhttp://www.ucvr.org.uknoreply@blogger.com