Editor’s note: To help social entrepreneurs anticipate and avoid some of the problems of starting a social-good business, Ventureneer is doing a series of blogs about the progress of Greenway Grameen Infra, a social enterprise in India.

When last I wrote about Greenway Grameen Infra, its non-polluting stove, fuel efficient stove for rural homes in India was just on the market and hopes were high that 50,000 units would be sold by March 2012.

How a B-Corporation Grew Its Business and Its Social Impact

by Geri Stengel on Dec 29, 2011 - 12:20am

b-corporation Profile: Company small business growth Social Entrepreneurship social entrepreneurship Social Responsibility social responsibility

I love it when a company built on social responsibility surges ahead. That’s the case with Recyclebank, a company whose business model is cleaning up the planet by encouraging people to recycle. It’s a company that truly combines social value with good business.

From Our Survey: How E-commerce and Customer Service Saved a Business

by Geri Stengel on Nov 3, 2011 - 12:20am

e-commerce customer service Google Analytics for small business Marketing Profile: Company Small Business small business SEO small business survival

Editor’s note: Yes, we have data! Responses to our Online Marketing Survey are in and we’re crunching the numbers now but to give you a taste of the wisdom we found from all of you who took the survey, here’s one of our case studies.

Customers Determine Product Design for Social Enterprise

by Geri Stengel on Sep 13, 2011 - 12:20am

co-creation Greenway Grameen Neha Juneja Profile: Company Small Business social enterprise social entrepreneurs Social Entrepreneurship social good Women Entrepreneurship

Editor’s note: To help social entrepreneurs anticipate and avoid some of the problems of starting a social-good business, Ventureneer will do a series of blogs about the progress of Greenway Grameen Infra, a very likely candidate for success. “Grameen” means “rural” or “village.” Greenway Grameen Infra is not associated with the Grameen Foundation. I’ll be checking back with them regularly to see what’s working and what’s not. Right now, it’s looking good.

Believe It Or Not: USPS Is A Green Giant

by Geri Stengel on Apr 19, 2011 - 12:12am

Earth Day green Profile: Company Social Responsibility social responsibility sustainable

Who knew? “Green” stamps are no longer the pre-historic version of “reward points.” Does anyone out there remember licking those endless little stamps and pasting them into that little book?

No matter. That’s so yesterday. Today the US Postal Service has another kind of “green” stamps, a page of 16 stamps, each with an idea for reducing your environmental impact. These are “forever” stamps, too, which means they are evergreen as well: You can use them even after the next rate hike.

It’s Valentine’s Day: Are Your Condoms Socially Responsible?

by Geri Stengel on Feb 8, 2011 - 12:14am

Motivated by Purpose Profile: Company Small Business social enterprise Social Entrepreneurship Social Responsibility socially responsible triple bottom line Women Entrepreneurship

Better sex for a better world: Now there’s a Valentine’s Day sentiment we can all support. The more you indulge, the better the world seems … and actually is, thanks to “Love Begins With L.”

Social Good Needs the Power of Social Media

by Geri Stengel on Sep 21, 2010 - 8:12am

Case Studies Millennium Development Goals Motivated by Purpose Nonprofit nonprofits Profile: Company social media

If you aren't sure whether social media is useful for nonprofits, read on.

A million deaths to zero: A goal within reach?
In 2006, private equity investor Ray Chambers founded Malaria No More with then-News Corporation President and COO Peter Chernin. Chambers is now special envoy of the UN Secretary General for Malaria. The focus of Malaria No More is to end the 1 million deaths per year -- mostly children -- from malaria in sub-saharan Africa. Insecticide-treated mosquite bed nets (cost $10) can bring the death rate to 0.

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Is This Ethical Business? Profits Are High So Cut Wages and Benefits.

by Geri Stengel on Sep 2, 2010 - 9:28am

business ethics Commentary / Opinion employee team Motts Profile: Company

The way a business treats its employees is a matter of ethics as well as a matter of profit. Well-trained employees, who are loyal and invested in the company, are more productive and often come up with the tweaks and changes that help a company grow. Moreover, they contribute to profit and growth and so deserve to participate in the rewards thereof.

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Creative Health Plan Cuts Costs, Protects Employees

by Geri Stengel on Aug 12, 2010 - 3:40pm

employee benefits health care costs Nonprofit nonprofit management Profile: Company Small Business small business advice

"We're fighting for workers rights, for health care. We have to take care of our own staff," said Sondra Youdelman, executive director of Community Voices Heard.

Innovating for Positive Social Change at the Earliest Stage

by Geri Stengel on Jul 8, 2010 - 8:00am

Echoing Green entrepreneurs Profile: Company SIE SIF Social Entrepreneurship social innovation support

Social innovation doesn’t just happen; it needs to be inspired, encouraged, and nurtured if it is to prosper and be effective. Such support can – and now does – come from many sources:

government, Social Innovation Fund (SIF)
cross sector, Social Innovation Exchange (SIE)
grass roots, Echoing Green