It may sound like a platitude, but sometimes those trite sayings your mother always said are true: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 2010 will be another tough year for non profits. Those who help themselves, work smart, and innovate will be ready to grow when funding is available.

What is a social entrepreneur?

by Geri Stengel on Dec 30, 2009 - 7:36am

Commentary / Opinion entrepreneur innovation innovative social change social entrepreneurship social responsibility what is a social entrepreneur

"What is a social entrepreneur?" Now that is a really difficult question. First, you have decide what an entrepreneur is. Then you have to decide what qualifies as social entrepreneurship.

Neither task is easy.

By Rethinking Design as “Design Thinking,” Organizations Become More Innovative

by Guest Blogger on Dec 15, 2009 - 9:01pm

creative thinking design thinking innovation innovative Trends

The world has finally realized that the way creative people think is a process that can be applied to problems throughout an organization, not just in the design department.

More Calls for Change in Way Non Profit Finances Are Evaluated

by Geri Stengel on Nov 18, 2009 - 10:59am

Forecast / Prediction innovation non profit funding non profit leaders non profit managers non profit regulation non profit sector politics social enterprise social responsibility

More calls to action have been made, urging funders, non profits and, yes, even the government to revise the way in which the financial effectiveness of non profits is evaluated. Hard on the heels of the Bridgespan Group report, which I discussed in my October 20 blog, Nonprofit Funding Standards Undermine Nonprofits, come two more reports, urging re-evaluation of what constitutes a “good” non profit.

Entrepreneurship: Bringing the American Dream Abroad

by Geri Stengel on Aug 4, 2009 - 9:10am

Business Incubators Case Study Endeavor entrepreneurs abroad entrepreneurship ethics-driven innovation Linda Rottenberg Peter Kellner social impact values-driven venture capital Vera Institute of Justice

I know it’s been in the news a lot, but the facts often bear repeating:

entrepreneurs create new jobs at a faster rate than larger companies
entrepreneurs develop new products and services
entrepreneurs innovate processes and approaches improving the way we get things done
entrepreneurs (re)invigorate economies

Innovate or Go the Way of the Dinosaur

by Geri Stengel on Jun 18, 2009 - 9:49am

Best Practice innovation Nonprofit nonprofit Small Business small business Social Enterprise social enterprise

Adapting your small business or nonprofit during the recession may be difficult – even painful – but it must be done or you risk joining the dinosaur in extinction.