A strong sense of ethics is essential to social enterprises, corporate social responsibility, and any business, small or large, that wants the respect and loyalty of their customers. Ethics is an important part of doing well while doing good, so Ventureneer has joined forces with Business Ethics, the Magazine of Corporate Responsibility.

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.

What is Your Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility?

by Geri Stengel on Dec 21, 2009 - 1:42pm

Commentary / Opinion definition of corporate social responsibility How To Motivated by Purpose Nonprofit Small Business Social Enterprise social responsibility socially responsible

Definitions of Phrases Making a Difference – One in a Series

How do you define corporate social responsibility? At the least prescriptive end of the spectrum, corporate social responsibility can be defined as doing no harm, following both the spirit and the letter of all regulations and, maybe, sponsoring a local Little League team.

Not bad, not too hard, but not really doing much to earn your stripes as a socially responsible corporation.

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Social Responsibility Is a Winner at 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

by Geri Stengel on Dec 13, 2009 - 9:37pm

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When the Olympic torch is lit in Vancouver, Canada, on February 12, 2010, it will mark not only the beginning of the 2010 Winter Olympics but also a victory for social responsibility, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Affordable High-quality Professionals Available to Non Profits, If You Know Where to Look

by Geri Stengel on Nov 29, 2009 - 10:10am

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What if you, as a non profit executive, could hire a financial executive with years of solid experience to set up a financial reporting system including budgets, audits, bookkeeping, and year-end financial statements?

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A New Disney Filmmaker Shows the Way to Social Responsibility

by Geri Stengel on Nov 23, 2009 - 5:49pm

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One Disney's Focus Morphs From Fantasy to Reality

While the name "Disney" may conjure up fantasy and happiness, Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Roy Disney, knows that the real world isn’t filled with cartoon characters and happy endings. She knows that the world is full of harsh realities – poverty, disease, terrible working conditions, and climate change – and she is using her financial resources and her talents to fight them.

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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.

Fair Trade is More Than a Label

by Geri Stengel on Nov 16, 2009 - 9:15am

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The Money Is in the Chocolate

You’d think that the economic value of a product would be in the raw material. To a small degree, you’d be right. But the greater value by far is in the production process, especially in high-end products such as gourmet chocolate. Making chocolate generates five times more income than fair trade cocoa, even if your beans are considered the finest in the world, according to Tim McCollum of Madécasse.

Entrepreneurs Jump Hurdles Like Olympic Champions: Michael Dwork Gets the Gold Medal

by Geri Stengel on Jul 2, 2009 - 11:28am

Columbia Business School entrepreneur environmental responsibility Michael Dwork Motivated by Purpose social responsibility

I met Michael Dwork at a fair that Columbia Business School holds for its MBA students who are budding entrepreneurs. The purpose is to meet mentors to help guide them through several business planning competitions they hold. We’ve kept in touch ever since.