06. Apr, 2011 •
Categories: Events, funding, Rants & Raves •
by Olivia Khalili
Exposure. Credibility. Funding. New ventures need some combination of these to move from burning passionate idea to market success. Sustainable Brands Innovation Open, a business plan competition for sustainable enterprise, will offer up all three to one winning start-up. I don’t often plug competitions, but Sustainable Life Media, Sustainable Brands Innovation Open’s parent organization, has [...]
1 Comment
29. Mar, 2011 •
Categories: Businesses, Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Involvement, Evaluation, Interviews, Podcast, Tools, Web/Tech •
by Olivia Khalili
If you measure progress, you can improve it. But how exactly do you measure the growth of something as elusive as impact? That’s what AngelPoints, Andy Mercy’s company, does well, which is why I invited him to do a Cause Capitalism interview. Andy founded AngelPoints after stumbling into a volunteer experience at work and being underwhelmed [...]
0 Comments
24. Mar, 2011 •
Categories: Business Models, Businesses, Rants & Raves •
by Olivia Khalili
Like business, I believe nonprofits should be rewarded when they demonstrate financial success and laid to rest when they don’t. (I can feel jaws dropping and arrows hurtling toward me). Businesses are held financially accountable by the market. Increasingly, we’re holding them accountable for their social impact as well. We reward humanistic companies with our [...]
6 Comments
03. Mar, 2011 •
Categories: Build a Purpose-driven Business, Events •
by Olivia Khalili
Doing good is a business strategy, here’s how to start and how to do it better. That’s the flag I’ve been flying for three years and 250 blog posts. Next week, I’ll be speaking with a group of entrepreneurs and employees practicing varying levels of social sustainability (and, I hope, some who dismiss it [...]
3 Comments
02. Mar, 2011 •
Categories: Events •
by Olivia Khalili
Every March the world takes a closer look at women–how many own property, are employed, run businesses, have bank accounts, are literate, or have clean drinking water. The list is long and diverse, and while these issues deserve attention throughout the year, March serves as an annual review of the progress made toward women’s livelihood. [...]
0 Comments
26. Feb, 2011 •
Categories: Consumer Behavior, Trends •
by Olivia Khalili
We’re in an era of the super-consumer. Consumers are attuned to the companies and supply chains behind the items they buy. While today’s consumers stil boycott, they buycott more. I love Amazon but spend my dollars with Better World Books when I have the option. I’m not boycotting Amazon, I’m buycotting Better World Books. As [...]
1 Comment
20. Feb, 2011 •
Categories: Build a Purpose-driven Business, funding •
by Olivia Khalili
Interested in getting funding for your social venture? Think about these three areas: 1) building a solid business (yes, it must be able to sustain itself financially), 2) identifying the right investors and 3) preparing yourself. I write this blog to help you build strong businesses and I’ve identified 25 potential investment sources for you [...]
0 Comments
12. Feb, 2011 •
Categories: Tools •
by Olivia Khalili
My goal is to see more people growing more social businesses. Most of you are entrepreneurs, business owners and intrapreneurs working hard to create change. But some of you are looking for your (next) opportunity to do just that. This collection of job lists is for you. This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s quality. Staffing [...]
8 Comments
04. Feb, 2011 •
Categories: Rants & Raves •
by Olivia Khalili
I’m gratified– …that the conversation is turning from Why? implement a social mission to How? …that increasingly more entrepreneurs, veteran business owners and employees are testing ways to connect their passion to product and profit; and …that I’m able to support you, the entrepreneur, business owner or employee (four times as many people contact me [...]
2 Comments
26. Jan, 2011 •
Categories: Uncategorized •
by Olivia Khalili
The first step in making nonprofits profitable is to take a more comprehensive look at what is profitable. (The second step may be to ignore the verbal contradiction!) As a nonprofit, what are all of the ways that your work produces financial returns, directly and indirectly? And who benefits financially from what you do–your beneficiaries? Other [...]
12 Comments