Category Archives: Challenge

On Difficult Conversations

Posted on November 1, 2017 by

One of the top reasons for for disatisfaction in the ranks of an organization, no matter the size or stage, is the tendency for management to avoid conflict and not to confront performance issues with  individual staff.  That dissatisfaction can … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Performance Management, Startup, Start-Up, ventureLAB | Leave a comment

Target Hybrid Social Enterprise Business Models

Posted on October 1, 2016 by

  Jyoti Sharma has written a thought-provoking blog in The Stanford Social Innovation Review entitled, “A Neoliberal Takeover of Social Entrepreneurship?“.  Although I take issue with the the focus on neoliberalism as a destructive force, I agree with the importance of hybrid … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Model, Challenge, Complexity, risk, social enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, social entrepreneurs, social impact, Social Venture | Leave a comment

Making Social Innovation Work

Posted on September 16, 2016 by

Unless you’ve been sleeping under a rock for the past year, you’ve probably heard of a hackathon, even if you’re not quite sure what it is. Hackathons have become increasingly popular events challenging developers, innovators and changemakers alike to use … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Design Lab, Innovation | Leave a comment

Is Social Entrepreneurship a Distraction?

Posted on July 17, 2016 by

A leader in the social enterprise field, Pamela Hartigan, has written a compelling blog entitled, “Why Social Entrepreneurship has become a distraction: it’s mainstream capitalism that needs change”.  It is a clarion call.  See what you think.

Posted in Challenge, Innovation, social enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, social impact, Social Venture | 1 Comment

The Power of Community

Posted on May 22, 2016 by

Your isolation as an entrepreneur is a danger to your mental health and to the success of your venture.  This is especially so if you’re a lone entrepreneur without a team around you.  I’ve been there.  You stand, staring out into … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Community, Complexity, Resources, risk, social enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, Social Venture, Social Venture Pipeline, Startup, Start-Up, ventureLAB | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

At a Crossroads

Posted on April 2, 2016 by

While mentoring an early stage social venture today, I was reminded that it’s so easy to get lost in the weeds while developing your business and impact models.   You are always at a crossroad where there are so many variables to … Continue reading →

Posted in Business Model, Challenge, Complexity, Social Entrepreneur, Social Mission, Startup, Start-Up, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Six Lessons Learned From Failure

Posted on March 29, 2015 by

Failure of your venture is difficult to envisage as the idea behind it seems so powerful.  This is especially the case at start-up before you and your venture have been tested by trying to sell your service or product. However, … Continue reading →

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The Crucible and Impact

Posted on December 7, 2014 by

A Crucible:  A place or situation in which different elements interact to produce something new.  The process entails a severe test or trial. In industry, it is a container where metals are mixed at high temperature to create a new material. … Continue reading →

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