Facing the abyss

I have often said, the best thing about my job is working with social entrepreneurs who change the world through the inspiring work they do. On the other side of that coin lies the hardest part, which is working with those who are experiencing profound difficulties as increasing numbers are, some of whom might even be going, going, gone. These terrible conversations are happening regularly these days. Today, I had that faltering exchange again with another leading social entrepreneur facing such difficult decisions. This is SEL's job and why we are there, to support social enterprises in the good times and bad.

I am glad members call me, just as I am profoundly moved by conversations that start with "Allison, I wanted to tell you myself because I didn't want you to hear from anyone else that we have called in the administrators." I can't tell you the sadness I feel. I am highly motivated to help, as you would expect, and I do evaluate any strategies that might have yet to be visited. No matter how hopeless the situation may appear, there are things that can be done that may just turn the situation around and at the very least it's important to know the correct process for an orderly closure. My hope, shared by us all, is that those who are up against it will be able to turn things around. So much hangs upon their success: jobs, people's futures, social and environmental innovation, advancement for the vulnerable, so, so much.

Most people experience hardship in a recession and although social enterprise has never pretended it is insulated against insolvency, like any enterprise, it can fail as well as succeed, but these are businesses that improve the lives of society's most vulnerable citizens and so carry increased losses because if they can no longer trade, more is lost that straightforward notions of wealth. We should all avoid the consequence of that, if we can.