I'm out of the office until 12 April now. Speaking at a social enterprise symposium in Japan next week, then on holiday the week after. It feels odd to be out for so long, but strangely well timed. I have been hurtling around so much talking to every Tom, Dick and Harriet about social enterprise that I need to take stock.
Sometimes we can get so stuck on the doing we don't look up to check where we are going. Its good to refocus. A similar point was made in an interesting blog post I read today by David Floyd of SEL member Social Spider on the Social Enterprise Mark. SEL members are divided on the Mark. Some love it, others are not so keen. For my part I'm fond of those delivering it and think its a pretty thing, but I'm still not sure how and when it will make my members money. For me, improving the bottom line for social enterprise is all that counts.
As the Americans say you have to keep your eyes on the prize.
Thanks. 'How will it make SEL members (and other social enterprises) money?' is definitely a key question the Mark team need to answer.
ReplyDeleteIt seems strange that it didn't get raised during the committee stages.
Eyes on the prize is right, my less catchy version is 'it's easier to do something once you've worked out what you're trying to do'
Hope it goes well in Japan.