So refreshing to do some work with social enterprises or, as the government has it, the Third Sector. Established around the goals of people, planet, profit, the Social Enterprise Movement includes a whole range of organisations ranging from community transport groups to co-ops. Simply put, social enterprises are businesses set up to tackle a social and/or environmental need. A very compelling proposition at the moment and one for which all the main UK political parties are actively voicing support.
In terms of size, in 2006, it was estimated that there were 55,000 social enterprises in the UK with a combined turnover of £27 billion. In 2008, research found that 1.3 million people considered themselves to be social entrepreneurs. The enterprises themselves range from very small community based organisations, (e.g.) a community owned and run shop to multi-million pound transport groups. For news about the Movement, try the Society Guardian, which regularly features social enterprises.
People I’ve met in the course of this project are working to improve the business capabilities of the Movement and, amidst a broad range of activities,
a number of knowledge management projects are under way across the country aimed at identifying a) areas where knowledge and information could be collectively sourced and shared and b) techniques such as coaching and mentoring that will help knowledge transfer across social enterprises. The growth of this sector must offer knowledge and information professionals opportunities to get involved in meaningful work. Watch this space!
John D. Davies
Senior Consultant (TFPL Ltd)
A very timely post given yesterday's announcement by the Cabinet Office of plans for a Social Enterprise Summit, to be chaired by Liam Byrne:
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/25102
Posted by: Melanie Goody | 13 May 2009 at 11:04
Social enterprise is still a "people" thing. See Tin Hop Tin saga on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8029350.stm
Posted by: John Davies | 16 May 2009 at 11:29