On hOw tO run a business with sOcial intent
1 Don’t lose the soul of your business
Running a social enterprise encourages you to reach out to and help as many people as possible, however, the chase for numbers often jeopardises the quality or intent of your work. While trying to scale up and exponentially grow, be grounded.
2 Follow your instinct
When starting a business, you are overloaded with ‘free advice’ on various strategies of success. Although many might be useful, it always comes down to what you believe to be true. Instinct never fails and has more power than you can imagine.
3 Keep evolving
Change is constant, adopt a similar strategy with your business, product or service you offer. Evolve with time and the people you’re catering to. Give your customers what they need, without getting too wrapped up in what you think they should have.
4 Be compassionate
With social enterprises, there is a thin line between sympathy and empathy. No one wants or needs your sympathy, but almost everyone appreciates an empathetic endeavour. Whatever you provide to your consumers, ensure it comes from a place of empathy and compassion. Putting them first before you and offering your services makes a difference.
5 Always stick to your ‘why’’
Why did you begin your company? What is your intention behind it? Don’t get caught up on what you do but stick to why you do what you do. At the start, your intention behind your social enterprise is more powerful than what you are providing. The why uncovers the truth of what you as a company stand for and why you’re doing it. Today, people resonate much more deeply with a ‘why’ than a ‘what’.