Author Archives: Leonie Jarrett

Meet June O’Sullivan

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A key part of our programmes are ‘Witness sessions’ when  students hear from inspirational speakers (witnesses) who have first-hand experience of the issues our students are facing. Like witnesses in a law court they give testimony about what it’s really like to start and grow social organisations. Our Witnesses are some of the most inspirational entrepreneurs around who take time out of their very busy lives to help our social entrepreneurs.  We’d like you to meet them and be inspired!

Meet: June O’Sullivan, CEO London Early Years Foundation 

@JuneOSullivan

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All aboard the social enterprise tour bus

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We often get delegations from around the world e-mailing us and asking if they can meet with SSE and find out more about what we do. When we’re able to accommodate these requests it’s always a really useful and enjoyable experience for us (and hopefully sometimes for them too). It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day bustle of e-mails and meetings taking a moment to explain to someone else what you do can be a useful reminder of why you do it! Continue reading →

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5 tips on building a board for your social enterprise

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By SSE Chair of Trustees, Charlotte Young.

We have all heard horror stories of terrible Boards that occupy huge amounts of time – interfering with the day-to-day running of ventures, squabbling amongst themselves or bullying staff, demanding more and more information and taking the venture down pathways that were never part of the plan. We don’t want any of that! So here is some guidance to try and avoid any of these pitfalls.

People in a meeting drinking coffee

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A year scaling up with SSE

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With applications opening for Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Programme on Monday 2nd February we wanted to repost this blog piece by Becky John where she reflects on her experience on our Scale Up programme. Becky is the Founder of the wonderful social enterprise ‘Who Made Your Pants‘. Follow her @WhoMadeYour & @BeckyPants.

If you think you’d like to come on one of our programmes you can sign up to attend a free taster session here.

“Adieu School for Social Entrepreneurs”

Since October 2013, I have been on a training and development programme called the Lloyds Bank Social Entrepreneurs Scale Up Programme. My year there ended recently – the 2nd October. And I’ve been thinking about what I’ve learned. It’s both ‘wow everything’ and ‘oh that old thing I’ve known that for ages’ – as it’s just all assimilated so fast.

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A social entrepreneur is not an entrepreneur!

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I read “Time to put the entrepreneurship record straight” by Hamid Bouchikhi and found it quite thought provoking. Whilst I agree with some of what Hamid says I disagree that we should “look for a label other than ‘social’ to help us sort the good from the ugly”. He says that “the ideal responsible entrepreneur does no harm and does not produce negative results” but for me this fails to take into account the fact that social entrepreneurship is about creating positive social impact, progress and change – very different to simply not having a negative impact.

Yes, a shift towards more responsible commercial business would be welcomed by all (as is the shift towards more sustainable social interventions) but it is important to distinguish the difference between social entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs; their primary motivation. A commercial entrepreneur’s primary motivation is to make profit, so naturally their decision making is guided by the bottom line. Whereas a social entrepreneur’s primary motivation is to provide a solution to a complex social issue.
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