Growing Together

There are so many non-profits and companies aimed at social good that are very specific to different regions of the world. Some may even compete with one another even if their aim is the same: to improve the lives of others. There are probably so many inefficiencies in which the non-profit, do-good company operates, including repeating things that have already been tried and have failed. There are probably even more inefficiencies in the way each company targets consumers. Maybe a platform for "best-practices" or for collaboration on social innovation between organizations would decrease the inefficiencies present that prevent socially innovative companies to reach their potential.

Leaders in any form should strive to bring the people around them up with them. By this same token, leaders in social innovation should strive to bring those companies with similar values and intentions up with them. I wholeheartedly agree with Hugh Whalan's sentiment that "the worst thing that can happen for the poorest people is that the next generation of superstar entrepreneurs ends up in Silicon Valley." Even companies that are not aimed at improving conditions in the developing world, they should still strive to bring those who are with them. This goes back to the article about the best businesses for the world. Maybe in this case the answer is in policy that requires companies to give back in a way that will create value rather than simply donating. How do you think this would be received by larger, for-profit organizations. Is there a way to quantify the social gains like there is to quantify environmental savings like with carbon credits?