Undeniably, the gravity of the catastrophic effects of climate change is a result of man’s greed and rudeness to the environment and ethnicity. Our generation and the next will fall prey if we keep our eyes blind or persist to pursue our self-interests. I must now say that history HAS to repeat itself.
For many years, organizations with social causes and various initiatives have consistently embedded its presence to society. As a result, it has produced many definitions about social enterprises with the common goal to raise awareness in the business environment that is to uplift the lives of the marginalized society.
More than profit, a social enterprise for me transforms the socio-environmental nature through unceasingly equitable distribution and utilization of natural resources and skills. This is what Mother Nature expects us to carry out as stewards. In doing so, we are justifying the real objective of social enterprising more reasonably. The Philippine Social Enterprise Network distinctly states that “social enterprise means creation of value beyond wealth to improve the lives of not only the simplest entrepreneurs but also the lives of the communities that the enterprises serve.”
It is high time now that the private sector support the small and medium-sized social enterprises. In the business environment it operates, the private sector cannot escape the growing social problems if it does not seek for fresh and innovative market-driven solutions. Investing in social enterprises means achieving a social purpose with a geared-for-profit model.
A balanced in social, cultural, environmental and economic behaviors are strong indicators of a sturdy social enterprise. It can eradicate poverty and nurture the economic growth of every member of the business society.
The policymakers say, “Asia is the birthplace of several successful and large social enterprises.” Predominantly, only a handful receives grants and government support such as the Grameen Bank, BRAC, PDA, among few others. Most social enterprises in Asia are mid-sized and hardly have the access to capital or the recognition on the value of its works, at the least.
- Utilize the rich resources and promote the heritage of every dominion.
- Hire and train the indigenous people in every enterprise because the ethnics are closest to the goodness of nature and have the innate wisdom and unique ability.
- Educate the grassroots and raise awareness on the value of social enterprising for the preservation of good life and prevention of the rising climate change effects.
- While it is vital to provide livelihoods for the poor, it is equally crucial to provide opportunities for persons with disabilities and special needs.
- It is appealing for large corporates to embrace corporate social responsibility works, philanthropic and volunteerism efforts or not-for-profit undertakings as these are part of the internal measures to meet the core mission-vision of a business for the targeted stakeholders. In a larger scale though, investing in social enterprises does not only uplift the lives of the underserved communities, who are the principal stakeholders of social enterprises, but also uphold the long-term business objectives of large corporates.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to investing in social enterprises. At the inception stage of assistance, we can focus on the development of marketing and training programs as prerequisites of the new and emerging social enterprises.
The essence of doing business is good. Doing good business is most viable. The roadmap to progress is a business cycle that is in harmony with the environment and the minorities. This is the manner we will achieve peace, protection and prosperity in life.
Let’s all work towards having the right mindset and living the right values.