Introduction

Our Social Enterprise Practice assists:

1. companies to embrace their social responsibilities
   
2. companies to develop strategic CSI projects
   
3. nonprofit organizations and social-purpose businesses to fulfill their purpose.
   

We would like to help these organizations become social enterprises - bold, visionary and professional organizations that seek to make a real difference in the world. We encourage them to embrace the principles of social entrepreneurship and explore new concepts and business models.

Is your organization ready to become a social enterprise?

Responsible Companies

The role of companies in society has begun to change, and many companies have begun to embrace their social and environmental responsibilities. There is increasing evidence that responsible companies are better at attracting talent, ethical customers and investors, and building loyalty amongst staff than those companies that stick to the old rules of doing business.

We can assist your company to be responsible in a way that improves its strategic position. We can help your company to identify its responsibilities to its staff, customers, shareholders and broader community, and engage with these stakeholders in order to manage risk and develop its reputation as a good corporate citizen. We can also assist your company to report on how it has honoured its responsibilities, in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) international standards.

• Business in Society: Let's Talk the Same Language

Strategic Corporate Social Investment (CSI)

Corporate social investment (CSI) is the investment of company funds or other assets in order to make a difference to society and/or the environment - because there is a business case for the investment. CSI done properly should help businesses to improve their strategic position and future profitability, while making a real and measurable difference to society and the environment.

An estimated 88% of South African businesses give to charity. This makes them amongst the most philanthropic in the world. Unfortunately, many of these businesses are unable to reap the full benefits from their social investments, beyond some short-term media attention.

We can assist your company to set up a CSI programme that benefits it strategically, and helps to build its brand as a responsible company. We can also assist your company to measure and report on the impact of its CSI programme, both on its business and society.

• Businesses Can Take the Lead in Setting up Social Enterprises in South Africa
  
• Corporate Social Investment: How to Turn Responsibility into Opportunity

• CBOs need Corporate Support for Grassroots Success (Published in CSI Handbook)

Nonprofit Organizations

Too many nonprofit organizations have found themselves struggling to find the funds they need to fulfill their purpose. This is a global phenomenon as nonprofit organizations continue to apply an outdated mindset and business model.

Fortunately, it is possible for nonprofit organizations to learn the new rules for nonprofit organizations, provided they are ready to embrace the change it requires. There are billions of rands waiting to be spent on solving social problems in our society. We need to see more nonprofit organizations becoming social entrepreneurs and developing their ability to deliver social change on a large scale, and being able to demonstrate their impact.

We can help your nonprofit organizations to develop the mindset, business models and capabilities it needs to scale up its operations and make a noticeable difference to society.

• Calling all Nonprofit Organizations: It's time to Wake Up or Become Obsolete!
• Nonprofit Organizations: Do you Account for Your Social Impact?
  
• The Coming Recession: What does this mean for South African Nonprofit Organizations?

• Social Enterprises: Heralding a New Era

Our Social Enterprise Team

The sculptors in our team are all experts in their own fields and have a tradition of success. Since our sculptors all work with businesses and nonprofit organizations, they are able to bring the best of both worlds to our clients. We encourage businesses and nonprofit organizations to appreciate and learn from each other. We also draw upon a network of associates with complementary skills order to better serve our clients.

Marcus Coetzee leads our social enterprise work.

Letters and Articles submitted to Magazines and Newspapers

• Letter published in Business Day (30 April 2008) re strategic corporate social investment (CSI).
• Letter to Business Day regarding the recent BEE deal between Ikamva Labantu and Itec Holdings.
• Letter to People's Post regarding the dissolution of the Fairest Cape organization.
• Letter to Cape Argus regarding the closure of the Nonprofit Consortium and what other organizations can learn from this.
• Letter published in Cape Times regarding fundamental flaws in the business model of nonprofit organizations and how they can overcome them.
• Can Business Glorify God - article submitted to Business Publications.