Social Entrepreneurship from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Module 1

In this module, you’ll learn how to define a social enterprise and develop its basic framework. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the critical importance of research to identify patterns, cause, and context. You’ll master the process of Idea Generation and analyze the successes and failures of others to be better able to attract funding for your social enterprise. You’ll also learn how to examine factors and contexts through Segmentation, and differentiate between Transactional Accessibility and Acceptability. By the end of this module, you’ll have a more clearly defined understanding of the problem your organization wants to tackle and how to fund your project.

Module 2

This module was designed to promote a deep understanding of your beneficiaries through segmentation in order to design solutions to the Social Problem of your enterprise. After identifying and segmenting major factors and contexts of your population, you’ll draft a Segment Attractiveness Scoring Table that will enable you to analyze the beneficiaries of your solution, and then use the Beneficiary Experience Table to refine that solution. Finally, you’ll learn how to differentiate between Screen-In and Screen-Out Criteria to identify potential problems. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create a Concept Map for your own social enterprise, and visualize the trajectory and potential outcomes of your solution.

Module 3

In this module, you’ll examine the details and operational realities of your social enterprise. You’ll identify deliverables, needs of beneficiaries, and expected costs. You’ll explore key concepts such as Unit of Business, Social Impact and Financial Goals, and the Deliverables and Cost Table to assist in operationalizing the venture. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to better assess how success will be defined in your venture and the key deliverables and capabilities required to maintain your social enterprise.

Module 4

This module was designed to help you test the feasibility of your social enterprise. By utilizing the Most Competitive Alternatives in organizing a Proposed Beneficiary Experience Table, you’ll be able to assess advantages and disadvantages against relevant competition. Once you have a plausible and attractive proposition, you’ll deploy a quick and cost-effective test-of-concept to scaffold future success for your venture. Finally, you’ll discover the inevitable socio-politics that emerge with multiple stakeholders, and learn how to navigate these issues effectively while maintaining support. By the end of this module, you’ll have developed a powerful strategy that will ensure success for your social entrepreneurial ventures.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops a clear understanding of the problem an enterprise is meant to solve, as well as research techniques for better contextualization

Examines different aspects of the enterprise's impact, allowing for a better understanding of how the venture aligns with its social goals

Taught by experienced professors in the field of social entrepreneurship, providing learners with access to industry knowledge and insights

Requires learners to have an understanding of research methods and statistical analysis, which may exclude those without a background in the subject matter

Reviews summary

Social entrepreneurship basics

Learners say the course offers practical knowledge about social entrepreneurship that can prepare you for problem solving. The course includes practical templates for building and launching a social enterprise. Students may be familiar with some of the earlier concepts but say that the course becomes more engaging later on. Some mention the readings can be repetitive later in the course. Students say they learned about framing and solving problems and developing business strategies.

Both professors are engaging and appear knowledgeable.

"A truly insightful introduction to the topic of social entrepreneurship by two clearly engaged, knowledgeable and pragmatic teachers."

"Great course on Entrepreneurship providing insights on crating a great business strategy"

"This is an exemplary course and probably one of the best I have taken here at Coursera. The course outline is strong, the content is succinct and incredibly helpful."

Learners say the course content is clear and well-organized.

"A very clear and concise step by step guide to thoroughly plan a social endeavour and set it up for success"

"Really enjoyed both of them. looking forward to doing a program on campus soon. Cheers Yachneet"

"The teaching methods are really great. the simplification of most complicated processes are really helpful"

The course includes an e-book full of relevant, helpful information.

"Even though I run a social enterprise which won the UN Award for Environmental sustainability in 2017 and we are ECOSOC certified now by UN, yet there were things to refresh and learn."

"It's a great course for someone looking to understand the basics of social entrepreneurship"

"A few interesting concepts but the lectures were rather mundane. Would be a better course if the professors can be more engaging instead of just reading off the slides provided. Honestly, this specific course is not as engaging as other professors at Wharton but the e-book provided would be quite beneficial"

Many examples are provided to illustrate core concepts.

"Great course that provides you with a detailed road map for setting up a social enterprise - with interesting examples. Loved it!"

"What i enjoyed the most about this course was the practical approach it had.I recommend it!"

"Easy and relevant examples to understand difficult concepts. "

Students found later readings to be repetitive.

"Too much texts. Slide after slide of concepts and methods and strategies being introduced thru group/subgroup - in the 4th week you may find yourself losing attention a little too easy, because everything seems the same. "

"Got really bored of the limited entrepreneurial examples. Would have been nice to see/understand more concepts than just the Zambia Feeds example. AidsAid, etc, were awesome for mixing it up and providing a different idea and perspective."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Social Entrepreneurship with these activities:

Review core concepts of social entrepreneurship

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This review will refresh your knowledge on the key concepts and theories that are the foundation of the course, allowing you to start with a strong base.

Browse courses on Social Entrepreneurship

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Revisit notes or textbooks on social entrepreneurship
Review case studies or examples of successful social enterprises
Discuss key concepts with peers or mentors

Gather resources on social entrepreneurship

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Compiling resources will provide you with a valuable collection of materials for ongoing reference, deepening your understanding of social entrepreneurship.

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Identify websites, articles, and videos related to the course
Organize and store the resources in a central location
Review and update the compilation regularly

Explore case studies of successful social enterprises

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Learning from case studies provides insights into the strategies, challenges, and successes of real-world social enterprises, helping you navigate your own journey.

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Review case studies provided in the course
Search for additional case studies online
Analyze the cases and identify key learnings

Four other activities

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Engage with social impact organizations

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Gain practical experience and insight by volunteering at organizations working on social issues, expanding your understanding of real-world challenges and solutions.

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Identify organizations aligned with your interests
Contact organizations and express your interest
Commit to regular volunteer hours
Participate actively in projects and activities

Write a blog or article on social innovation

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By creating content, you can articulate your understanding and perspectives on social issues, refining your ideas while sharing knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Social Innovation

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Choose a topic related to the course
Research and gather information
Develop an outline and write a draft
Edit and refine your content
Publish and share your article or blog

Attend industry conferences or networking events

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Networking opportunities allow you to connect with professionals, learn from their experiences, and explore potential collaborations.

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Identify relevant industry conferences or events
Register and attend the events
Network with speakers, attendees, and professionals
Follow up with connections made

Analyze social enterprise financial statements

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Developing financial literacy will help you make informed decisions about your social enterprise's financial management, ensuring sustainability and impact.

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Gather financial statements (e.g., income statement, balance sheet)
Review key financial ratios and metrics
Analyze financial performance and identify areas for improvement
Discuss analysis with mentors or peers

Career center

Learners who complete Social Entrepreneurship will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs create businesses to solve social problems and make a positive impact in the world. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful Social Entrepreneur. The course will teach you how to identify social problems, develop innovative solutions, and build a sustainable business model. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of nonprofit organizations, such as social service agencies, educational institutions, and health care providers. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful Nonprofit Manager. The course will teach you how to develop a strategic plan, manage finances, and build a strong team. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the community.

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Program Officer

Program Officers manage grant-making programs for foundations and other philanthropic organizations. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful Program Officer. The course will teach you how to evaluate grant proposals, make funding decisions, and manage relationships with grantees. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

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Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with communities to identify and address social problems. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful Community Organizer. The course will teach you how to build relationships, develop strategies, and mobilize people to create change. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the community.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues to inform decision-making. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to become a successful Policy Analyst. The course will teach you how to conduct research, analyze data, and write policy recommendations. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to overcome challenges and improve their lives. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Social Worker. The course will teach you how to assess needs, develop interventions, and provide support to individuals and families. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the community.

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Teacher

Teachers develop and implement curriculum, instruct students, and assess student learning. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Teacher. The course will teach you how to create lesson plans, manage a classroom, and motivate students. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the lives of your students.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Sales Manager. The course will teach you how to develop sales strategies, manage sales pipelines, and close deals. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the organization.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters, represent them in court, and draft legal documents. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Lawyer. The course will teach you how to research the law, write legal briefs, and argue cases in court. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

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Journalist

Journalists write, edit, and report on news and current events. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Journalist. The course will teach you how to research stories, interview sources, and write compelling articles. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

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Engineer

Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure, products, and systems. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as an Engineer. The course will teach you how to solve problems, design solutions, and manage projects. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the world.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, and provide preventive care. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Doctor. The course will teach you how to assess patients, develop treatment plans, and perform medical procedures. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the lives of your patients.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Business Analyst. The course will teach you how to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop recommendations. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the organization.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and make predictions. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Data Scientist. The course will teach you how to collect, clean, and analyze data. You will also learn how to build models and make predictions. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the organization.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and implement marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This Social Entrepreneurship course from the University of Pennsylvania may be useful for those who want to work as a Marketing Manager. The course will teach you how to conduct market research, develop marketing strategies, and manage marketing budgets. You will also learn how to measure your impact and make a difference in the organization.

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