Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation from Coursera

In this course we will take the social business opportunity that you have identified in the first course to a higher level. Specifically, you will develop a business model using the Business Model Canvas. Gradually you will also start writing your business plan. Moreover, you will be able to assess different organizational forms and select the one that is appropriate for your developed business model. By the end of the course you will be able to compare different social impact investment methods and choose the right funding strategy for your social venture.

Note: It is highly recommended to have completed Course 1: 'Identifying Social Entrepreneurship Opportunities' before you start with this Course!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction of the Business Model Canvas

Welcome to Course 2 of this Specialization! In this first Module we will introduce you to the Business Model Canvas - a useful tool that will guide you through the business plan process. You will be able to categorize the elements in the Canvas and start to use it in order to create your business model.

Applying the Business Model Canvas

In Module 2 you will gain more experience using the Business Model Canvas as a tool to conceptualize your business ideas and will be also introduced to the Social Business Model Canvas. Moreover you will receive advice about cooperating with your team members and coordinating in the iteration process. The Module will conclude with initial insight to writing a business plan - What are important elements of a business plan?

The Purpose of a Business Plan

Welcome to Module 3! At this point you will start to dive deeper into creating your business plan. After analyzing a real-world business plan of a social enterprise you will listen to guest speaker giving advice about important issues to consider when writing your business plan. You will be encouraged to think through different organizational forms a specific social enterprise may implement and start to outline your own business plan.

Selecting an Organizational Form

In Module 4 you will intensify your knowledge about various organizational forms. In particular new organizational forms, tailor-made for social enterprises, in the US and the UK will be presented and you will be encouraged to scan the legal framework in your own country. Once you have identified a form that matches your expectations you will continue your business plan process by starting to think about funding options in the next Module of this Course.

Attracting Startup Funding

Welcome to the final Module of Course 2. By concluding this Module your social venture will have reached an important milestone in the development process. This session will introduce you to the broad landscape of options you will face when designing the funding strategy for your social business. You will be encouraged to think about the financial needs of your venture and asked to create a plan of how to address those. Guided by insights from a social impact investor and researcher you will develop an elevator video pitch. This will be an important tool to attract startup funding. The final section of this module includes a special on the Impact Investing World Forum held in London in 2017, where Kai spoke to some practitioners who have some insights and good advice!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Supports budding social entrepreneurs by cultivating their business ideas into robust, sustainable ventures

Guides learners through the process of developing a comprehensive business plan, providing a solid foundation for their social venture's success

Led by Kai Hockerts, an expert in social entrepreneurship with years of experience in the field

Introduces learners to various organizational forms and helps them select the most suitable one for their social enterprise

Provides guidance on attracting startup funding, a crucial aspect for launching and sustaining any social venture

Course is facilitated using the Business Model Canvas, a recognized tool for business planning and execution

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 Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation with these activities:

Orientation

Show steps

Get a quick overview of the course activities and engage in ice-breaker activities.

Show steps

Review syllabus for general course overview
Participate in classmate introduction activity

Read 'The Lean Startup'

Show steps

The author presents an approach for entrepreneurs which is based on a continuous feedback-loop of building, measuring and learning.

View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapter on 'The Lean Startup'
Summarize the key concepts of the chapter
Apply these concepts to your social business opportunity

Create a Business Model Canvas

Show steps

The Business Model Canvas is a useful tool that can be used as a visual representation of your business idea. Once you have your idea on paper you can start to critically analyze it for strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement.

Browse courses on Business Model Canvas

Show steps

Fill out each of the nine building blocks of the Canvas
Identify the key assumptions and risks associated with your business model
Get feedback on your Business Model Canvas from others

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Identify a Mentor

Show steps

A mentor can provide guidance and support as you develop your social business.

Browse courses on Mentorship

Show steps

Identify potential mentors through your network
Ask a potential mentor to meet with you
Develop a mentoring relationship

Contribute to an Open Source Project

Show steps

Contributing to an open source project can help refine technical skills and broaden your community involvement.

Browse courses on Community Engagement

Show steps

Identify an open source project that you are interested in
Make a small contribution to the project
Engage with the project's community

Practice Pitching Your Social Business

Show steps

Practice pitching your social business to potential investors and partners.

Browse courses on Pitching

Show steps

Develop a short pitch that highlights the key points of your business
Practice your pitch with a friend or colleague
Deliver your pitch to a group of potential investors or partners

Develop Your Social Business Plan

Show steps

Writing a business plan is a key step in launching any business.

Browse courses on Business Plan Writing

Show steps

Outline the key sections of your business plan
Write the first draft of your business plan
Get feedback on your business plan from others

Offer Mentoring to Others

Show steps

Offering mentoring to others is a great way to give back to the social business community.

Browse courses on Social Impact

Show steps

Identify a potential mentee
Share your knowledge and experience with your mentee
Provide support and encouragement to your mentee

Career center

Learners who complete Social Business Model and Planning for Social Innovation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to solve social problems. They create and implement innovative solutions that address unmet needs and create positive social change. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a successful social entrepreneur.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Social Impact Investor

Social Impact Investors use their financial resources to invest in organizations and businesses that have a positive social impact. They evaluate investment opportunities and make decisions that align with their social and financial goals. This course will provide you with a deep understanding of social impact investment methods and help you to develop a successful funding strategy for your social venture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Investor

Social Enterprise Founder

Social Enterprise Founders establish businesses that aim to have a positive social impact. They use entrepreneurial principles to tackle social issues and create sustainable solutions. Knowledge of organizational forms and funding strategies is imperative for this role. This course covers these topics in detail, helping you to launch your social enterprise successfully.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Enterprise Founder

Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Corporate Social Responsibility Managers develop and implement social responsibility programs for businesses. They work with stakeholders to create initiatives that align with the company's values and contribute to the community. This course will help you to understand the business case for social responsibility and develop effective CSR strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit Executive Directors lead and manage nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for developing and implementing the organization's mission, vision, and strategic plan. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Executive Director

Grant Writer

Grant Writers research and write grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations and social ventures. They work with program staff to develop project plans and budgets, and they communicate the organization's mission and impact to potential funders. This course will provide you with the skills to write successful grant proposals that will help you fund your social venture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Philanthropy Advisor

Philanthropy Advisors guide individuals and organizations in making strategic philanthropic decisions. They help clients to identify charitable causes, evaluate grant proposals, and develop giving strategies. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philanthropy Advisor

Social Innovation Consultant

Social Innovation Consultants design, manage, and support social innovation programs and initiatives. They must be able to help clients create and implement policies and plans that sustainably solve social problems. Having a background in business modeling is important for this role, as it helps to understand market demands and analyze potential customers. This course provides a great foundation for understanding the ins and outs of business models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Innovation Consultant

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help organizations to reduce their environmental impact and improve their social performance. They develop and implement sustainability strategies that align with the organization's values and goals. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Nonprofit Program Manager

Nonprofit Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate social programs. They work with stakeholders to ensure that programs are effective and meet the needs of the community. Understanding business models and writing business plans is essential for securing funding and support. This course will provide you with the skills to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Program Manager

Social Policy Analyst

Social Policy Analysts research and analyze social issues and develop policy recommendations. They work with policymakers and stakeholders to create and implement policies that address social problems. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct policy analysis and advocate for effective social policies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Policy Analyst

Impact Measurement Analyst

Impact Measurement Analysts assess the social and environmental impact of programs and initiatives. They use data and research to measure the effectiveness of interventions and identify areas for improvement. This course will provide you with the skills to design and implement impact measurement frameworks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Impact Measurement Analyst

Community Organizer

Community Organizers mobilize people and resources to address social issues. They work with community members to identify needs, develop solutions, and advocate for change. This course will provide you with the skills to build relationships, organize events, and lead social change initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Social Impact Researcher

Social Impact Researchers design and conduct research to measure the impact of social programs and policies. They use data and analysis to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving social outcomes. This course will provide you with the skills to design and implement research studies that will help you to evaluate the impact of your social venture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Researcher

Public Policy Manager

Public Policy Managers develop and implement public policies that address social issues. They work with stakeholders to identify policy priorities, draft legislation, and advocate for policy changes. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Manager