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Suresh K. Krishna

This course is primarily aimed at learners interested in knowing about and running a social business. An ideal learner could be a student, social entrepreneur, social intrapreneur, or a corporate professional interested in social business.

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This course is primarily aimed at learners interested in knowing about and running a social business. An ideal learner could be a student, social entrepreneur, social intrapreneur, or a corporate professional interested in social business.

In the Module 1 of the course students will learn how different social business leaders - such as Professor Muhammad Yunus, Rajni Bakshi, Corinne Bazina, Lamiya Morshed, Suresh Krishna, and Daniel Nowack - are reimagining capitalism. The subsequent modules of this course crystallize varied learnings of practitioners and theorists at YSB to a set of tools and readings, which a learner may use as building blocks of a social business.

What makes this course unique is the blend of inspiration and rigor that is very important for any kind of social business education.

Learners may also use this course to advance in their careers, apply for higher education and jobs in the social impact/impact investing industry. The subscription to this course automatically allows a learner to become a part of the Global Social Business Community.

All the best!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Social Business
“Every time I see a problem, I create a business to solve it,” Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus. This course has been designed to teach you the fundamentals of social business, from theory to practice, and how this movement has developed and replicated across the world. You will learn from best-in-class examples of social businesses, including from the founder of the social business movement, Professor Muhammad Yunus. You will learn about how social businesses are different from traditional businesses, and what to think about when you are either establishing a social business of your own or providing investment or mentorship support. In this module, we will hear from experts from the social business field, such as journalists, thinkers, academics, and practitioners, who have initiated change through the power of social business. The upcoming sessions in this module will help you understand what are the key social, economic and environmental challenges affecting the world, and the types of successful solutions that have been developed to address these challenges in the developing world.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces social business concepts and practices, providing a solid foundation for learners
Focuses on building and running effective social businesses, equipping learners with practical skills
Taught by industry experts, including the founder of the social business movement, Professor Muhammad Yunus, ensuring credibility and relevance
Emphasizes the importance of social impact and sustainability, aligning with growing industry trends
Involves peer-graded assignments, fostering collaboration and feedback among learners
Covers diverse aspects of social business, from problem identification to stakeholder management, providing a comprehensive overview

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Reviews summary

Inspiring social business foundation

According to students, 'Creating a Social Business' is a highly inspiring and foundational course for those interested in social impact and entrepreneurship. Learners appreciate its blend of theoretical understanding and practical frameworks, providing a clear path to start a social venture. While the video lectures are clear and readings are helpful, some express a desire for more in-depth practical tools and diverse case studies, especially for experienced professionals. The peer-graded assignments are seen as beneficial for application, though feedback quality can be inconsistent. The course is widely regarded as an excellent starting point for reimagining business through a social lens.
Useful for application, but feedback quality can vary.
"The peer assignments allowed for good collaboration, though feedback quality varied."
"...the peer-graded assignments were a good idea for practical application, but the quality of feedback from peers wasn't always consistent."
"The peer grading was a bit hit-or-miss for me, depending on who reviewed my work."
Course material is well-presented and easy to understand.
"The video lectures were clear."
"The content is well-structured and easy to follow."
"The readings were very helpful."
Balances foundational theory with practical business frameworks.
"...the framework for building a social business is practical."
"An excellent course! It perfectly blends the philosophical underpinning of social business with practical steps to get started."
"I found the content well-structured and easy to follow, making it useful for real-world application."
Provides significant motivation and new perspectives.
"Highly recommend this course for anyone passionate about social impact. The examples, especially from Prof. Yunus, are truly inspiring..."
"This course truly changed my perspective on business. It's not just inspiring, but also provides a clear framework..."
"I feel much more confident about pursuing social entrepreneurship now."
Serves as a great foundation but may lack advanced detail.
"Good introduction to social business concepts. Some parts felt a bit theoretical..."
"While the concept is noble, I found the course lacked the practical depth I was looking for as an experienced professional. It felt more like an introductory lecture series..."
"I hoped for more actionable strategies and less theory. Maybe better for beginners."

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 Creating a Social Business with these activities:
Review business ethics basics
This will help refresh your background knowledge and ensure that you are prepared for the course content.
Browse courses on Business Ethics
Show steps
  • Review lecture notes
  • Read a chapter from a business ethics textbook
Financial Management Fundamentals
Expand your knowledge base by reviewing financial management fundamentals, ensuring that you have a solid foundation to understand the financial aspects of social businesses.
Browse courses on Financial Literacy
Show steps
  • Review basic accounting principles and concepts.
  • Familiarize yourself with financial statements, such as income statements and balance sheets.
  • Learn about budgeting, cash flow management, and financial planning.
  • Practice financial calculations and analysis.
Course Materials Review and Integration
Enhance your understanding and retention by reviewing, organizing, and consolidating course materials, ensuring that key concepts and ideas are deeply embedded in your memory.
Show steps
  • Gather all course materials, including notes, slides, assignments, and readings.
  • Review the materials regularly, focusing on understanding the main concepts.
  • Identify any gaps in your understanding and seek clarification from the instructor or classmates.
  • Create summaries, diagrams, or flashcards to reinforce your learning.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Guided Tutorials on Social Business Concepts
Consolidate your understanding of social business concepts and principles through guided tutorials, enhancing your grasp of the core ideas presented in the course.
Browse courses on Social Entrepreneurship
Show steps
  • Identify a reputable online platform or resource offering guided tutorials on social business topics.
  • Select tutorials that align with the concepts covered in the course.
  • Follow the instructions and complete the tutorials thoroughly.
  • Take notes and record any questions or insights for further discussion.
Practice case studies
Solving case studies sharpens analytical skills and allows you to apply the course material to real-world scenarios
Show steps
  • Identify the problem statement
  • Gather relevant data and information
  • Analyze the data to identify root causes and potential solutions
  • Develop recommendations for solving the problem
Attend a networking event
Networking with professionals in the social business field provides insights and opportunities
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant networking events
  • Prepare an elevator pitch about your social business idea
  • Attend the event and connect with attendees

Career center

Learners who complete Creating a Social Business will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Social Entrepreneur
Social entrepreneurs are individuals who use business principles to solve social problems. They may start their own businesses or work with existing organizations to create change. A course on creating a social business can be a valuable resource for social entrepreneurs. The course can provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to develop and implement effective social business models.
Impact Investor
Impact investors invest in companies and organizations that are focused on social or environmental impact. A course on creating a social business can be beneficial for impact investors who want to learn more about how to identify and evaluate social businesses for investment.
Social Impact Analyst
Social impact analysts measure and evaluate the social and environmental impact of businesses and organizations. A course on creating a social business can be beneficial for social impact analysts who want to learn more about how to design and implement effective social impact measurement strategies.
Consultant
Consultants work with businesses and organizations of all sizes to help them improve their performance. They may specialize in a particular area, such as finance, marketing, or human resources. A course on creating a social business can be beneficial for consultants who want to work with social enterprises or businesses that are focused on social impact. The course can provide consultants with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the unique challenges and opportunities of social businesses.
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate social responsibility managers are responsible for developing and implementing corporate social responsibility strategies for businesses. They may work in a variety of industries, including retail, manufacturing, and technology. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for corporate social responsibility managers who want to learn more about how to create and implement effective CSR strategies.
Philanthropy Advisor
Philanthropy advisors help individuals and families to make strategic charitable donations. A course on creating a social business can be beneficial for philanthropy advisors who want to learn more about how to identify and evaluate social businesses for charitable giving.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, energy, and transportation. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for sustainability managers who want to learn more about how to create and implement sustainable business practices.
Nonprofit Manager
Nonprofit managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They are responsible for planning, budgeting, and fundraising. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for nonprofit managers who want to learn more about how to run their organizations in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Fundraising Manager
Fundraising managers are responsible for raising funds for nonprofits and other organizations. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for fundraising managers who want to learn more about how to develop and implement effective fundraising strategies.
Communications Manager
Communications managers are responsible for developing and implementing communications strategies for businesses and organizations. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for communications managers who want to learn more about how to communicate about social businesses and social impact.
Marketing Manager
Marketing managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for businesses and organizations. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for marketing managers who want to learn more about how to market social businesses and social impact.
Program Manager
Program managers are responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs. They may work in a variety of settings, including businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. A course on creating a social business may be beneficial for program managers who want to learn more about how to design and implement effective social programs.
Grant Writer
Grant writers write proposals to secure funding for nonprofits and other organizations. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for grant writers who want to learn more about how to develop and write effective grant proposals.
Sales Manager
Sales managers are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies for businesses and organizations. A course on creating a social business may be helpful for sales managers who want to learn more about how to sell social businesses and social impact.
Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy organizations. A course on creating a social business can be helpful for policy analysts who want to learn more about how to develop and implement effective social policy.

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Creating a Social Business.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the social enterprise sector, covering the history, theory, and practice of social enterprise. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in starting or running a social business.
Practical guide to starting and running a social business. It covers all aspects of social business, from developing a business plan to managing finances. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in starting or running a social business.
Argues that innovation is the key to lifting nations out of poverty. It provides a framework for understanding how innovation can create new markets and jobs, and how it can improve the lives of the poor.
Argues that poverty is not inevitable, and that it can be eradicated through a combination of economic growth and social justice. It provides a comprehensive plan for achieving the end of poverty.
Provides a look at the latest technologies and ideas that are shaping the future of business and society. It offers insights into how these technologies can be used to create new opportunities and solve social problems.
Provides a framework for understanding why large, successful companies often fail to innovate. It argues that companies become complacent when they are successful, and that they are often slow to adopt new technologies.
Provides a guide to the Lean Startup methodology, which way of developing new products and services quickly and efficiently. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in starting a new business.
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Provides a look at the science of motivation. It explains what motivates people, and how motivation can be used to achieve success. It valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning how to motivate themselves and others.

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