Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators from Coursera

This course offers an introduction to social impact strategy and social entrepreneurship, including key concepts, an overview of the field, and tools to get started as a changemaker. Students will learn how to innovate and design new ideas and new organizational forms to implement those ideas. Students who take this course will be better prepared to launch social impact

organizations of their own invention.

By moving through four stages, Define, Design, Pilot, and Scale, students will turn their passion for changing the world into concrete plans for launching a nonprofit or for-profit venture designed to achieve a social goal. This course will allow students to systematically think through problems; develop and test an innovative solution; assess risk, competition, and performance; and spread impact in a way that is financially sustainable.

Students who complete the course become eligible to apply for an in-person educational experience, called the Global Social Impact House. GSIH is a seven-day residential program that provides fellows with the tools, community and training they need to advance their ventures. Workshops are customized to the needs of fellows and explore advanced concepts in business models, design thinking and leadership. The program is also designed to help fellows build meaningful, global connections while living together in an inspirational host location. For more information on the Global Social Impact House, please visit: https://csis.upenn.edu/residential-program/gsih/

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Learn about the key qualities of social innovation, social enterprise, and social entrepreneurs. How do social entrepreneurs approach problem solving? How might we identify social initiatives that are truly innovative in their approach to delivering on their mission, sustaining their venture, or scaling their impact? This module introduces the topic and offers examples of initiatives you might study as cases organizations throughout the course.

Define and Design

Learn the inputs and basic blueprints of a well-articulated vision. Develop an understanding of the design process, and learn to use an empathy map and a mind map for client-oriented innovation. Learn to build a logic model, which will help you articulate your innovation's theory of change from resources (inputs) to activities to impact. We encourage students to apply these tools immediately, to an active or idea-stage social initiative, that you are working directly on or that you admire.

Pilot and Scale

We must test our ideas in the real world, early and often, to determine if they can truly deliver on either their social or financial mission. Learn to build and use the balanced scorecard, a key tool to assess the real-world performance of a social innovation. The scorecard will allow you to measure and articulate both the initiative's current reach and health, as well as the work that is left to be done. An innovation achieves the intended social impact in a way that is financially supportable may be a candidate for scale. Learn to assess whether and how to approach scale for your social innovation.

Sector Selection and Business Models

This course concludes with an exploration of the organizational forms and modes of delivering impact across the business model spectrum.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops skills for designing, testing, and scaling social impact initiatives

Learn to assess risk, competition, and performance for social ventures

Offers hands-on experience through the Global Social Impact House residential program

Provides tools for building empathy maps and mind maps for client-oriented innovation

Students can apply the learning to real-world initiatives

Reviews summary

Social impact strategies: tools

Learners say this course's reviews are largely positive. The engaging course provides useful information and tools for social entrepreneurs and innovators. Reviewers especially appreciate the detailed, informative lessons, practical frameworks, and real-life examples provided throughout the course. Through case studies, learners follow Coco and Carlos as they apply the models and frameworks. Reviewers also value the step-by-step approach that allows them to develop their own social enterprise ideas.

Instructors are engaging and knowledgeable

"Great course! Love the professor and the case studies were really interesting!"

"I greatly appreciated this kind of educational platform (Coursera in partnership with various Universities) which can reach millions of people who are aspired to learn in a broader perspective."

"In-depth and rich information presented in a very easy way to understand."

Detailed content broken into manageable portions

"Very well organized. The course content was clear and direct."

"Nice course for all budding entrepreneurs in the social sector."

"This course has broaden my mind in innovation as a means of solving social problems, lecturer is so good."

Well-structured course with practical approach

"Comprehensive course that illustrates the various models, challenges, opportunities for Social enterprises."

"This course is extremely insightful and lends all the tools needed for a person looking to start and lead a social enterprise. I HIGHLY recommend."

"This course has helped better my understanding of social entrepreneurship as well as help me figure out my next steps towards furthering my pursuits in the social entrepreneurship world."

Provides actionable information and tools

"Easy to understand and enjoyable. Just the right content for people interested on starting in social entrepreneurship or seeking to make an impact on the world."

"Learned a powerful yet extensive understanding about what social entrepreneurship is about."

"The course is extremely helpful for building up my all-around capacity in social entrepreneurship."

Learners can follow along as they develop their own ideas

"Excellent overview and in-depth exploration of the topic!"

"The course approach is well laid out, logical, comprehensive yet letting the learner dwell through the process by analyzing the questions poised at every step."

"With every theoretical explanation, professor provides examples from his book and also he provides very nice and clear real world examples which help tremendously."

Makes concepts easy to grasp with relevant examples

"Great course. I learned a lot and I loved that they had real life examples."

"The detailed guide to understanding what a social enterprise is to the method in with one can think to start one is super helpful."

"The course has excellent content and encourages people to get on the topic of social innovation."

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 Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators with these activities:

Review Key Terms

Show steps

Reinforce understanding of the fundamentals of social impact and social entrepreneurship.

Browse courses on Innovation

Show steps

Compile a list of key terms from course materials.
Define and explain each term in your own words.

Volunteer at a Non-Profit Organization

Show steps

Gain firsthand experience in the social impact sector by volunteering at a non-profit organization aligned with one's interests.

Browse courses on Social Impact

Show steps

Identify non-profit organizations that align with your values and interests.
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Commit to a regular volunteering schedule and fulfill your responsibilities.

Empathy Map Exercise

Show steps

Develop empathy for social initiatives' beneficiaries.

Browse courses on Empathy

Show steps

Identify a social initiative.
Create an empathy map for the beneficiaries of the initiative.

Nine other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 12 activities

Design an Empathy Map for a Social Initiative

Show steps

Enhance understanding of user-centric design by creating an empathy map that profiles the needs, motivations, and pain points of the target audience for a social initiative.

Browse courses on Empathy Mapping

Show steps

Identify and research the target audience for the social initiative.
Brainstorm and categorize the key attributes, beliefs, and experiences of the target audience.
Create a visual representation of the empathy map, including sections for the target audience's thoughts, feelings, actions, and pain points.

Read "The Lean Startup" by Ries

Show steps

Introduce key concepts of the Lean Startup methodology and foster a mindset of customer validation and rapid iteration.

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

Show steps

Identify the core concepts of the Lean Startup methodology, such as the build-measure-learn feedback loop.
Develop an understanding of customer validation techniques, such as the minimum viable product (MVP).
Learn the importance of rapid iteration and the use of data to drive decision-making.

Collaborate on a Social Impact Venture Case Study

Show steps

Facilitate collaborative learning and critical thinking by engaging in a group case study analysis of a successful social impact venture.

Browse courses on Case Study Analysis

Show steps

Form a study group and assign roles for each member.
Research and analyze the case study, focusing on the venture's mission, strategies, and impact.
Engage in group discussions to share insights, identify key takeaways, and develop recommendations.

Explore Case Studies

Show steps

Learn from real-world examples of successful social impact ventures.

Browse courses on Social Innovation

Show steps

Research and identify case studies of social impact ventures.
Analyze their strategies, models, and outcomes.

Develop a Social Impact Venture Pitch

Show steps

Provide practical application of social impact strategy principles by developing a comprehensive pitch for a social impact venture.

Browse courses on Social Entrepreneurship

Show steps

Define the social problem to be addressed and the target population.
Develop a solution that addresses the problem and creates social value.
Craft a compelling pitch that articulates the venture's mission, impact, and business model.

Attend a Workshop on Social Impact Measurement

Show steps

Expand knowledge and practical skills in measuring and evaluating the impact of social initiatives by attending a specialized workshop.

Browse courses on Impact Measurement

Show steps

Identify and register for a relevant workshop or training program.
Participate actively in the workshop, taking notes and asking questions.
Apply the learned techniques and tools to evaluate a social impact initiative of interest.

Develop a Social Impact Pitch

Show steps

Practice articulating the value and impact of a social venture.

Browse courses on Social Innovation

Show steps

Identify the key elements of a compelling pitch.
Craft a pitch that highlights the problem, solution, and impact of a social venture.

Launch a Social Impact Project

Show steps

Apply course concepts in a real-world setting to drive social change.

Browse courses on Social Innovation

Show steps

Identify a social issue you are passionate about.
Develop a plan to address the issue and create social impact.
Implement your plan and track your progress.

Support Aspiring Changemakers

Show steps

Share your knowledge and experience to empower others in the field.

Browse courses on Leadership

Show steps

Identify opportunities to mentor or coach aspiring changemakers.
Provide support and guidance to help them develop their skills and knowledge.

Career center

Learners who complete Social Impact Strategy: Tools for Entrepreneurs and Innovators will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs are individuals with a strong desire to make a positive change in the world. This course may be useful to Social Entrepreneurs as it provides tools for developing and implementing innovative social ventures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Venture Philanthropist

Venture Philanthropists use their wealth to invest in and support social impact organizations. This course may be useful to Venture Philanthropists as it provides tools for evaluating and investing in social impact ventures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Venture Philanthropist

Social Innovation Manager

Social Innovation Managers are responsible for developing and implementing new social impact programs and initiatives. This course may be useful to Social Innovation Managers as it provides tools for designing and evaluating social innovations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Innovation Manager

Social Impact Consultant

Social Impact Consultants help organizations measure and improve their social impact. This course may be useful to Social Impact Consultants as it provides tools for evaluating the social impact of programs and initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Consultant

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for organizations. This course may be useful to Sustainability Managers as it provides tools for assessing and improving the social impact of organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome personal and social challenges. This course may be useful to Social Workers as it provides tools for understanding and addressing social problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and implement plans for the development and use of land in urban areas. This course may be useful to Urban Planners as it provides tools for understanding and addressing social issues in urban areas.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Community Organizer

Community Organizers work with people to define their needs and develop and implement solutions. This course may be useful to Community Organizers as it provides tools for defining problems and designing innovative solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Organizer

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers plan, organize, direct, control, and evaluate the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful to Nonprofit Managers as it provides tools for developing and implementing social impact strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Program Director

Program Directors plan, develop, and implement programs that meet the needs of specific populations. This course may be useful to Program Directors as it provides tools for designing and evaluating social impact programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Director

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officers are responsible for the financial management of organizations. This course may be useful to Chief Financial Officers as it provides tools for assessing and managing financial risk.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officers are responsible for the overall leadership and management of organizations. This course may be useful to Chief Executive Officers as it provides tools for developing and implementing strategic plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Strategy Officers are responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for organizations. This course may be useful to Chief Strategy Officers as it provides tools for understanding and addressing strategic issues.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Strategy Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of organizations. This course may be useful to Chief Operating Officers as it provides tools for managing operations and improving efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Director of Operations

Directors of Operations are responsible for the day-to-day operations of organizations. This course may be useful to Directors of Operations as it provides tools for managing operations and improving efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Operations