The Social Entrepreneur's Handbook: How to Start, Build, and Run a Business That Improves the World

by Scofield

No one knows the business of social entrepreneurship better than Rupert Scofield. Cofounder and president of FINCA International―a nonprofit microfinancing institution with 7,000 employees serving 750,000 customers in 21 countries―Scofield has been a social entrepreneur for 40 years. In The Social Entrepreneur’s Handbook , Scofield leads you through the entire process of starting up and running a nonprofit, sharing personal success stories and advice on what not to do―valuable lessons he learned the hard way. The process, while risky, isn’t as difficult as you might think. Practically speaking, you need only two things: an idea and a plan. The former comes from you and you alone. This book supplies the latter. The Social Entrepreneur’s Handbook illuminates the path to building a successful nonprofit from the ground up. You’ll learn how to:

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship

273 pages, Hardcover

First published March 23, 2011

Reviews

[Alexey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I thought "Oh, another I'll-tell-you-all-the-truth-about-social-enterpreneurship lightweight book with no added value." For some reason, the first pages seemed to be this way: the ideas and the principles were too generic. But then, the more I read, the more I understood there's something to learn from. And I guess, this real-life experience of the author, the experience of managing a big international social enterprise is what makes this book valuable. You can find a lot of strategic and tactical wisdom in it.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring book. While, most of the suggestions won't apply to me until I start my own business. And many of the suggestions apply to growing that non-profit as well. But in the meantime, there were some really greatly useful suggestions on how to approach aspects of the business that could become an issue. Also, many great, and even touching stories of how issues arose with FINCA, the author's company, and how they were resolved in ways that gave new people access to new things. It's amazing the difference one person can make with a mission. I also found it extremely interesting in the end, how the focus became on one's self. This focus also led to finding a different perspective to life. Many of us are focused on the things we obtain, and the money we make in our lifetimes. But the focus suggested here, is on 'your legacy'. What do you want to be known for when you are gone?

Chances are it's not the amount of money you made, but maybe the difference you made for others, or others less fortunate than you. Making everything you do focused on that, instead of the superficialities in this world, can make all the difference in your life today. :D

[Ryan Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book about making a positive social impact on the world via starting, running, and participating in a non-profit. The book was both tutorial and an extensive example from the world of microfinanced loans, specifically in developing countries.

I enjoyed the tutorial aspects of the book and would have preferred less focus on the specifics of the microfinance industry (and the author's entity, FINCA International). Although the stories relating the tutorial/lessons to FINCA added to the educational value, I nearly put the book down a number of times because I have a different path of social entrepreneurship to follow. The author could have done a better job of focusing on the reader, whereas I felt like this was more of a "look at what I did" approach. It was still a decent read, but I only finished it because I was up on my maximum of 8 checkouts from the library. This book is kind of like Hilary Clinton, it may have lots of good things to say, but I found myself easily distracted by nearly anything else.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you willing to give up your corporate job and work for a non-profit?  Well Scofield did just that and now he is sharing the how-to-do and still get paid. There are three clear things you need to know: discover your passion, identify your constituency and find a mentor.  This isn't anything new but Scofield's presentation is awe-inspiring.  The swags, the careful descriptions, and the ideas of how he navigated the hardships of fund raising will intrigue you.  While  this book has basic business 101 concepts it is dry and very technical in parts.  There are clear descriptions for effective leaders, how to manage difficult people and how to predict funding downturns.  I recommend this for everyone wanting to move their passion into a business that helps the masses.

[Jeffrey Trull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, but not quite what I was expecting or looking for. If you're just getting started at social entrepreneurship, there's not a lot here. The author basically says to get your several years of poverty experience and then quickly moves on to intermediate/advanced stuff about building a large organization. While this was interesting and informative, it seemed like things that I'm years away from thinking about.

[Sheryle Gillihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and honest advice for social enterprises and nonprofits. Rupert Scofield has a gift for storytelling, which makes this handbook an easy read.

[Mills College Library]

658.408 S421 2011

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some helpful tips to learn how to make a living while changing the world.