Impact: Six Patterns to Spread Your Social Innovation

by Al Etmanski, Severn Cullis-Suzuki (Foreword), Vickie Cammack (Preface)

"Impact beautifully distills the insights and deep wisdom of one of the world's great social innovators. Etmanski's book is far more than a practical guide: it's an invitation to re-imagine possibilities for our lives and for the world we create."
- David Bornstein, author "How To Change The World"

From the Introduction:
Do you want to change the world but feel frustrated by the limited impact you and others have had? Do you feel that despite your best efforts, and indeed successes, you have hit a brick wall? You may have mounted a fierce advocacy campaign, seen your public education campaign go viral, pioneered a social program, mobilized new funds or changed a law, but the status quo has barely budged. Social and economic justice hasn’t increased. Power hasn’t shifted. The old paradigm survives. And the sharp, distinctive edges of your social innovation are in danger of being eroded, isolated or forgotten.

The paradox of short-term success versus long-term impact is the central question this book addresses. Many of us believed that by now we would have absolute poverty under control. Or pollution. Or child abuse. Or deforestation. Or any number of other social and environmental challenges. The solutions certainly exist. They just aren’t widely distributed.

Genres: Nonfiction

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 22, 2015

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic and realistic insight into how social innovation works!

[Ann Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A kind and encouraging book that is as much a personal memoir as a social innovation "how to" guide.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, very highly recommended. A deeply resonant and crystal clear explanation and discussion about unlocking the passion and leadership in the movement you may not know you are already in. So rarely a book comes along that is exactly what I'm looking for, and that speaks profoundly to my world view and intuitions. This was that book for me. An easy entertaining read that delivers completely by a humble, succinctly reflective author with nothing to sell ya.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book a number of months ago, but only got to reading it now. I like Etmanski's voice and the way he shares his stories. It was a good read with the right amount of stories to illustrate his points. For someone who doesn't know a lot about social innovation, it was a good introduction. Plus it's always encouraging to read about what's going on in Canada, and specifically in BC.

[Gnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that gives numerous narratives around the experience and understanding of social innovation. The references are good and expansive. A lot of BC people noted in the book. Tough subject - good book.

[Kevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes please. A thoughtful, practical and inspiring read for would-be movement-makers.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear overview of the patterns for creating an impact. Great inspiring examples.