1. What makes a “social entrepreneur” and what is a “social enterprise”?
3 years ago, ask me what a social enterprise is, and I did look at you blankly like as if you had just asked me something ridiculous. 3 years later and you ask me the same question? I would still look at you blankly thinking why you would not know what a social enterprise is. There are a whole lot of definitions what a social enterprise really is. During an event while I was interning with the Singapore International Foundation, a guest speaker, Dr Tanatan Puttasuwan, the President and Director of Population and Development International, an NGO based in Thailand said that “There is no specific definition what a social enterprise is.” It was then that it struck me that a social enterprise is something that we can define it in our own way. And from then on, I came out with my own definition that a social enterprise is a socially responsible business that aims to generate profit, while addressing social problems with its unique social cause.
So who cuts out to be a social entrepreneur? My honest answer? Everyone does. During the meeting in Year 1 with the founder of Dialogue in the Dark, he states that you have to be M.A.D to be a social entrepreneur. M.A.D simply stands for making a difference. For myself, I think what makes a social entrepreneur is to be R.E.D.
Picture taken from: http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/r/risk-taker.asp
First, is to be a risk taker. Like the saying goes, no risk no gain. To be a social entrepreneur, I believe that he/she must be willing to take the risk by taking the first step to embark on this journey.
Picture taken from: http://leadwithintention.blogspot.com/2011/02/living-extraordinary-existence.html
Second, it is to be extraordinary. To be unlike the others, to do what others did not dared or even dreamed of doing. And once he/she has started, they have to love what they are doing. 
Picture taken from: http://www.jacook.org/how-determined-are-you/
The last element to be an entrepreneur is to be determined. Along the way, there are bound to be setbacks and people who doubt in the progress of the social enterprise. The social entrepreneur should not give up and stick to what he/she believes in.
2. How can a social enterprise measure its own success, particularly when it comes to less tangible aspects like social impact and life transformation?
In my own opinion, before a social enterprise even starts any work to help the society, they must set SMART goals/objectives on the event. Is the event specific or too vague? Are the goals measurable, realistic and attainable? And also set a timeline on when they should complete the event. If all these are answered, then they should have the green light to carry on with the event.
Upon completing the event, there should be an after action review on what has been done correctly and what has happened that is not so favourable. Were their objectives for the event met? If so, they can say that the event has been a success. Other ways of measuring success could be through feedback forms or opinions from the participants.
When it comes to less tangible aspects such as social impact and life transformation, in order to measure for success, follow ups has to be done. Let’s say for example a social enterprise has collaborated with other organizations to set up a library in some country to improve their education facilities. In order to see if it has made any life transformation, they have to wait and see if that specific country’s literacy rate has gone up for the next few years, and was the reason because of the library. Similarly, when setting up campaigns and talks to raise awareness about the different social problems, has it made any social impact or raise any awareness to the public? Follow ups such as checking whether the social problem has been slowly declining is one of the ways to check for the program’s effectiveness.
3. Choose one or two organisations that we have visited in the course. What recommendations would you make to bring this organisation to a greater height?
Do you think the BZSE diploma is helpful in producing individuals who will be able to work and contribute well to them?
For the organization that I am going to talk on, it’s no other than my internship company, The Singapore International Foundation. SIF focuses on five core areas, mainly healthcare, business and livelihood, education, arts and culture, and environment. They have different departments in the organization as well, and the department that I worked with was in the IN (International Networking) department. What I observed over there for about 4-6 months was that the workload is unbelievably heavy. Thus one of my recommendations to bring SIF to a greater height would be to have one of the core areas as its’ main strong point, instead of focusing their energy on all five different areas. As such, let’s say they did take healthcare as one of their main point. They would be able to provide or come up with specific programs that the society needs which other organizations are not able to provide. This would then be their unique selling point. It would be more fruitful as well as they would not have to spend their time thinking of other programs and just focus on planning and further improving on one program.
Another recommendation that I have for them is to break the communication barriers. Information has to be passed to other departments for press release or media uploads whenever they have events. However, as their work is too tied up, information is usually sent to the CC (Corporate Communications) at the last minute, causing some disagreement and upsets. If they are able to work well together and plan things ahead, they would save the hassle of pressing each other for information to get their work done.
I would say that BZSE has covered the foundation of the job requirements in SIF. Be it in either of any departments there, we all have skills through modules that we have been through to work there as a rookie. For example, in IN, going for events and socializing is very common. Thus, this is when modules such as Project Management for Social Enterprise and Speech/Business Communications skills are applicable. I was able to identify the key milestones of every event when I was interning, and was able to communicate more or less with the guest at each event. For CC, we have touched on modules such as Public Relations & Events Management, Written Communication and IT Applications, which is essential in the works of the Corporate Communications. As for the rest of the departments, Human Resource Management and Cross Cultural Communication & Practices were important skill sets applicable as well while dealing with hiring the right people for the right job and when communicating with partners overseas.
4. As you come to the end of the BZSE course, what have you discovered about yourself? How would this affect what you would like to do with your life?
As I come to the last chapter in my BZSE days, I realized that I have grown a little more matured since the first day I have stepped into this course. It has also taught me a lot of different skills that are important to me in the future. Through the busy schedule that we have, this course has taught me how to better manage my time. Also, it has taught me better communication skills, through the different modules and presentations, which I believe is important in the future when I find a job.
More importantly, it has shaped me to be a better team player through all the group works and projects, rather than the individualistic character I used to be. Last but not least, it has broadened my horizon to identify the pressing social issues that the world is currently facing and to look things at different angles when talking about the marginalized people in the society.
Being in BZSE really has been an eye-opener for me, to be able to go around places to see how
people are not as fortunate as us, for example during the Philippines trip, to see how the kids there
are so easily contented with life, and all they need was to have someone to play with. It was so
unlike the kids here in Singapore; where gadgets and technology are the things needed to satisfy
them. It gave me a new look about life, and that is to not always complain and just be happy with
what we have. Not to take things for granted, and also give back to the society, who truly needs it
more than us.
Video link here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=285559616563&set=t.521668242&type=3&theateAs a whole, all good things must come to an end. What seems to be a long journey has just ended
in a flash for the past 3 years. What I have learnt and the experiences that I have taken away is
something that I would never forget for a lifetime. Thank you, to that special someone (BZSE) for
ending my journey with a smile (:
Photo Gallery
A special dedication to this bunch of crazy people that helped and encouraged me throughout my 3
years here. Truly grateful to have met these friends and lecturers that guided me as well.
Year 1:
During Mr Samuel Wee’s birthday
Trip to the Philippines, ERH GK Village
Year 1 Group: Adam Without Eve
Group Project during Year 1
Year 1 Group: This Is It
Year 2:
Year 2 Group: DanialGohQiYoungSheng
SNCF Group Project, Afforganic
Year 2 Module (Public Relations)
Year 2 Module (Law)
Year 2 Module (Financial Management)
Year 3:
Internship, Young Social Entrepreneurs
At the recent conference of Social Enterprise Development Centre
