6.5.2. A Framework for Success: Strategies that Work
Successful strategies for the implemetation of structural innovations are listed
below and are the conclusions of the research conducted in the field of social
entrepreneurship. The list of best practices is, however, globally applicable.
A New Idea. The new idea can comprise the following: Fundamental System
Change: An idea that alters the fundamental characteristics of an existing system,
and has the possibility of worldwide adoption (e.g, micro-credit as pioneered by the
Grameen Bank). Sector Specific Strategic Element: An approach that consists of one
or more new strategic element(s) that modify some existing practises in a particular
sector
(housing,
environment-water
management,
micro-enterprise).
Comprehensive/Integrated Strategy: A strategy focused on combining an array of
existing services (cultural heritage preservation). Although no single service is
revolutionary, the integration of services is a more effective way to achieve impact.
Importation/Adaptation: An approach that a social entrepreneur observed outside of
his/her local context. The innovation lies in the way that the social entrepreneur has
adapted the approach to the local context.
Social Impact. Social impact can be defined in terms of numbers of
beneficiaries of certain new services, but also in terms of the comprehensive and
multi-faceted nature of a new approach. The past two decades has seen an
extraordinary explosion of entrepreneurship and competition in the social sector.
The social sector has discovered what the business sector learned from technology,
markets and the digital revolution: the most powerful force for change in the world
is a new idea in the hands of a leading social entrepreneur. This is often highly
dependent on the political and economic context in which a social entrepreneur
works.
Leveraging Resources not usually tapped. One aspect of effective innovation
encompasses accessing resources not normally utilized by traditional organizations
such as community-based operations and volunteers. This approach has unexpected
results in terms of local empowerment and building up individual and social
autonomy.
Strategic Partnerships. Working with networks/Civil-lateral cooperation: In
addition to focusing on one critical audience, successful strategies involve the
forming of coalitions with many others in order to achieve one’s objectives, like in
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