Some people refer to social entrepreneurship as a type of social marketing. In other words, instead of shopping at a retail store and marketing the products and services to the people in the store, an entrepreneur conducts business using more indirect and subtle methods. He or she will approach the people inside the store and try to sell them something else. This is more effective than having customers walk up to the counter and attempt to strike up a sales conversation with the person running the counter.
Another way to look at this concept is from a slightly different perspective. Consider that a group of people may decide to take a cross-country trip. Before they leave, they plan a tour of various attractions along the way. One of the goals of the tour is to have each of the travelers meet new friends. If these travelers never get to meet the people who caused them to take the trip in the first place, it will have absolutely no benefit whatsoever. On the other hand, if a group of travelers meet up at a popular destination and begin to socialize, they can develop lasting friendships.
There are many similarities between the world of social entrepreneurship and the world of tourism. Both require an incredible amount of planning. Both require long term planning. Neither requires a massive investment. Tourism can be successful depending on the area you are visiting. But it will not happen unless tourists know about the area and plan accordingly.
A traveler can learn a lot about a destination by spending some time there. A social enterprise can do the same. As a social entrepreneur I am always looking out for opportunities to bring a social aspect to the organization.
One of the most important parts of planning is ensuring that there are enough funding resources to support the plan. If the tourist does not have the funds, it is often difficult to keep them entertained and interested. This could make or break the venture. In fact, without the necessary funding, it may be impossible to continue.
The final exam, I am going to discuss for the aspiring entrepreneur is the Practical Business Endorsement Exam. This exam is often used as a career development tool by many of the top business schools. It tests the knowledge of starting a new company, managing an existing company, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and much more. Even though it is a fairly easy test to pass, I strongly recommend all aspiring entrepreneurs take it.
There are many other career plans out there, but if you truly want to be an entrepreneur you should consider working in a social enterprise. The skills that you gain in these programs are directly transferable to other types of businesses. They do offer better salaries and are generally more stable. You can also work from home, meaning you can schedule your time around your other commitments. I highly recommend planning for your future with social enterprise licensing.