BUS 274 Reflection Journal

  Summary: This week I learned about impact investing and how it differs from giving to charity.   Though impact investing has changed in definition over time, today it represents people and organizations who want to make social and environmental impact through profitable, long-term sustainable solutions.   I also learned ways that everyone can get involved (not just the rich) from conscious consumption to spending money within my own community. Response to a reading/video: The last section of the article “Impact Investing, just a trend or the best strategy to help save our world” and the end of the video, “Impact Investing:   Your money doing good in the world – and your wallet” sparked interest for me.   The article gave good advice on the need to make investments that are aligned with our values.   This seems like obvious advice, as I do not know a lot of people who just give their money freely to organizations without finding out the mission first...

  Summary: This week I learned about Hyrbrid organizations, the Seven Principles of Social Business, and effective altruism.   I learned how I was developing the qualities that David Bornstein spoke of in how to be a successful social entrepreneur.   Response to an activity: The application activity for this week focused on thinking of ways to solve problems within the social issue we have chosen.   My social issue is suicide.   Thinking of my own platform to help within this issue was difficult.   But when I finally came up with an idea and ran with it, it was kind of fun!   This activity was inspiring me to think outside of the box and come up with ways to help make change happen.   Weekly prompt:   What is it about hybrids that make them so successful? I think one of the aspects of a hybrid organization that makes them successful is that it falls in between for-profit and non-profit organizations.   If someone wants to be a ...

  Summary: This week I learned that funders’ unrealistic expectations, underfed overhead, and misleading reporting lead to an unstable infrastructure within non-profit organizations.   I also learned the difference between a movement and an organization, and the areas of discrimination within those organizations.   Finally, I learned how to do an audit of a non-profit organization to see if it is truly socially innovative. Response to an activity: This week’s application activity opened my eyes to non-profits that are actively doing good vs. being socially innovative.   Researching for the activity opened my eyes to the organization that I donate my time and money to every year:   American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.   After my research and scoring them on what I found, I realized that this organization is doing great.   They are making a difference, for sure.   However, like most organizations, some improvement is needed in some area...

Summary: This week I learned what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is and what falls under it:   sustainability, Triple Bottom Line, and B-Corps.   I also learned how to rethink capitalism by turning those for-profit companies into a company who practices CSR by driving corporate growth through social impact. Response to a reading: When reading The Broken “Buy One, Give One” Model:   3 Ways to Save Toms Shoes,  I felt it was easier to believe that their charitable act of giving a free pair of shoes to those in need was indeed broken or flawed because of a documentary I had watched a few years ago.   Toms Shoes was actually mentioned in this documentary, Poverty, Inc.   One of the interviewees recognized the reasonings behind companies like Toms Shoes wanting to make a difference in the world of poverty.   She said, “I’m glad people want to help.   It comes from a good heart.   People give us food, they dig us wells, they bring us s...