BZSE& me.

Hi all, just thought it will be better if i sum up with a final post (:

Soo. this 3 years have been a really memorable one ^^ No doubt, i met lots of awesome people and got exposed to many new things.

In my first year, i gave my 'first time' to our cambodia trip. haha yes and i meant it was my first time travelling in a plane. :D One of my fondest memory was when we went to the orphanage and spent time with the people there(: They made me realise how simple happiness can be, they really do.

In my second year, i took part in the YMCA Citibank Social Enterprise Challenge which was a brand new exposure for me as well ^^ I got to meet people from different walks of life, work closely together with an amazing mentor, Dr Les Buckley from APB as well as the partnering organization, Simei Care Center. I got to understand how social enterprise in SCC is run and also had a clearer understanding on the challenges they faced etc. This learning journey have definitely be worthwhile ^^

In my third year, i had my internship. it wasn't an enjoyable one for me but it has been a great exposure. i got to step into the real working world, meet people from different walks of life and also work closely with people of different characters. Not only that, this internship has also make me more assured of my own dreams because i learnt the importance of doing the things i love in future instead of working for something that is not of my passion.

I would like to thank everyone for making my 3 years in BZSE a memorable one (:
THANKYOU EVERYONE. *HUGS*

A trip to Dignity Kitchen (:

I remember few months back during my internship, I happened to chance upon this organization online and was hoping that i could make my trip down one day and i was so glad that this opportunity arrived so quickly  for me(: 

So... i figured that i should probably do a reflection on my trip to Dignity Kitchen (: 

Dignity Kitchen is Singapore's first training hawker centre which hires disadvantaged and disabled people. What attracted me was the fact that operating a hawker centre is already a tough job even with experienced hawkers and in Dignity Kitchen, they focused on people with disabilities. Most people like us would have drop the idea of it even without trying because we know that this would definitely be a route filled with challenges. 

Upon our arrival, we were given a really inspiring talk by Mr Koh Seng Choon, the executive director of Dignity Kitchen. I was amazed by the speech he gave; from how he started off without any government support, the challenges faced by him as well as his burning passion for this cause.

"People with disability are enabled in many ways." This sentence hit me hard, many times when i tried to brainstorm what i can do to help people with disadvantage, i always find myself focusing on what their limitation are instead of looking into their strengths. Mr Koh's speech really allowed me to think from another perspective. With that being said, I was really impressed by Mr Koh knowing that the challenges faced and effort put in by him was way more than what i expected to be. 

So just two main takeaways! 

1. Be PASSIONATE about the cause

 Passion > Anything else

This is because the route to social entrepreneurship would definitely be filled with never-ending challenges BUT it gave one the ability to pull through even the hardest moment like Mr Koh where he was once on the verge of giving up but because of his PASSION, he perserved and made Dignity Kitchen successful as it is today. 

2. Have a DREAM, a VISION. 

By having a dream and vision on what we wish to do, we will feel motivated to work towards it and one day,  what we visualize will turn into a reality. Just like Mr Koh! he drew what he visualized Dignity Kitchen to be one day and BANG! it became a reality ^^ but of course in exchange with all his hard work. Mr koh is truly an inspiration and a role model that i look up to. 

I had a really great time at Dignity Kitchen, how about you? (:

Social Enterprise; YAY or NAY?

Thinking back on the questions thrown by parents during BZSE open house makes me wonder why do people still place doubt in setting up of social enterprises, only to realize that most parent have yet to see the importance of social enterprise in Singapore.

This are the 2 main questions asked during my open house duty: 

"Why do my daughter have to study in BZSE when there is business studies?" 

"Businesses can also contribute to the community, why the need of SE?"

Basically I think that it is important for people to see the difference between commercial businesses and social enterprises.

Commercial businesses are profit-driven where their strategy works towards earning more income and higher turnover however for social enterprises, it is a business which is driven by a social cause.

Yes though it is true that businesses can also contribute back to the society where it falls as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but i would say that most companies do this just for the sack of their company's value and reputation, they do not contribute back into the society because they are really genuine to do so.

But of course I am not implying that everyone who starts a social enterprise began with a genuine motive as well. Some may have started social enterprise in hope of gaining fame, spotlight, generating more income through the social cause that the organization holds. 

In my own opinion, while commercial businesses are important in boosting the economy, i feel that social enterprise is definitely a MUST, especially when we are living in such a fast paced society. People often forget the need to do something for the community and social enterprises are there to ensure that such positive spirits continue to practised as well as grow in the coming generation. 

To inspire.

RBS group also known as the royal bank of Scotland group is a large international banking and financial services company where they aim to be one of the world's premier financial institutions, anchored in UK.

& in the wish to further play a stronger role in the entrepreneurial economy for young people, women and social enterpreneurs, RBS Inspiring Enterprises was established

Inspiring Youth Enterprise

• Support young enterprise in UK
• Aim to help 100,000 youths by 2015 to explore enterprises, develop skills and start up their business 

Inspiring Women in Enterprise

• RBS aims to promote and empower the role of women entrepreneurs
• Aim to inspire and enable 20,000 women to explore and unlock their enterprise potential because only 17 % of businesses are women-led therefore this new segment tackle the issue.

Inspiring Social Enterprise

• Provide support and funding to the social enterprise sector
• Aim to to support up to 2,500 social enterprises, working in partnership with the sector to improve access to improve access to expertise, markets and finance.

From my understanding, in Singapore we have DBS which also encourage social entrepreneurship where they launch a bank package specially tailored to the needs of social enterprises. Though i feel that this approach may be able to attract interested entrepreneurship however it could have been more attractive it DBS were to adopt similar concept that RBS has. 

This is because it is a matter of fact that there are more males compared to female starting their own enterprises and by having a package/program that is specially for women would really encourage the growth in women-led social enterprises businesses, same for youths, where the program/ package is catered specifically for them. In addition, it is important to also acknowledge the fact that different groups of individuals are often faced with different needs therefore if DBS were to enhance and adopt similar concepts as RBS, i believe it will definitely turn out to be much more appealing and attractive to interested individuals (:

References:

RBS Inspiring Enterprise (2012). Inspiring social enterprise.

Retrieved December 31st, 2012, from http://www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com/inspiring-social 

Rent a Christmas Tree

Click HERE to visit Living Christmas Trees's webpage!

Martin from Los Angeles, came out with a very creative idea to help the environment. This is because during Christmas season, many trees will be cut down and used as a Christmas tree however once the season end, these trees will most likely be dumped into the land field which is detrimental to the environment in the long run therefore Martin thought of a really great idea which serves as an alternative for families during Christmas. 

So now with Living Christmas Tree, they will deliver the tree to the perspective families and at the end of the season, they will collect the trees back to their nursery, where it continues to grow until the next year when it is taken out for rental again. Not only does he focus on recycling the Christmas trees, Martin also sells and recycle ribbons, bows, wrapping paper and a bunch of unique ornaments. 

I feel that this is a simple yet impactful idea. Not many would have though of such innovative idea. However i realized that Martin did not introduce his business as a social enterprise instead just like a normal business with an urge to fulfil a social issue and in this case; convenience and recycling of trees. i personally feel that such attitude should be instilled in every entrepreneurs and i believe, this world will definitely become an even better place to live in (: 

What do you think? ^^

Reference:

Rent a Christmas Tree (2012) Shark tank success stories

Retrieved December 23, 2012 from http://sharktanksuccess.blogspot.sg/2012/12/rent-christmas-tree.html

A reason to smile (:

(http://www.socialenterprisebuzz.com/2012/07/24/a-reason-to-smile)

Recently, i've been reading on this particular organization, POSWITH and i felt that there are many things Singapore or rather all other NPO and SEs can learn from and adapt.

POSWITH is a social enterprise which employs people with disability who are marginalized members of the society. Basically what they do is that the members help out in POSCO's paperwork for HR, Work service, public welfare, general affairs and also operates washing machine to help employees of POSCO to wash their laundry.

What i've mentioned above was the job opportunities given to the members BUT what really impressed and attracted me was the CULTURE that POSWITH had. They have an organization culture which is filled with gratitude and positive feedback. I feel that this is very important because it helps to boost the esteem and morale of each other, especially those who are disabled, this creates a heart-warming and welcoming environment for everyone to be in.

Not only that, POSWITH also engaged their employees where they form the 'One Family Volunteer Group' where they encourgaes their employees to regularly visit the facilities for the disabled and households with the disabled every month to assist the disabled in showering, studying and doing laundry. They have also managed to sign the MOU with 16 different groups and school for the disabled!

I personally feel that such culture should really be adapted in Singapore's NPO/SE. POSWITH reflects a very heartwarming and selfless culture where they give with all their might and try to bring about the greatest benefit to their beneficiaries.

*POSCO refers to "Pohang Iron and Steel company" and is located in South Korea. Other than POSWITH, POSCO has 4 other social enterprise arms. *

Reference

POSWITH (2012). POSWITH recognized as successful affliatefor the Disabled.

Retrieved on December 2012, from, https://www.poswith.com:40002/xe/115407

Looking out of Singapore..

HELLO! 

Few days back i was thinking to myself whether is there any kind of social enterprise challenge which is held in other countries since in Singapore we have competition like YMCA Social enterprise challenge etc. Such events i feel is able to spread more awareness among the youths to let us understand how a social enterprise works and what is required since it is very much hands-on during the period for implementation, so i decided to do some research on it and happen to read about this organization known as JA-YE Europe. 

JA-YE Europe is Europe's largest provider of entrepreneurship education programmes which has benefited up to 3.1 million students in 36 countries in 2011. Under one of their initiatives, "JA-YE Social enterprise programme" aims to increase the pool of potential social entrepreneurs by providing access to education in social enterprise to young people age 15-18 across Europe. Amazing isn't it? Specially on the topic of  SOCIAL ENTERPRISE! (:

In addition, a FERD award would be given to young entrepreneurs who have achieved positive social impact through their activity, showing commitment to making positive social development in the society. 

Just earlier on this year in June, a winning enterprise, Nomeno ("No means no") from Norway emerged among 100 other social enterprises and i really find their idea very innovative. Not only that, it is also a cause which i feel attached to. They developed a product called Safe and Sound, a bracelet where there is a built-in warning whistle which helps to summon help in an emergency when faced with rape or any form of violence. Upon innovation, they sold a total of 100 bracelets and donated their earnings to the Norwegian National Association for Victims of violence. 

It's a pity that i wasn't able to find their presentation video, i really want to view it and to also share it with all of you! *sigh*  

Nonethless, my purpose of writing this post is to convey the message that more and more things are done to create the awareness of social enterprise (JA-YE is one good example which reaches out to Europe which consist of very large population) and with the increasingly growth of importance in SE, i believe that more and more entrepreneurs will consider taking up the route of being a social entrepreneur to make a difference in this society. 

References

JA-YE Europe (2012) About the award.

Retrieved December 3, 2012, from http://www.ja-ye.org/pls/apex31mb/f?p=17000:1002:4393498672868768:::1002:P1002_HID_ID,P1016_HID_INSTITUTION_ID:9887,1 

JA-YE Europe (2012) Young social entrepreneurs make everyday life safer for women.

Retrieved December 3, 2012, from http://www.ja-ye.eu/pls/apex31mb/f?p=17000:1003:3461235631548416::::P1003_HID_ID:11396