Social Business Program

From day 1, we entered into the core of social businesses: we visited Banco Pérola (interesting article here) and spent a descent hour or two talking with the founder, Alessandra. This inspiring young (25 years-old!) entrepreneur shared her thoughts and struggles of creating a social business in Brazil…the anecdotes ranged from lessons learned on building trust in the community, innovating micro-finance products & services adapted to the community’s needs, a few tips on  how to convince an skeptical investor/consultant (read: anyone well-dressed from a “reputed” firm) when you are 20-something-years old,  and finally, the feeling of fulfillment when creating an organization able to combine her passion with the desired social impact.

The case was a reference for us to compare this with other social business models, including D.light (see this blog), and understand the definitions (and often blurry boundaries) of social businesses and social entrepreneurship in general. Personally, I think we got the most juice out of the fruit, when each intern presented their respective organization, and what they were doing as interns. It was nice to hear about Banco Palmas, Technoserve, Finca, Artemisia and La Usina..equally nice was to question and give feedback on how each had a sustainable business model (or not?)

Finally, we brainstormed on ways to improve our respective business model using the BGM framework, and co-created a panoramic synthesis on the SBV field in Latin America.

Below are other thoughts on why it was a J & + summit:

• Triple P for People: it just feels good when you meet new people, even more so, when you share ideas, thoughts on why you do what you do, have team activities and feedback on each other´s personalities
• Co-learning + Network – for us, it´s a good way to learn from each other, and indirectly it´s easier to pave the way (for the social business field in latam) when you´re standing together (GCP example HERE)
• Welcoming Ideas: Theory + Cases explored + Feedbacks received = Stronger business models (or at least, new ideas on how to strengthen our contribution)
• 5 days in Brazil, with people from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Poland and Peru, with meals and swimming pool included is always legen…
• Focus & Perseverance: two key words I take back, applies to our business, my contributions, dealing with the daily frustrations (as intern) and just accepting that most of us are (constantly) asking “what´s next”?

Back in Buenos Aires.

PS: Great article from Seth Godin on conferences here!

dary.