If You Aren't Listening...

I love the newspaper industry…always have. However, I’m probably exactly what’s wrong with it because even though I read more newspaper now than ever, I only pay for one. I read the Wall Street Journal and parts of the NY Times, LA Times, Denver Post, the Syracuse Post- Standard, South Bend Tribune (to keep tabs on Notre Dame) and the Chicago Tribune (to keep track of my beloved Blackhawks). But I only pay for the on-line and print edition of the Wall Street Journal, and the others I read for free on the internet.

Which brings me to Peter Kann’s column in today’s Wall Street Journal. As you read this article, for a moment, forget about the newspaper industry and insert your sector of the non-profit world whenever Mr. Kann refers to his industry. That’s to me the interesting thing about the demise of the newspaper industry; just a few years ago it was unthought-of that the thing could go down in flames as it has. Sure it’s been in trouble for a while, but no one really saw this coming and that’s the lesson for all of us no matter what we do in our space. Look; watch; and think because if you are not careful…if you aren’t innovating...if you aren't paying close attention to your business model…if you aren’t talking and listening to your clients…if you aren't listening to your funders and your board members and your volunteers…you too someday could be sitting in the same place that they are today.

Colleges and Universities and Social Entrepreneurship

It’s been interesting watching the colleges and universities that are getting involved in social entrepreneurship. In the last week, I’ve seen articles on schools as different as Tulane, Case Western Reserve and the New School of New York on all launching new and different initiatives in this space. Take a look at something interesting from the New School:

A new program in social entrepreneurship is beginning at the New School in New York and there is a kick off on Monday night. There are lots of them at Columbia University and around the country but this one might be different. New School is a university with Milano, a school of management, Parsons a school of design and Social Research, with degrees given in Anthropology, Sociology and other social sciences. In short, students can learn to do, to build, to create products and services specifically in the social space. Most other programs in social entrepreneurship come out of business schools where students generally apply markets to solving social problems.