University of Pennsylvania
Business Strategies for Social Impact
University of Pennsylvania

Business Strategies for Social Impact

Katherine Klein
Christopher Geczy

Instructors: Katherine Klein

13,706 already enrolled

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(544 reviews)

10 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
94%
Most learners liked this course
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6

(544 reviews)

10 hours to complete
3 weeks at 3 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
94%
Most learners liked this course

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
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There are 4 modules in this course

In this module, you’ll learn how to define your purpose and develop a plan to cultivate purpose for your organization. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the critical importance of purpose-driven leadership in a successful organization and why businesses can and should pursue a larger social or environmental purpose. You'll also analyze the five models of social purpose, from generous contributors to impact investors. Through close examination of case studies such as Daily Table and TOMS shoes, you’ll learn how to test your assumptions and find the winning situation for your investors, employees, and customers. By the end of this module, you’ll have a more clearly defined understanding of the purpose your organization wants to pursue and how to prepare for successful implementation.

What's included

17 videos4 readings1 assignment

What is the relationship between impact and financial performance? Does it pay for a company to drive impact? In this module, you'll learn various methods businesses use to create social and environmental impact. You’ll identify the different components of impact measurement: valence, focus, depth, breadth, and cost-effectiveness. With Nick Ashburn, Senior Director of Impact Investing of Wharton Social Impact, you’ll discuss real-life examples such as Starbucks, Campbell’s Soup, and Warby Parker, and the impactful decisions they made in employment, operations, and investment. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to refine the method in which your business can reduce environmental challenges and/or ensure fair and equal opportunity, and create a plan for your company to drive both impact and financial performance.

What's included

11 videos1 reading1 assignment

In this module, you’ll examine the criteria and standards of evidence developed to measure the true social impact of your organization. You’ll identify the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental Social and Governance Criteria (ESG) to be able to better answer the question “What is the Impact of X?” By examining the Nesta Foundation Framework and its standard of evidence, you’ll explore the different levels of rigor for each logic model using real-life examples and learn to accurately assess your organization’s inputs, outputs, and impact. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to calculate the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of your enterprise and be able to strategize an effective plan for your business.

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment

This module was designed to introduce you to the basics of impact investing. By analyzing global trends on Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), classic models of impact investment such as microfinance, and actual research data, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the current models of impact investment and which model would work best for your organization. Through exploring other benefit corporations and the UN Principles of Responsible Investment, you’ll discover how NGOs, government, and shareholders and their roles in impactful investments. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to gauge the risk and rewards behind impactful investments, and be able to navigate these issues effectively while exerting sustainable and meaningful impact.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 assignment

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.7 (91 ratings)
Katherine Klein
University of Pennsylvania
2 Courses13,757 learners

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