About this course: How do we create innovative and effective solutions to social problems around the world ? This course was designed for individuals and organizations who want to identify and bring about transformative societal change. Professors Jim Thompson and Ian “Mac” MacMillan help you develop both a strategy and a framework for your social enterprise based on their years of experience and expertise teaching social entrepreneurship and advising entrepreneurs. You’ll learn how to define a social problem, understand contextual realities, develop a solution, and plan for effective deployment. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of the realities of launching an enterprise, be prepared for every step of the process, and put your social entrepreneurial venture on the path to success.
Created by: University of Pennsylvania
Taught by: James D. Thompson, Director, Wharton Social Entrepreneurship Program
EntrepreneurshipTaught by: Ian "Mac" MacMillan, Dhirubhai Ambani Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Management
| Basic Info | Course 3 of 4 in the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Module 1
In this module, you’ll learn how to define a social enterprise and develop its basic framework. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the critical importance of research to identify patterns, cause, and context. You’ll master the process of Idea Generation and analyze the successes and failures of others to be better able to attract funding for your social enterprise. You’ll also learn how to examine factors and contexts through Segmentation, and differentiate between Transactional Accessibility and Acceptability. By the end of this module, you’ll have a more clearly defined understanding of the problem your organization wants to tackle and how to fund your project.
4 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Recommended Reading: The Social Entrepreneur's Playbook
- Video: Describing the Social Problem
- Video: Idea Generation and Advisory Board
- Video: Segmentation for Social Enterprises: Part 1
- Reading: Module 1 - Lecture Slides
Graded: Module 1 Quiz
WEEK 2
Module 2
This module was designed to promote a deep understanding of your beneficiaries through segmentation in order to design solutions to the Social Problem of your enterprise. After identifying and segmenting major factors and contexts of your population, you’ll draft a Segment Attractiveness Scoring Table that will enable you to analyze the beneficiaries of your solution, and then use the Beneficiary Experience Table to refine that solution. Finally, you’ll learn how to differentiate between Screen-In and Screen-Out Criteria to identify potential problems. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to create a Concept Map for your own social enterprise, and visualize the trajectory and potential outcomes of your solution.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Understanding the Beneficiary
- Video: Screen-In & Screen-Out Criteria
- Video: Describing the Solution
- Reading: Module 2 - Lecture Slides
Graded: Module 2 Quiz
WEEK 3
Module 3
In this module, you’ll examine the details and operational realities of your social enterprise. You’ll identify deliverables, needs of beneficiaries, and expected costs. You’ll explore key concepts such as Unit of Business, Social Impact and Financial Goals, and the Deliverables and Cost Table to assist in operationalizing the venture. By the end of this module, you’ll be able to better assess how success will be defined in your venture and the key deliverables and capabilities required to maintain your social enterprise.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Framing and Scoping the Venture
- Video: Operations Realities
- Video: Cost Table
- Reading: Module 3 - Lecture Slides
Graded: Module 3 Quiz
WEEK 4
Module 4
This module was designed to help you test the feasibility of your social enterprise. By utilizing the Most Competitive Alternatives in organizing a Proposed Beneficiary Experience Table, you’ll be able to assess advantages and disadvantages against relevant competition. Once you have a plausible and attractive proposition, you’ll deploy a quick and cost-effective test-of-concept to scaffold future success for your venture. Finally, you’ll discover the inevitable socio-politics that emerge with multiple stakeholders, and learn how to navigate these issues effectively while maintaining support. By the end of this module, you’ll have developed a powerful strategy that will ensure success for your social entrepreneurial ventures.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Video: Test of Concept Plausibility
- Video: Stakeholder Analysis
- Video: Conclusion & Next Steps
- Reading: Module 4 - Lecture Slides
Graded: Module 4 Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
Pricing
| Purchase Course | |
|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
Clearly presented, a step-by-step logical explanation of how to approach goals with social benefit with an entrepreneurial mindset. Kudos to you for having developed this and making it available to the wider public via the Internet.
Very Useful, Thank you
Great material, could be a little more challenging with the quizzes.
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education,
partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2018 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
MB
Very well presented, structure and material very relevant