When is it good business practice to invest for social good? What are the most innovative and effective business strategies for developing positive social impact around the world? Designed by renowned Wharton professors Katherine Klein and Chris Geczy to help individuals, organizations, and investors bring about societal change, this course introduces the fundamentals of impact investing, and developing a business strategy that drives social impact. You’ll learn how to become a leader who cultivates purpose and inspires change, measure societal impact through evidence-based models, and invest in ventures effectively and meaningfully. By the end of this course, you’ll have a deep understanding of the realities of leading an organization with purpose, and be able to build successful strategies that bring impactful change to the world.
This course is part of the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
Business Strategies for Social Impact
Offered By
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Module 1: Purpose-Driven Leadership
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.
17 videos (Total 112 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
17 videos
The Role of Business is Changing14m
Cultivate Your Purpose8m
(Optional) Interview with Derek Handley4m
(Optional) Interview with Kyle Zimmer: Part 12m
Test Your Assumptions11m
Find the Win-Win9m
(Optional) Interview with Chad Dickerson: Part 16m
(Optional) Interview with Bobby Turner1m
(Optional) Interview with Kyle Zimmer: Part 28m
Bring it Home11m
(Optional) Interview with Chad Dickerson: Part 23m
(Optional) Interview with Kat Taylor4m
(Optional) Interview with Jostein Solheim1m
(Optional) Interview with Kyle Zimmer: Part 32m
Evaluate, Revise, and Renew13m
Module Wrap-Up1m
4 readings
Reading - Cultivate Your Purpose Worksheet10m
Reading - Test Your Assumptions Worksheet10m
Reading: Logic Model Worksheet10m
Module 1 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 1 Quiz20m
Week
22 hours to complete
Module 2: How Business Drives Social Impact
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.
11 videos (Total 102 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
11 videos
Driving Impact - How, Why, and What9m
Practices: Employment with Nick Ashburn7m
Practices: Operations and Supply with Nick Ashburn6m
Practices: Investment with Nick Ashburn5m
Products and Services with Nick Ashburn6m
Philanthropy with Nick Ashburn6m
Impact and Profit8m
Conclusion1m
(Optional) Interview with Bart Houlahan23m
(Optional) Interview with Lisa Hall21m
1 reading
Module 2 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 2 Quiz20m
Week
32 hours to complete
Module 3: Impact Measurement
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.
10 videos (Total 100 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
10 videos
What is the Impact of X?3m
Standards of Evidence7m
Logic Model Level 15m
Logic Model Level 210m
Logic Model Level 37m
Logic Model Level 418m
Logic Model Level 57m
Logic Model Level Q23m
Conclusion5m
1 reading
Module 3 - Lecture Slides10m
1 practice exercise
Module 3 Quiz20m
Week
43 hours to complete
Module 4: Impact Investing
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.
8 videos (Total 129 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
Global Trends15m
Classic Impact Investing20m
Great Expectations30m
The Community12m
What Can Government Do?9m
Shareholder Activism9m
Is There an (Expected) Cost to Social Investing?26m
2 readings
Module 4 - Lecture Slides10m
Survey for those who have finished the Specialization10m
1 practice exercise
Module 4 Quiz20m
4.6
28 Reviews67%
started a new career after completing these courses
71%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
33%
got a pay increase or promotion
Top Reviews
Great course; very insightful look into how business and other organizations can effect positive social impact in the course of achieving their objectives and completing routines.
Awesome courses with great lecturers. It takes commitment and discipline to complete an online course. The lecturers really helped in keeping my interest alive.
Instructors
Katherine Klein
Edward H. Bowman Professor of ManagementThe Wharton School
Christopher Geczy
Adjunct Professor of FinanceFianance
About 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.
About the Business Strategies for A Better World Specialization
You’re not just interested in making money. You’re interested in making a difference in the world too. Set your career and your business on the road to success by learning evidence-based strategies to achieve sustainable social impact: profits with purpose. This specialization was designed to give you the tools and strategies you need to create measurable social impact around the world – whether your impact goal is to create jobs, to reduce malnutrition, or to increase access to environmentally-friendly and affordable housing, or to make a positive difference in some other way. In these four courses taught by acclaimed Wharton professors, you’ll learn how to apply effective business strategies to real-world problems through a deep understanding of the global practices and trends shaping the world today. By the end of this Specialization, you’ll be able to:
● Lead, invest and make business decisions for social impact
● Analyze information about global trends to make more informed strategic business decisions
● Understand the role of corruption in societies so you can make better business decisions
● Develop, launch, test, and scale entrepreneurship projects which have high-potential of significant positive social impact
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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