Many organizational scholars have debated their visions  of the near infinite points on the Social Enterprise continuum of organizational impetus.  The increasing global fascination with “Social Enterprise” has spurred thousands of organizations (profits, non-profits, and civic) to self-identify their motives and methods to be in balance at the top of “Mount Social Enterprise”.

The deeper I reflect on this idea of countless types of organizational will, the stronger my rejection of this dogma of multitudes.  I believe there are just 5 base camps on this mountain, where an organization can “live.”

1. 1. A mission driven organization that is largely externally funded.
   2. A mission driven organization with some internal revenue generation.  
   3. A true Social Enterprise where the primacy of the mission is social change, while sustaining the organization through market-based practices.  
   4. An organization that places profit as its driving principle, but demonstrates some degree of social awareness and/or responsibility.
   5. An organization that focuses nearly 100% of its resources and efforts to generate income for ownership with little to no social programs.

Yes, an organization can be redesigning itself at any moment in time and thus be perched on any of the slippery slopes, but there are no “almost there” places on this peak.  If your organization is not fully self-aware of which of the 5 bases you currently exist at, then you will eventually slide.
Now, let me stress that no place on this metaphorically mountain is “better” than any other location.  As you can see in the graphic, each figure (representing an organization) has a smile on their face and arms raised in joyful exuberance to be where they are.
Some points to ponder while viewing the imagery:

• Notice the western slope (left) is not as steep as the eastern slope.  The climb to Social Enterprise is more difficult for your traditional for-profit, as it requires a fundamental shift in the minds of the leadership.  Where the organizations that choose to climb the western slope have a less daunting challenge: modifying their method of operation.  The aforementioned groups have to address the “why” and the later groups the “how”.
• Notice the profit oriented/socially aware and engaged ledge is wider than the rest.  Although the degree of social commitment can vary, the majority of organizations make their home here.
• Notice the tension at the peak and the narrowness of the summit.  This illustrates the constant struggles that occur in the pure Social Enterprise.  The tug-of-war is intentionally tilted toward the west.So, when push-comes-to-shove in a Social Enterprise social mission tips the scale.

Reaching the summit of this mountain is not for every organization, nor should it be.  For the ones that take the chance and pack up base camp, prepare for a difficult journey.  And remember, there is no “almost there”…you have to plant your flag in the mist of uncertainty, above the clouds, to be a true social enterprise.

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Post 1: The Digital City of 2025

With the advent of broadband access, in the next 14 years, our sense of place and our experience of democracy can either explode for the good, or implode.  I am on the side of “exploding”.

The explosion of digitized information over the next 10 to 15 years will shape the urban landscape like no other period in human history.  The melding of advancing nano-technology with the demand for biological innovation will generate a dominant field of Bio-Tech and create fertile places to unfold -through trial and error – frontiers where the essence of democracy is “on trial.”  One developing area is the use of molecular sized nano-bots that are placed inside the human body for research or for treatment. The National Cancer Institute recently wrote: “Nanotechnology allows researchers to study cancer in its earliest stages of progression, enabling early detection and development of novel therapies to target the disease.” 

There will be many big stress points to overcome if urbanization, digitization and democracy are to mesh, creating cities of inclusion for even the poorest and most disconnected citizens.  We are moving from expanding wireless access to a focus on teaching digital literacy to the as-yet disconnected.  This inclusive environment will be constructed upon emerging technology. The fabric of the city will be sewn together using fiber optics of 4G Broadband, and visual interactive displays will become commonplace in the communities, allowing for universal access.  The firepower of computation will move toward centralization, with robust cloud-computing that will drastically reduce user costs and the dumping of tech-waste tools into our landfills.  Open data systems will empower marginalized inhabitants by shedding light on large volumes of government/civic data.  This transparency will not come without risks, however.

Privacy and transparency have always sparred in the shadow of tension.  The new world technology will ratchet up the strain.  Protection of personal information being one of the primary concerns of everyday citizens, the success of the Digital City of 2025 could very well hinge on the critical question: Who controls the data?  There are other points of conflict that will need to be addressed, such as the knowledge gap of the impoverished /disconnected; e.g., the disabled vs. the wealthy.  Data collection is frequently the easy piece of the puzzle, while making sense (use) of the information is the real challenge. 

The digital city of 2025 will not be the idyllic utopia that many suggest it will be.  Rather it could be a place where innovation and prosperity can be nurtured, if we search for common ground among the competing tensions that are intrinsic, to further our democracy in an increasingly complex society.

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In partnership with the Wireless Internet Institute (W2i) the leadership platform on applications of broadband wireless for local government, New Commons has been engaged by Broadband Rhode Island (BBRI), an initiative of the RIEDC that aims to promote broadband adoption and digital literacy throughout the state. On 7/30/2011, Rhode Island’s library directors met at the invitation of the Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS) at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC). We presented our key work in this two-year project for a statewide digital literacy project that will be designed and implemented in partnership with OLIS, the libraries throughout the state, and various community institutions. We expect to produce a standardized digital literacy curriculum that will provide Rhode Islanders who do not have a ready understanding of the Internet with a basic set of skills that will enhance their personal and professional lives.

"We feel we are especially prepared to take on this project," say Robert Leaver, Sr. Consultant to this project, "to serve the state in its ambitious and forward-thinking initiative, with capabilities that embrace the adult learner, needs of citizens and to make connecting and using the Internet as accessible as possible."

See BBRI's digital literacy video (LINK BELOW) and get involved as either a trainer, site to offer training, or as a community builder:  http://broadband.ri.gov/

Or contact Pablo Sandoval, Digital Literacy Project Lead at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Read more about Broadband RI in the Providence Business News from 8/8 - 15, 2011. Click link, or download here: Digital Literacy-PBN (70.03 kB)

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