SustainAbility’ s Maggie Brenneke presented her research on advocates for social entrepreneurs from within corporations, termed “Intrapreneurs.”  Not a new concept -- but certainly a growing one.

Intrapreneurs are change agents from within major corporations who “develop and promote practical solutions to social or environmental challenges where progress is currently stalled by market failures.” 

The workshop participants acknowledged the growing acceptance in the private sector of who social entrepreneurs are and what they do.  A year ago, SustainAbility found more questions about social entrepreneurship than either information or impressions when they interviewed corporations on the topic.  This year, they found a recognition of the field’s growing presence and credibility. 

The International Business Leaders Forum led a workshop with participants on how to structure effective social entrepreneur-corporate partnerships based around the four steps of their partnering framework:

The keys to successful partnerships, whether long-term marriages or short-term arrangements (“one night stands”, as one participant volunteered), is to continual assessment and management of the partnership. 

Both sides must 1) clearly communication of shared goals and 2) delineate the activities and levels of commitment, and objectives. 

Recommendations included

• being sure to observe potential partners outside of the normal work environment,
• conducting due diligence on participants and the venture not only before entering into the arrangement but at various points during the process
• see the end points even from the beginning

The bottom line from all participants was a clear directive to look before you leap!