The value of looking through a social lens

Social enterprise has been around for a long time, making an impact as well as it can.  Operating like your traditional businesses but reinvesting profits to benefit society. They tend to balance economic goals, such as creating jobs, with social and environmental aims like fostering community and promoting sustainable practices.There are over 131,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing £78 billion to the economy and reinvesting £1 billion into social missions. Yet many struggle with access to long-term finance and strategic partnerships.

It isn't and it shouldn't be a fringe concept just pursued by those wacky individuals who believe in a fair society and are willing to put the energy in to create change. It should be on everyone's agenda - ok so not everyone is going to set up a Social Enterprise - but everyone has the power and choice to think like a social enterprise entrepreneur.   

Private businesses do 'social value' instead.  Giving back to the communities in which they are commissioned to work either by the state, a public body or a private corporation.  And yes again it is great that this happens.  We need to focus on making an impact that lasts well beyond the time we put our tools away and say 'job well done'

I see it everyday on Linked In, private companies supporting social good.  So why don't things change at the scale we need change?

I spent time talking to Eric Lybeck academic and social entrepreneur about this on my latest podcast show The Unlikely Executive.  How to transform “left-behind” places.

Eric’s Insight

“Social enterprise isn’t a side hustle—it’s a way to make knowledge useful in left-behind places.”
This challenges engineering firms to rethink how they partner with communities and academia.

Think about what opportunities you have to connect with social enterprises

For example...

• Engineering consultancies often work in regeneration zones—partnering with social enterprises can unlock local trust and innovation.
• Social enterprises are more likely to be led by women and ethnic minorities, helping firms meet diversity and inclusion goals.
• They offer flexible, community-rooted solutions that complement technical expertise. They know the lay of the land, and how change is going to be received by those who are in theory going to benefit from the change.

Tips to get you connected with the right social enterprise

• Map shared values: Identify social enterprises whose mission aligns with your project goals.
• Co-design solutions: Invite social entrepreneurs into early-stage planning.
• Invest in relationships: Long-term partnerships yield better outcomes than transactional ones.
• Use a facilitator: For multi-team collaborations, a facilitator ensures alignment and manages complexity.

Call to Action
If you're a leader looking to embed social value, consider partnering with a social enterprise get in touch to see how I can support you