Becoming a Social Entrepreneur: Getting Started
Do you have an idea that could help solve a societal problem? Are you wondering if starting a social enterprise is the best way to go forward? You are thinking about becoming a social entrepreneur! In this course, you’ll critically examine what makes for a good idea, and whether that idea requires starting a new business. You’ll craft a personal immersion plan while considering different ways to create impact.
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 17 hours
- Course by University of Michigan
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Offered by
About
Do you have an idea that could help solve a societal problem? Are you wondering if starting a social enterprise is the best way to go forward? You are thinking about becoming a social entrepreneur! In this course, you’ll critically examine what makes for a good idea, and whether that idea requires starting a new business. You’ll craft a personal immersion plan while considering different ways to create impact. You’ll explore the personal challenges and connections to your life’s purpose before deciding to commit to becoming a social entrepreneur. Each week, you’ll see and hear from 11 real-life social entrepreneurs, working around the world, and sharing the lessons they’ve learned as well as the mistakes they’ve made and how you can overcome them. Among their experiences are: providing clean water in India and the Dominican Republic, warming premature babies without incubators, improving education in Africa and Detroit, and providing affordable fresh food to low-income residents of Los Angeles. Ultimately, you’ll be able to decide whether your idea is necessary for the world, and if starting a social enterprise is the right path for you. This course is based on the book “Becoming a Social Entrepreneur: Starting Out, Scaling Up and Staying True” by Michael Gordon.Modules
Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship
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2
Videos
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6
Readings
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1
ExternalTool
1
External Tool
- Launch your Workbook
2
Videos
- Introduction to the Course
- Social Entrepreneurship
6
Readings
- Course Syllabus
- Help us learn more about you!
- How To Go Through This Course
- A special webpage for Coursera students
- Using the Workbook
- Meet the Social Entrepreneurs
Lessons Learned
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3
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
ExternalTool
1
External Tool
- Workbook: notes on Lessons
3
Videos
- Learn
- The Challenges of Social Entreprenurship
- Lessons to be Learned
2
Readings
- Learn From Others
- *Lessons Left on the Ground*
Are You a Social Entrepreneur?
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3
Videos
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Check your understanding in this ungraded quiz
3
Videos
- Are You a Social Entrepreneur?
- How Did I Become a Social Entrepreneur?
- What is a Social Entrepreneur?
Immersion
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8
Videos
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2
Readings
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2
Discussion
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1
ExternalTool
1
External Tool
- Workbook: Create Your Immersion Plan
2
Discussions
- Faux Immersion
- Ask for help, and provide help!
8
Videos
- Immersion
- It's Not About You!
- Check Yourself
- Real Experience: You Cannot Learn from Phone Calls
- Live the Problem
- Volunteer
- Use on the Ground Knowledge
- Build an Ecosystem
2
Readings
- *Knowing vs Understanding*
- *Faux Immersion*
Ideas
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6
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
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3
ExternalTool
3
External Tool
- Ideas Part 1: State the Problem
- Ideas Part 2: Refine your Problem Statement
- Ideas Part 3: Develop a succinct message - using the Half-Life technique
1
Discussions
- share your “problem statement” experience
6
Videos
- Ideas
- Solving a Problem
- Idea or Good Idea?
- Research
- A Good Idea is Context-Specific and Can Change
- “Problem First” vs. “Solution First”
3
Readings
- *Good Ideas*
- *On Whose Shoulders?*
- *Developing an Idea*
Necessity
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3
Videos
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1
Readings
3
Videos
- Necessity
- Why “Necessity” May Be Hard to Grasp
- Example of “Necessity”
1
Readings
- *Necessity*
Join
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1
Videos
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3
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Defend your decision to launch a business - OR - find / join / suggest an existing Social Enterprise!
1
Videos
- Join
3
Readings
- *Joining the chorus*
- Ecosystem Mapping Activity
- A reflection on your eco-system map
Personal Challenges
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12
Videos
12
Videos
- Personal Challenges
- Profit
- Emotions
- Emotional Roller Coaster
- Threats to You and Your Business
- Extreme Emotional Challenges
- No Glamour (“You'll Want to Quit”)
- Uncertainty
- Burnout
- Isolation & Feeling Misunderstood
- Financial Problems
- Moving Slower Than You'd Like
Pro-Social Responses (How to Cope)
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12
Videos
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2
Readings
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1
Discussion
1
Discussions
- Explore your Intentions
12
Videos
- Pro-Social Behavior
- Pro-social Skills of Social Entrepreneurs
- Empathy
- Doing It For Others
- Flexibility & Quiet Confidence
- Resilience
- Persistence & Patience
- Team and Personal Support System
- Faith and Mission
- The “Why”
- Authenticity
- Bonus Material: How a Social Enterprise Changes Lives
2
Readings
- *The Sanities of Pro-social Behavior*
- Bonus Material: next video....
Commitment
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3
Videos
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1
ExternalTool
1
External Tool
- The Significant Other Test
3
Videos
- Commit
- “All In”
- Going For It
Gaining Skills
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1
Videos
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1
Discussion
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1
ExternalTool
1
External Tool
- Personal Skills Inventory
1
Discussions
- Skills Discussion
1
Videos
- Skills
Conclusion
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3
Readings
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- Course Activities Reflection
3
Readings
- Activity: Self-Reflection
- Course Feedback
- Keep Learning with Michigan Online!
Auto Summary
"Becoming a Social Entrepreneur: Getting Started" is a foundational course in Business & Management, designed for aspiring social entrepreneurs. Led by Coursera, this 1020-minute course delves into evaluating impactful ideas and the necessity of starting a new business. Learners will craft personal immersion plans and explore personal challenges through insights from 11 global social entrepreneurs. With practical examples from diverse fields such as clean water initiatives and education improvement, this course helps decide if social entrepreneurship is your path. Subscription options include Starter and Professional.
Michael Gordon