Extracting with Purpose, a new study from consulting firm FSG and the Shared Value Initiative, details the ways that companies in the extractives sector (oil and gas, mining etc.) can create positive societal outcomes by tying their business’ success to that of their community through shared value. Shared value is the unique opportunity for businesses to align their business priorities with social goals.
Putting People First: Human Centered Design
Engaging the people at the center of an issue is the most crucial element of project design. Unfortunately, project designers often skip this step when trying to implement social change. We recently purchased IDEO’s Human Centered Design Toolkitto learn about the responsibilities of project designers in inspiring the people they work with and we have been employing some of its’ ideas in our work. For social change to be sustainable, effective and innovative, we must give community members responsibility for what is going on in their communities and incorporate their input at every step of the design process.
Friends with Benefits: The Rise of the Sharing Economy
What is the Sharing Economy?Also known as collaborative consumption, the sharing economy is broadly based on the lending, borrowing, renting, swapping, bartering or co-owning of goods, spaces, time and talents. This includes, but is not limited to, bike/car sharing, forgoing expensive hotel rooms and renting people’s apartments and houses, crowdfunding, recycling/upcycling, or even sharing one’s talents and skills.
Why I've Learned to Love Disruption
If you had asked me four months ago, my definition of disruption would have consisted of pop-up ads, an illuminated gaslight, delayed flights, or when you’re the only one left at baggage claim and it sinks in that Air Canada has (not surprisingly) lost your luggage.But that was before I started my internship at JS Daw & Associates. During my four month stay, I have worked with leading Canadian companies and have been given the chance to help re-wire and re-imagine their Community Investment Strategies.
An Interview: Why Partnership Brokering Matters
With Partnership Brokers Training Course right around the corner, who better to advocate for it than past participants? So JS Daw & Associates took a (virtual) trip across the pond and interviewed two graduates of the Partnership Brokers Training Course who are presently working in London, UK. Scroll down to see their interviews and find out what makes the Partnership Brokers Training Course so unique.Introducing Marieke Hounjet, Head of Development and Partnerships at Start Network, London, UK.JSD:Can you briefly explain your role at your organization?
The Countdown is On! Just Over a Month Until the Partnership Brokers Training Course Comes to Calgary
For over ten years, the Partnership Brokers Training Course has brought together thought leaders from all over the world, and is the only professional training currently available for those operating as intermediaries in the partnering process. Past participants range from international organizations such as Nike, Unilever, World Health Organization, US Department of State, and Shell, to more local organizations such as Suncor, Enbridge, University of Waterloo, the United Way of Calgary & Area, and the Government of Alberta.
10 Years On: Learning From Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty
They say necessity is the mother of invention (humans required a more efficient mode of locomotion, so we invented the wheel; college students wanted a virtual way to connect to their friends, so Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook). Such is true for Dove, who, back in 2004 were suffering from low sales in an abysmally crowded and over-saturated market. So Dove’s parent company, Unilever, created The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty.
Let Them Eat Soup: How Soup Sisters is Bringing Shared Value to the Nonprofit Sector
Shared Value is usually viewed as a strategy for the business sector, but what if a nonprofit was able to apply the same principles and practices in order to deepen their value and impact? Sharon Hapton, a local Calgarian and the founder and CEO of Soup Sisters, unwittingly did just that.While her kids were growing up, Sharon Hapton used to deliver soup to her friends as a gesture of care and empathy.
Reflections on the SFU Community Economic Development Program
I recently completed the professional certificate program in Community Economic Development (CED) through Simon Fraser University. I initially applied for this program because I wanted to gain a deeper perspective to bring to my work here at JS Daw & Associates. I wanted to see how actions taken at the grassroots level might align with the CSR and community initiatives of our clients. Over the past five months, I have learned a lot and had a really awesome experience.
Asking Tough Questions About Shared Value
In our last newsletter I shared inspirations from the recent Shared Value Leadership Summit. While I am a committed Shared Value practitioner and work with my clients to help them design their portfolio in ways that authentically build business and community value, Shared Value isn’t without its critics. As advocates of shared value, it is important for us to reverse the lens every so often and ask the tough questions in order to keep a critical and objective view.