The fur trade in Canada provides a distant mirror for Social Finance advocates and practitioners on the complex effects of any new technology. It makes us mindful that every intervention has side effects, both positive and negative. Harold Innis was … Read More
Yearly Archives: 2010
Follow The Money – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (21)
I was asked by a young parent recently, what is the most common mistake made by advocates. My reply was immediate. Not following the money trail in Government. Or, as was the case in this circumstance (he was advocating for … Read More
Neglected Sources of Innovation – Individuals and Families
Social Innovation – is the 'catch phrase' most commonly used to describe the imperative to unleash our collective creativity to respond to tough, deeply embedded social and environmental problems. These existing and emerging challenges seem to be resistant to traditional … Read More
Innovate and Die?
There is a Buddhist parable that tells of a man swept into the waters of a raging river. In panic he grasps for something solid – a rock! Holding on with terrified certainty he drowns, burdened by the extra weight. … Read More
Le Tour du Momentum – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (20)
Summertime and the living is easy. Except for cyclists in the grandest sporting event of the summer, Le Tour de France. And perhaps solution focused advocates. It may be the perfect time to maintain momentum – the secret of successful … Read More
A Matter of Justice: Social Finance – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (19)
Not sure why some non profit leaders, advocates and academics dismiss the growing social finance developments so readily and without serious consideration. This lack of curiosity is irresponsible. We can learn a lot from successful social, economic and environmental justice … Read More
Is Social Finance the ‘Next Big Thing’?
How do you spot the difference between a fad and a trend? When you've hung around the social sector for decades you learn to be discerning. At the outset they appear the same, capturing interest, attracting pilot funding, developing constituencies, … Read More
Code Yellow
Ahh, the momentum of outmoded approaches. The horn that still sounds a curfew even though the plant has closed down. Saving pennies. Ashtrays on bicycles. Encyclopedia sellers. Yellow pages delivered to your office or doorstep. Yes, yellow pages. While trolling … Read More
Next Up for What’s Next
Alice laughed, "There's no use trying," she said, "one can't believe impossible things." "I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed … Read More