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Why social enterprise should be at the heart of the BBC's The Apprentice Why social enterprise should be at the heart of the BBC's The Apprentice
(about 2 months later)
Today marks the launch of the SEUK-led 'The Apprentice Campaign' to make social enterprise and entrepreneurs more visible on the BBC – namely through The Apprentice. I've joined many other leaders in the social enterprise sector in sending an open letter to the BBC laying out a strong case for this.Today marks the launch of the SEUK-led 'The Apprentice Campaign' to make social enterprise and entrepreneurs more visible on the BBC – namely through The Apprentice. I've joined many other leaders in the social enterprise sector in sending an open letter to the BBC laying out a strong case for this.
As the first and only social entrepreneur to be selected to appear on the BBC1 TV show, I believe combining the programme with social enterprise is not only important, but vital to create an impact.As the first and only social entrepreneur to be selected to appear on the BBC1 TV show, I believe combining the programme with social enterprise is not only important, but vital to create an impact.
I remember receiving a call from the producer to say that I had been selected to be on The Apprentice, and my Mum's worried face said it all. "Melody, you work in the youth sector – how are you going to survive in this heavily corporate environment?"I remember receiving a call from the producer to say that I had been selected to be on The Apprentice, and my Mum's worried face said it all. "Melody, you work in the youth sector – how are you going to survive in this heavily corporate environment?"
That was also a question I was asking myself. As a social entrepreneur – I run InspirEngage International – I had always been led by my passion for the cause with business being an incidental model for allowing me to do the work I had been doing voluntarily for 10 years.That was also a question I was asking myself. As a social entrepreneur – I run InspirEngage International – I had always been led by my passion for the cause with business being an incidental model for allowing me to do the work I had been doing voluntarily for 10 years.
Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of bottom lines, but this time the bottom line was not measuring social impact and the difference we were making to young people's lives but merely the pounds and pence we had made that day. The environment and design didn't allow for a socially enterprising focus. For instance, when asked what job title I wanted on the show, I immediately replied, "social entrepreneur", but I was met with an uneasy expression and told, "Melody, people will think you're an entrepreneur who likes going out a lot." Two years on, and 32 candidates later, it's extremely disappointing to see that no other social entrepreneurs have been added to the line-up.Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of bottom lines, but this time the bottom line was not measuring social impact and the difference we were making to young people's lives but merely the pounds and pence we had made that day. The environment and design didn't allow for a socially enterprising focus. For instance, when asked what job title I wanted on the show, I immediately replied, "social entrepreneur", but I was met with an uneasy expression and told, "Melody, people will think you're an entrepreneur who likes going out a lot." Two years on, and 32 candidates later, it's extremely disappointing to see that no other social entrepreneurs have been added to the line-up.
A few years ago, figures showed The Apprentice ranked top in TV programmes that inspired individuals to set up their own business. And although that's positive, I feel an emphasis should be placed on "business for good", with social enterprise as an option, thereby increasing understanding of social values. At this point, perhaps I should be fair and say that The Apprentice was only reflecting what was mainstream in business, and doing so well, but it needs to be updated to reflect this important and valuable sector.A few years ago, figures showed The Apprentice ranked top in TV programmes that inspired individuals to set up their own business. And although that's positive, I feel an emphasis should be placed on "business for good", with social enterprise as an option, thereby increasing understanding of social values. At this point, perhaps I should be fair and say that The Apprentice was only reflecting what was mainstream in business, and doing so well, but it needs to be updated to reflect this important and valuable sector.
Why? Social issues in the community are bubbling over – youth unemployment is at an all-time high, anger among certain groups is rising and environmental threats are growing. We need to deal with the rising tension in societies or years down the line we will have an even bigger challenge on our hands. Why is this relevant? Because tackling this will be down to social enterprises – businesses that create jobs and revive the economy but that do so while working for a worthwhile cause in improving communities. Surely that's the way forward.Why? Social issues in the community are bubbling over – youth unemployment is at an all-time high, anger among certain groups is rising and environmental threats are growing. We need to deal with the rising tension in societies or years down the line we will have an even bigger challenge on our hands. Why is this relevant? Because tackling this will be down to social enterprises – businesses that create jobs and revive the economy but that do so while working for a worthwhile cause in improving communities. Surely that's the way forward.
Recently, InspirEngage International launched the Social Enterprise Revolution, delivering a unique InspirEngage bootcamp programme supporting young people to explore social enterprise as a career. We're now delivering this through schools, colleges and universities as well as with NEETs. Starting in September, the programme will be built into the curriculums of several colleges where social enterprise will become a part of the students' qualification.Recently, InspirEngage International launched the Social Enterprise Revolution, delivering a unique InspirEngage bootcamp programme supporting young people to explore social enterprise as a career. We're now delivering this through schools, colleges and universities as well as with NEETs. Starting in September, the programme will be built into the curriculums of several colleges where social enterprise will become a part of the students' qualification.
Apart from young people, women are another important group for social enterprise. With the launch of Startup and Stilettos – the Future is Female, we're delivering two-month programmes helping womenfrom difficult backgrounds to launch a social enterprise. This is exciting as recent figures from RBS show that 45% of social enterprises are led by women (a huge share in comparison with commercial businesses, with around 14%).Apart from young people, women are another important group for social enterprise. With the launch of Startup and Stilettos – the Future is Female, we're delivering two-month programmes helping womenfrom difficult backgrounds to launch a social enterprise. This is exciting as recent figures from RBS show that 45% of social enterprises are led by women (a huge share in comparison with commercial businesses, with around 14%).
I recently met Nigel Kershaw, founder of the Big Issue, whose success shows what social enterprises are capable of and that they are real businesses built around a real cause.I recently met Nigel Kershaw, founder of the Big Issue, whose success shows what social enterprises are capable of and that they are real businesses built around a real cause.
When I asked for his top tips for aspiring social entrepreneurs, Kershaw said: "Follow your passion and forget chasing the money. Passion can also be blinding though and you can miss the woods for the trees but that's OK. Failure can be good too."When I asked for his top tips for aspiring social entrepreneurs, Kershaw said: "Follow your passion and forget chasing the money. Passion can also be blinding though and you can miss the woods for the trees but that's OK. Failure can be good too."
I fully support the campaign and the letter to the BBC – and I know that, having taken part in the show, we can't simply adapt the current model of the programme to make space for a few social entrepreneurs. We need exciting new tasks that have been designed with a social mission in mind; we need different terminology and a new criteria for success. That would be a programme well worth watching.I fully support the campaign and the letter to the BBC – and I know that, having taken part in the show, we can't simply adapt the current model of the programme to make space for a few social entrepreneurs. We need exciting new tasks that have been designed with a social mission in mind; we need different terminology and a new criteria for success. That would be a programme well worth watching.
Melody Hossaini is founder and chief executive of InspirEngage International – a global social enterprise supporting individuals to be: confident, work-ready and socially enterprising. In 2011 she became the first social entrepreneur to take part in The Apprentice. Melody tweets @Melody_HossainiMelody Hossaini is founder and chief executive of InspirEngage International – a global social enterprise supporting individuals to be: confident, work-ready and socially enterprising. In 2011 she became the first social entrepreneur to take part in The Apprentice. Melody tweets @Melody_Hossaini
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