Venture Capital
Financing of startup and early stage businesses through high-risk, high reward deals in return for large equity stakes in the organization. Venture Capital (VC) firms serve as the intermediary between institutional investors – such as pension funds, university endowments, and high net worth individuals – and startup or early stage businesses. VC firms invest the […]
UN Global Compact
First proposed in an address to The World Economic Forum in Davos in 1999 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Global Compact seeks to promote responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization encouraging businesses to support ten fundamental principles in the area of human rights, […]
Top-line
The total revenues an organization reports on their income statement. While many activities within an organization are focused on reducing costs, initiatives such as innovative product and service development focus on creating more valuable and desirable offerings that increase revenues. Attention to human and natural capital (as well as financial capital) can often increase revenue […]
Synergy
Derived from the Greek words for “cooperation” and “working together,” synergy is the result of two or more people or companies working together to produce an effect that is greater than the sum of their individual efforts. In business, synergy is often a stated benefit of a merger or acquisition. Unfortunately, this effect is often […]
Tax-shifting
The objective behind tax shifting is to stop taxing the things we do want (like income and savings) and shift towards taxing things people collectively do not want (like waste and pollution). The current tax system encourages the depletion of natural resources and the unsustainable degradation of the environment, while discouraging job creation. Ideally, a […]
Strategic Management
The process of developing, implementing, and revising a strategic plan. While strategic planning often involves senior management for planning and communication of strategic goals, strategies, and tactics, strategic management recognizes that without involvement throughout the organization, strategic plans are rarely successful.
Stakeholders
Individuals or organizations with an interest in the success or failure of a project or entity. Potential stakeholders in a company may include customers, clients, employees, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, partners, creditors, stockholders (shareholders), communities, government courts and departments (city, state, federal, and international), banks, media, institutional investors and fund managers, Labor Unions, Insurers and […]
Social Marketing
The positioning and segmenting of consumers by socially-driven concerns and the development of strategies and solutions that will meet their needs and desires while advancing their social agenda. Products and services which satisfy or appeal to these consumers are often use advertising and promotion that makes social or values-based claims about their manufacturing, use, or […]
Social Entrepreneurship
The act of creating, organizing and managing an income-earning venture to serve an explicit social purpose. The primary mission of a socially entrepreneurial organization is to create value that benefits the health and well-being of individuals, society, or the natural environment, rather than to create wealth for shareholders. Social entrepreneurs draw upon principles and best […]
Smart Growth
Consciously-planned community growth that creates a higher quality of life for all stakeholders. Smart growth requires a collaboration of perspectives, disciplines, and stakeholders. These principles can also be applied to organizations in the pursuit of growth that creates a better organization for all involved. Smart growth principles include: Directing development toward existing communities (vs. new […]
