This article explores social entrepreneurship skills in collaboration with the Erasmus+ project Enhancer, drawing insights from the report “SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPABILITIES CATCHER.” The report aims to clarify social entrepreneurship concepts and outlines essential competencies for developing future digital escape rooms. It emphasizes that success in social entrepreneurship is not confined to a specific educational background but relies on a unique skill set. Dispelling the one-size-fits-all myth, it underscores the significance of traits like focus and persistence. The article decodes 33 essential skills across four domains – Business Management, Relationship Management, Organizational Process Management, and Transformation Management – crucial for the success of social entrepreneurship projects.
In collaboration with the Erasmus+ project Enhancer, this exploration of social entrepreneurship skills draws inspiration from the enlightening report titled “SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPABILITIES CATCHER.” The primary objective of this report, rooted in the spirit of Erasmus+, is to provide clarity on the concepts surrounding social entrepreneurship. More importantly, it aims to construct a comprehensive overview of the essential competencies crucial for the development of the digital escape rooms which will be developed in the future.
In the dynamic landscape of social entrepreneurship, success is not solely determined by a specific educational background or professional field. Rather, it hinges on a unique set of skills that empower individuals to navigate the challenges of a globalized world. The journey towards becoming a successful social entrepreneur begins with acquiring the right knowledge and skills.
The Diversity of Social Entrepreneurs:
First and foremost, it’s crucial to dispel the myth that there exists a one-size-fits-all approach to social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs can emerge from diverse fields, ranging from engineering and medicine to the arts, or even without a higher education degree. This emphasizes the significance of traits such as focus and persistence in addressing specific problems (Bornstein & Davis, 2010). It’s not about a predefined set of knowledge; rather, it’s about the mindset and determination to make a positive impact.
The Enigma of Social Entrepreneurship Skills:
While the literature provides limited explicit guidance on the specific skills required for social entrepreneurship, some scholars underline the importance of skills in achieving success. Lichtenstein & Lyons (2010) define skills as the “ability to perform a particular action or task on a consistent basis, at a high level of performance, without a great deal of conscious thinking or attention, to achieve a desired outcome.” This definition opens the door to continuous improvement through learning, practice, and feedback (Lyons & Campbell, 2022).
Decoding the Essential Skills:
Despite the ambiguity, Lyons and Campbell (2022) shed light on 33 essential skills categorized into four domains crucial for the success of any social entrepreneurship project.
1. Business Management Skills:
These skills, including knowledge of the field/industry, laws/regulations, accounting/bookkeeping, finance, marketing/communication, operations management, and technology-enabled business management, are pivotal for effective decision-making and operational efficiency.
2. Relationship Management Skills:
In the realm of social entrepreneurship, building and maintaining relationships are paramount. Skills such as networking capacity, leveraging existing partnerships, resource leveraging, building and maintaining a reputation, community involvement and influence, accountability, and teaming play a vital role.
3. Organizational Process Management Skills:
As enterprises grow, managing them like a business becomes crucial. Internal communication, process design, decision-making, conflict management, and performance and disciplined action are key skills for organizational success.
4. Transformation Management Skills:
Characterized as essential for any entrepreneurial venture, transformation management skills encompass problem-solving, moral compass, moral judgment, empathetic understanding, persistence/resilience, passion/charisma, flexibility/adaptability to change, knowledge as a resource, creativity, innovation, leadership skills, resiliency, resourcefulness, and self-awareness.
Takeaway:
In the world of social entrepreneurship, success is not a singular destination, but a journey marked by continuous learning and skill development. The outlined skills provide a roadmap for aspiring social entrepreneurs to hone their abilities and make a lasting impact on society. By understanding and mastering these skills, individuals can navigate the complex challenges of social entrepreneurship with resilience, innovation, and a passion for positive change. This exploration is enriched by the insights gathered from the Erasmus+ project Enhancer and the report “SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CAPABILITIES CATCHER.”
Resources:
Enhancer. (2023). Social Entrepreneurship Capabilities Catcher. Retrieved from https://www.enhancerproject.nl/
Lichtenstein, G. & Lyons, T. (2010). Investing in Entrepreneurs: A Strategic Approach for Strengthening Your Regional and Community Economy. Praeger.
Lyons, T. & Campbell, C. (2022). Defining, Measuring, and Developing Social Entrepreneurship Skills: A Crucial Element of Social Entrepreneurship Strategy. In N. Faghih & A. Forouharfar (Eds.), Strategic Entrepreneurship: Perspectives on Dynamics, Theories, and Practices (pp.161-182). Springer