Group items tagged

innovation of services during tough times!

Check this out really inspirational - link etrategy to employees values in serving community. Well, this is what i read between the lines as I take the business concept into a community context ;-) It also links to the publishing element we've discussed time and time again. You'll love it ;-)

Social Marketing: How Companies Are Generating Value from Customer Input -

"Human Centered Design Toolkit Close For years, companies and other organizations have used Human-Centered Design to arrive at innovative business solutions. Funded by IDE as part of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in collaboration with non-profit groups ICRW and Heifer International, IDEO relied on this approach to improve the lives of communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The resulting HCD Toolkit helps NGO staff and volunteers understand people's needs in new ways, find innovative solutions to meet these needs, and deliver solutions with financial sustainability in mind. The free kit is divided into four sections that bolster listening skills, running workshops, and implementing ideas. The HCD Toolkit contains the elements to Human-Centered Design, a process used for decades to create new solutions for multi-national corporations. This process has created ideas such as the HeartStart defibrillator, Cleanwell natural antibacterial products, and the Blood Donor System for the Red Cross--innovations that have enhanced the lives of millions of people. This process has been specially-adapted for NGOs and social enterprises that work with impoverished communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and compiled into a Toolkit available for download here or for order at cost at www.blurb.com."

News: Diigo buys up other 'diigo' like company! ;o)

social networks and blogs! - impact on business when power of digital and custoemr and company is blurrring - due to conversations!

"People start businesses for lots of reasons, but as the business evolves so, too, may your goals. Are you simply trying to create an incredible product, or are you hoping to effect a larger societal change? As we learn more about our customers' and clients' needs, we often start to reconsider our original objectives. If you're finding yourself in this position, it may be time to revisit your original mission statement. Having a solid (and up-to-date) vision of what you want to accomplish will keep your decision-making on course, and, ultimately, help you get your company to where you want it to be. "

organisation that helps charities manage and organise events. It's free to register as charity and individual - but companies are charged so that they can use this website as a platform for their corporate social responsibility commmitments.

Future Builders Trading Name Company - website: Social Investment business

How can digital and the internet be integrated into your overall learner/service user experience? Would you use it to persuade? to re-assure? to provide tips? to share rich service user knowledge? - check this case study of the shoe-trainer biz to get your creative juices flowing ;-D

This article shows the evidence on a large corporate scale - What CLP naturally discovered with virtual spaces - go where the learners hang out. Coca-cola wasted a lot of money trying to get people to go to other virtual spaces.

Shame we didn't have all of that money to burn!! We'd have used it a lot more wisely......

"Once in a generation, a book comes along that transforms the business landscape. Company strategy typically has been planned by corporate chiefs in annual meetings, and then dictated to managers to carry out. In The New How, Nilofer Merchant shows corporate directors, executives, and managers that the best way to create a winning strategy is to include employees at all levels, helping to create strategy they not only believe in, but are also equipped to implement."

inancial Stress and Absenteeism: An Empirically Derived Model Author: Jinhee Kim and E. Thomas Garman This paper examines the relationship between financial stress and absenteeism. A conceptual model was derived from a Health Promotion Model and empirically tested to investigate relationships among determinants (individual characteristics), stress (financial stress), physical and psychological responses (organizational commitment and health), and absenteeism. Using data from white-collar workers at an insurance company in three midwestern states, this research determined that financial stress was negatively related to organizational commitment and was positively associated with absenteeism. Employers might consider offering workplace financial education programs to reduce absenteeism. Key words: financial stress, absenteeism, Work

And her ideas became a reality .... like ours will be

A company set up by a woman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

An inspirational story for CLP and BAC - how ideas were turned into a reality by a woman with MS, and how she engaged with others, valuing their ideas and experiences.

This is a company that does funky reports and is a consultancy on elearning platforms.

"Not for Profit Contribution to Pathways to Work Highlighted in New Research 30/10/2009 Provider-led Pathways is the final research phase of the Pathways to Work initiative that was first introduced in 2003. It provides information, advice and practical help to people receiving incapacity benefits to help them take up paid employment. Provider-led Pathways is delivered by private companies and not-for-profit third sector organisations rather than Jobcentre Plus. This report presents findings from qualitative research carried out in 2008 to explore experiences of the early implementation of the Provider-led Pathways programme from the perspectives of incapacity benefits recipients, staff of provider organisations, and staff of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Jobcentre Plus."

Hear the inspiring talk from Jeff Bezos - CEO of amazon, of why it is important to