What's in it for me - Social Mission?
I spent about 90-mins listening to live stream where a couple of business and social mission owners were sharing how design a strategy for social mission. I have heard of social mission and have done minimal to embark on it fully. As a business owner, it crosses my mind as I recall numerous stories of my past encounters with my close friends.
What is social mission? It is an act of creating social value through helping the disadvantaged, underrepresented and marginalized. And the space is diverse. I live in a "Little Red Dot" and come have come across a buffet of opportunities how I can support social mission. Here are 3-things that I learnt this morning.
Firstly, before I jump into any social mission, start with my self. Do I have sufficient resources to support me, my dependents and others who rely on me. Self-viability will ensure if I can support my social mission while supporting myself. Don't embark on it, if I have to constantly seek out sufficiency of my needs.
Secondly, carefully identify causes that I would like to support. What is important to me? What do I gravitate to in the news or what am I noticing most frequently. Areas for me to consider include, animals, arts/culture, sports, youth, environment, community, religion, self-help groups, education, health and the list goes on. Prioritize time to start with one and then consider a second to add diversity in social missions.
Finally, I need to determine clearly on the purpose of embarking on the social mission. Purpose can be clearly defined by looking at the Why/What/How! Why do I want to embark on a social mission? Am I merely joining the bandwagon, because everyone is doing it? What is the deeper reason for me? What is it that I wish to do? How am I gonna achieve my social mission goals.
What I learnt today is that social mission is about maximizing my financial value (primary), before maximizing my social value. I have also learned the need to balance cost and benefits to business and charity.
What is your approach to social mission? Please share with me, so that I gain an added perspective to it.