Aspiring Social Entrepreneur | Proactive Volunteer
I’d like to think of the 60+ hours a week I volunteer as the work of an aspiring social entrepreneur, having labeled myself as such is rather vain of me when really I’m just a very proactive volunteer.
Volunteer or social entrepreneur ~ either way, it works for me. I get to do what I love in my own way, on my own time, in hopes that the work I do now, will eventually pay off in terms of actually helping other people.
For me, volunteering is as much a part of my life/work landscape as my friends and family. I am immensely grateful to be surrounded by talented, passionate people that encourage and inspire the journey. That said, I would not suggest I have a traditional outlook on volunteer work.
While I do collect for the Red Puppy Appeal, attend charity music events for the likes of Sea Shepherd and volunteer my social media skills for 350Aotearoa ~ volunteering is about the 60 hours+ a week that I invest as work experience in order to create my own future work/life path.
my talent and time | pursuing the dream
It is as true for me as anyone else on this planet that our most valuable personal resources are our own talent and time. Importantly, you get to decide how you value yourself and how you apply your time and talent. What we have to give and gain from this life is up to us to decide.
On that basis, I’m going with a “priceless” valuation on my time and talent:) I work because I hope that what I do is of much greater value to me than a monetary value might prescribe. From Worknow to Augmented Reality to Social Development Banking & Funding models to communities like the Distiller and the Social Innovation Hub as well as work on the board of trustees with KUMA ~ the Southern Maori Business Network and The Malcam Charitable Trust Foundation. It may seem eclectic, but all this unpaid work caters to my aspirations to help people using technology to connect and harness our collective potential
the highs and lows of being “unemployable”
One could point out that I am unemployable ~ which in the traditional sense of a 40hour work week would be an understatement. No “employer” would pay me to do what I do, there is no job description that would comprehensively cover what I set out to achieve or my methods for doing so.
The stigma attached to the label of being “unemployed” is sometimes a challenge. It’s difficult to explain what I do in any quick way except to say that I volunteer, a lot. To quickly summaries my work life often strips from my description all the passion and well being I enjoy. To explain in even basic detail often means a five minute spiel all about me and the amazing talented people I know.
I sometimes struggle to share with the fact that I love my job, that I don’t get paid and actually could achieve nothing without the many many people that I work alongside. Some days I feel like a fake and it’s easy to see why no one pays me. Other days it all just comes together, it makes sense and I absolutely trust that I’m on the right path. If it is about the journey vs the destination, then I’m loving the ride.
Project based work life
Although only one of my current projects Worknow, is all about supporting my project based work life. Perhaps through determined belief and in living the lifestyle we promote I can show that volunteer work experience ~ choosing what you love and applying your talent to achieving your dreams ~ does pay. Perhaps not immediately, perhaps never in terms of cold hard cash but in so many other ways, that money could not buy.
If you aspire to entrepreneurship and work life freedom, if you seek to discover and live your talents and life with passion and joy then potentially, we can help. Your talent profile here will help you connect with the growing number of people that share our work life outlook . Tell us about your talents and skill your interests and values, and we’ll match you with work opportunities. What do you have to gain? that is up to you to define.
It had been a while since the game of generation bashing has had a look in but the floor is open again to generational commentary, stereotyping and general whinging following a research report on the values, attitudes, behaviors and demographic characteristics of American Gen Y | Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next
Born 1979 outside or upper end of the generational “age bracket” does nothing to change the fact that I identify most strongly with the Y Generation. While I can see in many friends my age, a stronger tendency to Gen X some of us never had the new generational “stereotypes” to qualify our actions.
Generation Y on Careers
I had to live my “traits” before they became widely touted indicators of our generation. My work career for instance in which I’ve had more than 10 jobs in the last 10 years. Inevitably, there were interviews in which I was asked to justify my job “hopping” to which my response involved learning, challenge, personal circumstance.
Now, in retrospect I can claim this as normal for an entire generation of people. No longer such an outlier, there is some reassurance to the fact that the following opinion is as true to me, as it is Amanda and probably millions more like us.
I don’t think that staying at one company for 20+ years necessarily correlates with building a career. Gen Y’s are more adaptive and willing to jump companies if it means advancing their career and lifestyle goals. I believe that this is a strength of our generation, not a weakness. I would rather change jobs many times to advance my career than allow my career to stagnate due to “corporate loyalty.” ~ Amanda, Tustin, CA : July 8, 2010 4:24 pm
Gen Y on Opportunities
Granted, I can understand that a CV of contract research and 6 – 12 month “career” efforts probably looked disconcerting to potential employers. And probably well it should because each job was for me about discovering something new about what I wanted to do with my life.
In some cases I learnt lessons about what I would do and what I could achieve but in most I learnt more about what I didn’t want. It was a process of discovery that has lead me to the clear realisation that as an employee other people were never going to allow me to challenge the status quo, learn and grow by testing limits. I was not made to fit the “employee” mold, a fact which I believe will prove true of many of our generation.
Being a part of “Gen Y” and soon to be a graduate of business school. I see my generation as one that will not sit in the corporate world to be told what to do when we know it is out dated. We want to be entrepreneurs and create our own opportunities. We will be a generation that wants social responsibility and making our communities better ~ Fletch, Omaha, NE : July 8, 2010 10:00 am
Gen Y Entrepreneurs
Love us or hate us by 2020 we will represent almost 40% of the New Zealand workforce. Maybe it’s time to accept that aspects of our work ethic, our ability to adapt quickly and easily to change for instance, are more suited to modern living.
Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing and able to take risks, our education has armed us with knowledge and insight and today’s technology allows us to connect, share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.
Today we recognise that we always have the option of working for ourselves and at Worknow we encourage this entrepreneurial spirit, the challenge of directing your own future and employing your talent, skills and interests to discover your dream job
I found Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted talk immensely inspiring and encouraging but it leads me to wonder why did it take me so long (15yrs) to choose my passion and talent over my need for achievement?
…we make very poor use of our talents…I meet all kinds of people who don’t think they are really good at anything…who don’t enjoy what they do they, they simply go through their lives getting on with it, they get no great pleasure from what they do, they endure it rather than enjoy it… but I also meet people who LOVE what they do…it isn’t what they do, it is who they are…their most authentic self… Sir Ken Robinson”
My talents and aspirations didn’t align because I was self centered and vain. Now, I was blessed to be raised in a family that nurtured my talents, surrounded by people that assured me that I could do anything I wanted. The education system, with which I am now thoroughly disenchanted was – up until I was about 15 years old – an environment in which I thrived upon learning and the ongoing recognition of academic, sporting and cultural achievement.
Yet for a long time now I have not lived up to the potential, that others saw in me. Despite the fact that I studied, worked and strived to become a better person, I was so self centered and focused on my own goals and achievements that I could not see opportunities to do what I most aspired to – help people and effect change – passing me by.
Over the last year, working as an aspiring social entrepreneur, I’ve recognised that I had things round the wrong way. Even as lately as January 2009, I thought that if I could make myself “a better person” then I could help others. Yet it now seems so apparent that only by helping others first will I ever be the person I aspire to.
The How: Helping Others Employ Their Talents
Using social networking to create a community in which people can feel OK about promoting and sharing their talents
“…natural talents: human resources are like natural resources, they are often buried deep. You have to go looking for them, they’re not just lying around on the surface you have to create the circumstances where they show themselves…” Sir Ken Robinson
This is not going to be an easy cause to gather people to and therein lies the challenge: to effect the national mind set.
We kiwi’s are not known for our self promotion, why would we when tall poppy syndrome is so alive and well in this country, ready to cut back down to size those that are too confident, too successful or aspire to lofty goals. One way I have found to overcome this barrier of talking about talents and strengths is simply to ask:
what are your interests?
what do you like to do?
what are you passionate about?
what interests would you want to share with other people?
By creating a talent profile and sharing you passion, talents, interests and values with the world we can match you with opportunities to LOVE what you.
When we plan it is inevitable that we make some assumptions.
As we put our plans in motion however, we have talked to people, tested our service and developed means to continually question our assumptions
In doing so we recently discovered we were off target so we changed our plans. We haven’t changed our destination but we have re-prioritized development within the scope of our long term vision and purpose.
And then this evening via twitter I come across an article Venture Capital 101 for For-Profit Social Entrepreneurs. We are bootstrapping this journey but I aspire to implement new financial and business models for social enterprise so I was compelled to read further and view the presentation below.
Although most of the Venture Capital talk does not apply to us, I discovered two slides #10 #11 that allay some concerns because although I intuitively trust that our decision is on track, it is a little at odds with recent sage advice concerning the importance of executing on plans.
The “execution paradox”
#10 Start ups need to be adaptable: Changing directions used to be a near-death experience for startups. Now, it’s common fare.
“The pivot – what do successful startups have in common? Pivot is the ability to change directions quickly. The difference between a successful and an unsuccessful start-up is the number of pivots a start-up makes before it dies.” [Eric Ries]
“[...] some things that startups that aren’t run well do: You don’t change direction fast enough. Every startup should be looking at its direction every month or so.” [Robert Scoble]
“In the average Y Combinator startup, I’d guess 70% of the idea is new at the end of the first three months.” [Paul Graham]
The “execution paradox”
Those startups who are adapting and changing like they should, are not “executing” against their prescribed milestones. Consequently, they will get eaten up by VC with all the “downside investing”.
Those startups who are not adapting and changing like they should, are apparently “executing”. In a high R-o-C environment, these are statistically likely to be failing.
Agility needs to be an intrinsic part of VC/startups. Was: “execute, execute, execute”. Now: “pivot, pivot, pivot”.
I aspire to one day be in the position of Mr Bill Payne – being able to invest time and money in talented, entrepreneurial teams – but I’ve got a long way to go and in the meantime I will glean as much learning and insight as I can from the experts in order to execute the plans we have for Worknow.
Mr Payne’s insights into the world of new venture financing are summarized in the presentation he offered The Capital Food Chain but in addition to taking notes it is necessary to reflect upon the knowledge imparted. Therefore, the following are some of the key points I took from Mr Bill Payne’s talk, which I feel are important to the new venture journey.
People: the management team is the number ONE factor influencing the angel’s investment decision.
People make or break a company. We were advised the primary difference between company’s that succeed vs. those new ventures that fail is simply the people and their ability to execute on plans.
“Better to invest in and A team with a C idea than a B team with an A idea”
Failure to execute was seen as the number one reason that companies fail and for this reason – People – the management team is the number one factor influencing the angel’s investment decision.
Important characteristics of the entrepreneurial individual / teams
Integrity
Industry Experience
Experience working together
Willingness to “let go” of control in the best interests of the company
Passion
Commitment
On the Investment process
If you don’t need money then don’t waste your time seeking investment. Bootstrap as far as you can. You’re better investing time executing on your plans than pursuing investors. That said…
Absolutely the best way to connect new venture teams with potential investors is to network. Talking to and learning from people is key to finding the best investors
Even before you need investment seek to learn from those with the knowledge, experience and connections to help, mentor and advise. Join entrepreneurial communities or clubs. Attend events, seminars and lectures.
Look for “smart money”: Experienced people offering both time and cash.
Be prepared to pitch your idea with the view to attracting interest
Mr Payne advised that there are four key communication tools that those seeking investment will require:-
1. Elevator Pitch [60 seconds]
2. Executive Summary [2 - 4 Pages]
3. Presentation [10 slides / 20 minutes / 30 font size]
4. Business Plan [Due Diligence]
People often make the mistake of focusing too much on the product or service offering. They key is to ensure each form of communication provides a balance between product or service offering / opportunity / differentiation.
Five Mistakes to Avoid
For more information including the five biggest mistakes to avoid when seeking investment check out the full presentation The Capital Food Chain
Worknow & The Distiller
We hope that the tools we provide may help connect talented entrepreneurs with those seeking to invest in New Zealand’s next generation of start up teams. Thanks again Otago University, this time the Masters of Entrepreneurship – for inviting The Distiller Crew to attend.
–noun
1. something that is intended; purpose; design; intention
2. the act or fact of intending, as to do something
3. the state of a person’s mind that directs actions toward a specific object.
4. meaning or significance.
“We aspire to create a world class business that helps people & effects change” Co Founders May 2009.
Social Entrepreneurship
It may be the Gen Y catchphrase du jour yet it encapsulates our endeavor to combine the best of both “non-profit” and “for profit” business models.
Rather than being opposite ends of a scale we believe there is a middle ground where the realms of “non profit” and “for profit” business combine for the greater good.
And it would seem we are far from the only people thinking like this with terms like philantrocapitalism, natural capitalism, capitalism 3.0, venture philanthropy and philanthropreneur being coined to define the synergy.
To be always learning
Yet it wasn’t inspired TED talks that led us to think this way. We’ve studied, watched and learned. We’ve been inspired and gained insight from those that went before us.
Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing to take risks, to experiment, to make mistakes and learn from them while today’s technology allows us to connect, share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.
Our efforts to effect change, by necessity must begin small. Yet we believe this Time Trade tool, in the hands of creative, collaborative people has the potential to transform communities and enhance the way we work together.
Technology has made sharing opinions, information and knowledge easier. We no longer need a degree in Journalism or a PhD to publish findings. Having a voice no longer requires the interest of a publisher or editor yet clearly our growing freedom of expression is threatening to some people.
The rise of social networking sites is indeed a disturbing trend that may be continuing to fuel the narcissism of a generation [Gen Y] becoming more desperate than ever to maintain their fragile self-esteem. Source
I wonder what this Dr would say about the need to adapt? Because despite all the evidence gathered in support of their stated point of view there is much more to prove that Social media is not just a “trend”, it is a new way of connecting and communicating.
There is so much more than ego in play here. Social networking tools can harnesss the collective potential of people and our new venture team is proof that they can be applied to entrepreneurship and new business creation. It’s our intent to help others like us – young aspiring and active entrepreneurs, business catalysts and change makers – use these tools to;
Showcase their talents, skills and values
Connect with people of common purpose and vision
Find work experience and business opportunities
Build teams with which to drive the creation of new business
Building relationships with talented, passionate people is one of the most inspiring parts of my startup journey
Meeting talking and learning from others, whether supported and applauded or challenged and questioned is integral to achieving our vision to become a world class business that helps people and affects change.
Each and every person I find, connect and work with adds value to our idea, creating avenues from which to discover and explore new opportunities and challenge our thinking.
I am especially thankful for my two co founders, Jamie & Josh, without whom I would not be in a position to be pursuing a vision I am truly passionate about. And stoked on pursuing the path of entrepreneur alongside other talented people from both The Distiller and AIESEC communities.
The entrepreneurial mindset is surround yourself with great people
Worknow is a community and marketplace to help people find, connect and work together. Register with our talent community today to connect and collaborate with other inspiring, talented people .
There’s an old school mantra that advises “do not underestimate the competition” because knowing your competition is necessary in order to build strategic advantage. Yet from a Gen Y perspective, many of those same competitors are potential collaborators.
If we were to offer a mantra of advice in regards to competition it would be to “seek opportunity to collaborate rather than compete” which makes it ever more frustrating that the older generation, people we would also like to collaborate with, continue to deny the talents and capabilities of my generation.
Even an over educated, under experienced MBA student knows that success comes from being able to climb the greasy management pole. You don’t do that by trumpeting that you know it all or that Facebook is the interface proxy for enterprise applications.
Try that in this economy and you’ll be at the head of the queue when the next round of pink slips are distributed (sic). You can only know that from having worked in enterprises, experienced the nuances of management practice and negotiated the politics of power. Source
This comment completely fails to recognise that management hierarchy’s are not the future. While they might have worked for the industrial revolution, entrepreneurship, collaborative, mobile, networked teams are the future of our knowledge economy.
Political Hierarchies vs Collaborative Teams
Sorry, old guard but we don’t actually need to climb your “greasy management pole” because with today’s technology we can connect and circumvent your traditional hierarchy’s to collaborate and build businesses of our own.
Rather than politics, power and vainglorious titles we aspire to work together as co-founders in recognition of our interdependent need for each others talents, skills and trust.
Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing and able to take risks, our education has armed us with knowledge and insight and today’s technology allows us to connect, share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.
Dismissing the fact that we are tech natives, and assuming that we need to be “employees” fails to recognise that we are creators of our own future.
Love us or hate us 10 years from now we will represent almost 40% of the New Zealand workforce. Perhaps it’s time to accept that aspects of our work ethic, like our collaborative spirit, may be the best form of work organisation for a knowledge based economy.
I chose to study extramurally so that I could apply my business education across a range of business settings and discover where my talents lay.
However, when I finally completed my degree and set out to find full-time employment (my apprenticeship in business ownership) potenial employers began to question why I had already worked in so many roles.
Back in 2003, before it became widely recognised as a common Gen Y work trait, my CV already listed more roles over five years than my mum held over a thirty year working life:-
Gymnastics Instructor, Tauranga YMCA
Holiday Programme Leader, Tauranga YMCA
Civil & Criminal Law Clerk, Tauranga District Court
General Administration & Customer Service, FIL Agrichemical
Part Time Financial Administration, Harmer Parr Financial Planners
Market Research Contract, Private Interests
Junior Reporter, Oceansider Community News
Frontline Sales, Greenpeace
Business Developer, Bartercard NZ
Bay of Plenty Marketing Representative, Hewlett Packard
The problem was full time study combined with working 30+hours a week, rather than proving a strong work ethic or general intelligence, indicated to potential employers a lack of loyalty or worse. Fours year study, did little to prove my discipline or perserverance, all it served was to get me on a level playing feild with every other graduate.
WorkNoWorKnow
It’s a conundrum that many students face.
First we must choose either to Work Now which research shows will hinder future long-term prospects or
Forego earnings and take on student debt in order to be in the “Know” and compete for jobs that require no more than a high school education.
On choosing the second option – education and the pursuit of knowledge – we still must Work Now to get by in more than survival mode. Yet in most cases the type of work we can get – hospo, cleaning, labouring – does almost nothing to reflect our true intelligence, or inherent talents.
And in some cases, like my own, even a series of respectable contract jobs can have negative connotations for employers, which begs the question; would I have been better to choose No Work over Work Now?
But of course if you choose the No Work option and elect to focus on study then when you step out in to the working world, which is where the education path leads for most people, you will lack the “work expereince” needed to land the jobs that you’ve studied so hard and long to attain. In the words of Tom Petty
Situation no win
Rush for a change of atmosphere
Work Study Transition
Of the three option 1) work or 2) study or 3) work and study it is easy to recommend that the best option, by far is #3
Do try and find contract work relevant to your degree while studying so that you can gain the work expereince you need to apply your education out in the work force.
If you can’t find paid work expereince, then volunteer with a company that interests you. Volunteering looks great on anyone’s CV and can open doors to work opportunities that are not advertised on seek, trademe jobs or student job search.
Employment is not our only option. Business creation, while higer risk is the much more rewarding alternative.
Here at WorkNow we encourage and support a more entrepreneurial work ethic. Whether you’re starting out and need work expereince or have honed your talent and skills and just need to connect with the right work opportunities, we can help. Register today with our talent community and foster your collective potential.
Gen Y Entrepreneurs
Love us or hate us by 2020 we will represent almost 40% of the New Zealand workforce. Maybe it’s time to accept that aspects of our work ethic, our ability to adapt quickly and easily to change for instance, are more suited to modern living.
Our entrepreneurial spirit makes us increasingly willing and able to take risks, our education has armed us with knowledge and insight and today’s technology allows us to connect, share and collaborate in new, more effective ways.
Today we recognise that we always have the option of working for ourselves and at Worknow we encourage this entrepreneurial spirit, the challenge of directing your own future and employing your talent, skills and interests to discover your dream job