Where is Social Enterprise Taking Us?

Everybody and their mother are claiming to be green, but why? What is it about this 'green' movement that has everyones head spinning? The answer is that it appears consumers are beginning to care what footprint their purchase leaves behind, they care about where it came from, and what the business that created it is doing to make a difference. Alas, the green movement. What does this mean for the future of business? Well alone it might mean very little, but expectations are rising - we expect big business to have a heart. More than ever before companies are seeing the need to create and publish Corporate Social Responsibility Reports to potential investors, as well as potential consumers. We expect our clothing not to be made by the hands of a child in a sweatshop, we expect pollution will be curbed, we expect, we expect, we expect. The truth is this is just the beginning. The generation currently making its way up the population tree is extremely socially conscious (for which I am apart of) and they are aware of the problems that plague the world. The expendable income that business is fighting for is about to become tied. If you want it then you had better make damn sure you deserve it. (As an aside and estimated 6 Trillion dollars is going to pass down to this upcoming generation over the next 30 years - that is a lot of expendable income) Up until now companies have reacted to the future business climate - the few that didn't and went ahead and built their business on socially conscious values have enjoyed a fruitful existence. If a company wants to succeed in the future then it might be pertinent to have some vision and plan for a future where social enterprise is not just a small segment of businesses but one which all businesses will be expected to prescribe. If you're a business why not see the opportunity in getting out ahead of the pack. A business need not look any further than the list of global threats over the present and future to see what might just be the next 'green' movement: Health (AIDS, Malaria, TB, Avian Flu, etc), resource shortages (water, petroleum), Poverty (a certain factor in terrorism). A business could find a real niche - one that fits in well with their brand. The social movement is here to stay ladies and gentlemen, so lets get a move on before we're left behind.

Warning: This first post is merely my opinion, even if it is an educated one, so if you disagree with my opinion then I certainly welcome the discussion. I do plan to expand on all that I write about and back it up with more fact in the future, it is just too much to start with now.