Mission, Inc.: The Practitioners Guide to Social Enterprise (Social Venture Network) [Paperback]

Kevin Lynch (Author), Julius Walls (Author)

Book Description

Series: Social Venture Network | Publication Date: January 1, 2009

Two social entrepreneurs draw on their own extensive experiences and those of20 other enterprise leaders to focus on the fundamental blocking and tacklingtactics that make the difference between success and failure.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for Mission, Inc.

"Read this book and keep it nearby. It is jam-packed with useful and relevant information not only for the aspiring social entrepreneur but for the experienced one as well. I learned a lot that will help me in my own business."
--Michael Hannigan, President and cofounder, Give Something Back, Inc.

"Kevin Lynch and Julius Walls have written the most accessible, practical approach to social enterprise in years! Newbies and veterans alike can mine their work over and over again and never come away empty."
--Jerr Boschee, founder and Executive Director, The Institute for Social Entrepreneurs, and Visiting Professor of the Practice in Social Enterprise, Carnegie Mellon University

"Like the social enterprises it celebrates, Mission Inc. successfully juggles a `double bottom line,' integrating a bold vision for business as a vehicle for social impact with exceptional practical advice for the organizations and people that increasingly pursue an idea whose time has come."
--Jim Schorr, Professor, Vanderbilt University, and former CEO, Juma Ventures

About the Author

Julius Walls JR. is senior vice president business and real estate of the Greyston Foundation and CEO of the Greyston Bakery. Greyston Foundation is a values-driven network of nonprofit and for-profit organizations founded to help transform the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Greyston is located in and focuses the large majority of its community development and social service work in the southwest section of Yonkers, New York. Kevin Lynch is President of Rebuild Resources, a non-profit, social purpose enterprise that helps chronic addicts and alcoholics find a path to sobriety and self-sufficiency through employment and spiritual recovery. Rebuild has multiple business operations, including sportswear imprinting and embroidery, manufacturing and light assembly, and steel sawing, which provide a recovery environment for its student-employees while creating the earned income streams to support the organization. Prior to Rebuild, Kevin was founder and principle of Lynch Jarvis Jones, an advertising agency dedicated to creating positive social change through the power of advertising and marketing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 187 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576754790
• ISBN-13: 978-1576754795
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 20 for the price of one, January 16, 2009

By 

T. E. Eckstein (Twin Cities, MN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mission, Inc.: The Practitioners Guide to Social Enterprise (Social Venture Network) (Paperback)

In this book, you are able to get the ideas, suggestions and advice from 20 successful social enterprise entreprenuirs in one place. It condenses their years of learning into digestable tidbits that you can grasp and use well beyond the social enterprise world that is the source of the information. It combines the mechanical, must-do, analytical requirements with the affection, desire and vision drivers that make these people a success. Thanks for sharing these stories.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very worthwhile, January 5, 2009

By 

Kris Prendergast (Washington, DC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mission, Inc.: The Practitioners Guide to Social Enterprise (Social Venture Network) (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book tremendously. I thought it would be a dry book about the dry subject of operations, but the tone of the writing makes it feel like the authors are having a conversation with you in your living room. As for the subject, it packs precise punches at the most critical things to keep in mind as you deal with daily operational challenges in a social enterpise. Easy and enjoyable to read, and very worthwhile advice from experienced practitioners.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Million Dollar Chapter--Chapter 3, June 9, 2009

By 

Kathleen Kalaf "Kathleen Marie" (At the Beach, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mission, Inc.: The Practitioners Guide to Social Enterprise (Social Venture Network) (Kindle Edition)

I just started my own non profit organization, [...]. I was a Corporate Sales and Marketing Professional for 25 years, and became ill with a condition called Systemic Candida, and decided to form an organization to raise awareness about this debilitating condition caused by prolonged use of antibiotics. I struggled for weeks trying to determine the best structure for my new organization. I talked with attorneys, accountants, and support organizations, and not a single person could tell me all that I needed to know. I was in a hurry, and saw this book, so I picked up the phone and called this very approachable and kind author--Kevin Lynch. He called me back within 24 hours, and emailed me, and suggested I jump right into Chapter 3 to answer my question. And, he followed through with a follow up call to make sure I got what I needed. Let me tell you something. I feel like I just got an education from the Wharton School of Business on Social Enterprise. That is a million dollar chapter!!
I am now on my way to finish the book, but it answered my question all right. For my organization, I need non profit, 501 (c)(3). If you are struggling with how to set up your new organization and want to learn about social enterprise as well as other set ups--Kevin Lynch is the man. I will write my full book review once I am done. FIVE STARS!