The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets That Change the World
by John Elkington, Pamela Hartigan
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Book Summary Information
Author: John Elkington, Pamela HartiganForeword: Klaus Schwab
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-04
ISBN: 1422104060
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Harvard Business School Press
Book Reviews of The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets That Change the World
Book Review: Power of Unreasonable People
Summary: 3 Stars
I love the topic of course which is why I read this after already reading other similar books.
This book lays out a classification of different kinds of social entrepreneurs, ranging from pure charity to pure business. This is the strongest element of the book, since other popular books have not explicitly discussed the fact that all are possible. The book also tries to provide case studies, and indeed I took notes of things to go look up further. However the case studies are to brief and scattered to really be useful.
I found the book mildly engaging in terms of writing style. I finished it, but I also put it down a lot of times.
If you have been doing your homework in this space much of this book will be repeat, but there is enough new that its worth your time. If you are new to this space of social entrepreneurship start with either of Bornstein-How To Change the World, which is very engaging to read and provides sufficiently in-depth case studies that you feel like you learned a few examples. Another place to start might be Yunnus - Banker to the Poor, also very engaging, but focused on just one case.
Summary of The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets That Change the World
Renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw once said "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world, the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." By this definition, some of today's entrepreneurs are decidedly unreasonable--and have even been dubbed crazy. Yet as John Elkington and Pamela Hartigan argue in The Power of Unreasonable People, our very future may hinge on their work.Through vivid stories, the authors identify the highly unconventional entrepreneurs who are solving some of the world's most pressing economic, social, and environmental problems. They also show how these pioneers are disrupting existing industries, value chains, and business models--and in the process creating fast-growing markets around the world.
By understanding these entrepreneurs' mindsets and strategies, you gain vital insights into future market opportunities for your own organization. Providing a first-hand, on-the-ground look at a new breed of entrepreneur, this book reveals how apparently unreasonable innovators have built their enterprises, how their work will shape risks and opportunities in the coming years, and what tomorrow's leaders can learn from them.
Start investing in, partnering with, and learning from these world-shaping change agents, and you position yourself to not only survive but also thrive in the new business landscape they're helping to define.
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