TOR149: Rethinking the social sector with Paula Kravitz of the Social Progress Imperative

There is a beautiful simplicity to the commercial sector. Anyone can create products and services that satisfy a real or perceived need in whatever market(s) they want. Then, with the right marketing and (hopefully) added value from the "better mousetraps" people create, the business can realize a profit. And that, ultimately, is the measure of your success. Unfortunately, finding the same simplicity in the social sector is difficult. While social enterprises, non profits and charities are on the constant lookout for, or purposeful invention of, products and services that satisfy real (or perceived) needs, rather than seeing profit as the end game, the social sector seeks an overall improved human condition. This presents something of a conundrum because we still have so much trouble, as a human community, agreeing about what improvement means. I know there is a lot to unpack in this seemingly simple distinction. But, fortunately, that is exactly why I am so excited to introduce my guest for the 149th Terms of Reference Podcast. Paula Kravitz is a Strategic Advisor for the Social Progress Imperative - a Washington, DC based enterprise dedicated to redefining how the world measures and achieves social progress. Before SPI, Paula spent a decade at the Skoll Foundation where she directed and curated the Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. Said another way, Paula has been at the forefront of thinking on the social sector for the last 10 years. And, if I’m completely honest, as I hope comes out in our conversation, Paula is tapped into what is essentially the reason behind why I started Aidpreneur and this podcast in the first place - the need for a shake up of the social sector in order to redefine and align what it is we’re all trying to achieve as a collective body dedicated to human flourishing.