Getting Beyond Better

Getting Beyond Better examines how social entrepreneurs create transformative change in the world. Through case studies and analysis, Martin and Osberg present a framework for understanding successful social entrepreneurship. The authors profile multiple social entrepreneurs and organizations that have achieved systemic change in various sectors including healthcare, education, and economic development. The book outlines four key stages that define successful social entrepreneurship: understanding the status quo, envisioning a new future, building a model for change, and scaling the solution. The work draws clear distinctions between traditional charity, social entrepreneurship, and other forms of social progress. Through detailed examples and research, it demonstrates how social entrepreneurs bridge the gap between current reality and better possibilities. At its core, this book explores the intersection of business principles and social impact, revealing patterns that emerge when innovators successfully disrupt broken systems. The framework presented offers both a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for those seeking to create lasting social change.

Readers found this book provided clear frameworks for understanding social entrepreneurship through real-world examples like Victoria Hale's OneWorld Health and Molly Melching's Tostan. Liked: - Clear distinction between social entrepreneurship and other forms of social progress - Strong case studies that demonstrate concepts - Practical guidelines for measuring social impact - Balanced mix of theory and application Disliked: - Some found the writing style dry and academic - Case studies focus mainly on large, established organizations - Limited guidance for early-stage social entrepreneurs - Several readers noted redundancy in concepts One reader said "The book excels at explaining how social entrepreneurs think differently about systemic change." Another noted "Too much time spent defining terms rather than providing actionable insights." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (235 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (64 ratings) BookDepository: 4.0/5 (28 ratings) The book resonates more with academics and established social sector professionals than with startup entrepreneurs.

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🔹 Roger Martin was named the #1 management thinker in the world by Thinkers50 in 2017, and his work on social entrepreneurship draws from his experience advising companies like Procter & Gamble and Skoll Foundation. 🔹 The book introduces the "Four Stages of Social Entrepreneurship" framework: understanding the world, envisioning a new future, building a model for change, and scaling the solution. 🔹 Sally Osberg served as the first President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation for 17 years, helping to distribute over $500 million in grants to social entrepreneurs worldwide. 🔹 The authors distinguish between social entrepreneurship and social service provision by emphasizing that true social entrepreneurship aims to create systemic, permanent change rather than temporary relief. 🔹 The book features case studies of successful social entrepreneurs like Muhammad Yunus (Grameen Bank), Victoria Hale (OneWorld Health), and Molly Melching (Tostan), demonstrating how their innovations transformed entire systems.