“A Social Business is a cause-driven business. In a social business, the investors/owners can gradually recoup the money invested, but cannot take any dividend beyond that point. Purpose of the investment is purely to achieve one or more social objectives through the operation of the company, no personal gain is desired by the investors. The impact of the business on people or environment, rather the amount of profit made in a given period measures the success of social business. Sustainability of the company indicates that it is running as a business. The objective of the company is to achieve social goal/s” (Yunus Centre, www.yunuscentre.org).
One for One Foundation believes that in order to help individuals create sustainable businesses and sustainable markets, a Social Business model is the ideal way. Muhammad Yunus and the Yunus Centre have outlined “Seven Principles of Social Business” that we too believe to be necessary in order to create a true social business.
1. Business objective will be to overcome poverty, or one or more problems (such as education, health, technology access, and environment) which threaten people and society; not profit maximization
2. Financial and economic sustainability
3. Investors get back their investment amount only. No dividend is given beyond investment money
4. When investment amount is paid back, company profit stays with the company for expansion and improvement
5. Environmentally conscious
6. Workforce gets market wage with better working conditions
7...do it with joy
