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Interview with i-genius

posted on Monday, February 07, 2011 02:43 PM

i-genius: How did you hear about i-genius, and why did you join the community?
Ian: I forget exactly where I first saw/heard about i-genius, but I suspect it was on another website during the research that I've been doing.


i-genius: Tell us about your goals
Ian: At present my goal is to secure a suitable position within a developing/majority-world focused social enterprise that is based in the UK. I have spent the last decade in the aid environment of the international development sector, and although I recognise that id has its place, my experience has been that there is too much of it, too many poor models, and more importantly that if any model has a chance of reversing the growing problems of the world (social, economic environmental), it is the social enterprise/business model. This is why I want to shift the time I invest in my working life from aid to social enterprise/business.


i-genius: What part do you feel social entrepreneurship will play this year?
Ian: I think the concept of and terminology around social entrepreneurship still has to reach and be understood by a much wider audience, which we know from experience of other such movements will take time. Here in the UK I think we have a huge opportunity with the concept of The Big Society, the gaping holes in the world we live in that the financial and economic crisis left for all to see, and the growing awareness and acceptance of the threat to our planet. A year is a relatively short time, but I really hope that social entrepreneurship manages to make a disproportionate positive impact on people's hearts, minds and lives during 2011


i-genius: What challenges have you faced so far, and how were they overcome?
Ian: I have found it very difficult to find a suitable role for myself within a social enterprise/business that is developing-world focused and based in the UK. For one thing - depending on your definition of social enterprise/business - I have not found too many social enterprises/business that are developing-world focused operating out of the UK. The majority of those found are in the Fairtrade/fair trade space, but there are few opportunities that come-up which match my experience and skill-set. If anyone is able and willing to help me in anyway (e.g. contacts, opportunity, advice) then please do get in touch.


i-genius: What music do you listen to recently?
Ian: I have been listening to Classic FM a lot recently, which I find is on the whole incredibly relaxing, and a perfect driving companion.

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