Global Entrepreneurs Do Good and Make a Profit

©iStock/AntonioGuillem

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's (GEM) Social Entrepreneurship Report is the largest comparative study of social entrepreneurship in the world. The report confirms social entrepreneurship is taking root in both developing and developed nations, with more entrepreneurs focusing on doing good, rather than solely making a profit.

According to American University's Kogod School of Business Professor Siri Terjesen, who is also the AU Innovation Center Research Director, "Social entrepreneurship is about people starting any initiative that has a social, environmental, or community objective."  She goes on to say, "It could be students who are starting a product that's based on recycled materials, or a group working to find a solution to irrigation problems in their neighborhood."

Read more:  New study reveals the worldwide reach of social entrepreneurship

What It's Like to Be a Global Entrepreneur

©iStock/JimmyFam

Four entrepreneurs address the following four questions on what it's like to be a global entrepreneur.

1. What’s your experience and how did you start out in business?
2. What characterizes entrepreneurship and what’s great about it?
3. Can you be creative and make money in business?
4. Can turning what you love into a business help with your success?

Read:  Entrepreneurship:  A global perspective

The Internet: An E-Revolution For the Digital Global Entrepreneur

Photo credit:  Laurel Delaney, shot from car heading East on Wacker Drive about 5:00 p.m. CST on 3/10/11 -- that's the Wrigley Building dead center (clock).

My debut column on global business for Crain's Chicago Business Enterprise City blog (in case you missed it):

In 1998, my book “Start & Run a Profitable Exporting Business” (read it free: http://tinyurl.com/2d5dfm3) was published. Since then, it has become a source for entrepreneurs and small businesses interested in exporting their products and services internationally. But let’s face it — a lot has happened in the past 13 years. Starting an export business was a good idea then, but now is an even better time to take your business global.

What’s been the single most influential change for businesses since 1998?

Read the entire column here:
Laurel Delaney:  The Internet is a Global Entrepreneur's Best Friend

Watch for more on Wednesdays.  Follow @EnterpriseCity on Twitter!  And follow me while you are at it:  @LaurelDelaney!

Have a great weekend!  Back with you on Monday.

Posted by:  The Global Small Business Blog

Are You a Dreamer and a Doer?

iStock/Thinkstock

Aspire to become a global entrepreneur? Yes, you can. If you are a dreamer and a doer, then you might want to check out Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where entrepreneurial students talk shop throughout the day and night in the E-Tower.

The E-Tower is a community for Babson students who wish to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors while attending school.

As one student says, "Any school can teach entrepreneurship, but at Babson, we live entrepreneurship."

To find out more about Babson's program, visit here. To learn what ventures E-Tower members are currently creating and growing, go here.