As well as entrepreneurs, social enterprises need talented "builders and runners". On Purpose helps attract and develop these people for the social enterprise movement.
In a new series for the Guardian social enterprise network, this year's On Purpose Associates talk to the builders and runners they are working with, each representing varied ways of using commercial approaches for social good. In the first of the series, Jemima Jewell talks to Charlotte Glynn, head of people at JustGiving, the leading online fundraising site.
How did you get to where you are now?
I always intended to work in something to do with behaviour and motivation – people interest me. Armed with a BSc in human psychology, I entered the world of management consultancy, but ended up becoming really technology-focused, sitting in a dark room, doing coding, thinking "how did this happen?"
I changed consultancies more than once but while at times it was interesting and glamorous, the work-life balance was ridiculous! I moved on to work at Innocent, which I loved – and it transformed the way I thought about people and HR.
After that, I was looking for somewhere that had strong ethics and social purpose – at the same time I wanted to be surrounded by high-calibre, commercially-minded people in a fast-moving environment.
I spent six months at Teach First, helping them restructure their team and define their cultural values. Then in 2009 I joined JustGiving – really a perfect blend of the things I was looking for.
Why is being a socially responsible business important to you and your organisation?
I've worked in a lot of organisations and I know that I am infinitely more motivated and committed when I feel an affinity to what I do. When I was consulting I often felt detached and wondered what the bigger picture was.
Now I couldn't operate in an environment that I felt wasn't ethical, or that made a negative contribution to society – it would be like lying in bed with a pea under your mattress.
For JustGiving social value is truly at the core of our business. Which is only right, as we serve charities who are all committed to their individual missions. I believe that business should contribute towards society – they have a responsibility beyond profit. Progressive businesses need to offer something more – and society will expect it of them.
What does your job involve?
I head up the people discipline in JustGiving. This encompasses all elements of people – performance, learning, employee relations, rewards, engagement (the extent to which people flourish at and enjoy working for JustGiving) – and anything else that comes up.
What is the most difficult or rewarding part of your job?
One of the most rewarding things has been helping the people element of the company to acquire a level of stability – when I arrived there was very little in place. Seeing the impact this has on people – such as the regular conversations they now have about their roles – is important to me.
Sometimes I'll personally have a coaching conversation with someone – and to see them go from being in a real muddle about something to knowing what to do next is great.
The most difficult thing is – people! Human beings are amazingly complex and unpredictable at times – there's no algorithmic equation, and it can be massively exhausting.
What do you see the social enterprise movement being in five years time?
I've observed a trend of bright young graduates and professionals, of my sort of generation and below, who really want to get into the sector –so there'll be more supply. We're also seeing more demand – certainly in the form of start-ups. But I'm worried that there may still not be enough jobs for people who want to get into the sector, and that these people may end up being exploited. They shouldn't have to work for significantly lower salaries or to do unpaid work.
My hope is that larger businesses acquire more social purpose also – and provide more opportunities for people that way.
And where do you see yourself at that point?
I would love for JustGiving to have truly expanded the world of giving to the point where there are a number of international offices. And I would love to be its people director, accountable for recruiting the right people, getting the most out of them and ensuring they have the opportunities to learn and grow. I'll also be teaching a bit of yoga on the side!
Charlotte Glynn was interviewed by Jemima Jewell, a 2011 On Purpose Associate. Jemima joined On Purpose from the sustainable development charity Forum for the Future, and her On Purpose placements are at JustGiving and ToughStuff.
On Purpose is a leadership programme that helps high-calibre professionals kick-start a career in social enterprise; it combines paid work experience with intensive training and support. Applications for the 2012 Associate intake are now open.
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