As a social enterprise, your social mission is the essence of what your company stands for. You are driven by your mission and have a passion to serve, but is this enough?
PR guru Chris Smith recently wrote about which should come first: your business message or your social mission. He stated that for social enterprises it is all a question of balance and branding. But how do you find that balance?
In our live Q&A, we'll look at:
- How you can communicate your mission with your clients without jeopardizing your social enterprise status?
- How can you help your audience understand your mission?
- What you want your stakeholders to know and understand about your mission?
Do get in touch if you'd like to be a panellist – email gines.haro.pastor@guardian.co.uk for more details.
Also, if you'd like to leave a question, please do so in the comments section below, or come back to ask it live - and to follow the debate - on Thursday 5 May from 1-3pm."
The Panel
Nicola Jones, The Social Investment Business
Nicola Jones is the Communications Officer at The Social Investment Business. She works not only on increasing the profile of the organisation but also of the civil society organisations that The Social Investment Business has provided investment to. She previously worked in Communications and Marketing at UnLtd, The Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs and as Community and Communications Manager of UnLtdWorld – an online platform for social entrepreneurs.
Jessica Medling, Media Trust
Jessica heads up Media Trust's programmes aimed at supporting charities
and grassroots communities to find their voice and make it heard, with a
particular focus on using digital media innovatively for social good.
Chris Smith, Swarm
Chris is director of Swarm, an PR and communications consultancy specialising in the ethical business and environmental sectors. He helps businesses improve their communications and reach out to new markets and he's an expert in PR strategy, media relations and campaign development. Chris was awarded Unltd's Professional Mentor of the Year in 2010 for his voluntary work with social enterprises.
Ben Matthews, Bright One
Ben is a digital PR consultant, specialising in tech, media
and charity sectors. He is the founder of Bright One, a volunteer-run communications agency for the ThirdSector, a board member of CharityComms and the founding member of Twestival, a series of fundraising events using the social network Twitter that has raised over $2.5 million in three years.
Kate Whittle, Somerset Co-operative Services
Kate has been working with social enterprises of all kinds for over 20 years. She currently works at Somerset Co-operative Services - specialists in co-operative and social enterprise development www.somerset.coop. Kate's special interests include promoting co-operative working techniques in democratically managed social enterprises.
Vicky Hoad, Blue Rocket PR
Vicky is director of Blue Rocket PR, a charity-owned public relations consultancy. She specialises in environmental, health and charity campaigns. Blue Rocket uses intelligent communications to help organisations accomplish their mission. Campaigns can be designed to attract customers, impress investors, recruit volunteers or influence policy makers.
Nick Christoforou, Neo
Nick is managing director of Neo, a communications agency that takes care of the brands that are taking care of the world. They do this through strategy, creative and design that works online, offline and everywhere else.
Polly Gowers, Everyclick
Polly Gowers is the founder of Everyclick, an award winning technology company, that promotes online fundraising through a portfolio of innovative products. The latest of which is Give as you Live™ which enables shoppers to raise money for charity with their everyday online purchases.
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