Giving Back: Using Your Influence to Create Social Change

by Merrill J. Oster, Mike Hamel

Business entrepreneurs have always played a key role in America’s financial growth. Now social entrepreneurs are also being recognized for their significant contributions. Management expert Peter Drucker insists that "social entrepreneurship…is as important as economic entrepreneurship. More important, perhaps. In the United States, we have a very healthy economy but a very sick society….Fortunately there are enough successes around so that we know it can be done—and also how to do it." The "successes" featured in this book come from a variety of backgrounds and represent a spectrum of social and spiritual concerns. They are practical idealists who use modern tools and technology to share the age-old love of God with the disadvantaged—from at-risk kids to dysfunctional families to impoverished minorities to the homeless. They include social entrepreneurs such · Ken Blanchard, best-selling author (over 13 million books in print) and international business consultant
· Elayne Bennett, founder of Best Friends and wife of former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett
· Bob Buford, best-selling author (over 200,000 books in print) and foremost authority on social entrepreneurs
· Juan Benitez, former Cuban refugee and president of Micron Technology, who now helps the poor around the world Throughout this book, Oster and Hamel highlight practical principles that will help you use your resources, abilities, and influence to create positive social change and improve the world your grandchildren will inherit.

Genres: Nonfiction

220 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring book about how God has used 15 people,"social entrepreneurs", to make an impact in the world, for His kingdom.

Whether business people, or homemakers, or folks coming out of careers in government, there are many ideas about how to make one's ministry dream happen.

I especially appreciated Bob Buford's and Ken Blanchard's information helpful. Bob's interest is helping people move from 'success to significance' in their lives. Blanchard has lots to say about being a 'servant leader' in one's life, business, and ministry. One of his principles is to "enter his day slowly", emphasizing the importance of giving yourself, your plans, your day to the Lord and seeking Him and His will from the outset. Good reminder for a busy business-person

Most interesting to me is the story of Juan Benitez of Enterprise Development International. I am wanting to help friends in Peru become self-sustaining in their ministry and Benitez' practice of micro-loans in developing countries is a very attractive option.

This book continued to whet my appetite about the possibilities to do as a grow older and still have 'some good work years' left!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of true stories about people who decided to make a real difference with their lives. The book really inspires you to think about your skills/knowledge and how God may want to use you to give back, change lives, etc. And the message throughout the book is very clear that you are never too old to start making a real difference.

I loved the format of the book, with the stories about each person, plus a brief story from someone whose life was changed as a result of their work, and then a short list of books that changed the person's life.

I highly recommend this book. It will really motivate you to think about how you can find God's purpose for you and make a difference.