Getting Beyond Better - by Roger L Martin & Sally Osberg (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Who really moves things forward in our society and how do they do it? How have they always done it? Strategy guru Roger Martin and Skoll Foundation CEO Sally Osberg make a compelling argument that social entrepreneurs are agents of change who recognize, in our current reality, various kinds of "equilibria"-systems in need of change-and then advance social progress by transforming these systems, ultimately replacing what exists with a new equilibrium. Seen in this light, social entrepreneurship is not a marginal activity, but one that unleashes new value for society by releasing untapped human ambition. The book begins with a probing and useful theory of social entrepreneurship, moving through history to illuminate what it is, how it works, and the nature of its role in modern society. The authors then set out a framework for understanding how successful social entrepreneurs actually go about producing transformative change. There are four key stages: understanding the world; envisioning a better future; building a model for change; and scaling the solution. With both depth and nuance, Martin and Osberg offer rich examples and stories, and share lessons and tools applicable to everyone who aspires to drive positive change, whatever the context. Getting Beyond Better offers a bold new framework demonstrating how and why meaningful change actually happens in the world, and offering concrete lessons and a practical model for businesses, policy-makers, and civil society organizations to generate new value, again and again. "--

Book Synopsis

Who drives transformation in society? How do they do it?

In this compelling book, strategy guru Roger L. Martin and Skoll Foundation President and CEO Sally R. Osberg describe how social entrepreneurs target systems that exist in a stable but unjust equilibrium and transform them into entirely new, superior, and sustainable equilibria. All of these leaders--call them disrupters, visionaries, or changemakers--develop, build, and scale their solutions in ways that bring about the truly revolutionary change that makes the world a fairer and better place.

The book begins with a probing and useful theory of social entrepreneurship, moving through history to illuminate what it is, how it works, and the nature of its role in modern society. The authors then set out a framework for understanding how successful social entrepreneuars actually go about producing transformative change. There are four key stages: understanding the world; envisioning a new future; building a model for change; and scaling the solution. With both depth and nuance, Martin and Osberg offer rich examples and personal stories and share lessons and tools invaluable to anyone who aspires to drive positive change, whatever the context.

Getting Beyond Better sets forth a bold new framework, demonstrating how and why meaningful change actually happens in the world and providing concrete lessons and a practical model for businesses, policymakers, civil society organizations, and individuals who seek to transform our world for good.

Review Quotes

2016 Axiom Business Book Silver Award in BUSINESS COMMENTARY

"...in a new book, Getting Beyond Better: How Social Entrepreneurship Works, Skoll Foundation chief executive Sally Osberg and Roger Martin, former dean of the Rotman School of Management, present a model of social enterprise that directly engages government in a number of critical ways. They offer a helpful definition of social entrepreneurs, as distinct from direct social service providers and social advocates." -- Anne-Marie Slaughter, Financial Times

"This valuable book helps set the framework for both for future social entrepreneurs and for potential funders and supporters who can help them make the world a fairer and better place." -- Developing Leaders

"The authors include many practical and theoretical questions to address. All organizations should grapple with these questions, but they may have special importance for social entrepreneurs." -- Choice magazine

"A well-researched and cogent look at the phenomenon of social entrepreneurship, with a useful roadmap for any philanthropically minded individuals or corporations." -- The Irish Times"The two authors bring a wealth of experience and insight to this crucial topic..." -- Philanthrocapitalism (philanthrocapitalism.net)

"An insightful, well-structured, and practical-minded analysis of social entrepreneurship that is likely to be of help to established and aspiring social entrepreneurs." -- Library Journal

Entrepreneurial Survivor's Guide: 10 Books for your Nightstand -- Small Business Trends (smallbiztrends.com)

"They admit that 'true equilibrium change is a higher bar'--but they convincingly argue that it can be met." -- BizEd magazine

"... valuable insights and many fascinating stories for those seeking to understand social entrepreneurs or to join their ranks." -- The Globe and Mail

"... if you are sitting at your C-suite office wondering whether you want to spend the rest of your life making a genuine difference to the world outside of business, this book could be just what's needed to give you the motivation to do it." -- Management Today

"It should be one that is not just read as an explanation and valuation of social entrepreneurship but also as a system check for this field and where it belongs in the overall universe of proposed solutions to tackling the world's most pressing challenges." -- Alliance Magazine

"It's a phenomenon so new we don't even know how many there are, let alone how they do what they do. Which is why Roger Martin and Sally Osberg recently published what may be the first book to document the practices of social entrepreneurs, Getting Beyond Better. You couldn't ask for better guides." -- Financial Post

"...a riveting and instructive read." -- Jack Covert, 800 CEO READ

"... an accessible theory and workable framework for developing, building and scaling solutions that transform unjust systems and drive positive change." -- David Slocum, FORBES

Advance Praise for Getting Beyond Better:

Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever--
"The most persuasive account yet of the relationship between our biggest global challenges and the role of social entrepreneurship. Essential reading for anyone who still doubts the power of the social entrepreneur."

Melinda Gates, cochair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation--
"Through the stories of status quo-shifting entrepreneurs, including two of my heroes, Paul Farmer and Molly Melching, this powerful book shows what more equitable societies could look like--and what we can all do to make that new normal a reality."

Tim Brown, President and CEO, IDEO; author, Change by Design--
"Social entrepreneurship is a powerful vehicle

About the Author

Roger L. Martin has written many award-winning books, including Playing to Win (with A.G. Lafley), as well as numerous articles in Harvard Business Review and other leading journals and newspapers. He is former dean of the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management. He has been on the board of the Skoll Foundation since its formation in 1999.

Sally R. Osberg is President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation. Under Sally's leadership, the Foundation has invested in more than one hundred ventures led by social entrepreneurs active on five continents; established the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the Said Business School of Oxford University; created the annual Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship; and brokered cutting-edge partnerships with organizations such as the Sundance Institute and the Social Progress Imperative.