Capital provided typically by friends, family and in some cases, private wealthy individuals. Their motives may or may not be financial gain. This kind of capital is typical of start-ups with no prior success record, an entirely new idea and / or when the entrepreneurs are hesitant to procure a traditional loan / lack security to procure one. This is a classic option for most Social Entrepreneurs!

Typically by private individuals, (read wealthy individuals!), who invest in an idea where none are forthcoming. They are fondly referred to as the third F in the 'Three F's of investors- friends, family and fools!!). They typically get convertible debt or ownership equity in return.

A thing, person or quality that is useful and beneficial. In Accounting terms, assets can be classified into various types- Current and Non-current, Movable and Immovable, Liquid Assets, Growth Assets, Defensive Assets and so on. Some terms can vary depending on the country as well. As entrepreneurs, innovators and business-owners, it is therefore very important to sit down with an accountant and / or lawyer to define these terms with regards to your business and know exactly what they are.

A situation when one has absolutely nothing of value, nothing of quantifiable, tangible or monetizable value. It is a legal procedure for liquidating a business that cannot pay off all its debts and loans. It can be voluntary (declared by the business owner themselves) or ordered by the court based on creditors' petitions [creditors are people / organization to whom the money is owed].

A discussion or informational website where entries hold the opinion/s of the person/s writing it. It could be on any topic and is regularly updated with fresh topics or fresh updates on an ongoing topic. Readers often have the option of commenting on the writer's (called blogger) opinions and the better blogs are invariable moderated for content and relevance to the topic. Some bloggers also make money from the blogs, by selling private ads, selling digital products, moving to a paid subscription model and so on.

A group of people who together oversee the goings-on of an organization. It could be for or nonprofit outfits; if the company is publicly listed, as in has shareholders, the B of D are invariably elected into position. Executive Directors within the B of D are also actively engaged in running the company while non-executive directors are not. These people are usually carefully chosen from different aspects of life and while some have core experience in the same field as that of the organization, others bring in a rich experience from very diverse fields. They are deliberately chosen thus to bring in different types of issues and thinking to the table, in order to make optimum decisions that best serve the company and customer interests.

The practice of keeping stringent records of all transactions done by the company. These are systematic and reflect the flow of money in and out of the company. This is a very important aspect of running an organization as it is required for taxation and other legal issues and help during company audits. Whilst day-to-day record maintaining can be done by people within the company, it is always a good idea to have a professional accountant examine it regularly to ensure everything is in order. In areas like social innovation, where margins are tight and everything is hinged on credibility and reputation, having accurate and up to date book keeping records reflects high on the company's reputation.

A technique used mostly by groups of people involved in problem-solving. This is a semi-structured activity that outlines the problem, set goals, establish priorities and make assignments among other things. It could be a verbal discussion and / or have parts where team members write down things and collate it together. It is a popular technique as it brings out a lot of issues in a relatively short period of time

A name, a phrase, a design, symbol and / or any unique feature that distinguishes one product or service from others. In this context, most social enterprises consider themselves 'social' brands and go about ensuring that their name, product and / or service stands out in the market on its own. companies protect their brand identity through both legal and actionable behavior and in general, believe strongly that their actions reflect and enhance their brand value.

A document (preferably written) that outlines the objectives of the business and the various phases/steps required to achieve this objective. This is however a necessary document as it gives focus and direction, and includes all practicalities of running a business like operations, marketing, sales, Human Resources and so on. This is also a necessary document to refer back to over the lifecycle of the business/project. In the world of social enterprise, the business plan is more flexible to accommodate unexpected changes, as is the nature of the field these plans are more open and flexible

Stands for Cost-per-Click Advertising. This is a type of online advertising. People can allow third party companies to insert their own ads onto your website, that is targeted and relevant to the content that appears on the web page. There are several options like Google AdSense, media.net, Infolinks etc. with whom website owners can sign up with and allow ads approved by these companies to appear on their website. Most of these CPC options are free to use, making it an attractive option for small business owners and bloggers. However, it is advised to read up thoroughly about these things, terms of use and whether it is available in your region and all other associated information before signing up. Also see per-impression advertising.

An ongoing commitment made by corporations and businesses to hold itself to ethical standards whilst contributing to economic development and improving quality of living for its employees, the community it sits in and at the societal level. It is considered as a self-regulating business model that helps the company be socially accountable.

Refers to the financial assets (or their monetary value) as well as other things such as equipment and manufacturing facility costs, building costs, storage costs and so on.

In this context, a Charity is an organization that works exclusively to help and raise money for people and causes in need of it.

Organizations that represent interests of citizens and communities. Organizations such as community groups, non-governmental organizations, labor unions, indigenous groups, professional associations, faith-based and charitable organizations and the like comprise what we call 'Civil Society'. They vary in size and there are no estimates as to how big this sector is. However, Civil Society Organizations are known to have the power to influence actions- be it with elected officials or policy makers or even for-profit businesses. Big name examples include Greenpeace, Amnesty International, International Rescue Council among several others. This is by no means a 'small sector'. A rough estimate across 40 countries in 2013 puts all CSO operational expenses exceeding USD 2.2 trillion [https://goo.gl/wKrg4e]

The act of working with someone [or more than one] to produce something. In business terms, it also means when two different entities come together for a common interest- it could be a one-off project or even for a part of a project. It could also be an ongoing effort. Depending on how the contracts are drawn, collaborative efforts can limit ones' liabilities in the overall process. In this field of social innovation, a lot of collaborations come via goodwill, word of mouth or personal networks, something those aspiring need to bear in mind. This is also an option for for-profit corporations to - to collaborate with a social enterprise for a project, thereby limiting its role but at the same time getting an in-depth understanding of how social innovations work [which in turn can inform future decisions by the for-profits]

Giving an idea more shape whilst still remaining in the abstract form. Organizing elements and parameters around an idea or theme by combining all required particulars and known characteristics

Type of debt security where the amount invested is converted to a predetermined amount of the company's equity (value) and can be encashed at certain times during the bond's lifetime.

Donations and other charitable activities made by for-profit corporations to nonprofit organizations; These could be cash or in-kind donations. While certainly welcome, they are increasingly considered narrow in scope with limited impact as these donations indicate a more hands-off approach from the corporation's side.

A legal entity, created under prevailing laws (of the land where it is registered). Usually for-profit; Provides owners and shareholders (if any) with rights and privileges. Even offers protection from personal liability depending on how it is structured.

The basis for reasoning. These are facts about something that can be used for further calculation, planning or analysis. Data when organized, leads to information.

Set of techniques and practices deployed to enhance productivity. They could be qualitative, quantitative or a combination of both. They are used to make more informed business decisions and is generally used in the business-to-consumer (B2C) sector, to better understand everything from consumer behavior to forecast future trends.

Marketing directly to the target audience. This could be through email, direct mails, phone calls etc. This form of marketing is very effective in the field of social innovation and enterprise. It can however also be a hurdle in some cases, where the target audience is not well defined and / or when creating new markets!

The activity of recording the goings-on of a particular event, in the form of words, images, verbal recordings and so on. It could be for a single event like a meeting or for an entire project, or an organization-wide practice. Documentation has distinct advantages in that it reduces chances of arguments about a past event, provides ready data about what has happened / is happening. For social enterprises, this is another way to improve credibility- showing documentation of how they operate, numbers involved, manpower used etc., reflects a professional setup. Documentation also helps with things like grants and fellowship applications, who invariably ask for in-depth information of the proceedings. Above all, it is a solid way to assess the health of the company.

Economic-Social-Governance Goals: Another version of the 'triple bottom line'. This is a generic term used in the finance world, used by investment companies and investors to evaluate a company's behavior and determining future financial performance.

An income, property or some form of value laden entity given to someone or bequeathed to someone. There is a principal amount that is kept intact and invested such that the returns from those investments is used to support its needs. This is invariably given to support a nonprofit organization.

Doing more with less. Finding ways to take existing resources and making them go farther. The phrase was coined by the legendary industrial designer and urban planner Sir Buckminister Fuller. This has found wide application in various fields including digital technology. Includes preserving existing resources and looking at existing resources in new ways to see if the same resource can be used differently or in different places. This is an interesting and relevant concept for the field of social innovation and enterprise where resources are hard to come by and preserving existing resources and innovating to extend it is quite the done thing!

This is the value of a company after all the liabilities has been removed or subtracted. Simply put, Equity = Assets-Liabilities

A form of business expansion. Follows a distribution system. A parent company [called Franchisor] gives out licenses to independent companies [called Franchisee] to own and operate the parent company's line of business. The parent company in turn also provides assistance in terms of intellectual property, business tools and right to sell its branded products. In return, the franchisee pays a certain fees and agrees to comply with the parent company's obligations. There is usually a written contract [ called Franchise Agreement] stating clearly what each party's roles and obligations are. [See also Social franchising]

A combination of 'free' and 'premium', this refers to a company that offers both free and paid services. Usually, basic services are free and a payment system laid out for advanced services and features. Typically an internet off shoot, it is used for digital products, games etc., but the model can be harnessed innovatively by social entrepreneurs for areas other than tech.

Raising money for a particular cause. Typically done for charity. A standard practice in most not-for-profit organizations. This is often an expensive and time consuming affair in itself, involving specialist individuals and fundraising organizations. Many social enterprises whilst acknowledging the vital role fundraising plays, also strive to create a self-sustaining model through earning income, investing etc. in order to devote more time to working on their own venture.

Usually means money, a critical resource in any venture, profit or nonprofit.

The establishing of policies and practices and continued monitoring of it to ensure proper implementation. It includes things such as regulations to maintain power balance, accountability among members and enhance prosperity and viability of the project / community / region / organization.

In this context, it means a sum of money given by an organization, usually a government or a large institution for a particular purpose. Grants are non repayable funds. They can be renewable, one-time or applicants can apply again [for a specified to unlimited times] depending on the grant-making organization's rules. The recipient is usually [but not necessarily] a nonprofit, and this too is clearly mentioned in the grant application. Grant writing is a time consuming act requiring good writing skills, to-the-point verbiage and without errors. Many organizations have one or more designated grant writers who do this in addition to their other duties. There are also professional grant writing services available around the world for a fee and some even for free! Grants are invariably given for specific reasons and some have strong local contexts. It is always advisable to read the grant-making institutions conditions before embarking on applying.

The difference between revenue and cost of making a product. This is the amount before deducting payroll, overheads, taxes and interest payments. Also called Gross Margin in the United States. (See also Net Profit)

A language that is the standard for creating web pages and web applications. It creates a logical structure for the web pages and presentation of raw text. It is a versatile tool in that it allows information and content directly into the page.

HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is becoming increasingly important in today's day and age to have a recognizable address, but also have a secure website that leads to the adding of a 's' at the end of the http://, i.e., https://. The 's' stands for secure. an HTTPS uses encrypted communication protocol or 'coded' communication processes which gives a greater degree of security even if only one side of the communication is authenticated. This means, irrespective of the type of computer network the end-user is using, having a HTTPS address greatly diminishes the chances of hacking.

The act of coming up with an idea. It is a creative process of creating, growing an communicating ideas. Invariably the very first phase of a project process. Could be individual or group process. Used synonymously with brainstorming, although some distinguish brainstorming as the next part of the process, an essentially a group activity. The aim of ideation is to generate as many ideas as possible and not spend too much time analyzing. It is a critical part of the Design Thinking. This is also a good tool for social innovators and entrepreneurs wherein paucity of resources means clever use of what is available and how to manage it.

Investments made with the intent to generate not just financial return but also to generate social and environmental impact and benefits.

In this context, incubator refers to a means of accelerating the development of successful entrepreneurial ventures. This includes providing support, guidance, mentorship, equipment and other resources for a new business. Involves helping an entrepreneurial idea to grow into a full-fledged business. It is usually skills and networking that is provided although things like management training or even office space is not unheard of.

An individual who displays all characteristics of an entrepreneur whilst working within a large organization. They are people who take an idea and turn it into a finished product through innovating and taking calculated risks. This is not a common practice, since it is not every organization that supports these kinds of ideas. This concept holds promise for the field of social innovation and enterprise, given that not every corporation is interested in diving full-fledged into social good, but can always spare a few resources for the same. It can subsequently assess the outcomes and take further action regarding future commitments.

Persons or organizations that give their money to another business, property, project, financial scheme etc., with the intent of reaping from the benefits from that business, property etc. Profits are usually split depending on how much was invested by each investor and per agreed upon in legally binding contracts.

A process of arriving at a decision after repeated and several rounds of analysis or set-operations. The main idea is to get as close to possible to the desired outcome with each repetitive cycle.

These are measurable value/s that show how an organization or project is performing. This works only when the indicators are agreed upon beforehand and values assigned to them. This then enables assessing, whether or not the project / business is performing and exceeding (or lagging behind) by how much. This works very well when information is documented rigorously and diligently. (See also documentation).

Words used to describe a business/innovation/enterprise/project/person that summarizes all the highpoints. In the online world, where using keyword search is the norm, assigning keywords to your business, profile etc. increases your searchability and presence.

A common term used in telecommunications, referring to the last mile of cable that reaches the consumer, it also has found relevance in the field of healthcare. It refers to the last leg of the healthcare service, that prevents the services and benefits from reaching the patient population. Everything from cost to poor communication, to weather to transportation (or ALL of them) could be responsible for the 'last mile gap'. Many health-oriented social innovations stem from this issue-- covering the last mile gap- ensuring the population receives the care it deserves and is entitled to.

Using something to gain maximum advantage or benefit. In business terms, it could also mean borrowing money or funds to purchase assets. In the world of social innovation, this is used mostly in terms of using available resources to maximise potential, given that resource availability is one of the biggest problems.

In the legal and business context, it means being responsible for something; It is the opposite of Assets and often forms part of any contract or accounting sheet.

A form of permit granted from an authority to do something. Operating a business, driving a vehicle, working as a profession in certain fields and, in some countries, even getting married (!) needs a license. It is a form of regulation enforced to ensure only qualified personnel and businesses can do certain activities.

In this context, it refers to the initiation, continuance and subsequent ending [or decline] of a product or service.

A demand for a particular product or service. A ready population subset that might be open to receiving certain products or services; sometimes the population subset is not even aware of the need or want of a particular product / service in which case the entrepreneur has to create new markets, as in, make the people aware of the need. In other cases, the market audience is not very visible making it the job of the entrepreneur to identify the target audience for their product/service.

The concept of promoting [ and selling of] products and services with the aim of satisfying customer requirements.

A type of organization, invariably a nonprofit which undertakes works of societal good and benefit that the governments do not provide. In many cases they work in partnership with the governments to carry out critical work. These could be at a local, state, national or international levels. They include a vast array of issues affecting humankind including education, health, public policy, social and other areas.

Measure of profitability after taking into account all costs and taxes, including operating expenses. This gives a more accurate picture of the profitability of and organization / venture or project. Also called bottom-line.

An organization type that does not accrue profits for its owners. In other words, all the money earned goes back (even if revenue exceeds inputs) into the organization and is used for everything from running costs to diversification. Charities and other forms of public service organizations are invariably nonprofits while some areas like education and healthcare typically could be either.

It is an isolated activity, a one-time event wherein the profits from a certain project or activity's outcome are not used by the owners for their own benefit. However, they are often used interchangeably with the word nonprofit which stands for an organization type most of the time. While this is acceptable for informal conversations, for legal purposes it is best to be clear in the terminology.

A financial plan for a specified period of time. Here one outlines [as specifically as one can] how resources will be used- how much and for what purposes. This is important for any organization-type, more so for social enterprises given that resource procurement is one of the hardest aspects of the process.

It is the process of analyzing and / or reviewing a work environment, people within, the type of operations done and the development of an organization. This is often done internally and is very useful in understanding any problems that may have arisen, identify potential pitfalls and also allow for developing strategies to deal with the problems. It also allows for knowing where you stand as an organization and allows you to plan the future- be it scaling, or cutting back.

Outcome/s are possible results that occur at the end of the project process. It could be a creative thing or a scientific experiment. It is the consequence, it is what happens after something is done. It is separate from Output, something it is often confused with. (see also Output)

This has slightly varying definitions depending on the field. A general understanding of output would be the amount of something (energy, or work, products services etc.) produced by a certain intervention (a machine, a project, or individual etc.) in a certain time frame. In very simple terms, it is what you get at the end of the process, after putting something in. This is not the same as outcomes, though many a time they are confused. Output happens once there is an input and there is a process mechanism in place. This leads to outcomes, which may or may not be as intended!

A resource consumed that does not directly contribute to the end product.

The amount the person owns or has ownership of in an asset.

A quantity or constant that determines the characteristics of something. Also loosely called 'boundary conditions'.

An association of two or more people/organizations or 'partners'. This is a legally binding association. Profit sharing, liabilities and assets are dependent on how much each 'partner' contributes, invests and absorbs risks. These are agreed in advance and written down in legal contracts.

A legal document that discloses some or all the ways in which information and data will be used, stored and shared (or not).

Financial benefit gained when revenue exceeds expenses, costs and taxes. In a for profit company, this amount goes to the owners of the business who may or may not put it back into the business. In a nonprofit environment, this money is put back into the business or other associated programs and projects undertaken by the organization.

The entire process of planning, organizing and managing a project, from initiation through to completion. It involves everything from allocating personnel and resources to establishing and moving around timelines to ensure that the project is completed on time with minimum to no extra overheads. Balancing time, resources and cost to achieve set goals is at the core of project management. This has become a full fledged profession of its own now with project managers specializing in certain industries, and even professional certifications available. Any basic education in management will have a comprehensive course on this topic.

A person, persons or organization that believes in a cause / project or organization and assumes responsibility of some form on behalf of that cause/project or organization. In practice, what this means is someone 'champions' a the innovation or enterprise and helps find funds, helps build contacts, vouches for the entrepreneur to governments, other funders and so on. These promoters are usually established and respected individuals or organizations in a particular field, whose words are taken seriously by others. Finding champions is one way for aspiring social entrepreneurs to establish their business. It makes establishing credibility easier.

To put a number to something. It could be monetary, people, weight, time- anything that is measurable in known metrics. This has special significance in the fields of social innovation and enterprise because the outcomes of these innovations are almost never quantifiable, and even if they are, they do not reflect the true value of the benefit. Entrepreneurs, funders and researchers are always in search of metrics that can reflect the true value of the said innovation.

The methodical and systematic inquiry into study of any phenomena- living or not, animate or not. This is done to establish facts, uncover new issues, re-evaluate established issues given new information and generate new questions for further examination. It involves the use of systematic frameworks and parameters as well as various methods of eliciting information. Some of these methods are set and been followed for generations and some unconventional. It is also valid to come up with a completely new form of inquiry method, as long as it is well documented and tested before using in the actual research.

A supply and stock of something. It could be money, people, immovable assets, intellectual skills, land, water- just about anything. This is a key term in this field wherein resource deficit is the norm. In fact it is not uncommon that the procurement of resources is in itself an area where entrepreneurs have to innovate! Many innovations and enterprises have succeeded where others have failed simply from the manner in which resources are utilized.

Search Engine Optimization. Used to increase visibility on search engine results. It is a combination of technical (like algorithms) and creative(use of eye-catching words) elements to drive your website and webpage to the top of search results. This is very important for several reasons- being high on search engine rankings makes more people click on your site. But also, having good SEO makes your website better for users too. It is important therefore for website owners and administrators to sit with the website creator and ensure the keywords given are both creative and easy. But it is important to make sure that the keywords actually reflect the content on the site.

Stands for Small and Medium Enterprises/ Businesses. These are typically businesses that employ less than 250 people. There is also a restriction on how much the annual earnings of the business should fall under in order to qualify for a SME/SMB. These kinds of businesses are typically one-off offerings or local chains. There are certain tax benefits the business owner can claim in some countries as a SME/ SMB owner and this is entirely dependent on that country's laws. Some countries even allow a WSME or WSMB, which stands for Women owned Small and Medium Enterprise/Business. This is done to encourage women entrepreneurs and has incentives for hiring more women in some cases.

Simply put, it means 'size' of an operation. It is short for scale-up. When an organization grows or expands in a manner such that it puts it on the path to profitability it is said to be scaling. It is different from growth in that revenues are greater with little or no increase for input. It involves such things as identifying core competence, building collaborations, establishing standardized processes, broadening skills set and a commitment to growing.

Surviving without external help. In the business world, self sustaining enterprises are those that can survive the market conditions and cater to customer needs without external assistance. Business sustenance os the no.1 thing that investors look for when evaluating a project/product or service. In social enterprises, it is not always the easiest to survive without help from philanthropic contributions, donations and / or grants . It is however the ambition of every enterprise to be self-sustaining because when the political and / or economic climates are not conducive, philanthropic endeavors and grants are the first to dry up. This model of reliance on others for funds and resources is an uncertain model for no one can guarantee an unending supply of funds. Not every social enterprise has a product that can be charged to the customer and most times, the end user simply does not have the means to pay. All this compounds the entrepreneur's task many times over, pushing them to find innovative business models.

Service-based offering refers to the type of service the organization is giving to the consumer. It is the type pf work done by an individual or team of individuals. These are typically such things as banking, consulting, cleaning, education, doctor/lawyer services and so on. A product based offering involves a physical (or tangible) entity that the organization makes available to the end-user, that can be purchased, rented or leased for a price. Automobiles, computers, food, clothing, furniture, hygeine products are some examples.

Social Audit is a form of auditing or accounting examination practice wherein the organization's impact on social environments are also given due credence. It involves the use of some form of social impact measurement metric to assess of what value (and how much) the organization, its products and / or services. This can be done organization-wide or for a specific project. It is however important to specify the time period - whether it is annual, for the last three years and so on. As a rule of thumb, audits are not conducted for a period beyond 5 years unless there is a specified need and documentation practices have been excellent. A Social Audit is not the same as an informal 'taking stock' of things, although the audit definitely gives pointers as to what has been going on and allowing for better future decision making.

A social enterprise is a type of business with specific objectives and goals pertaining to bettering humankind. And for this, they use business principles and management practices for operating, resource procuring and so on. Their social goals are embedded and enmeshed with their business objectives as a result of which, social change and societal betterment is an integral part of everything they do. They could be for-profit or a nonprofit and can even be registered as a Social Enterprise depending on which country it is registered in.

The person/s who own/create the social enterprise.

A modification on the franchising system. The parent company gives another company the 'social brand license', to use the name and basic operational principles. The independent company in turn hires its own people and runs the business as it deems suitable as long as it adheres to the basic rules. Money rarely comes into the picture, although it is not uncommon to have proper paperwork mentioning terms of use.

The act of coming up with ideas, strategies, products and / or services to better humankind. It could be an entirely new idea or a re-thinking of an existing problem or re-thinking of an existing product or service in a way that better and / or maximizes societal impact. There may or may not be a business angle to it. This differs from a Social Enterprise in that, it takes an entrepreneurial thinking or business-driven thinking to turn an innovation into an enterprise. Innovators are not always entrepreneurs and there are several ways to turn the innovation into an enterprise- mentoring, incubators, partnering, collaborations are all just some ways to do this.

A form of measurement to assess the impact of a social innovation or social enterprise or a specific project undertaken for social good.

A person/ s or organizations with a strong interest in something like a company, product or project. An organization can have several stakeholders, many of whom may not be directly vested and many who might not be identified or acknowledged by the organization as stakeholders.

Usually refers to a new company, entrepreneurial in nature aimed at addressing either a market need or social good. They develop a viable business model and scalable solutions to develop productsm services, processes etc. These types of companies typically work on tight resources and face high rates of failure.

It is the usage of time/skills or intellectual abilities in such a manner as to maximise impact for both parties. The 'volunteer' has a set goal in mind and maximizes their effort to get there. Strategic volunteering leads to interesting innovations, including ones where entire organizations are set up and run by volunteers. This is becoming an increasingly popular form of volunteering, wherein the volunteer wants to maximize their intellect and abilities and not just donate time. (See also Volunteering)

A concept employed by large for-profit companies that combines the corporation's marketing and other goals with social good. The company identifies project/s and organization/s whose work resonates or aligns with their own work and donate funds or other resources to those project/s and organization /s

In this context, a survey is a quantitative research method used to gather information from individuals, pertaining to their life/preferences or their opinion about certain phenomenon. It is done with pre set questions and answers which the respondents have to choose from, and some open-ended questions to which they are required to write responses. This could be done in person, via phone, email, or with a paper questionnaire.

The intended audience / customer/consumer of the product or service. Identifying this is not always an easy job, esp. in the field of social innovation wherein, the target audience and end-user / customer is not always overtly visible. And then there are nested layers within the audience, as in appealing to one audience subset will actually lead to another subset, who is the actual consumer / beneficiary.

A certain type of tax to be paid, esp. when importing or exporting goods.

A mandatory or compulsatory contribution most individuals have to make to the government. This is for workers' income, operating businesses, profits, bringing things into the country or sending out (import-export) and for certain transactions. Non paying of taxes is treated as a crime and is punishable by law- from heavy fines to prison-time. Almost every country in the world has taxation in some form or the other.

These are rules which one has to abide by in order to use a certain product or service. In the virtual world, it is increasingly used as a disclaimer of sorts for using websites,

This could be a word, a symbol or a combination therewith intended to identify a particular company, product, project or service. This differs from a logo in that trademarks are essentially legally binding items, the violation of which can be punishable by law.

A concept that opens a business's focus from just the financial bottom line to include social, environmental and financial impact. Also called the 3P concept, it stands for People, Planet and Profits. In reality, it measures the company's impact on society, the environment and economic value. There is no one set way to measure this and not mandatory to conduct impact analyses on all three fronts leading to both confusion as to which metric to use AND whether to do it at all or not.

Uniform Resource Locator: A string of letters , numbers or a combination thereof that gives the address of a website. They always start with a http:// which identifies every file, page and image on the world wide web. It is becoming increasingly important in today's day and age to have a recognizable address, but also have a secure website that leads to the adding of a 's' at the end of the http://, i.e., https://. The 's' stands for secure.

Stands for Unique Selling Proposition or Unique Selling Point. A marketing concept, it is a factor/s which the seller proposes as the reason/s their company/product /service is better than anyone else in the marketplace. It is that distinguishing feature that makes one organization or product or service better than others.

The estimated worth of something. It could be monetary and tangible or not. As can be imagined, intangible value while very mush felt is also the hardest to quantify and evaluate. A company /product/service's value is dependent on a lot of factors, many of which are not overtly visible. In the world of social innovation and enterprise, the 'value' accrued from the innovation impacts entire communities and societies making for complex measurement analyses.

A concept wherein the principles of venture capital finance and business management principles of investment is applied for achieving philanthropic goals. It involves such things as strategic framing and targeted resources, funding mechanisms that combine grants and investments and so on. This is a useful way of looking at philanthropy by large grantmaking organizations and private corporations with their own philanthropic endeavors.

The ability or capacity for something to originate, operate and sustain (succesfully). This is also used interchangeably with 'feasibility' and it is not entirely wrong. Feasibility stands for capability of something being done, or even the likelihood of something being done. In business terms, viability is a term used when assessing the ability of a project or resource to accomplish expectations given certain parameters / ground conditions.

Often taken together, and confused with one another and used interchangeably, these are two different things with different meanings. The vision statement refers to what the organizations wishes to be in the future, how it sees itself in the years to come. The mission statement in turn stands for what the organizations wants to do now, how it wants to bring value to its customer base. It is in many ways indicative of its reason of existence. Both these statements must be clear, concise and not vague or 'dreamy' in nature. These statements must be viewed as an opportunity to communicate who they are and can be to investors, stakeholders, communities and customers. For social enterprises, these also serve as strong guidance markers, esp. when applying for funding, projects etc.