This Little World

Our planet has never been smaller. Technological advancements have compressed time and space, making the world more immediate and interconnected. This Little World clearly sets out how social innovation practices can enable organizations and communities to create a more sustainable, just, and equitable future for our planet.

Today, cloud-based communication systems span the globe, connecting people and markets in the blink of an eye. Remote workers interact daily on high-impact, virtual teams. Telehealth professionals provide medical care to the residents of secluded mountain villages. But a shrinking planet is not without its challenges: climate change, food shortages, and pollution are persistent headwinds. We need strategies and tools that promote stability and growth, and we need technology that is more inclusive, trusted, and focused on community goals. This Little World aims to inspire those who seek to explore the rich and rewarding world of social innovation. It is a practical guide to innovation opportunities that will enrich an organization’s capacity for transformation and impact. The book explores how social impact employees can create projects that are purpose-driven, scalable, and successful. With insights from leading social innovators, the book demonstrates how “tech for good” organizations are using social innovation strategies, emerging tools and sustainable practices to support environmental causes, humanitarian initiatives, accessibility, healthcare, cultural heritage, and more.

This Little World: A How-To Guide for Social Innovators is for technologists, business leaders, managers, and employees in the social impact sector, as well as anyone with aspirations for purpose-driven outcomes in their work. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and students alike can learn from this new model of innovation, where it is possible to do good and do well.