Photo: Mathieu Aebi, Song Thu Restaurant

Hoa Sua School, a Social Enterprise in VietnamHanoi, August 14th, 2012

Mathieu Aebi Partnership Development Advisor Uniterra Volunteer for WUSC Vietnam T +84 (0) 4 3762 6438 f: +84 (0) 4 3762 7271 m: +84 (0) 1669151216 e: mathieu.aebi@gmail.com | skype: matabi_93

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Entraide universitaire mondiale du Canada (EUMC) Unit P | La Thanh Hotel | 218 Doi Can | Hanoi | Vietnam www.wusc.ca | twitter: @WorldUniService | www.facebook.com/wusc.ca

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Table of ContentsIn the last workshopResults of the SurveyBrainstorming of Hoa Sua’s situationAn Enterprise with a Social Mission using a

business ModelWork in a Social EnterpriseHow a Social enterprise, grow, develop and

succeed?Role PlayConclusion

In the Last Workshop

• Knowledge about SE is limited in Vietnam• SE are not officially recognized by the

government• Last 3 years have witnessed strong

development• The Concept needs to be widely understood

and advocate for obtaining a large and sustainable impact on Vietnamese economy and society

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In the Last Workshop (2)

• The profit are reinvested in the Community or into the business to help vulnerable people to live in better conditions

• For an organization like HS, philanthropy alone is not sustainable

• SE adopts a mission to create Social Value• Staff engages in a process of continuous innovation,

learning and adaptation• Staff acts without limited by resources currently in hands• Staff shows a high sense of responsibility for the

community

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Result of the Survey

6Note: 4 questionnaires were taken out from the survey, because of unconformity

Brainstorming of Hoa Sua’s situation

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Cooperation and Collaboration helps HS to Grow as a Social EnterpriseCooperation and Collaboration helps HS to Grow as a Social Enterprise

Many Obstacles for the Staff

8Reference:“The Economics of A Fully Engaged Enterprise” PulsePoint Group

How we see the structure of a Social Enterprise

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Social AimThese are the major social ambitions of the organization, they will form part of the legal commitments of the business and drive mission statement and ultimately create a vision for the people to “buy into”. It shapes the direction and operations of the business

CapacityBuilding an appropriate and committed group of Board Members, Skilled staff and volunteers is fundamental to the organization success

SupportUnless your Social Aims and you financial security are transparent, relevant and legitimate, it will prove to accumulate Support. This Support could be financial, political, technical or more importantly the Support of the people the alumni and current students

Financial ViabilityWithout a sound financial base, it is unlikely that the Social Objective will be achieved. Viability could be activated through various sources of income but it should always support the Social Objective

Hoa Sua Strategy as a Social Enterprise

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Work in a Social Enterprise• Social Enterprises offer jobs that make people feel happy make people feel happy and fulfilled are

doing work that you find challenging and deeply meaningful with colleagues whom you respect and care for.

• SE Workers see enormous needs to solve problems solve problems that aren’t being addressed by traditional institutions

• SE Workers are less motivated to make a lot of money less motivated to make a lot of money since that usually isn’t the main objective.

• SE Workers who are phenomenally successful, you don’t get rich—you —you change the worldchange the world.

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Benefits of working in a Social Enterprise

•You get to see your hard work making a differencehard work making a difference.

•You’re surrounded by really passionate peoplepassionate people.

•Working for an organisation that does good things for the world you live in is a great motivatorgreat motivator.

“We have a business to run and that is the biggest challenge. But it’s made easier because we are making a difference and I like working with people who have similar values. “British Social Worker”

There’s no clock watching here. The days go by very quickly, there’s never enough time in the day to do everything we want to do.”

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Who works in a Social Enterprise

• People who combine business expertise and skills with a very real desire to improve people’s livesvery real desire to improve people’s lives, their communities or the environment.

• People who believe in creating a fairer, more equal believe in creating a fairer, more equal society.society.

• People who aren’t looking to become millionairesPeople who aren’t looking to become millionaires. It is worth bearing in mind that half of a social enterprise’s profits are put back into the business.

“I love getting up in the morning and seeing the change in people’s lives that they’ve been able to make with the support of our services” “British social Worker, working with disabled Children”

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The Development of Social Enterprises in Vietnam

• ““People are only scratching the surface of what they People are only scratching the surface of what they can do with social enterprise... it’s an area which is can do with social enterprise... it’s an area which is only going to grow” only going to grow” “American Social Entrepreneur”“American Social Entrepreneur”

• Social enterprise in Vietnam has grown rapidly in Social enterprise in Vietnam has grown rapidly in recent years. It’s an exciting, fast-moving area in recent years. It’s an exciting, fast-moving area in which to workwhich to work.

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How a Social Enterprise Grow, Develop and Succeed

1.1. Develop concepts from a business perspective Develop concepts from a business perspective 

2.2. Start with the “low-hanging fruit”Start with the “low-hanging fruit”

3.3. Remain consistent with your valuesRemain consistent with your values

4.4. Address organizational barriersAddress organizational barriers

5.5. Be clear about the primary purpose of your Be clear about the primary purpose of your businessbusiness

6.6. CollaborateCollaborate

7.7. Manage your cash flowManage your cash flow

8.8. Talk to your customersTalk to your customers

9.9. Don’t rely on mission only to sell your Don’t rely on mission only to sell your product/serviceproduct/service

10.10. ExperimentExperiment 15

Role play

Be the Manager of Song Thu for one day– Real Life example– Situations that have some sort of problem or

conflict that needs to be resolved

1)Find our the problems

2)Find out the solutions

3)What would you do if you were the manager of Song Thu

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Role Play

« I have taken out of town guests to Hoa Sua for years, following Hoa Sua from location to location. Now they are in their new place close to the Hanoi Cooking School and unfortunately much has been lost in the move. My recent dinner experience was very disappointing! First, the menu has changed considerably so there are virtually no Vietnamese options (I really liked the fish steamed in banana leaves that they had at the old location). My friend ordered the grilled fish Hanoi style, and the portion size was tiny and should be listed as an appetizer and not a main course. Second, the service was awful. I do realize this is a training school and have always been patient with the service. However, this time I had to keep asking for someone to take our order, or at least bring us some drinks first (in Vietnamese when English failed). Finally we gave our dinner order and then 5 min. later a waitress came to ask if we wanted dessert. In my limited Vietnamese I said we would like our dinner first and then she came back with menu's wanting to know what we wanted for our main courses. While students should have training experiences I do think a manager should be present to assist in these cases-- no manager in sight. Unfortunately, after 11 years of faithful patronage Hoa Sua has now lost my business. » (comments taken from The New Hanoian, written by a customer)

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Role play: Manager in a social enterprise

Problems

1. Find out the problems

2. Find out a solution for each problem

3. What would you do if you were the Manager of this restaurant?

Solutions Tell the customers that the students

are in training and to be comprehensive with them

Work like a team have a meeting the next day with the teachers and the students

Act as a decision maker, gain confidence and leadership

Give a discount for the next visit Revise the menu regularly with

accountancy and marketing department to select the best sellers

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A Good experience in a Social Enterprise

• « A friend of mine wanted to bring to together some people from his various circles of friends and therefore invited a rather big group of people to this Hoa Sua restaurant recently. He reserved a table and also booked the courses in advance.The food was good, combination between Vietnamese and French kitchen. On time and in the right order.To me its always a bit weird when the service in a Hanoian restaurant is "western-style", sometimes it doesn't appear very natural, but in this case it worked out. The evening I went there the manager was in the restaurant as well and happy to help out when we had further questions.

Prices for food and drinks were reasonable as well.

We had a very interesting evening and Hoa Sua did the best they could do.

I don't know how it is to go there without reserving a table in advance and also the service definatly needs to gain some more experience, but I think the best way to do that is getting some work experience. Maybe they don't know all the etiquettes, but they were very friendly and human after all.

So all in all recommendable and worth supporting. » (comments taken from The New Hanoian, written by a customer)

Conclusion

My own initiative to support the School the best I can

Commitment Hard Work Initiative Leadership Autonomy Passion Collaboration Communication Solidarity

The Situation of the School and its strategy to overcome the challenges

• Major Restructuration (HR and facilities)

• Work with Loyal staff• Give the young staff the

chance to take responsibilities

• Find and Join Social Enterprises network and associations (Spark, CSR)

• Find potential partners

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