OFIN 3275 - Mind your business: how mindful businesses can drive societal change

Companies shape societies… for better or for worse. In order to sustainably change the world we live in, change needs to happen notably - and most importantly? - at the corporate level.

This course’s objectives is to analyse and understand the models behind successful and impactful organisations that are radically disrupting the “why” and “how” we do business … and maybe inspire you to start your own!

Focused on impact entrepreneurship case-studies, this course is structured around 2 themes - [Theme 1] Driving change through conscious goals: businesses that address new & growing concerns & [Theme 2] Driving change through innovative practices: policies that promote healthier & fairer environments - and will be host to a series of expert-led presentations (either in person or through visioconference).

Session 1 - Introductory class: contextualising & defining impact entrepreneurship

Theme 1 | Driving change through conscious goals: businesses that address new & growing concerns

Theme 2 | Driving change through innovative practices: policies that promote healthier & fairer environments

Curiosity

Interest in entrepreneurship

Fluent English

This course lets you have a direct look at impact entrepreneurship from the inside. It is a unique opportunity to discover the field through the eyes and experiences of trailblazing founders and executives who are putting into question the “business-as-usual” narrative.

It is a very interactive and hands-on course that requires you to interact directly with the startup ecosystem and actively participate. 8 to 10 guest-speakers will join throughout the semester, and you are expected to have questions prepared for them (you will have the opportunity to submit them in advance).

Classes are laptop- & smartphone-free: all course material and useful resources will be shared via email.

Participation grade: 1/3

30-minute group presentation: 1/3

[Final assignment] Presentation of an impact business idea : 1/3

On top of assignments, classes will require no more than one hour of preparation each. Relevant and optional resources - including short readings, videos and podcasts - will be shared to enrich discussions and let you deep dive in the topics that interest you the most. In the end, this course, and the workload attached, will depend on what you do of it.