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official report Collaboration Is Key For Social Innovation As the old proverb goes, "If you want to get somewhere quickly, travel alone. If you want to go far, bring others along." Social innovation, which aims to go far, is fundamentally about cooperation among NGOs, corporations, governments, and civil society. This was one of the main conclusions reached by participants at the 6th Annual Conference of the ESADE Institute for Social Innovation, held in February in Barcelona, Spain. According to Ignasi Carreras, director of the ESADE Institute for Social Innovation, "Social innovation can be learned, but it can also be shared. … A collaborative approach is essential to the foundation of social innovation in any organization." Maria Prandi, a researcher at the institute, presented results of her study about achieving innovation through alliances. Her findings showed that social needs change constantly and that collaboration on social innovation is essential to developing a transformational process. Jem Bendell, director of the Institute for Leadership and Sustainability at the University of Cumbria in the U.K., noted that 78 percent of CEOs believe their companies should collaborate with NGOs, but he urged them to go further. He said, "We have to be more creative and create systemic change. Wealth is not money; wealth lies within us." Like other speakers, Bendell urged participants to take advantage of technology's almost boundless capability to spur innovation. "It's time to think differently and create flexible Internet-based collaboration strategies," he said. What Do YoUr alUmNi WaNt? EnGAGE AlUMni To STREnGThEn YoUR FUTURE Engaging Alumni is critical — they recommend your program to prospects, connect students to jobs via employee referrals, and build your school's legacy. Top three activities where alumni seek greater involvement with their business school alma mater (by school location): Europe Canada 1. Develop career 2. Recruit students as new hires 3. Dedicated services for alumni 1. Recruit students as new hires 2. Develop career 3. Participate in alumni groups/clubs US 1. Develop career 2. Join networking events 3. Recruit students as new hires mexico, Caribbean, and latin america Central asia 1. Develop career 2. Recruit students as new hires 3. Participate in alumni groups/clubs 1. Join networking events 2. Participate in alumni groups/clubs 3. Recruit students as new hires asia-Pacific islands 1. Recruit students as new hires 2. Develop career 3. Meet/Mentor prospective students Source: 2013 Alumni Perspectives Survey. Data for Africa and Middle East not available. NEW! GMAC offers schools FREE survey services to learn what alumni deem important and to benchmark with other schools. Register today at gmac.com/SurveySignUp. © 2013 Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) All rights reserved. The GMAC logo, the GMAT logo, GMAC®, GMAT®, and Graduate Management Admission Council® are registered trademarks of the Graduate Management Admission Council in the United States and other countries. 2013_APRIL_BizEd_v1.indd 1 BizEd May/June 2013 13 3/25/2013 4:02:33 PM