Harvard Case - Howard Industries: Is This Homelessness Social Enterprise Worth Continuing?
"Howard Industries: Is This Homelessness Social Enterprise Worth Continuing?" Harvard business case study is written by Kyleen Myrah, Kerry Rempel, Dean Warner. It deals with the challenges in the field of Social Enterprise. The case study is 22 page(s) long and it was first published on : Jan 1, 2017
At Fern Fort University, we recommend that Howard Industries continue operating as a social enterprise, but with a strategic shift towards a hybrid model that leverages both social impact and financial sustainability. This involves restructuring the business to focus on scalable, profitable ventures while maintaining its core mission of addressing homelessness.
2. Background
Howard Industries is a social enterprise founded by Howard Stern, a passionate advocate for the homeless. The organization operates a manufacturing facility that employs individuals experiencing homelessness, providing them with employment opportunities, skills training, and a pathway to self-sufficiency. However, the organization faces financial challenges due to its low profit margins and reliance on grants and donations.
The case study focuses on the decision facing Howard: whether to continue operating as a social enterprise or to shut down the business. The key protagonists are Howard Stern, the founder and CEO, and the Board of Directors, who are grappling with the organization's financial viability and its impact on the homeless community.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
This case study presents a classic dilemma faced by many social enterprises: balancing social impact with financial sustainability. We can analyze the situation using the following frameworks:
a) Triple Bottom Line Framework:
- Social: Howard Industries demonstrates a strong social impact by providing employment and support to homeless individuals. However, the organization's reliance on grants and donations makes its social impact vulnerable to funding fluctuations.
- Environmental: The case study does not provide information on environmental sustainability practices. However, the organization's manufacturing processes could be assessed for potential environmental impacts and opportunities for improvement.
- Economic: Howard Industries faces financial challenges due to low profit margins and dependence on external funding. The organization needs to develop a sustainable business model that can generate enough revenue to cover costs and achieve long-term financial stability.
b) Stakeholder Theory:
- Key stakeholders: Homeless individuals, employees, donors, the Board of Directors, and the local community are all important stakeholders in Howard Industries. Each group has different expectations and interests.
- Stakeholder alignment: The organization needs to ensure that its actions align with the interests of all stakeholders. This requires transparency, communication, and engagement with stakeholders to understand their needs and concerns.
c) Social Impact Measurement:
- Measuring impact: Howard Industries needs to develop robust metrics to measure the social impact of its programs. This includes tracking employment rates, wages earned, housing stability, and other indicators of individual well-being.
- Impact reporting: The organization should transparently report its social impact to donors, stakeholders, and the public. This will build trust and demonstrate the organization's value proposition.
4. Recommendations
To address the challenges facing Howard Industries, we recommend the following:
a) Hybrid Business Model:
- Shift to a hybrid model: Howard Industries should adopt a hybrid business model that combines social impact with financial sustainability. This involves diversifying revenue streams and developing profitable ventures that align with the organization's mission.
- Scalable and profitable ventures: The organization should identify and develop scalable, profitable ventures that can generate revenue and support its social mission. This could include partnering with corporations for contract manufacturing, developing a line of sustainable products, or offering training services to other organizations.
- Impact-driven products and services: The organization should focus on developing products and services that directly address the needs of the homeless community or promote social good.
b) Strategic Partnerships:
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships: Howard Industries should seek partnerships with corporations interested in supporting social causes. These partnerships can provide funding, access to resources, and market reach.
- Cross-sector collaborations: The organization should collaborate with other non-profit organizations, government agencies, and community groups to leverage resources and expertise.
c) Social Impact Measurement and Reporting:
- Robust impact metrics: Howard Industries should develop robust metrics to measure the social impact of its programs, including employment rates, wages earned, housing stability, and other indicators of individual well-being.
- Transparent reporting: The organization should transparently report its social impact to donors, stakeholders, and the public. This will build trust and demonstrate the organization's value proposition.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core competencies and consistency with mission: The recommendations align with Howard Industries' core mission of addressing homelessness by providing employment opportunities and support.
- External customers and internal clients: The recommendations consider the needs of both external customers (e.g., corporate partners, donors) and internal clients (e.g., employees, homeless individuals).
- Competitors: The recommendations take into account the competitive landscape and identify opportunities for differentiation.
- Attractiveness ' quantitative measures: The recommendations aim to improve the organization's financial viability by increasing revenue and reducing costs.
6. Conclusion
Howard Industries has a compelling mission and a proven track record of social impact. By adopting a hybrid business model, building strategic partnerships, and measuring its social impact effectively, the organization can achieve both financial sustainability and social impact. This will ensure that Howard Industries can continue to provide vital support to the homeless community while remaining a viable and sustainable organization.
7. Discussion
Alternative options not selected:
- Shutting down the organization: This option would eliminate the organization's social impact and leave the homeless community without access to its services.
- Continuing with the current model: This option is unsustainable in the long term due to financial challenges.
Risks and key assumptions:
- Risk of losing focus on social impact: The organization needs to ensure that its pursuit of financial sustainability does not compromise its social mission.
- Assumption of successful partnerships: The success of the hybrid model depends on the organization's ability to secure strategic partnerships.
8. Next Steps
- Develop a detailed business plan: This plan should outline the organization's new hybrid model, revenue generation strategies, and impact measurement framework.
- Seek funding and investment: The organization should actively seek funding and investment from corporations, foundations, and impact investors.
- Build strategic partnerships: Howard Industries should identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with corporations, non-profits, and government agencies.
- Implement impact measurement system: The organization should implement a robust system for measuring and reporting its social impact.
By taking these steps, Howard Industries can ensure its long-term sustainability and continue to make a positive impact on the lives of homeless individuals.
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Case Description
Barbara Levesque was preparing for her monthly board meeting on January 18, 2016. Five years ago John Howard Society of the North Okanagan (JHSNOK) made a strategic decision to pursue social enterprise. Its primary purpose was to better support the growth and development of their clients. A secondary driver was to find additional ways to diversify their funding sources to have more financial independence and stability. Social enterprise was identified as the vehicle to expand their impact, more fully meet their mission, and help contribute to long term operational funding. In 2010, Howard Industries was incorporated and two social-purpose ventures were created: "Uncle Howie's Kitchen" provided low cost catering and "Clean Sweep" offered minor renovations, painting and cleaning that mainly serviced the non-profit and public sector. By 2015, the investment in Howard Industries had started to pay off and to-date their social enterprises had contributed $4500 to its parent organization. The management team estimated that approximately 18 clients of JHSNOK worked full time in the two businesses throughout the four-year period from 2011 to 2015, and significant transformative change for some of these men had occurred. Howard Industries was at a pivotal point in development. The market showed an opportunity to maintain and expand current contracts, increase their profitability, and move their clients into leadership roles in the business. In order to grow, additional management time would have to be allocated to support it. Levesque had been asked by her Board to report on what Howard Industries achieved in 2015, and provide recommendations for its future direction. With the five-year social enterprise pilot coming to an end, Levesque needed to decide if Howard Industries was worth continuing and if so, how would she convince the Board to renew their commitment to this social venture.
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