Global Entrepreneurship Institute
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Babson College uses online collaboration to redefine the word "entrepreneurship"
by Robert W Price - Monday, 6 August 2012, 11:16 AM
 
Babson College campaign draws more than 2,000 new definitions of entrepreneurship in first six plus months, showcasing the many meanings and applications for entrepreneurship in these uncertain times.

More than 100,000 people around the world have engaged in a crowd-sourcing effort to extend the dictionary definition of the word "entrepreneurship." Through Babson College's "redefining entrepreneurship" campaign, visitors hailing from all 50 states and 147 countries have engaged with Babson's global campaign.

More than 2,000 text and multimedia definitions of the word entrepreneurship have been posted and shared through the hub, including those submitted by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, iconic footwear designer Ruthie Davis, Apple evangelist and Garage.com founder, Guy Kawasaki, President and CEO of the Nike Foundation, Maria Eitel, and former U.S. Department of State advisor Steven Koltai. Outside of the U.S., the countries with the greatest visitors include India, the United Kingdom, the Philippines, Mexico, Canada, Bulgaria, Brazil, Germany, Chile and China.
Launched by Babson College in January 2012, the campaign is helping to extend the definition of entrepreneurship in order to help shape how the world views and values entrepreneurs of all kinds. The community-at-large can post and share their definitions and access information about the entrepreneurial experience online at Babson's Web site.

"With more than 2,000 definitions posted to date, it's clear there is no limit to the ways entrepreneurship can be defined," said Babson's Chief Marketing Officer, Sarah L. Sykora. "The word 'entrepreneurship' means much more than just starting a business. As the recognized global leader in entrepreneurship education, we are incredibly excited about the early interest and energy this campaign has generated. The overwhelming response signals to us that, regardless of the words they use to define it, people recognize entrepreneurship as a powerful force for solving the economic, social and environmental issues confronting our world."

As Babson continues to crowd-source definitions, the College also will begin incorporating select definitions into its fully integrated branding campaign, which includes print, digital, outdoor and radio components. The campaign was conceptualized and executed in partnership with Connelly Partners, a leading full service advertising agency in Boston.

About Babson
Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds®. The College is a dynamic living and learning laboratory, where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society—while at the same time evolving our methods and advancing our programs. We shape the leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to create economic and social value. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought and Action® as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value.

http://www.babson.edu/News-Events/babson-news/Pages/1-24-12babsonredefinerel.aspx

SOURCE: Babson.edu