Is GrabTaxi a Social Enterprise?

Although the online newspaper article mentioned GrabTaxi very briefly, it brought me back to the third lesson where we first discussed in class what a social enterprise was. By Mr Hon's definition, "A social enterprise exists to create social impact. Never lose track of this.Yet in a social enterprise, the business has to deliver for the social stuff to happen. Never lose track of this too."

At the start of the year I had initially wanted to start up a social enterprise for foreign workers and I asked my mother "Aren't all companies considered social enterprises then?"

And she rolled her eyes at me and went "Its not all that simple."

So the question of this post today is, Is GrabTaxi a Social Enterprise? According to the article, "Founder Anthony Tan is on record as saying that the app is a social enterprise in that it helps taxi drivers earn more money .GrabTaxi said it also conducts free health checks for drivers in other countries." If we base it solely on the definition we have learned in class, no it is not. 

This is because I fail to see the social impact that is supposed to be achieved here in Singapore. I suppose that the health checks provided to taxi drivers from other countries may be creating some impact but is it great enough to create some social impact.What other social impact could GrabTaxi be providing besides perhaps, more effective transportation of passengers from one place to another? However i am sure that the founder is earning quite the profit.

In my opinion, GrabTaxi is NOT a Social Enterprise. This is because i do not see the taxi drivers of Singapore as marginalized. Sure they do not earn a lot if they are unable to pick up passengers or if passengers do not wait for their booked taxi to arrive. However, they are quite able to provide for themselves and for their families. I mean, they even have the option to not pick up passengers that flag them down. Hence, i believe that this is not a very social-minded cause.

I believe that because there is no right or wrong definition of a social enterprise clearly defined here in Singapore as this niche market. Singapore's social enterprise market is still young despite the startling increases of start-ups in the past two years.Is it necessary to have  a set definition? Yes i believe that it is very necessary for that. This is because to take on the title of Social Enterprise and use it to market/advertise your goods to consumers, is a very despicable thing to do. 

However, GrabTaxi might be approved as a Social enterprise in other countries in which drivers are usually marginalized because of low income or old age. NOT in Singapore.

Signing Off,
Abigail Fernandez





References:

Goy, Priscilla. (2014, July 22).Rise of social enterprises in Singapore prompts calls for greater regulation.

The Straits Times. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/rise-of-social-enterprises-in-singapore-prompts-calls-for-greater-regulation?page=17

Visit To Enoch's European

Last Friday, my group consisting of Bryan, Adalene, Shawn and myself went to interview the founder of Enoch's European, Enoch Teo. Although it was for a project and for educational purposes I was very inspired by what his Social Enterprise was doing. Enoch's European is basically a small restaurant that offers top-notch French cuisine at good prices and provides stellar service.Enoch European started out as Le Petit Paradis ("The Little Paradise" in French) and operated at Alibabar Hawker Bar for two years.

Visit the website here://www.enochs.com.sg/

His social cause is to empower vulnerable youth and children. He is in partnership with the Boy's Home and Boys Town (if I'm not  mistaken) to provide a platform where the boys can learn a skill by working at the front of house or in the kitchen. 

Before this I never knew that this was a way to engage the beneficiaries of your social enterprise. I always assumed that the money made would be donated to a certain organization or that SE's would just employ workers that come from their beneficiaries. Such as being done by Eighteen Chefs. I never knew that we could go into partnerships to provide a platform for the beneficiaries to learn skills. I feel that this is really amazing and has greatly broaden my prospects for the future social enterprise I may want to set up.

Enoch also shared that on his own, he has yet to break even but he is happy that he is doing something to make a difference. That is something i believe is quite admirable. Many people who wish to start up a business would have the main goal to be earning profits and likewise many worry about whether they will be able to do good and make money all at the same time. However , for him, he sees success as when he has managed to change the way the vulnerable youth looks at life.  I think that my outlook on life is much like this in that aspect.

For me, it is important for my business to  make money, it is important that I am financially stable. But all in all what is more important is that i am making a change for the better in the lives of others. This might be my weakness when I start a social enterprise in the future.

Enoch himself found solace in cooking when he was an at risk-youth and drop out. He is a truly great example and i think we should learn how to overcome our challenges from people like him. Many of us are fortunate that we are not at-risk youth or that we are no longer at risk youth due to help we have received. Enoch is only one in a few that are making a conscious effort to help these stray youths. I think we can also do something for them seeing as we are of the same age and think the same. I hope that one day i can be able to make even more positive changes in society like what Enoch is doing.

Signing off,

Abigail