Learning BIG at the SVPI Conference

SDSVP Staff along with Partners, Alan and Louarn Sorkin, Mark Fackler and David Lynn attended the annual SVPI conference in Dallas, Texas. SDSVP enjoyed learning from SVP Partners from around the world. Many great ideas were shared through key note speakers, workshops and even hallway conversations. In addition, our own Alan was inducted as the Social Venture Partners International Chair!

Some Key Learnings:

• Stories are key: SDSVP needs to have stories. Andy Goodman suggested that we could build a story around each one of our Investees. Every staff member, board member, and key player should know 5-7 core stories about the organization, and be able to tell them passionately and effectively; take advantage of social media.
• Measuring outcomes is hard: Keep it simple: it’s nearly impossible to get to the point of causal relationships with any sort of outcomes, it’s hard enough just to measure if you’re having any short term effect.
• Venture Fund – create a leverage fund where others can invest in our portfolio of Investees; foundations who don’t have staff, could utilize SVP as a resource.
• Partner Advisory Board - Quarterly meetings open to all Partners to maintain transparency and distribute responsibility.