A few days ago, I was thumbing through CNN.com on my Blackberry, and saw a headline about “Social E” (i.e., social entrepreneurship). I was immediately sucked into reading the article. In the article, Peterson discussed how over 15 colleges are now offering Social E classes, and students are increasingly getting involved in start-up businesses with the beneficiary being a social cause or charity, not themselves. What a wonderful idea … college students taking a grass roots approach and using their talents and creativity to help others – that’s entrepreneurship that I can get behind.

Well, it wasn’t but a few days later that I heard that Facebook co-founder, Chris Hayes, was starting a social networking site for the purpose of social good! This was very encouraging because it showed that very innovative and successful people outside of universities are also using their talents and acting as social entrepreneurs as well.

I couldn’t help but think how great of a lesson this is for those corporations who are preaching the triple-bottom line approach to sustainability. While many corporations are great at reaping the economic benefits of “being green,” and some corporations are out there trying to better the environment and the earth, there are far fewer who are using their power and influence to promote social sustainability. “Social E” is a great way to meet that social requirement by getting people involved at the grass roots level WITHIN corporations. There is so much talent, and creativity, and giving spirit in so many corporations that so often goes under- and/or un-utilized. I’m not suggesting that businesses are all run for the benefit of the less fortunate. BUT, what I am suggesting is that maybe businesses can utilize their people’s talents to create a more enjoyable workplace that at the same time does some social good. Imagine that … by doing a little good, more people will want to work for you.