This Little World
A how-to guide for social innovators.
Authors: Michael J. Halvorson, Shelly Cano Kurtz
Foreword: Jeff and Tricia Raikes
Published: August 6, 2024
ISBN: 978-1032708928
Publisher: Routledge
Length: 192 pages
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Our planet has never been smaller. Technological advancements have compressed time and space, making the world more immediate and interconnected. But a shrinking planet is not without its challenges: climate change, food shortages, pollution, and war are persistent headwinds. We need strategies and tools that promote stability and growth, and we need technology that is more inclusive, trusted, and focused on community goals.
This Little World seeks to inspire those who wish to explore the rich and rewarding world of social innovation. It’s a practical, step-by-step guide to innovation opportunities that will enrich an organization’s capacity for transformation and impact. With insights from leading social innovators, This Little World demonstrates how “tech for good” organizations are using social innovation strategies, emerging tools, and sustainable practices to support environmental causes, humanitarian initiatives, accessibility, and more.
This guidebook is for technologists, leaders, and employees in the social impact sector, as well as anyone with aspirations for purpose-driven outcomes in their work. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and students alike can learn from this new model of innovation, where it is possible to do good and do well.
Subject categories: Social Impact, Social Entrepreneurship, Management of Technology & Innovation, Leadership, Education, Business Ethics, Sustainability, Vocation.
Meet The Authors
Michael
Co-author
Michael Halvorson, Ph.D., is a professor of business history and innovation who writes and teaches about digital transformation and public interest technology. He was an early employee at Microsoft, contributing to the development of Microsoft Press, Visual Studio, and Microsoft Office. He is currently Director of Innovation Studies and Benson Family Chair of Business and Economic History at Pacific Lutheran University. Halvorson is the author of 40 books about history and technology, and he served for ten years as an executive leader at Compass Housing Alliance, a social impact organization in Seattle.
Shelly
Co-author
Shelly Cano Kurtz is a social entrepreneur and consultant who has founded numerous social innovation organizations and initiatives, including a social impact incubator, an evidence management solution for nonprofits and government agencies, and a data insights platform for entrepreneurs who are creating public interest technology. She is also an advisor for Concordia, a bi-partisan organization dedicated to building cross-sector partnerships, and the Center for Workforce Inclusion, a nonprofit focused on workforce development for older Americans. Kurtz has been involved in over 200 go-to-market campaigns and regularly serves as a mentor for social innovators in the U.S.
Praise, Insights, and Reviews
Jean-Philippe Courtois
Executive Vice President and President, National Transformation Partnerships, Microsoft
“This Little World shows tech can be good and support the creation of sustainable and inclusive economies.”
Justin Spelhaug
Vice President Tech for Social Impact, Microsoft
“This Little World provides a pragmatic blueprint for those who want to activate positive change. Halvorson and Kurtz’s book is an important contribution to the tech for good industry.”
Kentaro Toyama, Ph.D.
Author of Geek Heresy: Rescuing Social Change from the Cult of Technology
“Halvorson and Kurtz provide clear guidance for tech-enabled social entrepreneurship, with the important message that human fundamentals matter most.”
Jeff Raikes and Tricia Raikes
Co-Founders, Raikes Foundation
“A guidebook for leaders and technologists looking to turn passion and purpose into social progress at scale.”
Julia Roberts
President and CEO, BRAC USA
“This Little World fills an important strategic gap among leadership materials for the growing nonprofit and for-profit marketplace. This book hits the ‘sweet spot.’”
Allan Belton
President, Pacific Lutheran University
“Halvorson and Kurtz are bold, boundless thinkers. This Little World is an exciting tool for organizations that are preparing to lean into social innovation.”
Gary A. Officer
President and CEO, Center for Workforce Inclusion & CWI Labs
“This book will be a valuable resource for non-profit leaders as we seek to lead our way through this period of transformation and disruption.”
Karen E. Spierling, Ph.D.
Professor of History, Denison University
“An engaging and practical introduction to the mechanics of social entrepreneurship, useful to students in both business and liberal arts settings.”
Cameron Royce Turner
Vice President, Data Science, Kin + Carta
“Kurtz and Halvorson’s approach is refreshingly brilliant. They enable organizations of any size to develop a plan that leads to sustainable impact through continuous improvement.”
Heven Ambachew
Innovation Studies major, Pacific Lutheran University
“The practical lessons in This Little World helped me learn about sustainable development goals and prepare for a career in social innovation.”
Chris Emura
Executive Director, Applied Science & Technology, Allen Institute for AI
“Objective insights that have forced some of the most seasoned experts in the non-profit sector to re-evaluate long-held beliefs.”
Luis Salazar
Founder and CEO, AI4SP
“Halvorson and Kurtz’s book sheds light on the challenges and critical elements of success associated with creating technologies that positively serve society.”
Sam Ushio
Founder, Ikigai Lab
“A must-read for the changemakers working to shape our collective future of limitless potential.”
Morgan Grimm
Senior Communications Associate, Tala
“This Little World is a rare guide for aspiring social innovators.”
Ben Jackson
CEO, Guardify
“Must-read, right now.”
Dr. Sasha Rabkin
President, Equal Opportunity Schools
“We can finally put the dichotomy between nonprofit and technology companies aside. This book shows changemakers how they can be both mission-driven leaders and technology innovators.”
Rita Santelli
Adjunct Faculty, Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
“A valuable resource for tomorrow’s leaders.”
Matt Cherry
Director of Philanthropy, Ability Central
“It’s up to this generation whether the technological revolution lifts us all up or drags us down. This Little World could not come at a better time to help us make liberating and transformative choices.”
Alexander Andino
Director of Engineering, Giving Compass Insights
“This Little World presents an intriguing exploration into the evolving landscape of social innovation, where technology and sustainable practices intersect.”
Jean Paoli
Co-Creator of XML and CEO of Docugami
“Social impact organizations that carefully record, analyze, and present rich data about their initiatives will receive innumerable benefits. This book shows you how!”
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