Handles for social impact
Implement changes in a traditional sector, influence decision-making and ensure that others are open to new ideas. Nelly Wisse of law firm Van Doorne will start the Social Intrapreneurship course this autumn to get tools to create social impact within the organization and stimulate reflection on sustainability goals.
'Social responsibility for corporate, social impact and sustainability are important themes,' begins Nelly, who has been working as a lawyer at Van Doorne for three years. 'In this profession, however, we seem to be a little behind in those areas. It is time to think carefully about these themes and take a position on this.'
“The word 'intrapreneur' is one of the things that appeals to me in the course. It's not just about entrepreneurship itself, but what this brings about within the organization and beyond.”
Two currents
Nelly explains: 'On the one hand, we have to ask ourselves: 'should a lawyer deal with this?' We are a service provider, we represent the interests of a client, regardless of the content or consequences of those interests. Everyone has the right to assistance. That is the more traditional, criminal approach to the legal profession. On the other hand, there is the more modern perspective on the legal profession. It asks questions such as 'should we assist this client if the consequences for people, the environment or society are negative', and 'should we even refuse some clients'. Or we will assist them, but with the advice to take steps towards sustainability or social involvement and therefore not only work profit-driven.'
'There is no right or wrong choice in this,' Nelly emphasizes. "I don't really have a judgment on this myself. However, I recognize that there are two currents, and that as a law firm it is important to take a stand on social responsibility and sustainability. One step we are already taking is guiding start-ups. We help young companies on their way to new technological and social developments. But we also have to look further.'
Not just entrepreneurship
'The word 'intrapreneur' is one of the things that appeals to me in the course. It is not just about entrepreneurship itself, but about what this brings about within the organization and beyond. The legal profession is a classic, traditional profession that is not always inclined to move with developments in society. This often makes making changes from within a challenge, while society is asked to change. We don't have to become the most green and socially engaged law firm. But we have to think about these themes.'
Impact measurement and leadership
So the organization needs to be put in motion. 'The impact measurement component therefore appeals to me particularly. I don't want to be the junior who comes up with questions and improvements, with which nothing is then done. I want to learn how to get people into my thoughts and ideas on certain topics and make a difference in decision-making. The leadership part also comes in handy, to master me the management of changes.'
Diverse group
'I'm very curious about the group. I expect a group consisting of people from various sectors, in different ages and each with his or her own experience. Because we come from different sectors, we are probably all working on other topics, but there is also overlap: we all want to work socially and socially responsible and are looking for tools to shape this.'
Full of fresh courage
'As (probably) one of the youngest participants, I think my contribution consists of a fresh look at people and society, among other things. I am at the beginning of my career. I don't let my thoughts and ideas be obstructed by obstacles that people who have been walking along for a long time may have collided with and been discouraged by. I face the future full of good courage, have faith in society and hope for good changes.'
'I like that Van Doorne encourages the course to follow. They asked me to participate in the training. In my opinion, that indicates that they are really open to new ideas and changes. Moreover, I think it is an honor that they ask me, as a junior, to do this, that they give me the confidence to share new knowledge with the office, so that we can work together on a new vision of people, the environment and society.'
Want to read more about Nelly's experience? Read here.