Synergy....just another stupid consulting word or the key to social enterprise success?

Synergy. It's a word I was first introduced to during my days as a "Big 6" consultant for a global firm. I recoiled - it sounded like yet another made-up consultant word. But, as I've gotten older, I've learned to appreciate it and more fully understand what it means - and find it's one of the most important parts of a successful social enterprise.

The American Dictionary defines synergy as:
syn·er·gy (sĭn'ər-jē) Pronunciation Key n. pl. syn·er·gies
The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Looking at the first part of the definition, what stands out for me is "their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." As a social entrepreneur, this peaks my interest.

I have noticed a trend with my clients lately - several (both non-profit and for profit) have hit the tipping point and launched into success. I have been looking at what elements are common across these ventures. The thing that stands out the most: they all have synergy. That is, they have all had a series of internal and external forces that have come together to make them launch towards success. In our upcoming Social Enterprise Group newsletter, we'll be highlighting a couple of these. In the mean time here are some of the success factors that have led to these synergies:

• Leaders who are passionately committed to moving the venture forward, yet can also objectively look at the internal and external situation to make sound decisions
• Conducted plenty of leg work to determine how to best move forward with the venture including input from stakeholders, thorough market analysis, in-depth business planning
• Solid business model that leverages their strengths socially, environmentally and financially
• Forces in the external market and internal organization came together simultaneously (e.g. the external market was ready, staffing fell into place, financing came through)

I think synergy requires that magic combination that successful entrepreneurship requires - solid data and planning coupled with being open to allowing things to flow and recognizing opportunities when they land on your doorstep.