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When a business has the single goal of generating individual success and profit, they tend to create quid pro quo partnerships. These alliances spawn out of a need to pool resources to stay competitive, but once the problem is resolved the partnership is disregarded. Back in July of 2011 when Google+ came out swinging touting its superior ability to connect friends with integrated video conferencing, Facebook and Skype quickly joined forces leveling the playing field. Fast forward to last week where Skype releases a 12 million dollar marketing campaign slamming Facebook among other social networks. While telling people to “upgrade from a wall post to a first class conversation” isn’t likely to hurt Facebook’s usership or upcoming IPO, it sends a clear signal that Skype no longer has Facebook’s best interest in mind.

As I began working in the world of social enterprise with PictureHealing, I could see tons of collaboration happening among organizations. The biggest difference was that these people had goals beyond profits. They were all fighting to inspire and create a positive change in the world. This common goal is at the heart of every social entrepreneur and creates an instant connection.

Come to a SocEnt.LA Tuesday mixer, any StartingBloc event or meet some Hub LA member and feel the positive energy, support and passion towards a positive impact. Even as I attended the Pitch Some Goodevent at SXSW where seven companies were competing with the attendees as the judges, not a negative word was said about any organization. Amy Ward put it best reflecting on that event in The Non Profit Timeswriting, “Conversations tended towards opportunities to connect people directly with each other, a theme of many of the conversations about new tools throughout SXSW hallways.”

Community and collaboration have become a staple of the Social Enterprise world with companies big and small. We’re all thinking of new ways to screw business as usual, so we can build successful sustainable companies that thrive on supporting a triple bottom line of people, planet and profit.

Even if the there isn’t a clear way to partner on the business side, how can the company you work for connect with other organizations to make a difference in the community? Start simple, for example last month we joined BetterWorks for an after work clothing driving. This month we’re teaming up withRoozt.com and Philanthro Productions for a Earth Day Beach Cleanup. Events like this are not only good for the community and company interest, they also boost morale and are ridiculously fun!

One thing’s for sure, social entrepreneurs stick together. They make introductions, give honest feedback and team up on projects big and small. I can safely say I’ve got a standing frieNDA with all of the LA #SocEnt crew. Business as usual is broken and we’re working together to fix that.

Michael DeHart is the Community Guru for PictureHealing. He’s borderline obsessed with new media, harnessing emerging technologies & creatively integrating philanthropic philosophies into businesses. His goal with socially responsible strategies is to drive new traffic, improve corporate culture and foster company pride, all while increasing a business’s exposure and profits. He also enjoys cycling!