So you've got an innovative idea or two that could help improve health care, education or the rights of the disabled. How should you go about implementing them?

Author David Bornstein's enlightening book, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas [2], not only tells you how to get started; it also tells you stories of people just like us who found the way to remake the world for the better.

What steps does he recommend for the budding social entrepreneur?

1. Begin with what you know best.

2. Focus on an idea or issue that resonates deeply in your life.

3. Perhaps work for several years to acquire the knowledge, skills and contacts to branch out on your own and improve what’s currently being done.

4. Tap into your personal network

5. Start with a few well-selected tests of your idea to demonstrate viability and build credibility and momentum.

6. Enlist advice from well-connected and experienced allies about how to raise funds, think through strategy, and build a team of supporters and advisors.

7. Find resources that will help you land that job, raise those funds, organize groups, network with others and start up that business. His book includes a guide with contact information for dozens of companies and organizations ready and willing to help.

Learn more at Bornstein's Website [3].

This article originally appeared on http://www.heifer.org/ [4]. Used with permission.