El Sistema: Vision, Process, Impact

This case study describes the journey of “El Sistema”, a classical music education programme in Venezuela that illustrates the transformative power of music to improve the lives of millions of youths in some of the poorest communities in the world. Using the experience and insights of founder José Antonio Abreu, together with an analysis of the programme's development, the case shows how vision and inspiration are translated into a vibrant and effective organization in the long term. It covers the strategic initiatives and organizational processes used to engage and mobilize a critical mass of people to achieve large-scale impact throughout Venzuela and beyond.

The key learning from the case is how a founder/entrepreneur and his team - with a vision for radical social change - develop and grow a high-performing, sustainable organization despite limited resources. For business entrepreneurs about to launch a new venture, or leaders looking to inspire or turn-around an organization—Abreu’s methods provide sharp insight on how to combine vision, values, processes, networks and innovation.