- What is the Social Purchasing Portal (SPP)?
- Why do you think this model works?
- What is the “social value” of transactions which occur through the SPP?
- How do I know the SPP works?
- How does Corporate Social Responsibility make good business sense?
- How does the SPP help business?
- How does the SPP help non-profit employment and training agencies?
- How does the SPP help social enterprises?
- How does the community benefit?
- What do you expect from purchasers involved in the SPP?
- What do you expect from suppliers involved in the SPP?
- Is the Social Purchasing Portal available anywhere else?
What is the Social Purchasing Portal (SPP)?
The Social Purchasing Portal uses existing purchases of businesses’ goods and services to expand business opportunities for suppliers who provide an added social value. Every business uses office supplies, couriers, catering, promotional materials, and similar goods and services. Economic and employment opportunities result from directing these existing business purchases to local businesses and social enterprises which hire those who face barriers to employment.
Why do you think this model works?
The SPP is effective because it uses a business model to create social value that is demand-side driven. It provides measurable outcomes such as jobs for disadvantaged persons, targeted economic growth and social enterprise development. It enables local organizations to become more sustainable. It takes advantage of a national network of resources and opportunities built on a foundation of partnerships and relationships. It not only meets the needs of businesses, social enterprises or community training programs, it makes local communities stronger and more sustainable.
What is the “social value” of transactions which occur through the SPP?
A social value is created from the business transaction if it generates economic development in areas of economic depression, creates employment opportunities for those who face barriers to employment and supports social enterprise growth.
How do I know the SPP works?
Vancouver’s Fast Track to Employment (FTE) initiated the program in partnership with the BC Technology Social Venture Partners in June 2003. In less than a year over 50 purchasing partners and 35 suppliers were online generating over $300,000 of targeted business activity and creating over a dozen full-time jobs through the participating suppliers.
How does Corporate Social Responsibility make good business sense?
A recent GlobeScan poll conducted for its annual Corporate Social Responsibility Monitor shows that 83% of Canadians believe that corporations should go beyond their traditional economic role. Over half say they have punished a socially irresponsible company in the past year. Businesses are starting to understand their need to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. In 2002, KPMG found that 45% of the top 250 Fortune Global 500 companies issue environmental, social or sustainability reports.
How does the SPP help business?
Businesses still buy products and services on the basis of price, quality and service. The portal enables them to inject social value into their buying decisions, giving them the opportunity to contribute to their community. It provides a direct and meaningful way to practice corporate social responsibility. In addition, they have a ready labour pool of qualified, dedicated individuals for entry level jobs such as forklift operation, office administration, cleaning, shipping, woodworking, and restaurant help.
How does the SPP help non-profit employment and training agencies?
The SPP provides non-profit employment and training agencies with an opportunity to match their clients’ skills to employers who look beyond their resume to the quality of the work and dedication these individuals can bring to their jobs, thus increasing the number of hires from graduates of their programs.
How does the SPP help social enterprises?
Participating supplier businesses have access to new customers which increases demand for their products and services enabling them to become more sustainable and hire more staff.
How does the community benefit?
Businesses are able to derive a social value from purchases they make every day. Supplier businesses increase their sales which contributes to their sustainability and their ability to hire from marginalized populations. Community training agencies are able to provide more of their graduates with jobs. Those who have had difficulty getting jobs in the mainstream economy such as newcomers, youth-at-risk, long-term unemployed, psychiatric consumers/survivors and persons with disabilities, are able to become economically self-sufficient working with participating suppliers. Everyone in the community benefits.
What do you expect from purchasers involved in the SPP?
Purchasers are expected to support the suppliers involved in the Social Purchasing Portal where appropriate, and provide suitable employment opportunities for the communities served by Social Purchasing Portal suppliers. They may adopt a competitive bid program with a “best value” philosophy of procurement, which means that price will not be the only factor under consideration when buying decisions are made. They agree to give consideration to suppliers and vendors that are recognized partners in the SPP. As potential employers they will also consider providing an opportunity for participants in employment development training programs to apply for positions for which they qualify.
What do you expect from suppliers involved in the SPP?
Suppliers are expected to give particular consideration to candidates from the SPP employment pool, allow SPP a “first look” at entry-level positions and provide feedback to SPP if they are not able to hire through the resume and candidate list provided.
Is the Social Purchasing Portal available anywhere else?
The Social Purchasing Portal is also available in both Vancouver, Toronto and Winnipeg. This will roll out to other major cities in Canada, the U.S. and U.K. in the near future.
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