FAQ
- 1. What is the "social value" of transactions which occur through the SPD?
- 2. How do I know the SPD works?
- 3. How does Corporate Social Responsibility make good business sense?
- 4. How does the SPD help business?
- 5. How does the SPD help nonprofits that train disadvantaged individuals?
- 6. How does the SPD help social enterprises?
- 7. How does the community benefit?
- 8. What do you expect from purchasers involved in the SPD?
- 9. What do you expect from suppliers involved in the SPD?
- What is the "social value" of transactions which occur through the SPD?
A social value is created from the business transaction if it generates economic development in areas of economic depression, creates employment opportunities for the hard-to-employ and supports social enterprise growth.
- How do I know the SPD works?
In Vancouver, in less than a year over 175 purchasing partners and 26 suppliers were online generating over $2.5 million of targeted business activity and creating jobs for youth at risk and hard to employ persons through the participating suppliers.
- How does Corporate Social Responsibility make good business sense?
A Globe Scan 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 SPD 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 SPD help nonprofits that train disadvantaged individuals?
The SPD provides nonprofits who train disadvantaged individuals 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 the graduates of their programs.
- How does the SPD help social enterprises?
Participating social enterprises and businesses, which participate as suppliers of goods and services, have access to new customers which increases demand for their products and services enabling them to become more sustainable and hire even more disadvantaged persons.
- How does the community benefit?
Businesses are able to derive a social value from purchases they make every day. Social enterprises 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 SPD?
Purchasers are expected to support the suppliers involved in the Social Purchasing Directory where appropriate, and provide suitable employment opportunities for the communities served by Social Purchasing Directory 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 SPD. As potential employers they will also consider providing an opportunity for participants in employment development training programs to apply for positions in our company for which they qualify.
- What do you expect from suppliers involved in the SPD?
Suppliers are expected to give particular consideration to candidates from the SPD employment pool, allow SPD a "first look" at entry-level positions and provide feedback to SPD if they are not able to hire through the resume and candidate list provided.