How to reach and engage local Social Enterprises in your supply chain

Corporates keen to engage with Social Enterprises often struggle to understand exactly what defines a Social Enterprise and how best to reach and engage with them. Now help is at hand with the Social Enterprise Mark directory which aims to provide procurement teams with an easy and valuable way to develop an ethical, innovative and diverse supply chain.

On the 22nd November, the City of London Corporation hosted the launch of the Social Enterprise Mark's 50-in-250 campaign which is designed to promote the use of Social Enterprises in corporate Supply Chains. The campaign encourages you to reap the benefits of using social enterprises in your supply chain to demonstrate really meaningful corporate social responsibility and to enhance your corporate ethical credentials - but crucially Social Enterprise Mark does not ask you to do this out of anything other than strict business reasons, with a firm believe that Social Enterprises can offer a mix of quality, price and service to beat any competitor.

The launch was attended by 65 City Businesses and 40 Social Enterprises and provided an opportunity to network and discuss what this campaign means to both corporate procurement teams and social enterprises.

This campaign has been developed to help 50 large companies pledge to do business with at least 5 certified social enterprises each, within 250 days. The campaign provides a range of useful tools designed to support organisations who would like to be part of the campaign.

Sophie Hulm, Corporate Responsibility Manager at the City of London commented: "In supporting this launch event, the City of London has already procured from two social enterprises; the caterers (Cafe Sunlight) and event management company (Sensevents). The quality was incredible and the price very competitive! We also have the added bonus of knowing that our money has contributed towards building capacity in the 3rd sector and improving health inequity and well-being. With the support of City businesses, the economic and social impacts delivered by social enterprises could be immense. City businesses want to procure more ethically, but there is a common misconception that social enterprises do not provide the goods and services that are required. That's why the new 'City Buyer's Directory of Certified Social Enterprises', which accompanied the London event, is so important."

To access guidance on how procurement professionals can successfully engage with social enterprises as part of their procurement strategy including a range of tools and a Directory of Social Enterprises that has been created as part of the campaign see http://www.socialenterprisemark.org.uk/50in250/

Note: The 'mark' is a brand awarded by Social Enterprise Mark for social enterprises that have demonstrated that they meet a set of qualification criteria.

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