Inspiration Station: Purchasing that Makes a Positive Social Impact
What if purchasers focused on creating positive social impact through their procurement and supplier engagement programs? That’s happening, increasingly, in part due to increasing expectations on the part of employees, investors, and policymakers that companies be good stewards of the “human capital” they depend on to run their businesses. In this session moderated by Mike Wallace, the Executive Director of the Social & Human Capital Coalition, participants will hear three inspiring strategies through which purchasers are creating positive social impact:
Impact Sourcing is a business practice being used by Microsoft that prioritizes suppliers who intentionally hire and provide career development opportunities to people facing barriers to formal employment, such as people with disabilities and people living in regions with high unemployment.
As part of its efforts to ensure diverse hiring by its contractors, Multnomah County has pioneered the use of Green Dot Anti-Harrassment Certification as a requirement for every person performing work under county construction contracts. In the construction industry, in particular, anti-bullying training is important for ensuring a safe and welcoming work environment on job sites.
Intel is working globally with WEConnect International and other partners to find and develop woman-owned suppliers in countries where women’s economic empowerment is limited today. This inspiring work is transforming the lives of women and their families, and changing cultural norms in their communities and their countries. At the Global Citizen Festival in July 2017, Intel made a commitment to spend $100 million with women-owned businesses around the world by 2020. More than a year ahead of schedule, Intel has reached the $100 million goal and is now doubling its commitment to spend $200 million with women-owned businesses by 2020 globally.