Why do companies buy from social enterprises?
Trade between private businesses and social enterprise is increasing. Our biennial social enterprise survey1 tells us that half of social enterprises do business with the private sector, a figure which has grown over recent years for several reasons:
Changing attitudes to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Forward-thinking companies increasingly say they want to align their CSR objectives with their core business; many organisations are realising that the potential for social impact through what they already spend can far outweigh more traditional CSR activities on the fringes of their business.
Awareness is growing: The word is spreading that many social enterprises deliver business-to-business products and services with competitive quality, delivery and pricing; and they may have reach or innovative solutions that a larger business would struggle to achieve.
Developing the sustainability and diversity agendas: Many private companies have already done significant work in procurement from a sustainability, diversity or small business perspective. So buying from social enterprises, who contribute to all three areas, is a natural extension to such work.
Business responsibility: There are growing expectations for all businesses to consider their wider role in – and responsibility to – the communities they work with and operate in. And buying from social enterprises is a simple and effective way to make a positive social contribution in communities.
Many social enterprises operate locally and employ people and procure goods locally. They can often help businesses to keep the money they spend within the local economy, which is good news for everyone.
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