Putting the Value in Social Value: The Evolution of Social Value in Tech Procurement
Cormac Healy
ESG & Sustainability Manager , North
In an era where corporate responsibility has become a core imperative, organisations across the technology sector face the challenge of meaningfully differentiating their social value approaches. The new Procurement Policy Note has effectively established a gateway for further developments, prompting technology providers to rethink how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies can create measurable, meaningful impact for communities and clients alike.
A Vision Rooted in Impact
Social value has evolved from the back pages of corporate reports to become central to strategic decision-making. Today's forward-thinking technology providers understand that projects should deliver not only technological excellence but also tangible social benefits that enhance local communities, empower employees, and forge enduring partnerships. For us, the most effective approaches treat social value not as a box-ticking exercise but as an authentic commitment to transforming corporate ambition into societal progress.
Perhaps the biggest opportunity to effect change and deliver meaningful outcomes lies in the power of long-term partnerships. By aligning efforts with strategic customers whose goals complement their own, organisations can create a multiplier effect that drives both business success and transformative social impact.
Building Sustainable Client Relationships
Trust-based relationships are fundamental to effective social value delivery. In a world awash with fleeting digital connections, cultivating deep, meaningful partnerships allows for continuous engagement with stakeholders throughout project delivery, ensuring needs are met and voices heard. When working with City of Edinburgh Council, North understood their priorities were not simply to develop an industry-leading Smart City Operations Centre, but to ensure that education and employment benefits reached the local community. As both a national and a local business, North intrinsically understood where we could provide most benefit, and not only recruited an apprentice from the area who has since received training and development in their Skills for Security Apprenticeship, but also developed interactive sessions with local students to discuss and demonstrate career options.
These long-term relationships serve as the foundation for sharing successes through case studies and testimonials, helping to prove that the sustained collaboration we prioritise leads to remarkable results. Our approach involves maintaining excellent customer satisfaction and nurturing regional networks and leveraging these partnerships to drive sustained social impact.
Innovative Systems for Tracking Social Value
Innovation is not and should not be confined to products but should permeate operational approaches. Leading organisations are developing internal systems that monitor and track social value initiatives with precision and clarity. These systems serve as modern ledgers - capturing metrics from digital upskilling sessions to local supplier engagements.
A rigorous, data-driven approach enables transparent and accurate communication. This not only builds trust with stakeholders but also provides the framework to improve initiatives continuously. With real-time tracking and easy-to-monitor KPIs, organisations can ensure that every commitment is not only met but is clearly documented and shared, turning social value promises into quantifiable success.
The Strategic Approach: A Call to Collective Action
A comprehensive ESG strategy should be more than just policy - it should be a call to collective action. Technology providers can harness their technical expertise and strategic insight to drive initiatives that foster digital innovation, bridge skills gaps, and support sustainable growth. For maximum effectiveness, social value initiatives must align with overall strategic direction.
To enhance social value through tech procurement, organisations can share best practices. By coming together through industry bodies, collaborative platforms, and networking events, we can share what works and amplify collective impact. This spirit of openness and cooperation is fundamental to creating a more socially responsible and connected tech sector.
Conclusion
The future of social value in technology procurement lies in integration rather than separation. By implementing innovative tracking systems, forging deep client relationships, and championing industry-wide collaboration, technology providers can create a future where social value and commercial success are intrinsically linked. The most successful organisations will be those that transform each project into a legacy of positive, measurable impact, putting genuine value into social value initiatives.
