SME UK Enterprise Awards 2024/ 138 Most Innovative Social Value Consultancy 2024 Social value is a modern consideration for companies, and it’s a rapidly growing one. It’s all about whether they’re delivering products and services which have a positive impact on the community and society at large and are delivering them in a way which facilitates a greater good. Getting it right isn’t easy, which is why Samtaler goes above and beyond to promote the delivery of social value across the UK. Samtaler works primarily with large multinational organisations and their strategic suppliers. The team supports the delivery of public sector services, able to remain involved throughout the entire process from bid writing to service provision, there every step of the way to show how to create social value. “Samtaler was founded on the belief that successful companies are those which put social value at the heart of their business – by that we mean they put as much emphasis on their environmental sustainability, community development, and social inclusion as they do on the financial success of the company.” The team’s approach emphasises finding solutions which meet stakeholders’ needs equally, whether they’re customer, employees, suppliers, or communities. The benefit of this commitment to community-wide value is always evident. In Founder and Director Sarah Stone’s words, “it’s not just that people don’t want to work for companies which behave badly. They don’t want to buy from them.” As social value’s presence increases in public sector contracts, the businesses bidding for them face more pressure than ever to craft persuasive proposals, create actionable plans, and demonstrate that they can deliver. Since the idea’s conception, some companies have considered social value to be a tick-box exercise, resulting in false promises and teams biting off more than they can chew. Samtaler’s approach ensures that social value efforts are budgeted and planned for to guarantee that they’re deliverable. Samtaler’s goal is quite simple: it’s to make companies better, improving the private sector as it goes, instilling social value as a core pillar of the way businesses work. It intends to refocus businesses which are solely focused on profitability, instead creating a network of companies which go forward with a desire to incorporate societal benefit into their operations. It’s here to show them that good social value can be achieved while still achieving financial goals, and that one doesn’t detract from the other, but promotes it. In all it does, the team aims to think creatively, discovering opportunities that other consultancies may miss, whether those are leverageable contracts with UK SMEs, local community and voluntary groups that will help fulfil quotas, or beyond. 20% of Samtaler’s time is dedicated to research, training, and pro bono work for third sector organisations and micro businesses, constantly honing the team’s edge. Atop this, every employee has either worked in the government or third sector, which provides insight into just what the public sector is looking for and what it means when it speaks of social value. As the public sector further recognises its importance, the future of social value looks bright, and in turn, Samtaler is looking to focus on outcomes and impact, broadening the scope from activity conducted and outputs. Large procurers such as the Ministry of Defence, Home Office, and the NHS are increasingly asking about the outcomes and direct results of social value practices, not simply what actions will be taken. The team enjoys a collaborative approach, maintaining a pioneering and supportive workplace. Staff members are empowered to work flexibility to suit their commitments, which cultivates an environment they’re proud of. A commitment to professional development also underlines the company’s internal compass. Notably, its consultants took Open University courses in Project Management and Environmental Sustainability, developing talent within while the company seeks honest, empathetic newcomers who embody the integrity at the company’s heart. For those companies which can’t afford social value consultants, the company is proud to advertise free resources such as its social value hub, its podcast, “Let’s Talk Social Value,” and its newsletter, “The Social Value Files.” Signing up helps to understand the role of social value within the wider business world. Part of its commitment to good social value is ensuring it does all it can to benefit businesses without the means to benefit from its services. Samtaler is a paragon of the virtues it instils in the companies it serves. As it continues its groundbreaking work, it’s bringing the corporate world with it, spreading integrity, community benefit, and a commitment to the greater good wherever it goes. Contact: Sarah Stone Company: Samtaler Web Address: www.samtaler.co.uk
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