Social Traders Convene 2024 provided over 20 sessions on the day. Here's part two of the conference wrap up.

Partnering for impact

With a mission to support 10,000 jobs by 2030, Westpac Foundation is dedicated to making a difference in local communities. And at Convene 2024, Sally McGeoch, Senior Advisor at Westpac Foundation, shared how they support social enterprises to create meaningful, long-term jobs.

And it doesn’t just stop there. At Westpac Group, partnering with social enterprises also extends to their procurement function. Sara van der Schatte Olivier, Executive Manager of Sustainability Strategy Partnerships, provided valuable insights into Westpac’s Supplier Inclusion & Diversity Program. Their procurement team prioritises responsible sourcing and champions diversity and inclusion. Some of the certified social enterprises they are working with include Mates on the Move and The Social Outfit.

For over 200 years, Westpac has worked to create better futures for people, businesses, and communities across Australia. Their strong commitment to social, economic, and environmental initiatives reflects their vision for a fairer Australia. As a founding member of Social Traders, Westpac champions social procurement and the business-for-good movement. And we couldn't be prouder to partner with them at Convene 2024.

Impact-drive partnerships through contract negotiations

"The paper doesn’t matter; it’s the mindset we bring to the table." – Sharon Morris

Sharon Morris from World Commerce & Contracting and Jaison Hoernel from certified social enterprise, Good Cycles delivered powerful insights on building impact-driven partnerships through contract negotiations.

Jaison reminded us that building relationships is everything. For social enterprises, it's about clearly showing the value you bring—understanding and demonstrating how you can meet buyers' needs directly and indirectly.

Key tips for social enterprises:

1. Know your value & embrace collaboration
2. Come prepared for meaningful discussions
3. Bring case studies that show your impact
4. Consider joint ventures that create mutual success
5. It's OK to walk away if it doesn’t align with your values or goals

It’s about creating true partnerships to drive real impact.

Data and storytelling, influencing change

Convene 2024 also explored how combining data with storytelling was the secret ingredient in helping show the impact of doing good and influencing stakeholders. Here’s what our insightful panellists on data and the 'S' in ESG had to share:

“Data enhances our storytelling, which changes people’s minds. Know your audience and make sure your story resonates.” — Michael Stuart, Head of Social Impact and Data, Social Traders

“Just get started! What gets measured gets done. It helps us showcase the incredible impact we’ve made.” — Sharon Gray, CPB Contractors

“Employment is a common metric, but let’s dig deeper. How did that employment change someone’s life? We need to promote, celebrate, and tell those stories!” — Diego Uzzun, Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC)

“It’s not just about one number or the total spent. It’s about the long-term impact, which can be tough to quantify, making storytelling essential.” — Katrina Brooks, Mirvac

“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your measurement framework should be tailored to fit your organisation’s unique culture.” — Abby Peak, Social Traders

Let’s harness the power of data to craft impactful stories!

Helping others find meaningful employment

The keynote speaker of the day Hedayat Osyan, showed the true purpose that lives at the centre of every social enterprise. Hedayat spoke of his journey from living in Afghanistan to being homeless in Indonesia and a refugee in Australia. Despite his challenges - being homeless, hungry and unemployed – he kept hope in his heart. When he finally found work in Australia it was as an unskilled (and very overqualified) labourer on building sites. He wasn’t alone. Today, the social enterprise he founded, CommUnity Construction, is the outcome of this struggle – helping refugee and asylum seekers build new lives through meaningful employment.

But there’s more work to be done, especially in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Carmen Garcia, CEO and Founder of certified social enterprise Community Corporate, said this discussion of DEI is a critical conversation. Only 6% of refugees are employed after 6 months and this only rises to 23% after 2 years despite their usual high level of qualifications. Her F3 model for business resonated strongly with everyone in the room: Feel Good – Financial Good – Future Good. And it's a good reminder that organisations can continue to forge a path forward by working with social enterprises to deliver solutions that can create a more inclusive and equitable Australia.

Unity and Collaboration

Huge thanks to Suzanne Grech (Supply Nation) and Cheryl Gray ( WEConnect International) for an open discussion on Unity and Collaboration with CEO Tara Anderson. Over the next three years, we’re teaming up with Supply Nation and WEConnect to strengthen social procurement, boosting opportunities for diverse suppliers.

Together, we’re moving forward as a united voice, amplifying advocacy for social procurement and streamlining access for suppliers. By combining our credibility and resources, we’re stronger and poised to drive greater change.

Let’s take action and change the game

A big thank you to everyone who made Convene 2024 the day it was – the sponsors, partners, speakers, attendees, and the brilliant Social Traders team who put it all together!

The energy was contagious and majority of people walked away being inspired to continue pushing for positive change. Let’s continue to make business for good, business as usual. And as Tara Anderson, CEO Social Traders reminds us:

“Remember that those that say it can’t be done shouldn’t interrupt the people doing it.

Missed part one of the wrap up? Read the article here.