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COE - SRO - Lead Articles
Innovative I.D.E.A. by Colliers Elevates DEI at Cummins  Public Article

In an era where DEI is more crucial than ever, Colliers has partnered with Cummins to deftly intertwine innovation with inclusivity. Colliers’ groundbreaking program, known as I.D.E.A. (Innovation through Diversity, Equity, and Allyship), has significantly enhanced DEI efforts at the global engine manufacturer and has been recognized as an award-winning model for its effectiveness and impact. Challenged by Cummins to develop an authentic strategy to elevate DEI that reflected its core organizational values, Colliers implemented the comprehensive initiative that emphasizes supplier and team diversity, training, and mentoring.

IAOP Awards Tim Hopper with the Inaugural Dan Lang Award for Purpose-Driven Leadership  Public Article


OWS24 Global Business Solution Providers as Impact Agents to Effect Positive Change  Professional Membership Required

As Global Business Service (GBS) move from siloed outsourcing approach to a more end-to-end process life cycle. The need for GBS companies to align operating strategies to the clients' core values and sustainability strategy has become increasingly fundamental, this necessitates the need to map out from the very beginning how and where these services are being delivered, as well as its environmental and social impact. Both positive and negative, intended and unintended. This allows GBS companies to become not only an enabling partner for efficient product and service delivery but also a strategic partner for broader IMPACT for companies.

Dan Lang Award for Purpose-Driven Leadership  Public Article


On Location: NYC24 - CXforGood: Empowering Communities Through Education - A Collaborative Movement in NYC Professional Membership Required

In this session, Najet presented Foundever.org's latest collaboration in New York City, where they have partnered with Tent and Project Rousseau to provide education and employment opportunities to refugees and underserved youth. This initiative is a tangible example of how businesses can leverage their resources and partnerships to uplift communities, offering refugees pathways to workforce integration and empowering young people with skills and mentorship to break cycles of poverty.  The speakers shared inspiring stories and real-world outcomes from the NYC project, showcasing how the CXforGood movement is creating lasting social impact. By expanding education and mentorship beyond the walls of the business, CXforGood is setting a new standard for how global business services can become a force for community transformation. We invite you to join this movement and discover how your organization can contribute to empowering communities through education and responsible sourcing.

On Location: NYC24 - Empowering Sustainability: BPO’s Role in ESG and Risk Management Professional Membership Required

Explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of social impact sourcing. This session will explore the critical role that BPO companies play in advancing ESG initiatives and managing associated risks. As organizations increasingly prioritize sustainability, BPOs are uniquely positioned to drive impactful change through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.

Location, Location, Location – 2024 and beyond Public Article

No matter what the angle or the time period, there has always been a death knell sounded over the future of offshoring. Over the years, many would have had it believed that business process delivery from locales near and afar would succumb to the advancements in automation and artificial intelligence.  Equally, there has been a school of thought in place among some influencers that this work is better serviced from domestic locales. Despite vigorous debate, the reality is that the demand for offshore services around all aspects of front and back-office functions has never been more robust.  A clear example of why this is the case relates to the number of destinations from which this work can be done.  Not even two decades ago, it would not have been unreasonable to assume that four or five countries would account for 90%+ of these work volumes.  Today, that number would be in excess of 50 countries, ranging from legacy destinations such as India, through to upstart geographies like Rwanda, Georgia and Honduras. What is driving the continued (and growing) interest in offshore BPO delivery?  That is a question that could be answered a million different ways; but, suffice to say that the primary driver is no longer cost.  The days of ‘your mess for less’ are a thing of the past, and any outsourcer positioning their offerings to be delivered from an offshore destination for the cheapest price possible is doomed to failure.

PULSE: Unearthing Hidden Gems: Global Impact Sourcing Award Winners Find Talent in Unexpected Places Public Article


Harnessing AI for Positive Social Impact Public Article

Each new technology sparks debate about its impact on employment. There are two contrasting perspectives. Optimists view the new technology as alleviating workers from the most grueling tasks, freeing them to do more meaningful work. Pessimists, on the other hand, sound alarms about widespread unemployment, especially for those at the bottom of the career ladder. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest new technology that is the subject of this debate, and this is especially of concern in marginalized and underserved communities, whether in prosperous countries or developing countries. These communities face challenges getting the education and resources they need to climb the career ladder, especially with digital skills training. Opportunities that exist are often lower-skilled jobs—exactly the jobs that AI might automate. So, will AI take those jobs away and worsen the disparities in opportunities? We do not see it that way. Although automation will no doubt take away some lower-level jobs, we believe that AI can help marginalized communities grow and prosper by positively impacting education, employment, and entrepreneurship. This report outlines how this will come about.

PULSE: ScaleHub Harnesses “Collective Intelligence” to Help Solve Talent Shortage  Free Subscriber Membership Required

IAOP's Center for Social Impact is your connection to the people and resources you need to excel at doing well by doing good through Impact Sourcing; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; ESG; Refugee Initiatives; Global Mentorship, and more.

PULSE: Getting Down to Business: Social Impact Working Groups Take Action Public Article

IAOP's Center for Social Impact is your connection to the people and resources you need to excel at doing well by doing good through Impact Sourcing; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; ESG; Refugee Initiatives; Global Mentorship, and more.

Seattle-area mentoring nonprofit with a global reach adds generative AI to toolkits for job seekers Public Article

A Seattle-area nonprofit helping disadvantaged job seekers around the world is adding generative artificial intelligence to the toolkit for its participants. The Global Mentorship Initiative is teaching college students and recent graduates how to use digital tools that are powered by technology including ChatGPT and GPT-4 to more easily and successfully land jobs, starting with the job search and application all the way through the interview process to sending thank you emails.

2023 RE:WORK report Public Article

Businesses are facing a talent crisis. Shortfalls in key skills are limiting the potential for business growth and are leading to unfilled vacancies. The Talent’s expectations of the employment experience are evolving at pace, and they are prepared to move on if they think their employer is not doing enough. As businesses respond to changing markets and seek to seize new opportunities, they are struggling to build the agility they need to deploy their people effectively. This report draws on two new global surveys—one of executives, the other of talent—to reveal a disconnect between these two groups’ perspectives on working life. It is a warning to employers: having made progress through the pandemic and the Great Resignation, they now risk slipping backward on engagement.

Let’s Talk About Intentionality in Impact Sourcing Public Article

When you’ve been around outsourcing and sustainability for as long as I have, you develop a complicated response to new buzzwords. On the one hand, I’m thrilled by any new positive momentum towards a more sustainable future. On the other hand, I’ve seen a lot of exciting things slowly fade away. It happens. Yet every so often, buzzwords become something much bigger than any of us. Recently, at the IAOP's Outsourcing World Summit in Chicago, I found myself surrounded by a room full of people passionately exploring impact sourcing as a solution for businesses. And all I could think was, “Wow. This is really happening. The time is now.”

An outsourcing industry professional’s guide to Social Sustainability and ESG Public Article

This white paper is a guide for business process outsourcing (BPO) professionals on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), with a particular focus on Social Sustainability in outsourcing. We will explore wider ESG drivers and frameworks, digging into Social Sustainability imperatives for BPO providers and their clients. In this piece we will consider prevalent metrics and the use of data, making recommendations on steps for all BPO players to implement in their outsourcing activities

Webinar: The Art of the Possible with Impact Sourcing Public Article

Impact sourcing presents opportunities for companies to advance Environmental, Social, and Governance (EGS) practices and progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ADEC Innovations has a decades-long history of practicing impact sourcing to drive opportunities to communities and regions where they are needed most. James Donovan, Global CEO of ADEC Innovations, joined the Global Sourcing Association (GSA) to discuss impact sourcing as part of the Art of the Possible webinar. In this webinar, ADEC Innovations explored the drive for impact sourcing within the context of ESG and SDGs, provided practical applications of impact sourcing with examples of onshore and offshore projects, and explained how organizations can realize the benefits of this responsible sourcing approach across: Talent advantages Competitive business edge Corporate citizenship

The Center for Social Impact - 2023 Recap and Preview of 2024 Initiatives Public Article

As we start this new year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress and achievements made with our social impact initiatives in 2023. Additionally, we are excited to share plans and objectives for 2024, as we expand our commitment to foster and highlight the measurable outcomes individuals and their organizations are making throughout the IAOP network. We believe that one-plus-one equals three when technology and business services buyers work in concert with their suppliers and partners. Great commercial results are achieved, communities are vitalized and large numbers of people with various situational challenges progress in their careers. Our mission is not only to track and highlight buyer & provider achievements but to fuel the fire and be a central catalyst as the industry matures. With the support and knowledge sharing of IAOP partners, The Global Sourcing Association (GSA-UK) led by Kerry Hallard, the Impact Sourcing Alliance, headed by Jon Yarlett, the Global Mentorship Initiative, headed by Jon Browning, along with the dedicated members of the Center for Social Impact Leadership Team and Community, we truly have one voice with multinational reach and common goals.

Avasant Foundation Case studies Public Article

The Avasant Foundation has successfully touched the lives of over 52,000 individuals globally, making a substantial impact on communities through our dedicated efforts in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Our flagship program, the Avasant Digital Skills Training, has seen remarkable success, with over 2,700 graduates to date with an impressive 93% of these graduates’ secure employment within three months of completing their training, highlighting the effectiveness of our initiatives in bridging the skills gap and fostering quick and meaningful employment opportunities. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Avasant Foundation actively contributes to the achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By addressing these key goals, we are not only transforming individual lives but also actively contributing to the broader global agenda of sustainable development and social progress. Through our strategic focus on education, employment, and entrepreneurship, we are creating a positive cycle of impact that empowers youth and women to break the cycle of poverty, fosters gender equality, promotes economic growth, and reduces inequality. The Avasant Foundation is committed to sustaining and expanding these efforts, driving positive change on a global scale.

Transforming People and Communities Through Meaningful Employment Public Article

Transforming People and Communities Through Meaningful Employment Impact Sourcing is a business practice where organizations intentionally hire and offer career development opportunities to people who otherwise have limited prospects for sustainable employment. Impact Sourcing can provide the start of a meaningful career path leading to a lifetime of full employment and can happen in any geography.

Umbrella topic: Responsible Automation and the Impact of AI on Social Sustainability Public Article

Umbrella topic: Responsible Automation and the Impact of AI on Social Sustainability

Umbrella topic: Applying lessons learned from Environmental Sustainability to Social Sustainability Public Article

Umbrella topic: Applying lessons learned from Environmental Sustainability to Social Sustainability

Umbrella topic: Fostering the “Belonging” as Part of Inclusivity Public Article

Umbrella topic: Fostering the “Belonging” as Part of Inclusivity

Opening Panel: A Conversation on Unpacking Social Sustainability in a Provider-Buyer Partnership Public Article


PULSE: Igniting Change Through Social Impact: 11 Lessons Learned at IAOP Social Impact Meeting of the Minds (Part 1) Public Article

IAOP's Center for Social Impact is your connection to the people and resources you need to excel at doing well by doing good through Impact Sourcing; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; ESG; Refugee Initiatives; Global Mentorship, and more.

OWS23:Trends in Supplier Diversity and Sustainability Professional Membership Required

Corporations and government customers have been increasingly using their purchasing power to support traditionally underrepresented groups and to promote sustainability, creating a significant market opportunity for suppliers who not only provide competitive products but can also meet these additional customer demands. Panelists will share emerging trends in supplier diversity and sustainability expectations and opportunities. Panelists will also discuss some steps diverse-owned businesses can take to make themselves competitive for these types of opportunities, as well as some of the benefits of doing so. The panel will also explore proposed state and federal-level regulations that include climate-related reporting requirements and could have implications throughout the value chain.

OWS23: Fannie Mae and a Decade of Vendor Management Best Practices Professional Membership Required

In this session, Troy will provide an overview of vendor management lessons learned and best practices at Fannie Mae over the past decade, including experiences gained through the firms large IT outsourcing, insourcing, and vendor oversight engagements. Topics will include the 4 components of vendor management, the importance of persistence, and maintaining consistency as engagements and people change.

OWS23: The Critical Role of Advisors in Impact Sourcing Professional Membership Required

Advisors trusted status with clients (as well as their influence in the buyer and provider community) makes consultants the best-suited people to effectively expand Impact Sourcing. Get a birds-eye view of what leading advisory, KPMG, has been up to in the space and hear from a champion of impact sourcing from Google how developing impact sourcing solutions/ opportunities is a sales project opportunity, as well as a huge selling point for RFPs and new business opportunities.

OWS23: Impact Sourcing: Getting to Scale - A Global View Professional Membership Required

Dan will lead this global panel of members of IAOP’s Center for Social Impact on a deep dive through the critical components of sustainability and the future of sourcing, including, inclusive hiring, environmental protection, women empowerment, impact sourcing and responsible automation. This informative and engaging discussion on the power of sustainability to drive positive change while also creating business value, will also touch on the challenges that organizations face when implementing programs and provide practical advice on how to navigate these challenges and create sustainable sourcing programs that benefit the organization, its employees and culture, and the communities where they operate.

Views from Impact Sourcing Visionaries   Public Article


PULSE: Impact Sourcing Spotlight Public Article

No longer reliant on handouts, these once-forgotten refugees who have been stuck in eight camps for decades have found new hope and promise through StepUp.One, which has provided them with marketable skills and connections to global opportunities.

PULSE: Igniting Change Through Social Impact: 11 Lessons Learned at IAOP Social Impact Meeting of the Minds (Part 2) Public Article

IAOP's Center for Social Impact is your connection to the people and resources you need to excel at doing well by doing good through Impact Sourcing; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; ESG; Refugee Initiatives; Global Mentorship, and more.

PULSE: Advancing Impact Sourcing Public Article

Training, education, investment and collaboration are all key to taking the business practice of impact sourcing to the next level, according to this year’s GISA winners.

PULSE: Impact Sourcing 101 Public Article

The low-down on some of the key terms related to impact sourcing.

PULSE: Top 10 Outsourcing Trends for 2023  Public Article

Post-pandemic, companies are expected to continue to turn to outsourcing solutions to deliver the many proven benefits of cost control, flexibility, speed, talent expertise and digital transformation. Based on our insights from IAOP members and research, we predict the following trends to watch for in 2023.

PULSE: Social Impact Trailblazers Share Successes and Challenges  Public Article

From Sutherland and Sitel hiring refugees to Eclaro’s schools in the Philippines and Webhelp’s strategy to build a global impact model, these pioneers are committed and passionate about educating, training, recruiting, hiring and developing careers for impact workers.

PULSE: Solving the Talent Crisis While Making an Impact Public Article

The global workforce of tomorrow will look far different than today and where the next wave of talent will come from may be surprising. Your company’s next recruit may be a refugee, a young professional from an underserved community, a neurodivergent individual, a second-chance worker with a criminal background, or an entire virtual crowdsourced team. All of these segments have the potential to open up pipelines of millions of employees.

PULSE: IAOP Center for Social Impact on Location  Public Article

The Center for Social Impact connects IAOP members to the people and resources essential in excelling at doing well by doing good through impact sourcing; socially responsible outsourcing; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I); women empowerment and leadership; refugee initiatives; global mentorship, and more.

OWS23: “Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast”-DEI and the Future of Business Success Professional Membership Required

A lot has been proven about how corporate investment in diversity, equity and inclusion nets greater collaboration, increased efficiency and productivity, and the coup de grâce of it all – profit. But then the pandemic happened, people started working from wherever they could safely, and the resulting distributed workforce become 2D and companies found challenges in finding (or re-establishing) a collective cultural footing. In this discussion, we reveal critical challenges to identifying and nurturing diversity, and by extension, the employee heartbeat of businesses today. We’ll analyze how some of the best in the business are successfully accomplishing this. Finally, we will identify techniques that allow your firm to rally teams to be your best brand advocates, benefitting from diverse individual and shared experiences along the way.

Global Impact Sourcing Award Winners Make a Difference Free Subscriber Membership Required

Now in its fifth year, the annual presentation of the Global Impact Sourcing Awards (GISA) in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational and moving presentations that demonstrates the huge difference this movement makes.

The Growing Need for Inclusive Talent Models: Learning from Impact Sourcing Specialists Public Article

In this report, we define impact sourcing and answer why companies should adopt it, how they can put it into practice, where they can do it, which are the leading impact sourcing specialists, and much more. We provide a comprehensive view of the impact sourcing market and its enabling ecosystem. The report will encourage and enable enterprises and traditional service providers to take the next big leap in their talent strategies through impact sourcing.

Gender Promotion Gap & Executive Performance - Fair Play? Professional Membership Required

Is equality in the workplace a myth? Hard-hitting questions like this continue to be at the core of gender gap studies in the corporate sector. Organizations across the globe are acknowledging the need to go beyond women empowerment programs to ensure women in the workplace are given equal recognition for their contributions. Individuals at every level have a role to play in addressing gender bias. Join us and hear from a panel of esteemed experts as they bring enriching perspectives to this discussion.

Impact Sourcing: Driving Your Business Growth With Purpose Professional Membership Required

This session covers the purpose of impact sourcing,  why social impact is important for private sector companies,  the business case for making it part of your corporate strategy and how it can help your company achieve its business and social impact goals.

Scaling An Impact Sourcing Model Globally Professional Membership Required

As a global outsourcer operating in over 50 countries, Webhelp is uniquely placed to implement scalable Impact Sourcing practices. Thanks to advocates such as IAOP, the model of Impact Sourcing is now a well-understood practice amongst the BPO community. However, creating an adaptable, impactful, and globally scalable model across multiple delivery locations is less common.  Webhelp has developed models to achieve a 15% Impact Hiring target across our +200 delivery locations and 97,000 employees by 2025. Underpinning these ambitions is a global ecosystem of world-leading impact partners and NGOs with whom we work to drive our global Impact Sourcing strategy.

Impact Sourcing: One Solution To The Talent Shortage Professional Membership Required

With the talent shortage a new reality, many organizations are desperately looking for ways to address the issue. Impact Sourcing, or hiring skilled and motivated talent from disadvantaged groups around the world is proving to be a solution – helping forward-thinking organizations tap into new talent pools, fill roles, and realize substantial business benefits. This session will provide attendees with real-world lessons on creating an inclusive workforce with a focus on marginalized communities and the business case to persuade the skeptics.

Buyers and Suppliers Unite to Create Jobs for Refugees Professional Membership Required

Latin America faces an unprecedented refugee crisis. Since 2018, 6 million Venezuelans have fled instability and turmoil in their country, with approximately 1.8 million of them resettling in Colombia alone. IAOP, BPro (the Colombian BPO Association), and the Tent Partnership for Refugees (a global coalition of 200+ major companies committed to integrating refugees worldwide) launched an impact sourcing initiative in 2021 to advance the economic integration of Venezuelan refugees into the Colombian outsourcing sector. Hear how multinational buyers are creating job opportunities for refugees and other vulnerable populations through their partnerships with local outsourcing providers.

Selling Supplier Diversity To The C-Suite Professional Membership Required

Supplier Diversity often happens from the ground up within many organizations and the c-suite may need some convincing. This session will provide attendees with the different items to include in their supplier diversity business case including using client contracts to your advantage, showing the financial impact of potential lost sales, and showcasing how a strong supplier diversity program can increase D&I index ratings enhancing your company’s reputation.

Doing Good is Good For Business Professional Membership Required

It’s a staggering statistic: One in three working-age Americans – 33% – have some type of criminal record. Most of them are non-violent offenders unable to access quality employment because of outdated background screening practices companies have in place. In this session, you'll learn about the impact of Kelly’s collaboration with Toyota, why the workforce solutions provider decided to launch Kelly 33, and how clients across the country are responding to it. 

5 Success-Driving Actions - How to Unlock Untapped, Affordable Talent Public Article

Impact sourcing is a socially responsible way to find untapped, affordable talent while promoting inclusivity and allowing organizations to reap substantial business benefits, including: Contributing to a holistic environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program Increased sales as more consumers choose to buy from forward-thinking businesses Access to new workers in untapped talent pools in different regions Better talent retention through improved work cultures View this webinar as our experts reveal key findings from our recent Impact Sourcing Specialist State of the Market report. We shed light on how impact sourcing is helping enterprises and service providers mitigate challenges such as high attrition and talent costs and shortages, while supporting the welfare of communities.

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