How does Microsoft create ‘social value’ in the UK?
Microsoft is involved in many non-commercial ‘social value’ activities that aim to improve the lives of under-represented people, the state of the environment, and society as a whole. But what does social value mean and how do we measure it? We quizzed Jess Coomer, Microsoft UK’s Social Impact Go To Market Manager, to find out.
Q. So what exactly is ‘social value’?
A. Social value refers to the positive impact an organisation has on society and its contribution towards social, economic and environmental goals. In Microsoft’s case, this involves using technologies such as cloud computing, generative AI and data analytics to accelerate the development of innovations that address environmental challenges, expand opportunity for everyone in society, tackle cybercrime, and preserve biodiversity.
Q. Can you give us some examples of ‘social value’ programmes?
A. We have lots but here are just a few…
Microsoft Connector
We developed the Microsoft Connector in partnership with GetMyFirstJob to help people who want to pursue a career in digital. It provides them with practical resources and access to local roles, apprenticeships and training. It also enables small businesses to share job openings, helping to break down barriers to social mobility and connect diverse talent to opportunity.
Working with our specialist partner GIST Impact, we’ve estimated that for a cohort of nearly 2,000 people completing apprenticeships through the Microsoft Connector platform, the five-year total economic benefit in terms of future income and avoided training costs is £86,000 per person. This translates to a total impact of £170 million and a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of £3.95 for every £1 spent.
TechHer programme
Our TechHer programme provides women with opportunities to learn digital and professional skills to advance their careers. This free programme, which has been running since 2016, is designed to inspire and educate women about the impact technology can have, whether that’s with Cloud, generative AI, or simple app creation.
We’ve estimated that for a cohort of 1,500 women attending TechHer digital ‘bootcamps’, the expected five-year total economic benefit in terms of future income and avoided training costs is £70,000 per person. Equipped with their new skills, we anticipate that these women will earn 33% more than they did before the programme.
Given TechHer’s success, we’ve expanded it, and now aim to reach 6,000 women working in the Public Sector with more courses planned for 2025.
Innovate Together
Our UK Innovate Together programme provides local councils with a virtual space to learn from each other and share solutions to common challenges. Around 1,600 people from 300 local authorities have signed up. Public Sector employees can register here.
Monthly calls and an online community facilitate the sharing of innovative digital applications and best practice that ultimately improve public services for citizens.
The programme has created £2.9 million worth of direct social impact for 1,257 public sector employees who completed the training offered. We measured the time savings and productivity gains achieved through improved tech knowledge that led to innovations and increased use of AI.
Q. Impressive, but why does Microsoft want to do this?
A. Firstly, because it’s the right thing to do. For people to reap the benefits that technologies like AI offer, we need to make them easy for people to use. This means making technology accessible and giving communities such as non-profits, start-ups, and students the necessary skills to embrace the opportunities such technologies offer.
As a leading technology company, we can make a tangible difference. For example, AI is helping to predict weather temperatures, empower young people to make innovative content, and transform local social care. We believe it is a powerful tool for the common good.
In broader terms, the UK Government introduced the Social Value Act of 2012, which mainly applies to public sector procurement. It mandates that contracts should incorporate a minimum weighting of 10% social value to maximize positive impacts for communities and their environments.
Q. But can we really measure social value?
A. Yes. It’s not easy but we’re getting better at it all the time. Working with GIST AI and using the power of data and AI, we can calculate the social and economic impacts of our programmes and demonstrate the social value created in monetary terms for communities and individuals. We can look at the data in a number of ways, seeing how people are impacted by region, socio-economic background, gender, age, job title, occupation and so on. We really can measure what impact our activities and technologies have. It’s amazing.
You can find out more about how we measure social value here.
Q. So how does Microsoft UK plan to increase social value in future?
A. To achieve our mission today and in the future, the technology we create must benefit everyone on the planet, as well as the planet itself through our commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.
All our initiatives directly and indirectly help progress all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, and align with our commitments to expand opportunity, earn trust, protect fundamental rights, and advance sustainability.
We recognise the critical need to bridge the skills gap and increase people’s knowledge and confidence when it comes to technology. Through the AI National Skilling Initiative, Microsoft has committed to equipping 2.5 million people in the UK with the digital skills they need to shape and take part in the digital economy.
Through this we’ll enable non-profits, entrepreneurs, and other organisations to transform digitally and address some of society’s biggest challenges.