We were delighted to recently convene the B4SI network in Melbourne, thanks to the generous support of ANZ as our host and Australia Post as our keynote speaker. We had over 50 registrants and attendees from across the APAC region joining both in-person and online, coming together to hear from Pauline Ciarma, Senior Community Program Manager at Australia Post. This event followed our recent Social Impact in Practice event in Sydney and set the stage for our upcoming events in Brisbane and Perth this August.
(L:R, Simon Robinson, B4SI; Brianne Keogh, ANZ; Natasha Hare, B4SI; Janet Liu, ANZ – featuring ANZ’s ‘Christmas in July’ decorations)
Simon Robinson, APAC Director of B4SI, kicked off with a thought-provoking discussion on the latest social impact trends influencing business, and B4SI’s role in this evolving landscape. Pauline Ciarma then shared Australia Post’s journey towards a more focused approach to measuring and reporting on social impact.
Pauline outlined how Australia Post has shifted from a broad approach to a more targeted strategy that emphasises listening to community needs. Initially, this wide-ranging sponsorship model made it challenging to measure impact effectively. Recognising the need for a more focused approach, Australia Post identified four strategic pillars, through research and materiality assessment: Literacy, Mental Health, Disaster Support, and Environment. These pillars now not only guide partnership choices but also help concentrate efforts and direct grants programs and workplace giving. This focused strategy allows Australia Post to maximise the social impact the company can achieve, ensuring that resources are allocated where they can make the most difference.
Referencing the company’s need to have robust and verifiable impact reporting, Pauline noted the importance of balancing the rigour required with what this might mean for partners. To address this, Australia Post engaged in capacity-building workshops with B4SI, which were designed to help both parties develop the skills needed for effective partnering. This collaboration not only enables Australia Post to clearly communicate the impacts of their community contributions but also equips community partners with tools to potentially engage with other corporate partners.
Pauline emphasised the importance of senior leadership’s engagement in expanding social impact reporting. B4SI’s clear language and definitions have been instrumental in helping to educate leaders and showcase the value of investments. By engaging senior leaders and providing a data driven narrative, Australia Post has been able to focus resources and enhance its social impact.
Pauline also highlighted B4SI’s role in improving data integrity and reporting. By preparing for more stringent data requirements, Australia Post is building confidence and capability to collect the necessary data for future reporting. Pauline stressed that impact measurement should be an ongoing process, not a one-off exercise.
The event concluded with a lively ‘fireside’ chat, where attendees posed questions about engaging senior leadership, developing partner capacity, and navigating challenges with under-resourced community organisations. This discussion underscored the value of B4SI in simplifying impact measurement and supporting community partners without overburdening them.
A big thank you to Pauline Ciarma from Australia Post for her insightful presentation and to our hosts from ANZ . We look forward to our next B4SI Social Impact in Practice events on 13th August in Brisbane and 27th August in Perth. Reach out to the B4SI team at b4si@corporate-citizenship.com to learn more about registering to these events or about joining the network.