In August, social impact practitioners gathered in Perth, following successful networking events in Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This event provided an opportunity for social impact practitioners to share their experiences, insights, and strategies for managing and measuring social impact.
The session featured a dynamic Q&A discussion with Jo Ferrie, Head of Communities and Social Performance, and Caroline Tomasz, Manager Social Investment at Woodside Energy. Jo and Caroline shared their insights on how the B4SI framework has helped shape Woodside’s social impact strategy, enhancing their community investments for over 15 years. Woodside Energy joined the B4SI network in 2009, enabling the company to transform community contributions from a philanthropic approach to one that better aligns social impact strategy and business objectives. The strategy focuses on three pillars: improve knowledge, create opportunities, and build resilience—addressing the diverse needs of the communities the company serves.
By aligning impact reporting with the B4SI framework, Woodside Energy is able to aggregate data from a broad range of community partners. The framework provides a consistent methodology for data collection and reporting, strengthening credibility by aligning practice with industry best standards.
By integrating the B4SI framework into partnership agreements and the company’s Social Contribution Impact Report (SCIR), it ensures a consistent and adaptable approach across global operations. With robust measurement and evaluation, the SCIR serves as a powerful tool for telling a clear narrative and showcasing impact. This alignment has been crucial in maintaining the business’ social licence to operate, demonstrating the value of social contributions to stakeholders.
As Woodside Energy continues to expand globally, the company remains committed to evolving its social impact strategy. Jo and Caroline discussed how Woodside Energy’s merger with BHP Petroleum in 2022 presented an opportunity to align the social impact strategies of both entities, ensuring global consistency. The B4SI framework will continue to play a key role in this process, helping to navigate the challenges of different regulatory environments and community needs.
The Q&A discussion sparked a lively conversation with attendees on the complexities of social impact, the importance of strategic frameworks, and the role of branding and communication in building trust and driving positive community outcomes. The insights shared during the Q&A session underscored the value of collaboration and continuous learning in the field of social impact.
We extend our sincere thanks to Jo Ferrie and Caroline Tomasz for their insightful contributions. We look forward to our final event of the year, the Annual Conference, which will be held virtually on 21st November 2024, bringing together corporate social impact practitioners and partners from around the globe. Don’t miss B4SI’s flagship event—register here. For more information about joining the B4SI network, please contact us at b4si@corporate-citizenship.com.