Language Empire translates ‘work for good’ into clear social impact approach
With support from Social Value Business, Language Empire has strengthened its social value approach, identity, storytelling and culture.
The Challenge
Language Empire Ltd is one of the UK’s leading interpreting and translation services, providing interpreting and translation in 450 languages. The organisation has always believed in doing good within its communities – actively volunteering, employing apprentices and engaging local schools.
However, Language Empire lacked a clear social value strategy and direction. The senior team wanted a stronger story, together with the evidence to explain their organisation’s impact to others. So, in spring 2024 they contacted Social Value Business for support.
The Solution
Social Value Specialist Greg Watts took up the challenge by undertaking a Gap Analysis. Greg has a doctorate in social value measurement and management and has completed numerous award-winning research projects in recent years.
A Gap Analysis is a valuable way for organisations to identify their strengths and weaknesses. For Language Empire, it identified a route map for the future measurement, development, and growth of social value within the organisation.
From there, Greg supported Language Empire to implement the recommendations by:
- Providing support to obtain the Bronze Social Value Quality Mark – the UK’s national standard in social value. As part of the SVQM, Language Empire took steps to establish good governance, measurable social value commitments and an action plan.
- Helping to appoint and develop a Social Value Lead, with input into the recruitment process and associated training.
- Supporting Language Empire with several of its tenders. Greg ensured the social value elements of the tenders were as strong as possible and aligned to current best practice and legislation.
The Result
Language Empire now has a clear social value identity linked to its company mission of ‘breaking barriers’. The organisation has partnered with a local charity and can see the benefit of its contributions (donations and volunteering). Language Empire also holds Bronze Quality Mark accreditation, distinguishing the organisation for its outstanding commitment to its people and communities.
Shabnam Bashir, HR Manager, Language Empire, said:
“Our staff are now more aware of the importance of social value. For example, our Finance department has started purchasing goods and services locally and know that this links to our strategy.
“Greg really helped to simplify the concept of social value and make it less daunting. He helped me create a strategy that was clear, linked to our company and easy to follow. His guidance gave me the confidence to implement it, and I’m grateful for his support. We are now pursuing Silver level accreditation.”
