In this interview, Terry Guan-Hao Chen, our newest Level 3 Advanced Social Value Practitioner, reflects on why he joined SVI’s Professional Pathway and how his SROI expertise will support his work advising organizations to amplify their positive impact.

I am confident that through the SVI Professional Pathway, we can gain a deeper insight from external expert opinions on impact assessment, thus enhancing our capacity for impact management

Why did you embark on the SVI Professional Pathway?

In the realm of sustainable development, we are committed to leveraging our influence to bring about positive change in the world. Yet, scaling up our services invariably introduces the challenges of impact management. SROI (Social Return on Investment) offers a holistic tool that empowers us to effectively maximise, manage, and measure this impact. I am confident that through the SVI Professional Pathway, we can gain a deeper insight from external expert opinions on impact assessment, thus enhancing our capacity for impact management.

What elements of the assessment were particularly useful to your learning?

Through impact assessment, we gain a lucid understanding of stakeholder needs and delve deeply into the transformations they undergo. By leveraging diverse data, we enhance our grasp on impact management, particularly concerning contribution. SROI provides insights into managing impact risks via impact factors. The distinctive monetization model further aids in grasping stakeholder sentiments and their positioning in the market. Paramountly, SROI consistently scrutinizes outcomes stakeholders undergo, focusing on both relevance and significance. This allows for an in-depth exploration of the perceptions of various groups, fortifying our ability to manage material impacts.

How do you plan to utilise your newly acquired Level 3 Advanced practitioner skills?

Armed with the expertise from the Level 3 Advanced Practitioner training, I am poised to employ the assessment framework more comprehensively and accurately in future impact assessments. This encompasses the adept application of principles and astute risk management throughout the calculation process.

I am confident this proficiency will usher in a culture of impact management across various organizations. Given the scarcity of Level 3 Advanced Practitioners in southern Taiwan, I am motivated to support a broader spectrum of non-profit organizations, public sector entities, and social enterprises through my services, amplifying the positive impact further.

I am truly honored to be part of a global network which empowers us to introduce a broader spectrum of assessment frameworks to both businesses and non-profit organizations.

Are you embedding social value and SROI into any current projects? Can you tell us about them?

I am currently affiliated with The Social Enterprise Development & Research Center at National Sun Yat-sen University. We provide guidance to numerous social enterprises and non-profit organizations, aiding in their business model transformations.

The assessment for The Hearing Loss Association of Kaohsiung, which I'm overseeing, goes beyond just an SROI analysis — we have also incorporated data management. This robust calculation model is primed for periodic measurements in the future to track variations in impact. By employing a top-down approach to organizational training, we've seamlessly embedded SROI within the fabric of the organizational culture.

Moving forward, our intent is to offer this impactful data to a diverse range of stakeholders, from individual donors to major investors and corporations, ensuring open and transparent communication.

We harness technology to streamline the [SROI] assessment process. While remaining true to the eight foundational principles, we've transitioned to a more digitized approach for tasks that are document-intensive and repetitive

Congratulations on joining our social value practice community. What does it mean to you to be part of a global network? How can you contribute to the social value movement and what issues/areas do you intend to address?

I am truly honored to be part of a global network, which empowers us to introduce a broader spectrum of assessment frameworks to both businesses and non-profit organizations.

Our distinct approach in advancing social value lies in our commitment to aiding smaller non-profit entities in their transformation. These petite bodies often grapple with significant constraints when it comes to assessment resources. To combat this, we harness technology to streamline the assessment process. While remaining true to the eight foundational principles, we've transitioned to a more digitized approach for tasks that are document-intensive and repetitive. This encompasses the automated generation of questionnaires, data processing, computation models, and the application of digital reports.

Our continuous efforts span various dimensions to refine the assessment process. Looking ahead, I envision a more holistic integration of our accumulated experiences, confident in our capacity to substantially bolster the cause of social value.

How do you feel personally about achieving this advanced accreditation?

I am honored to be recognized as a Level 3 Advanced Practitioner with Social Value International. Championing a more holistic approach to the management of charitable capital can undoubtedly amplify our global impact!

About the Social Enterprise Development & Research Center at National Sun Yat-sen University in Taiwan

Since its inception in 2012, the Social Enterprise Development & Research Center at National Sun Yat-sen University has remained steadfast in its commitment to address societal challenges, elevate the quality of living conditions, enhance the well-being of the local community, and fulfill the aspirations of advancing social enterprises.

The center has placed an emphasis on the study of the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology and has spearheaded numerous SROI evaluation projects beginning from 2020. Successfully, the center has navigated past three pivotal technical milestones: modularization of SROI, the design and application of performance indicators, and the formulation of financial valuation theoretical models.

Over the forthcoming three years, the center plans to amplify its prowess in the hands-on management techniques related to impact assessment methodologies, curtail the evaluative costs associated with SROI, innovate in measurement techniques, and branch out into novel financial practical applications, such as social impact bonds. Through its endeavors, the center not only champions the growth of social enterprises but also fosters a more resourceful and supportive environment for social innovation and philanthropy.

Visit the Center’s website