Strategies for actively engaging with Indigenous businesses
Llewellyn Williams A and Kevin McCafferty A *A Ventia Services Group Ltd, Perth, WA, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 S368-S371 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21174
Accepted: 29 March 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Indigenous businesses are significantly contributing to the Australian economy and the improved circumstances of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their families and communities through social and economic empowerment. Supplier diversity has significant and measurable long-term business benefits. Diversity within supply chains can not only bring new ideas and solutions to an organisation, but also boost competitiveness and market growth. But it goes further than these commercial benefits to encompass social value; the ability to reduce socio-economic inequality and create stronger, more stable communities. In this case study, the authors demonstrate key strategies for actively engaging with Indigenous businesses resulting in an increased spend of A$83.9 million compared to A$54.9 million for the same period last year, representing a 54% year-on-year increase. These key strategies are: (1) Identify verified Indigenous businesses; (2) Align objectives and requirements with key stakeholders; (3) Start small and increase scope with capability; and (4) Make it easy for Indigenous businesses to engage with organisations. Realising the potential of Indigenous businesses will create a new generation of entrepreneurs who grow their own business knowledge, networks, assets and wealth, removing barriers to employment for future generations and helping create a positive cycle of social and economic empowerment. Case study: Indigenous Beverages Australia is a unique company run and owned by a Goreng Goreng heritage family. Initially supplying a range of quality natural spring water, beverage and specialty coffee products, the company is now one of Ventia’s largest Supply Nation-certified suppliers providing products including coffee cups, coffee beans and isotonic drinks throughout Australia.
Keywords: closing the gap, community, contracts, Indigenous business, Indigenous procurement, opportunities, RAP, reconciliation, Supply Nation.
Llewellyn Williams, Indigenous Development Manager joined Ventia (at the time, Transfield Services), more than 9 years ago. Llewellyn is a passionate culture and change leader and has been instrumental in the business holding multiple Elevate RAPs. She continues to advocate for leaders and individuals to challenge their thinking and go beyond – going from ‘safe to brave’ – for more equality and equity of opportunities and outcomes for Indigenous people and communities to share in the full engagement of business where their cultural identity is supported and respected. Llewellyn is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman. Her traditional Aboriginal country is Wakka Wakka and Wulli Wulli in the North Burnett and Dawson River region of Queensland, while her cultural connection to the Torres Strait Islands is Ugar (Stephen Island). Llewellyn holds a Master of Media Arts and Production, Bachelor of Health Science (Aboriginal Health & Community Development) Hons and is an accredited Executive Coach. She has extensive experience on a national level developing the capacity and leadership skills of Indigenous people, particularly women, through Government, non-government and private sectors. |
Kevin McCafferty, Group Manager, Procurement, has been employed at Ventia for 7 years, and held Chief Procurement Officer roles at Fortescue Metals Group, Qantas and RailCorp (Sydney Trains) prior to that. Kevin has an MA (Social Policy) from York University in the UK, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and was recognised as Procurement Professional of the Year in 2010 and 2014 by the Institute, as well as Asia Pacific CPO of the Year by The Faculty in 2017. Kevin has been an advocate for Indigenous Procurement for many years, having picked up the Corporate of the Year award by Supply Nation (formerly AIMSC) in 2010 for Qantas, and delivering over $1 billion of contracts to Indigenous businesses in his time as GM Procurement at Fortescue Metals Group. |
References
Australian Government (2018) The Indigenous Business Sector Strategy. Supercharging Indigenous Business Start-Up and Growth 2018–2028. Federal Government report. Available at https://www.niaa.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/ibss_strategy.pdfReconciliation Australia (2021) Who has a RAP? Available at https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation‐action‐plans/
Supply Nation (undated) Supply Nation overview fact sheet. Available at https://supplynation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Supply-Nation-Members-and-Suppliers-FINAL.pdf
