How to Unlock the Magic of Indigenous Suppliers
Indigenous procurement gives us the opportunity to create thousands of jobs for Indigenous Australians. In fact, a Supply Nation study showed that indigenous procurement represents an $8 billion opportunity for Indigenous businesses, which can create 19,000 jobs for Indigenous Australians.
Despite these figures, Chandler Macleod reports that one in ten non-Indigenous people admit they wouldn’t hire an Indigenous Australian for a job. This can come down to a number of factors, such as not knowing where to acquire the knowledge to engage with the community.
But one thing is crystal clear – Indigenous procurement can have a profound impact on Indigenous peoples, businesses, and communities. Owners and employees alike use these procurement opportunities to break existing social cycles and forge a new path forward, creating positive futures for themselves, and their families, communities and environments.
Unlock the Magic of Indigenous Suppliers with the Three Cs
Indigenous businesses bring so much magic to our supply chains. They help us become more aware of the positive impact diverse businesses have on the environment, give underrepresented voices the opportunity for mentorship and training, allow us to embrace diverse voices for innovative thinking, and so much more.
So, what makes this magic happen? For Indigenous peoples and businesses, the three Cs are ingrained in daily lives and our work processes. These considerations are putting Country, Community and Culture front of mind whenever considering a new project:
- Country: Is this good for the Country, the earth beneath my feet?
- Community: Is this good for the community? Are there employment opportunities for Indigenous peoples? Is there economic inclusion? Have we engaged them to co-design a solution?
- Culture: Is this in line with the cultural protocol? Is this the way we agreed to interact with each other? Are you following the basic rules of society to facilitate healthy relationships? What are you leaving behind for the future generations?
There is a clear link between Indigenous business’s three Cs and the areas of focus outlined by ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). This means you can maximise your own performance under ESG by working with Indigenous businesses who have the three Cs front of mind.
For example, these businesses may bring the three Cs to life by focusing on hiring Indigenous peoples and investing in their growth, while also breaking social cycles and improving their quality of life.
3 Tips to Help You Respectfully Engage Indigenous Suppliers
Working with Indigenous businesses will help you operate more responsibly now and in the future. So, how can you ensure you build a mutually beneficial relationship?
- Respect their time
Your Indigenous supplier’s time is just as precious as yours, so come prepared to your meetings by doing your research to understand the size and scale of their capability. Try writing a one-pager on their business before meeting them – if you spend the meeting time on getting to know their business, you’re not using that time wisely. Many suppliers often ‘die’ on the climb to becoming a supplier for a corporation – so why not throw down some rope and give them a hand instead?
- Understand their value
When you spend money on Indigenous suppliers, you’re directly contributing to social outcomes. Identify how you can measure the qualitative and quantitative benefits of working with Indigenous suppliers and embrace the magic that comes out of it.
- Be persistent
You’re not the only business looking to engage Indigenous suppliers – they’re in high demand these days. It’s important to act with urgency and jump on the opportunity when it arises. But it’s just as important to understand that you’re playing the long game, and it may take time to see the fruits of your labour.
Find That Sweet Spot for Meaningful Change
By focusing on upskilling in these areas of knowledge , you can develop a procurement strategy that not only aligns with your goals but can make a meaningful difference in local communities.
If you’re wondering where you and your team can upskill in these three areas, then book your tickets for IMPACT! on 19th November in Melbourne, Australia.
I’ll be sharing more on how better engagement with Indigenous perspectives can support sustainable procurement, particularly in relation to the environment and climate.
You’ll learn all about effective strategies for meaningful Indigenous procurement to help take your business to new heights. Find out more on the Procurious website.
This article was written by Rina Abbott-Jard, ESG Sustainability Procurement Leader, Suncorp Group.
