Letters to the Editor
6 UPFRONT
Letters to the Editor
Letters...
Dear Editor, Congratulations for successfully launching a quality and thought-provoking magazine, which addresses the key issues that confront SMEs and minority business owners.
Being a black woman business owner, I was taken by the number of interesting perspectives your magazine covered on the topic of Supplier Diversity- ranging from academic studies to“ Getting fit to Supply for the 2012 Olympics” through to comparisons between the USA and UK.
The main reason there is so much talk about supplier diversity is because the Mayor of London consistently communicates at every opportunity, that he will use the 2012 Olympics procurement budget as a tool to deliver economic empowerment and sustainability to under-represented groups and socially disadvantaged communities.
There is no doubt that the 2012 Olympics presents significant opportunities for SMEs and minority-owned businesses, however this is just the tip of the iceberg! Because every year the Government( Central and Local combined) procures a substantial amount of construction and related services for regeneration, which collectively over a short period of time would dwarf the expenditure of the 2012 Olympics. So enough about“ Are You Fit to Supply?” and let’ s shift the spotlight onto“ Are You Willing to Diversify?”- with the onus being placed on the government procurement agencies, their main contractors and Tier I suppliers.
Already the corporate sector has sign posted its commitment to supplier diversity via umbrella organisations such as Supplier Diversity Europe. However, conspicuously missing from their memberships are the large construction firms which benefit enormously from government contracts.
Therefore beyond the excessive rhetoric of supplier diversity, there is an urgent need for the government procurement agencies to take responsibility for the equitable distribution of procurement spend. Likewise it is essential that the Construction industry demonstrates good leadership behaviour by diversifying its supply chain.
Margaret Adams, MD of Ashby Inc- a Management Business Consultancy which specialises in assisting Public and Private sector organisations with the implementation of supplier diversity within their existing procurement strategies. www. ashbyinc. com
To the Editor Excellent magazine. Very informative. Long may you continue with a valuable product. Desmond Chisholm contact details supplied
To the Editor Hi Gloria, I’ ve just come across Engage and wanted to congratulate you on this great initiative. I’ m a diversity consultant and often my clients ask how they can improve their supply chain diversity, so this is a great resource to help them get into the groove. I will certainly recommend you! Melanie Allison contact details supplied
Dear Editor Just wanted to ask where can I purchase a magazine from, my friend had a copy which i’ ve had a good look through and put on my coffee table Ben Turner contact details supplied
What you need to do Ben is fill in the subscription page on our website www. engagemagazine. co. uk or alternatively if your friend gets this issue see page 85 for subsription details.
Dear Editor Your networking event that I attended at Merrill Lynch was very informative, keep up the good work. Dennis Miller
Send letters to gloria @ engagemagazine. co. uk engage | uk ISSUE THREE 2007