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