First, there needs to be an open understanding of each others’ current BEE status.

This should then move towards a shared vision and a workable strategy to develop staff and skills in the interests of both businesses.

It is important that this is managed sincerely and that it is sustainable.

In our experience, we have found that, with the right, positive influences, the process can significantly enhance business relationships.

Of course, an important part of working with empowered suppliers is to be able to reflect this is your own BEE scorecard, as Procurement is worth 20 points on the generic scorecard and 25 points on the QSE scorecard.

Here are typical questions that highlight some procurement challenges:

• What are you currently doing about your company’s preferential procurement?

• Do you know how to strategically and tactically optimise your suppliers in terms of the broad-based scorecard?

• Do you know which suppliers to research and who contributes to your preferential procurement position?

• Do you know how to build your own scorecard and maximize your Procurement score?

• Do you know how to approach your suppliers?

Course outline

No doubt, there are many more ‘hoops and hurdles’ that businesses feel they are facing every day.

To help you successfully overcome, these challenges, we invite you to join our Preferential Procurement workshop.

After attending this workshop, you will have an incisive understanding of the following aspects:

• A brief introduction to Black Economic Empowerment, the Codes Of Good Practice, and the Broad-Based Scorecard

• Understanding the importance of the procurement function and positively affecting your BEE credentials

• Evaluating your current supplier list

• Obtaining suppliers' empowerment credentials

• Identifying total, measurable spend and permissible exclusions

• Integrating Preferential Procurement into the current purchasing policy

• An introduction to developing a Preferential Procurement policy