Interview Orrin Benn, President
Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council
Last year Orrin Benn took the helm of NMSDCs new Canadian council. Leveling the playing field for Aboriginal and minority entrepreneurs and promoting procurement opportunities between corporations and suppliers of all sizes in Canada takes the knowledge of a big picture executive.
Mr. Benn has a wealth of experience with multinational corporations in the U.S. and Crown (government-regulated) corporations in Canada.
He knows the Canadian corporate community; and has ambitious plans for The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) to create links between Aboriginal and minority-owned Canadian suppliers and major corporations in both Canada and the United States.
How do you make the business case for supplier development with Canadian corporations?
I make the case by pointing out relevant facts and then connecting the dots for decision makers. For example, there is a tremendous demographic shift occurring in Canada. The aboriginal population is increasing at a rate higher than the rest of the country and Canada is increasingly reliant on immigration for labor and economic growth. Both of these groups also have a high incidence of entrepreneurship, signifying that current and future small businesses (SMEs) are more likely to come from this pool.
I advise corporations that diversifying their supplier base will bring them in line with market shifts and bring them additional benefits in terms of competitiveness, flexibility, innovation, and marketing synergies. I also point to the success of the NMSDC in fostering corporate and supplier growth in the U.S.
What is your vision for CAMSC and what are some of the things you are doing to build corporate support and a strong stable of certified suppliers?
We are now fully staffed with a business development manager and a certification administrator who has just completed hands-on training with the Michigan Minority Business Development Council.
On the supplier side we are partnering with government agencies, industry associations, aboriginal and minority community agencies,
to identify and certify companies which have the potential of supplying corporate Canada and forming strategic alliances with U.S. suppliers. These companies will be integral in our database.
On the corporate side we are focusing our membership drive in four key sectors, automotive; food beverage, natural resources and business services. We need the help of our U.S. colleagues in contacting their Canadian counterparts with the message Supplier Diversity Works.
How does the certification process work?
We follow the NMSDC model. After clearing a rigorous certification process, the Aboriginal or visible minority-owned company is entered into a database which is accessed by CAMSCs corporate members. This opens opportunities for suppliers that are competitive in cost, service and quality to do business with corporations.
Will more Canadian suppliers do potential business in the U.S.?
Yes, CAMSC and NMSDC hope to create a reciprocal certification agreement whereby MBEs from Canada and the U.S. would be able to do business across borders. This means that Canadian MBEs certified by CAMSC would be recognized by NMSDC members and likewise, MBEs certified by NMSDC would also be recognized by CAMSCs corporate members.
How does a minority firm become certified?
To qualify for CAMSC membership, your company must be located in Canada and owned by a Canadian citizen; categorized "for profit", and at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by minority group members (Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities, persons other than aboriginals who are not white in race or color).
The following corporations are members of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council: Alberici Constructors; Canada Pacific Railway; Cisco Systems Canada; Coca-Cola Bottling Co.,
Corporate Express; DaimlerChrysler Canada; Hewlett-Packard Canada; IBM Canada; Lear Corporation; Michelin; Navistar International Corporation; Office Depot; Pepsi-Cola Canada; RBC Financial Group; Toyota Motor Mfg. N.A.; Waste Management; Xerox Canada.