procurement , but I was excited to learn how to help clients procure the goods and services they need .”
Dickson ’ s role sits between strategy and consulting Decades on , Dickson has carved out a unique role for herself at Accenture . “ My current role sits within our strategy and consulting practice and is aligned to our supply chain . I help clients build , design , develop and grow their own supplier inclusion and sustainability programmes . I also help them fill gaps in their supply chains using small , diverse businesses .”
Dickson observes that her role is one that is made for procurement “ because , typically , it is through procurement that contact with small and diverse businesses is made ”.
She adds : “ You ’ re procuring their services and some of their goods , so this is why so many of these kinds of businesses are aligned to procurement organisations . We work with them not only to procure their services , but to augment and leverage their talent .”
Such talent might be found upstream or downstream in the supply chain . “ They might be providing raw materials , they could be procuring your coffee , or procuring people to augment your IT service . There are diverse suppliers in marketing , in HR and in legal . There ' s so many categories small and diverse businesses cross .”
Dickson says that , although the role is “ immensely rewarding ”, it also comes with serious challenges , chief among which are misconceptions within Accenture itself around the capacity of small , minorityowned businesses .
32 December 2022