When Robyn Auld met me and expressed her interest to take their Gospel of selling to the Government of Canada to multicultural communities, it was the first of its kind that I saw someone from the administration side of the government showing interest in sharing a very important information that can change the lives of members of the minority communities.
This rare interest in presenting to multicultural communities led to the realization that if Edmonton entrepreneurs from multicultural communities who are not properly engaged to join business related opportunities can create a multicultural business forum, it will help bridge the gap and give multicultural entrepreneurs crucial access to important information through presentation, opportunity through networking, and empowerment through building new relationships. As a matter of fact, this bridging of the gap effort through a presentation by the Government of Canada will provide a sense of inclusion as entrepreneurs will feel engaged and included and open the door for more.
The accidental meeting with Robyn inspired the birth of BizNet, a monthly event for Edmonton entrepreneurs to network, share experiences, learn, and support one another. BizNet is powered by Diversity Magazine, The North Edge Business Association, Downtown Business Association, MicroBusiness Training Centre, ALIF Partners, YEG Ambassadors, Africa Centre, VINICOSTANZO, The Langue and Culture Shop, and Sunu Accounting.
On January 29, 2019, Robyn and her colleague Kris finally made an exciting presentation on how to sell to the Government of Canada to a full house of the fourth edition of BizNet at Diversity Centre. The presentation was titled, “Doing Business with the Government of Canada”, Presented by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME).
The Government of Canada purchases between $15-$20 billion of goods and services from mostly small and medium size enterprises such as those owned by multicultural entrepreneurs. It is empowering for multicultural entrepreneurs to also have such important and empowering information, the reason they came out in good numbers to take part in the presentation. The endless questions and interest in the topic, with phone calls even days after the presentation asking for information leaflet indicated that another presentation was necessary and Robyn and Kris will be invited back in the near future.
When a government department decides to take information to multicultural communities who will otherwise not have it, it creates an opportunity, shares crucial knowledge, empower communities, and provide a sense of inclusion of multicultural communities. This is inclusion at its best – A Small Step for a Government, A Giant Step for Diversity and Inclusion.
While Robyn and Kris thought they were just doing their job, they just brought out the much needed out-of-the-box way of thinking and innovated in an area in dire need of innovation – community engagement and inclusion. Should you need to follow the example of Robyn and Kris, we can help with our numerous platforms with new ones such as Guest of the Week reaching out to African, Indian and Pakistani communities, diversity political forums, and the recent Ladies Corner entirely for women. Whatever the case, as a leader, it is in your best interest to find creative ways to engage communities that traditionally do not benefit from opportunities that your programs, projects, and services provide. It is call INCLUSION.
Click Here to Watch Full Presentation
Summary of Information Provided
1. Buyandsell.gc.ca<http://Buyandsell.gc.ca>: Buyandsell.gc.ca<http://www.buyandsell.gc.ca/> is a great website to get started with selling to the GOC. By going to “For Businesses” and then “Selling to the Government of Canada”, you will see links to information on everything from understanding procurement to promoting yourself.
Buyandsell.gc.ca<http://Buyandsell.gc.ca> is also the portal to see active and awarded tenders. You can search by good and service or company name to discover more about the types of contracts available or the supply chain for your industry. By opening any tender document, you should be able to find contact information for the buying agent. If you have questions for them, or feel the bid specifications don’t reflect the reality in the industry, you can contact the buyer.
1. Registering as a Supplier: The Supplier Registration Information (SRI)<https://srisupplier.contractscanada.gc.ca/index-eng.cfm?af=ZnVzZWFjdGlvbj1yZWdpc3Rlci5pbnRybyZpZD03> system is a database of registered companies interested in selling to the federal government. To learn more on the SRI system, please visit the Register as a Supplier<https://buyandsell.gc.ca/for-businesses/selling-to-the-government-of-canada/register-as-a-supplier/register-to-provide-services> page.
1. GEDS
2.0: The Government Electronic Service Directory<http://www.geds.gc.ca/en/GEDS?pgid=002> allows you to search for key words or people within the GOC (excluding secure departments like DND, Corrections and RCMP). Using the hierarchical structure of the directory you can often track down an appropriate contact. This approach may be helpful when pursuing contracts under $25 000. 1. Two Challenge Based Programs: DND IDEaS<https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/defence-ideas.html> and Innovative Solutions Canada<https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home> are innovation challenge programs to which you can subscribe by email. If a challenge comes up that your feel you can address, make a pitch!
1. To find additional resources and funding opportunities that can help you grow your business, use this link to fill out a profile about your business and receive customized program suggestions: https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/innovation?lang=eng
Robyn Auld, BSc, PhD. Research and Innovation Development Officer Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises / Government of Canada robyn.auld@nserc-crsng.gc.ca<mailto:robyn.auld@nserc-crsng.gc.ca> / Tel: 780-906-4244 Agent de développement de la recherche et de l'innovation Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada et Le Bureau des petites et moyennes enterprises / Gouvernement du Canada robyn.auld@nserc-crsng.gc.ca<mailto:robyn.auld@nserc-crsng.gc.ca> / Tel: 780-906-4244 Kris Ruiter A/Chief, Stakeholder Engagement Office of Small and Medium Enterprise | Western Region | Calgary Public Services and Procurement Canada | Government of Canada kris.ruiter@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca<mailto:kris.ruiter@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca>|Tel: 780-901-9140 Chef par interim, engagement des parties prenante Bureau de petites et moyennes entreprises| Région de l'Ouest | Calgary Services Publics et Approvisionnement Canada | Gouvernement du Canada kris.ruiter@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca<mailto:kris.ruiter@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca>|Tél: 780-901-9140
