The veteran-owned business movement burst on the federal government scene 12 years ago. In 2005, NaVOBA launched Veterans Business Journal to bring the VOB movement to corporate America. While the federal government is the world’s single largest purchaser of goods and services, the potential for vetrepreneurs selling to all of corporate America dwarfs the federal opportunity.

Unlike the federal government and its prime contractors, corporate America is not mandated by law to use veteran-owned suppliers. Corporations are in business to turn a profit. Selling through a sense of entitlement doesn’t work in this environment. Traditionally, prime federal government contractors, like Lockheed Martin and Booz Allen Hamilton, always went above and beyond to include VOBs as suppliers. But, NaVOBA’s hard work over the past four years is really starting to pay off with huge firms that have no obligation to utilize VOBs going out of their way to use VOBs.

In 2007, approximately 10 percent of Fortune 1000 companies sought veteran-owned suppliers. Through NaVOBA’s efforts over the last few years, that number has grown by more than 60 percent and now more than 160 Fortune 1000 companies maintain programs designed to use VOBs as preferred vendors in their supplier diversity efforts.

 Retail colossus Wal Mart, consumer products behemoth Proctor and Gamble, and innovative tech giant Apple, Inc. all buy veteran because it’s good business. Johnson & Johnson earning a place among NaVOBA’s Best 10 Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses for 2011 provides further evidence that the VOB movement is advancing well beyond the beltway.

Alex Gorsky, vice chairman of J&J’s Executive Committee, understands full-well the value vetrepreneurs bring to the table. A West Point alumnus and former Army infantry officer, Gorsky said his military experience was a significant factor in preparing him for his role as a high-level executive at J&J.

“During my time in the military, I learned many important lessons regarding leadership, the importance of diversity, and teamwork,” Gorsky said. “Partnering with veteran-owned businesses creates jobs and builds wealth in the communities in which we operate. Very simply, it enables us to continue to develop and deliver superior products and services, while continuing to expand our customer base.”

Earning the honor as one of the 10 Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses shows a company’s dedication to veterans and demonstrates an understanding that doing business with veterans isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s simply a smart business decision. The bottom line is doing business with VOBs boosts the bottom line. Corporate America is eager to do business with veterans, these ten corporations just happen to be the best.

Comments