The veteran-owned business movement burst on the federal government scene 11 years ago. In 2005, NaVOBA launched with 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.

In 2009, the federal government spent $529 billion. The 3 percent mandate creates a $15 billion opportunity for VOBs. However, 3 percent of the money spent by corporate America exceeds $80 billion each year. 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. This is where NaVOBA steps in, making the business case that buying from veteran suppliers is simply good business.

“The $80 billion corporate opportunity is clearly the larger opportunity, and one that is not, and will likely never be, mandated,” NaVOBA President Chris Hale said. “And like any behavior that is conformed, if and when the mandating force is removed, the conforming behavior is sure to disappear too. Conversely, when behavior is transformed by positive reinforcement, the behavior becomes permanently sustainable.”

Ralph G. Moore, president of Chicago-based Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA), has been a pivotal figure in the supplier diversity movement since 1979. Moore said he’s witnessed significant progress in the VOB movement, specifically with major corporations including veteran-owned suppliers.

“On the VOB side there has been a growing advocacy to go beyond government contracts and to access corporate business,” Moore said. “On the corporate side there has been a very subtle change in their approach to VOBs. The common refrain historically was ‘I can’t find any VOBs’.  Now I am hearing more corporate supplier diversity professionals saying ‘What can I do to find more VOBs.’” 

NaVOBA has been a catalyst for this positive momentum by driving home the value-added business case to corporate America that veteran suppliers will help companies grow and prosper. 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 50 percent.               

“While the veteran-owned business movement may have been borne out of a duty to give back to those who protected the freedoms we all enjoy, it continues and flourishes because military training provides corporate America with competent and efficient suppliers,” Hale said.

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.

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