Blue Pencil Consulting wins level 3 B-BBEE status after restructuring

Johannesburg-based Blue Pencil Consulting has become the latest South African firm to achieve B-BBEE certification, having undergone a restructuring process in recent months. The firm has been specifically bestowed with level 3 status, which requires a score of between 90 and 95 points, according to new B-BBEE stipulations.

The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment scheme in South Africa seems to be having its desired influence, as an increasing number of firms restructure their operations to comply with the act’s Codes of Good Practice. The codes allow companies to earn points based on their level of inclusivity in ownership (25 points), management control (19), skills development (25), enterprise and supplier development (40), and socio-economic development (5).

Response to the act has been fairly mixed, with some claiming that it deters foreign investors or corporations from entering the market, while placing considerable restrictions on domestic businesses. Others argue that the scheme not only has long-term social and economic benefits, but has also had an immediate economic impact.

Nevertheless, the scheme has gained traction, as firms from all industrial segments have begun restructuring efforts to comply with the codes and earn as many points as possible. Firms that have restructured in recent months include marketing consultancy Vuma, and business advisory firm RSPH Holdings, which attained level 1 status.

Strategy solutions firm Blue Pencil Consulting has become the latest of the firms on this list. Among the firm’s primary differentiating points is its partnership status with German enterprise resource planning (ERP) giant SAP. Blue Pencil prides itself on being a Sap Solution Manager, helping firms better aligning the SAP software within their operations.

Specifically, the firm also offers services in SAP strategy planning, landscape auditing, implementation, and support services along the way. Other services offered by Blue Pencil include digital learning and performance support, which includes working with a range of digital applications such as e-learning, virtual reality, augmented reality, animation, illustration, and a sea of others.

In recent months, the firm has been restructuring its operations to achieve B-BBEE status, aiming for recognition at level 3 on the score tally. “With the change in the market, we had to go back to the drawing board and realign the business, but still remain focused on our vision of retaining our status as one of the top SAP services partners in South Africa,” said Graham Henderson, managing Director at Blue Pencil.

He added, “Achieving our Level 3 reaffirms our commitment to creating sustainable employment and enterprise development in South Africa. It is now more important than ever to be part of building the ICT sector in South Africa to what should be the IT powerhouse of Africa and a skills pool for global consumption.”