This is what we do; and it is why BHP can count on us to help them in their support of small regional businesses.

C-Res Manager, Business Development John Aurisch said it was talking to small business owners and hearing the concern they have which really brought home the gravity of the situation.

John said it made the Local Buying Program an even more important pillar in supporting small businesses.

“With BHP, we are making sure these businesses are supported,” John said.

“We are pushing through work opportunities to help keep these businesses viable and their staff employed.

“By doing what we do – and what we do well – we are helping everything from their cash flow, to just giving them a sense that someone is there for them, they’re not alone and someone has their back.

“Our whole focus is staying safe and staying connected – with our suppliers, our buyers, the wider community and as a team.”

While the phone calls, emails and video chats tell one side of the story, it’s the hard data and numbers which tell the other – and for C-Res Manager, Reporting Analysis and Projects Catherine Hyde, this is where it all stacks up.

“We are seeing the number of work opportunities and the amount of spend tracking in a consistently positive direction,” Catherine said.

“This is really encouraging compared to what seems to have been happening in a lot of other sectors of our national economy.

“That said, there have been some unavoidable cancellations of work, and of course that is going to have an impact.

“Overall, though, it’s a good feeling to see that through the Local Buying Program, we can have a direct and positive impact on small businesses – and the mums and dads, and sole traders running them – while we are otherwise in such uncertain times.”

Catherine had noted that while the word, “unprecedented” had possibly become the most over-used word of 2020, there was one thing that was not unprecedented – and that was the commitment the C-Res team had in partnering with BHP to shore up the livelihoods of those running some of regional Australia’s smallest businesses.

John Aurisch agreed.

“We are part of the solution, and we can make a difference,” he said.

“And when a lot of what we hear is the bad news, of late, that is a pretty powerful – and very reassuring – message for those who are counting on us!”