Supplier engagement is at the core of any effective risk management program. However, for many Australian organizations, especially those with global or complex supply chains, getting suppliers, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to participate actively in risk programs remains challenging.
The Engagement Gap: Why Suppliers Push Back
A major barrier to supplier participation is how risk management programs are structured. Specifically, supplier-paid models—where suppliers, including MSMEs, must bear the cost of assessments or platform access—create a friction point.
According to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO, 2023), small businesses make up over 97% of all enterprises in Australia. For smaller suppliers, the cost of onboarding, reporting, and compliance within these risk assessment programs can be a deterrent. When they perceive that the financial burden outweighs the benefit or when budgets are tight, they disengage. This disengagement makes risk visibility incomplete and undermines the integrity of the entire supply chain risk framework.
Achilles Enterprise Edition: A Buyer-Centric, Inclusive Solution
Designed for flexibility and built for scale, the Achilles risk management solutions are not one-size-fits-all. They are designed to adapt to your organization’s unique procurement and risk objectives. Our solutions are reshaping the way supplier risk management works by removing key barriers to participation and ensuring suppliers see Value, not cost, in participating, which is key to lasting engagement. By lifting cost burdens for suppliers, especially MSMEs, buyers gain a clearer, fuller picture of supply chain risk and no supplier is left behind.
What Makes Achilles Enterprise different:
- Buyer-Paid Model – Removes the requirement for suppliers to pay, which is especially valuable for companies with large numbers of MSMEs in their supply chains.
- Customization at Scale – Whether it’s product/service coding, supplier risk scoring, audit requirements, or alerts, Achilles Enterprise Edition enables full tailoring to match sector, geography, and business-specific needs.
- Supply Chain Mapping & Tier-N Visibility – Visualize your entire upstream supply chain and assess risks beyond immediate (Tier 1) suppliers. Identify hidden vulnerabilities before they cause disruption.
- Geopolitical Risk and Geo-Location Data: Mapping suppliers against real–world location–based risk datasets can help you gain deeper actionable insight into political, ESG, and regulatory risk.
- Real-Time Dashboards & Predictive Risk Scoring – From Day 1, procurement leaders get actionable intelligence to make informed decisions faster with risk scores that reflect evolving supplier performance and context.
By putting control in the hands of the buying organization and offering a private, secure, and highly customized risk management solution, Achilles helps you to engage more suppliers, uncover more risks, and drive compliance with fewer roadblocks.
Driving Higher Supplier Engagement with Achilles
Achilles goes beyond removing cost to create a supportive, collaborative, environment where suppliers feel set up to succeed and boosts supplier engagement. These proven strategies help Australian organizations build stronger relationships and achieve greater supplier participation.
1. Streamlined Processes
Complex compliance requirements can overwhelm suppliers. Achilles counters this by:
- Providing intuitive digital platforms that simplify data submission.
- Automating repetitive tasks to save suppliers time and effort.
- Offering dedicated support during onboarding to ensure a smooth start.
2. Demonstrating Value
Suppliers engage more willingly when they see clear benefits. Achilles helps organizations showcase:
- Operational Resilience: Compliance with risk management programs strengthens suppliers’ own stability and reputation and improves their market competitiveness.
- Efficiency Gains: Streamlined processes reduce administrative costs over time.
Achilles enables the risk management process to become more than a compliance requirement, by giving suppliers the chance to stand out, strengthen business performance and build stronger client relationships .
3. Building Trust and Transparency
Trust is critical for engagement. Achilles promotes confidence by:
- Protecting supplier data with ISO 27001-certified security measures.
- Offering clear visibility into how supplier data is used to demonstrate compliance.
- Maintaining open communication channels to support suppliers through the process.
This transparent approach reassures suppliers, encouraging long-term commitment to risk management programs.
4. Empowering Suppliers
Achilles supports suppliers through:
- Training and Resources: Regular workshops equip suppliers with compliance knowledge and skills.
- Recognition: Accreditation and performance scores reward engaged suppliers, enhancing their credibility.
It’s about creating an environment where suppliers feel supported, recognised, and set up for long-term success.
Achieve Higher Supplier Engagement—and Better Risk Outcomes
The more suppliers engage, the more complete and reliable your risk data becomes. That’s why Achilles focuses on partnership not just compliance. The Achilles approach is trusted by procurement leaders in more than 900 organisations worldwide and its now helping Australian businesses strengthen supplier relationships while building more resilient transparent supply chains.
