WITH scores of operators cashing in on government's
inefficiency in getting the empowerment codes legislated and rating
agencies accredited, business owners should consider the more affordable
option of carrying out the rating themselves.
A self-rating will carry as much weight as any
other rating, says Gavin Levenstein of Caird Consulting, a company
that focuses on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) transformation.
As yet, government has not accredited a single rating agency.
Levenstein says there are commercial tools available
that will help companies with their BEE rating.
He says these self-rating tools which are mostly
computer-based or online calculators, are more affordable to use
than conducting a rating through rating agencies.
He says Caird Consulting's online tool costs less
than R1 500. A typical rating from a rating agency can cost between
R2 500 to R10 000.
“In this period where no-one has been accredited
a self rating will be as good as any other rating. And once rating
agencies are accredited the business owner can take it to them to
check and sign-off,” says Levenstein.
However, he says that business owners should ensure
that the self rating tool they use is up to date and that it makes
use of the codes of good practice.
Levenstein says self rating will also help the
business owner to learn and understand the codes and can also help
to improve your score once you have identified the elements in the
scorecard in which the business has underperformed.
He also warns business owners to be wary of consultants
offering their services to rate their companies.
He says that according to the BEE codes, consultants
can only advise business owners on how to implement the codes. They
are paid for their consultation, but cannot charge for doing a rating.
