Management consultancy OCM releases first Reconciliation Action Plan

Australian management consultancy OCM has marked NAIDOC week with the release of its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), joining over 2,500 organisations across the country.

The RAP was developed with the support of First Nations Consultants and proud Bundjalung woman Janelle Brown, while artist Christie Jacobs of the Yidinji Mallanbarra nation provided a visual representation of the reconciliation journey.

OCM says its ‘Reflect’ RAP embodies the firm’s vision for a more interconnected and sustainable future, in which the cultures, histories, rights, and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, understood, and respected.

“Our aim is to create an enduring legacy and positive influence on our people, industries, and communities,” stated OCM’s national managing partner Pamela Robertson-Gregg. “As a company embracing diverse talents and cultures, we firmly believe in the transformative power of diversity & inclusion within our workplace. People and connection are at the heart and soul of our business.”

First established in 2006, Reconciliation Australia’s RAP program provides a strategic framework for driving an organisation’s contribution to indigenous reconciliation both in-house and in the communities in which it operates, with consideration given to five dimensions – race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, unity, and historical acceptance.

The ‘Reflect’ stage is the first of four, embedding an organisation’s commitment to undertake the reconciliation journey and establishing a blueprint for meaningful engagement. This includes promoting cultural awareness among leaders and staff, developing relationships with First Nations stakeholders, and determining where it can leverage its influence to make the greatest impact.

As one of Australia’s largest and fastest-growing homegrown management consulting firms, with a headcount of more than 120 professionals spread across eight offices nationwide, OCM (O’Connor Marsden & Associates) recognises the many opportunities to employ and partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as it continues to expand in the future.

For now, the firm says of its first RAP: “Our primary goal is to begin by deep listening and then in turn educating our people about the significance of reconciliation and truth. This includes a commitment to integrating these principles into our company’s operations, including consulting, sustainability initiatives, and employment programs and pathways within our business.”

Art design

To mark the occasion, OCM engaged artist Christie Jacobs to create a work depicting the commencement of its reconciliation journey, with an array of circles portraying the firm’s diverse mix of locations and people organised around a central circle as a gathering space where the Indigenous and non-Indigenous can unite to show respect and foster understanding.

“The central circle is a testament to collaborative and respectful communication,” says OCM partner and RAP sponsor Sarah Mullins. “In the backdrop, hands symbolise the unity that emerges through collaboration, embodying the essence of teamwork, while the intricate, unbroken lines lead us on a journey, symbolising the enduring mutual respect that binds offices and communities alike.”