Why You Need A Supplier Diversity Program:

An Introduction to Inclusive Procurement as a Change-Making Diversity Strategy

 

In the 1960s, a small group of socially conscious companies began addressing racial inequity through the creation of Supplier Diversity Programs, an inclusive approach to procurement and company spending. With systematic racism and economic inequality top of mind for American employers, Supplier Diversity is more important today than ever. But too few companies employ these programs, and far too often existing programs remain token gestures rather than powerful diversity strategies.

 

What is supplier diversity?

A diverse supplier is a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that is part of a traditionally underrepresented or underserved group. Aside from moral and ethical arguments, there are sound commercial reasons for creating supplier diversity programs.

 

Why should you attend?

• You want to understand the history and benefit of supplier diversity programs to your company and the community
• You buy (or influence the purchases of) products and services for your business
• You don’t have a program in place but are thinking about starting one
• You have a small program in place but could use help developing a strategy
• You’re interested in what tools exist to help you create a new supplier diversity program or take an established program to the next level

 

Takeaways include:

• What supplier diversity is and how it benefits our economy
• The best practices of Supplier Diversity programs and how you can establish or refine one at your company
• How to find minority businesses and build buying relationships
• How to measure your programs and demonstrate value to your stakeholders
• How several major Milwaukee Region companies managed to spend $1M+ annually with diverse suppliers and the positive impact to their bottom line
• How to expand your company commitment to equity and enhance your consumer and employer brand as an inclusive company

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  Ralph G. Moore
  Ralph G. Moore is recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought leaders in supplier diversity and minority business development. He established his consulting practice, RGMA, more than 40 years ago and his clients have included Harley-Davidson, Johnson Controls, DuPont, Dow, United Airlines, McDonald’s, and Major League Baseball. Ralph will introduce his Five Levels of Supplier Diversity maturity model, recognized as the gold standard for benchmarking supplier diversity initiatives.
   

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  Heather Olson
  Heather Olson is the President and CEO of the North Central Minority Supplier Development Council (NCMSDC). The Council advances business opportunities for certified MBEs and connects them to corporate members. Heather supports and facilitates MBE integration into corporate supply chains; builds MBE capacity and capabilities; and facilitates MBE-to-MBE partnerships to meet the needs of corporate members.
   

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  Reggie Layton
  Reggie Layton is Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability at Johnson Controls International. Reggie helps the company create and implement policies and processes to maximize diversity purchasing performance and exceed customer expectations. He uses best practices to develop supplier strategies and deploys them through technology, business development, and focused procurement actions. Reggie will discuss JCI’s lessons learned and continuing journey.