“We have to have those nimble agile companies out there that help direct change.”
– Adam Moore

Do you think you understand and practice supplier diversity and inclusion? The Harvard Business Review describes a diverse supplier as “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.” Bearing that in mind, onboarding diverse suppliers to your supply chain is far more than “the right thing to do.” Supplier inclusion best practices can help your company build a more agile, innovative, and profitable supply chain.  

In the second episode of our podcast, Breaking Barriers, Building a Hire Ground, hosts Cloe Guidry-Reed and Adam Moore discuss supplier diversity and inclusion, and what it means for the next generation of entrepreneurs. They break down the categories of diverse suppliers, and discuss what needs to be done to give new-majority-owned companies greater access to opportunities in enterprise supply chains.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our country.” – Cloe Guidry-Reed

Cloe and Adam also look at the history of supplier inclusion, starting with the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s to its evolution into an economic development initiative. In addition, the podcast hosts talk about the differing responsibilities small businesses have compared to large corporations, and how those smaller businesses can mitigate their own risks when they are brought into a larger organization. 

“Supplier diversity is a lot more than just going and trying to find a high powered supplier and bring them into your organization. It is pipelining. It is mentoring. It is pulling up alongside and helping them understand what it means to be inside Corporate America.” – Adam Moore 

Topics discussed in this episode of Breaking Barriers, Building a Hire Ground:

  • What supplier diversity and inclusion means in business today
  • The four groups that supplier diversity and inclusion practices cover
  • Why the definition of “diversity and inclusion” only outlines the problem, not the solution
  • How supplier diversity and inclusion has evolved since the 1960’s
  • Why Corporate America needs to expand its knowledge of supplier diversity
  • Why advocacy needs to be supported with the correct language

Cloe Guidry-Reed on LinkedIn

Adam Moore on LinkedIn

Listen to this episode now

Don’t miss a single episode – visit Breaking Barriers, Building a Hire Ground to subscribe.

Breaking Barriers, Building a Hire Ground thanks its sponsors:

University of Georgia Supply Chain Advisory Board

In addition to ensuring the UGA’s supply chain curriculum meets employer’s needs, the board also connects employers with highly qualified students and joins corporate board members like Johnson & Johnson, Home Depot, and Chick-Fil-A to discover and hire tomorrow’s supply chain innovators today. 

To learn more go to www.terry.uga.edu and click on “Alumni”, where you will find the Supply Chain Advisory Board

Experienced, proven executives, on demand with TechCXO

Get proven hands-on C-suite executives to take on an interim role in which they can provide fractional help lead projects. TechCXO’s on-demand executive model consistently delivers time and cost savings of 50 to 75% compared to a full-time in-house function. 

They have helped their clients secure over 4 billion dollars in debt and equity financing and have advised clients on over 200 transactions including: due diligence preparation, M&A, and financing alternatives.

To learn more, please visit www.techCXO.com