An essential part of the supplier diversity programme is to link up businesses with potential suppliers. Part of the work of SDE is to assist companies in this area. Our experience is that there is no set way to open up procurement lists to under-represented and diverse businesses. It depends on what a company does, what services it provides, how large it is, the size of suppliers it tends to utilise, and the geographical areas in which it operates. Our view is that, in general, staff who work in procurement are best placed to develop work in this area. They will have relevant experience and knowledge. They will know their market, and will often be looking for new potential opportunities, value for money and high quality suppliers.
In the case of supplier diversity, they will need to factor in more SME’s in general and under-represented and diverse groups in particular, as part of their supplier diversity approach.
Supplier Diversity Europe, as part of the membership scheme, facilitate linking up businesses with suppliers, providing guidance and advice on the most appropriate steps to take and when, drawing on good practice from elsewhere.
Further information may be found in the Membership Pack.
| For example, SDE may give you guidance on:
• How to assess your current supplier base as part of a programme of building up a picture of where companies are on supplier diversity.
• Advice on contacts at regional and national levels that can provide information and insights on under-represented businesses.
• How to develop and build your own links with relevant under-represented and diverse businesses.
Part of the Gold membership fee includes more detailed work being undertaken by SDE. This includes developing local and regional databases for under-represented businesses. |
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