Stats and information on why SMEs add a greater return on buying operations ... even on a global scale.

Thanks to Procurement Leaders blog for this insightful article on SMEs (Small Minority Enterprises):

"[SMEs] open up opportunities in terms of access to innovations, which can help boost market share while, importantly for procurement, they have also been proven to deliver a greater return on purchasing activities.

Research by The Hackett Group found that those companies who have an established supplier diversity programme in place tend to generate a 133% greater return on their buying operations than those that don’t."

Jesse Jackson—Why Diversity in Silicon Valley Matters

Supplier diversity, along with diversity in the talent pool, needs to improve in Silicon Valley. Jackson brings great stats and insights to the discussion table here.

DIR client, Chrysler Group, has a Matchmaker Program Celebrating 15 Years Creating Value for Minority Businesses and Communities

Wondering what a corporate matchmaking event is all about? Check out what DIR's client, Chrysler Group, does. Must be working great as they're celebrating their 15th year of holding these sessions!

"The matchmaker provides minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses access to Chrysler Group's Tier 1 suppliers and to decision makers in the Company's procurement organization. The program has generated more than $2.1 billion in new business opportunities for exhibitors since 2000."

Chrysler Group's Matchmaker Program Celebrates 15th Year Creating Value for Minority Businesses and Communities

An impressive panel of Supplier Diversity experts brought together by the FCC.

DIR took the time to listen to this impressive panel of Supplier Diversity experts and recommends that you do, too. The FCC‘s Office of Communications Business Opportunities (“OCBO”) hosted a Supplier Diversity Conference and Workshop focusing on private sector business opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses on July 30, 2014.

"Representatives from private industry, specifically telecommunications and technology firms (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, Comcast, and Microsoft) discussed their organizations’ contracting procedures and provided insight on how small businesses should navigate the procurement process generally."

From approx. 18 to 26 minutes [18-26M; all times mentioned are approximate!], each executive recaps the process to join in the consideration for future business.

At about 38M, AT&T and Verizon spend considerable time talking about specific future opps.

The importance of Second Tier opportunity and reporting is mentioned at 57M; comments on the rather impermeable advertising industry start at 61M; "Do's and Don'ts" are at 76M including the importance of supplier branding at 80M.

Highlights include candid, but pointed, words of advice to small and diverse-owned businesses including:

• Be Strategic: research and be aware of future opportunities and directions a corporation is headed; make sure you're in alignment
• Tailor your value proposition to each corporation; supplier diversity teams can help you navigate through this process (at about 24 min.)

Here's the link. It's a fantastic 90 minutes of free! expertise on breaking in to major corporations. Please recommend and pass along. Thank you.

FCC hosted Supplier Diversity Panel

As DIR celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2013, we connected with founders, early supporters, past and current corporate clients and the diverse-owned businesses we've helped along the way. This video recaps how our mission to be advocates for supplier diversity has helped stay our path while driving supplier diversity success. Thanks to DIR's Board of Directors for their continued leadership, experience and guidance! For more information on DIR's history and its current client list, visit www.DiversityInfoResources.com