This blog was originally published on 12/6/2018 and updated 1/7/2020

This blog was originally published on 6/1/2013 and updated on 12/30/2019.

When considering strategies to increase engagement and spend with diverse suppliers, supplier diversity programs must be willing to be moved to tiers. (Sorry, we couldn’t resist the obvious pun!) Tier 1 and Tier 2 are important terms to know when describing suppliers, especially diverse suppliers, and the supplier diversity Tier goals that companies set and strive to meet. Tier 2 suppliers are of special note because these businesses offer the potential to partner with more diverse suppliers and grow your diversity initiatives.

This blog was originally published on 1/9/2017 and updated on 12/18/19.

Have you been hearing the term “supplier diversity” but aren’t sure what it means? As with many business terms, the definition and implementation of the words can vary by company. Let’s start with the general definition, then we’ll dig a little deeper.

In general, supplier diversity is a business strategy that ensures a diverse supplier base in the procurement of goods and services for any business or organization. It emphasizes the creation of a diverse supply chain that works to secure the inclusion of diverse groups in the procurement plans for government, not-for-profits, and private industry.

This blog was originally published on 3/13/2019 and updated on 12/10/2019. 

As more companies grow savvy to the benefits of cultivating a diverse supplier base, supplier diversity programs have grown in popularity and in number. For a supplier diversity program to succeed long term, however, it needs to have a sustainable growth strategy—and that’s where supplier development programs offer a strategic advantage.

One of the key acknowledgments of our supplier diversity programs is that there is a pool of suppliers out there full of untapped potential because they do not have access to the same opportunities that their majority-owned counterparts do. Five decades of work toward equality and equity for United States-based diverse suppliers is paying off, allowing us to focus on an even bigger picture: global supplier diversity and the enormous potential of diverse suppliers outside the U.S.