One of the key acknowledgements 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 towards equality and equity for the 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.

Before we deep-dive into this topic, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself with respect to your company’s supplier diversity initiatives: 

Eaton Corporation is a $20+ billion power management company that specializes in energy-efficient products and services that help its customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably.  At Eaton, efficiency, sustainability, and employee engagement are at the core of its focus with the ultimate goal of positively impacting the world. 

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact every part of our lives, anticipating and resolving supply chain obstacles has become more critical than ever. 

Diverse suppliers could be a solution for companies seeking to fill supply chain gaps or find innovative ways to meet emerging needs. 

But with so much of our “business as usual” disrupted, many supplier diversity professionals are wondering how to find diverse suppliers during COVID-19. The usual routes of discovery—primarily industry conferences and business expos—are not accessible during this time of social distancing.

A business is only as good as its supply chain, and a supplier diversity program is only as good as the diverse suppliers it identifies and brings into that supply chain.