Issue 3 | September 2021
CONNECTING THE DOTS IN SUPPLIER DIVERSITY SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AT BMO FOCUSED CONVERSATIONS WITH CANADIAN WBES THE STATE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN CANADA
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY TOOLKIT A Resource Library for Organizations Ready To Start Supplier Diversity Programs
Start Your Journey Today!
Message from the President I spent many days this summer thinking about what’s next and as September arrives, so do thoughts of what we’ve been through these past nine months and what lies ahead for each of us. Someone once said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life” and as testament to that adage, the WBE Canada team is reimagining new ways of bringing more women-owned businesses into supply chains and creating more opportunities for Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) through corporate and government supplier diversity programs. Our programs, tools and resources are not only transforming supplier diversity in Canada, but are also helping us grow at an incredible rate. We continue to live in unprecedented times. The pandemic has forever changed the face of businesses, triggering massive disruptions in supply chains around the globe, forcing corporate and government leaders to rethink their approach to supplier diversity and WBEs to reinvent their marketing, sales, operations, customer service and much much more. Today’s headlines focus on climate change, a COVID 4th wave, global tensions and of course Canada’s upcoming federal election. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Now is a time to not be idle, but to lead through change and complexities with confidence.
Contributing to this picture of connecting supplier and buyers, we are excited to have you meet some of the leaders of our Corporate Communities with insights into their SD programs (read Supplier Diversity at BMO by Carol Attak and Supplier Diversity: How to Make Impact with Simple Shifts by Maude Pariseau at BDC); Tips and Strategies from Both Sides of the Aisle with our corporate members BGIS and Home Trust and from the WBE perspective, Maryse Benhoff, BG Communications International Inc. In this issue’s “Conversations with WBEs” you’ll meet six WBEs who share their advice for securing Tier 1 and 2 contracts, and don’t miss “How to Grow your Business with Social Media” by Shannon Ballard from Jan Kelly, a WBE certified business.
It is imperative that as we go forward, we arm and educate ourselves with as much understanding of where we’ve been as possible in order to be the leaders that our communities need. In this issue of WBE Canada Magazine we strive to “connect the dots” between suppliers and buyers, what we refer to as “both sides of the aisle” in supplier diversity. Earlier this year, WBE Canada released the first of two reports produced in partnership with the University of Manitoba and the University of Calgary. The first, “The State of WBE Certification in Canada”, was released in June, and the second, “The State of Supplier Diversity Programs in Canada, is presented in this issue. Based on extensive survey results, we know we have a long journey ahead of us to bridge the gap and make supply chains inclusive. But we have the knowledge and based on that knowledge, we have the infrastructure to build the road forward. WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
There’s much more, and on behalf of our team I invite you to explore each page, soak in the knowledge, thought leadership and inspiration from our community. Thank you,
SILVIA PENCAK President | WBE Canada 1
IN THIS ISSUE September 2021 Writers & Editors Judy Carswell, Sharon Ferdinands Contributing Writers Shannon Ballard; Maude Pariseau; Carol Attak; Paul D. Larson, Ph.D; Jack D. Kulchitsky; Silvia Pencak, M.A Designers Grassick Graphic Communications www.GrassickGraphic.com WBE Canada Contact Details Editorial queries and submissions marketing@wbecanada.ca General queries - concierge@wbecanada.ca WBE Certification certification@wbecanada.ca Corporate Membership membership@wbecanada.ca Sponsorship - sponsorship@wbecanada.ca ©️WBE Canada, September 2021 https://wbecanada.ca
The WBE Canada Magazine is a quarterly magazine designed to connect our communities, empower Canadian women entrepreneurs and inspire Canada’s corporate and government organizations in their supplier diversity initiatives. To subscribe to the WBE Canada Magazine, click here.
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CONNECTING THE DOTS IN SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AT BMO HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA: 5 Secrets to LinkedIn
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FOCUSED Conversations with Canadian WBEs
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THE STATE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN CANADA
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INTRODUCING SUPPLIER DIVERSITY ALLIANCE CANADA (SDAC)
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SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: How to make a big impact with simple shifts
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TIPS & STRATEGIES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AISLE
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE IMPORTANT UPDATES... WHO’S WHO AT WBE CANADA: Meet Our Committee Members
Connecting the Dots in Su Local economy
What are some words that come to your mind when you hear ‘supplier diversity’?
Buying from diverse businesses allows them to support and create jobs, increase wages, and pay more in tax revenue, which benefits their local communities. In the long term, supplier diversity programs are likely to attract new businesses to the supply chain and give companies open access to different markets. This, in turn, provides the fuel for a dynamic and competitive economy.
Here are some words that best describe it Opportunity, Access, Equity, Inclusion, Relationshipbuilding, Innovation. Supplier Diversity is procurement that is ethical. It is a business strategy and a smart business choice.
WHO BENEFITS FROM SUPPLIER DIVERSITY?
Now that we have established the benefits of supplier diversity, let us look into who the key
players in a supply chain are:
Diverse businesses Diverse-owned businesses, including women, LGBTQ2+, veteran, and minority-owned companies often face hurdles that other companies do not, including challenges with access to funding, the ability to network as easily, prejudices, and other issues. Supplier diversity helps these businesses get a leg up to grow their business - offering them business allows them to scale up and compete better in the market, which further encourages innovation within supply chains, fostering growth within communities.
Diverse Supplier A diverse supplier is a business that is at least 51 per cent owned, operated, and controlled by either women, members of an Indigenous community (e.g., First Nations, Inuit, or Metis people), members of a visible minority group or members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. • Tier One (Tier 1) Supplier: A Tier 1 supplier provides its products or services directly to the large corporation, for example a WBE company selling its products or services to Company X. • Tier Two (Tier 2) Supplier: A Tier 2 supplier provides services or products to the Tier 1 supplier of a large corporation, for example, a WBE company selling its products to Company X’s Tier 1 supplier would be considered a Tier 2 supplier to Company X. • Opportunities for diverse suppliers might be in some larger organizations at the Tier 3 level or below. It is critical for diverse businesses to understand their place in the supply chain and for supplier diversity professionals to communicate this information to suppliers.
Organizations seeking diverse suppliers Supplier diversity not only benefits diverse businesses, it also benefits corporations and government organizations with supplier diversity programs in place. It provides numerous tangible benefits to the company, including increased market share, increased company flexibility, and greater competition among a company’s suppliers. Also, increased diversity in the supply chain allows a company to expand more easily into markets with different demographics.
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upplier Diversity Certified Diverse Supplier and Certification
affects everyone involved in the supply chain. Supplier Diversity Programs take an enormous amount of commitment and the impact that not only benefits the bottom line, but creates a healthy competitive edge, increased market share, sustainability and economic growth for women and their communities.
A supplier who has received a diverse certification through a third party is known as a certified diverse supplier. Certification is a verification process that establishes the business is indeed diverse-owned. There are several organizations (Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada) that provide certification for diverse-owned businesses. WBE Canada certifies Canadian women-owned businesses. To learn more about Canadian Councils visit page 22 of this Magazine.
WBE Canada has a strong commitment to ongoing success and improvement of Supplier Diversity in Canada. To support these efforts within corporate and government organizations, we developed Supplier Diversity Accelerator - a complimentary customized consulting for our Corporate Member organizations (included in membership fees) and Supplier Diversity Data Services with free data scrub and significantly discounted data reporting services (spend reporting, diverse supplier registration portal).
If you are a business that’s majority run/managed/ controlled by a woman/women, get your WBE Certification here.
Large Corporation
Supplier Diversity Toolkit
A large corporation is any organization with 500 or more employees. Some large corporations have complex multi-layered supply chains making it harder for diverse businesses to navigate their way through the system. Supplier Diversity Programs are designed to increase diversity within large supply chains and simplify selling to large organizations for diverse businesses.
In addition to all of the above, WBE Canada launched Supplier Diversity Toolkit - a step-by-step guide to developing a Supplier Diversity program. This resource is once again complimentary to our members. Toolkit provides you with access to the information, resources, templates, case studies and much more to help you start your journey without guessing what your next step should be. Toolkit is accompanied by the full-day workshop where you will have the opportunity to review the information, learn from your peers and get answers to your questions. Our first Workshop is scheduled for October 6th. Learn more here.
Supplier Diversity Program Organizations with commitment to supplier diversity go beyond promises. They work diligently on improving their procurement policies and processes to create an environment where diverse businesses have access to buyers, visibility to the procurement opportunities and opportunity to bid on (and win) these opportunities. Such organizations follow supplier diversity best practices, measure their impact and report their spend with diverse suppliers. In the long term these programs become embedded into company culture and best practices.
More and more private and public organizations are looking to diversify their supply chains in Canada and globally as a way to stay competitive in today’s marketplace. The benefits of membership are infinite. Not a member yet? We’ll be happy to support your supplier diversity initiative. Learn more here.
A well-established supplier diversity program has a wide spread positive impact, a ripple effect that WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
More terms and definitions can be found here. 5
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AT BMO By Carol Attak
At BMO, our purpose is to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, and through that purpose we are committed to creating an inclusive, more just society - one with zero barriers to inclusion.
While already successful, the supplier diversityprogram at BMO continues to expand. In late 2020, we embarked on several ambitious growth initiatives that will have wide-reaching effects on the supplier diversity landscape in both Canada Working with diverse suppliers not only helps us and the U.S. We started by live our purpose, but is also integral to meeting expanding our existing U.S. supplier diversity council into the needs of our shareholders, customers and the BMO Enterprise Supplier communities that BMO serves. Diversity Council. Not only did this expansion include Not just in our own supply chain but across adding a Canadian supplier diversity focus, but Canada and beyond, BMO’s supplier diversity the leadership on the council was enhanced to program has a long-standing commitment to include executives from each line of business and creating and developing opportunities for Women several functional areas that did not traditionally Business Enterprises (WBEs). The program is have a seat at the table. Now there are nine senior well-established and includes tracking spend and leaders serving as executive sponsors, ensuring networking with certified diverse suppliers. We that supplier diversity is top of mind across the provide guidance and best practices to our prime bank. suppliers around joining advocacy councils (like WBE Canada) and assistance in finding diverse In 2020, BMO set supplier diversity goals for suppliers to engage. In addition, supplier diversity each line of business by creating nine working is embedded in BMO’s sourcing process, and committees, who meet monthly to identify sourcing inclusion is a metric that is measured and opportunities to grow diverse spend across BMO reported on. by shifting non-diverse spend to existing diverse suppliers, reviewing upcoming sourcing events, BMO’s support of both WBE Canada and WBEs and working with diverse-owned businesses that runs deep. In addition to sponsoring WBE are not currently certified to get their certifications. conferences and events, such as WBE Canada’s annual conference and SDAC Supplier Diversity Summit, members of our supplier diversity team can frequently be found speaking at industry panels, sharing best practices with peer organizations and providing guidance and knowledge wherever they can. What’s more, the team has participated in matchmaking events that connect womenowned businesses with the bank’s sourcing directors, business decision makers, and BMO’s Christine Canning, who sits on WBE Canada’s board of directors. WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
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This expansion of supplier diversity across the bank also coincides with the launch of BMO’s diverse business development program, BMO Elevate. This 12-month program focuses on connecting suppliers to BMO Category teams, providing mentorship sessions with BMO Executives and educating a select group of diverse businesses in a variety of ways. It allows them to showcase their company, capabilities and innovations with BMO decision-makers, while also receiving help to grow their business. Of the 17 suppliers included in the first cohort of this program, four are WBE Canada certified, and more will be included as BMO Elevate grows over the next few years.
Through our numerous innovative programs, and our commitment to supplier diversity, BMO is creating opportunities and opening doors for WBEs in Canada and across North America. New initiatives and extensive collaboration have ensured the continued success of BMO’s supplier diversity program, while continuing to support the growth and development of women owned businesses across BMO’s supply chain and beyond.
Carol Attak is the Senior Manager of Global Supplier Diversity and Sustainability at BMO. In her role, Carol is responsible for envisioning, implementing, and leading the global Supplier Diversity program for BMO, steering the strategy, communication, performance management, and all enablers for BMO to be recognized as a leader in supplier diversity.
Finally, BMO for Women is an ongoing sponsor of the WBE Canada annual conference, and the team regularly holds workshops and events for continued development. BMO for Women recently announced the expansion of the 2021 grant program for women-owned businesses across North America, in collaboration with Deloitte. As part of this year’s program, we have pledged $200,000 in grants and will recognize women-owned businesses across North America for their contribution to social, environmental and/or economic sustainability outcomes through their organizations’ policies, practices or products.
Carol has been an active leader in advancing Supplier Diversity goals and initiatives through her 13 years managing Accenture’s program. She currently serves as the Board Chair of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
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Making it possible. Every day, Magna works to make the impossible possible – on the roads and in our communities. We are dedicated to supporting programs and organizations that make a difference in people’s lives and the world around us. We are proud to sponsor WBE Canada dedicated to creating networking, training and promotional opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses, buyers and leaders from large corporate and government organizations. Together we can make it possible.
REALIZE YOUR GLOBAL POTENTIAL Safely and confidently grow your business abroad with financial solutions and expert advice from Export Development Canada. Learn how we’re helping Canadian women-owned and -led businesses succeed on the world stage. Visit edc.ca/women-in-trade or call 1-800-229-0575.
How to Grow Your Business with Social Media: 5 Secrets to LinkedIn By Shannon Ballard There’s a lot you can do on social media, but with more than 690 million members, LinkedIn is the best platform to grow your business. LinkedIn marketing tools and features are available for every business type and size, making it easier than ever to engage with top prospects. So where should you start if you want to continue building your business and expanding your reach? These five secrets will help you get the most out of the powerful platform.
TURN CONVERSATIONS INTO CONVERSIONS Conversation ads have a click-through rate that’s three times higher than your average InMail. Why do they work so well?
STAND OUT FOR FREE Your company probably has a LinkedIn page set up by now (and if it doesn’t, make one!), but you might’ve overlooked LinkedIn Stories and Products on Pages.
• Multiple calls to action • Qualifying questions drive higher-quality leads into your pipeline • Reports show how engaged they are in the conversation or offer With better engagement and conversion metrics across the board, it’s clear conversation ads click with users.
Stories are a direct way to share realtime experiences with your networks, and for audiences to interact with and learn more about the people, companies and topics that are important to them. The Products on Pages feature highlights the best of your product portfolio. By building a knowledge hub and community of advocates, users can quickly grasp what you do and why you do it best.
A NEW WAY TO RUN PROFESSIONAL EVENTS Events continue to be a top growth driver for marketers. Over 50% of B2B marketers use events to drive conversation, and 93% include them in their marketing strategy. Hosting LinkedIn Events lets you leverage your own online network to spread the word and attract the right professional audience to your event. Since LinkedIn is a trusted environment, holding an event on the platform adds credibility and makes it more accessible. Maybe the handiest feature is the ability to create event reports, providing insights to help you improve your next event.
About the Author: With 20 years of experience in brand development and customer experience strategy, Shannon Ballard has a proven track record for helping organizations position, develop and differentiate brands to inspire employees and drive growth. As co-owner of Jan Kelley, a creative digital agency and WBE-certified organization, Shannon helps businesses grow by developing, implementing and optimizing strong digital-first marketing strategies and programs. Jan Kelley’s philosophy brings together the power of technology and the brilliance of humanity to spark ideas, generate momentum and drive lasting results.
USING THE MOST UNDERUSED LINKEDIN FEATURE While not as popular as Instagram’s Stories, LinkedIn’s underrated Stories Ads help you reach more audiences through immersive, full-screen videos served in between member and page Stories at the top of the mobile app. You can drive off-site traffic with a swipeup feature, making these a flexible addition to any marketing strategy.
CONNECTING WITH BIGGER COMPANIES THAN EVER BEFORE LinkedIn is perfect for accountbased marketing (ABM) campaigns, a focused, datadriven approach that’s used in B2B marketing to target best-fit accounts for conversion. It’s a premier platform for account targeting – there are over eight million LinkedIn company pages, after all. Alongside account targeting, LinkedIn offers email contact and lookalike targeting, too, giving you several avenues to reach new audiences. There are endless ways to grow your business on LinkedIn. Whether it’s engaging in conversations, hosting events or showing off some fun stuff in Stories, be sure you’re making the most of the opportunities LinkedIn offers.
Transforming procurement and supply chain operations. TELUS is focused on strengthening our strategic relationships with suppliers while innovating to improve our product and service offerings to enhance the customer experience. We continue to launch programs to provide equal access to a supply base reflecting the diversity where we live, work and serve.
For more information please visit telus.com/procurement or email us at supplierdiversity@telus.com
© 2019 TELUS. 19-0564
2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER Driving Change Through Supplier Diversity
Canada’s Leading Event for Corporate and Government Leaders, Procurement Professionals and Women-owned Businesses
November 9-10, 2021 | Virtual
WHAT IF... you could exponentially increase your business, accelerate your supplier diversity initiative or support growth of women-owned businessed in your community? We’ll show you how!
REGISTER NOW
LEARN | CONNECT | INSPIRE | CELEBRATE with WBE Canada and our Community and Friends
FOCUSED – Conversations with Canadian WBEs WBE Certification connects Canadian women-owned enterprises to corporate and government supply chains. How you, as a certified diverse supplier, succeed in gaining entry to the supply chain depends on how well you are prepared, how knowledgeable you are about a potential buyer, how strategic you are in navigating the multitude of paths open to you, how focused you are so that your value as a supplier is clearly identified and impossible to ignore. And of course, there’s patience, because it doesn’t happen overnight. WBEs who have been successful as Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers have an incredible amount of experience when it comes to sharing their stories and solid advice for taking that leap to landing large contracts. We talked with six WBEs who have that experience and who were happy to share their tips, recommendations and inspiration for other women-owned businesses looking to grow and succeed.
Carol de Ville MAS President The Branding Company “Leave your MARK”
WBE Canada: As a promotional products business, what are the biggest challenges your business has faced in the past year? And how did you overcome the disruptions you faced? Carol: The Branding Company’s biggest challenge, as a global promotional solutions provider, was to creatively provide results driven client solutions while maintaining our entire workforce with limited in-office and remote based team members. We successfully navigated these challenges by incorporating video meetings, enhanced cloud-based e-solutions and created direct to home promotional incentive swag kits for client recognition and team building purposes. WBE Canada: What is your most valuable piece of advice to other women entrepreneurs who are looking to supply large corporate or government organizations? Carol: Don’t be afraid - Find your Unique Selling Propositions (USP) and identify what your company represents and how your company can be a solutions WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
provider to large corporations and/or government organizations. Never oversell your capabilities. Believe in what you stand for as an organization, develop and strengthen your relationships with your supplier channel so that you can be the right solution for your customers. Always look for ways to improve and enhance your client relationships as they are your ambassadors. Because of these guiding principles, The Branding Company has strong relationships with global Fortune 1000 companies, mid-size companies, small firms along with governments organizations, cities, and schools.
Lyse Moreau
President & CEO International Sew-Right
WBE Canada: Since taking over International SewRight in 2001, you have expanded the business into an internationally recognized provider of safety clothing. What are the biggest differences you face when bidding for contracts with major buyers in Canada and those internationally and what have been your biggest takeaways? Lyse: The biggest difference I find when bidding for a contract with major buyers is the cost to 13
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manufacture. The buyers are aware of what we pay in wages to manufacture and they are well educated in purchasing at a cost savings for their employer.
Leverage your WBE Certification and make the most of it. The supply chain needs you and your expertise.
I follow three rules:
WBE Canada: What message would you like to send to corporate and government buyers? How can they help women-owned businesses succeed?
A; I am always honest with the buyer, B; Have a Capability Statement that identifies our products for them to keep on file
Kathy: I like to think of this question in a different way - how can corporate and government buyers SUPPORT women-owned businesses? The answer is simple: Development. Development. Development.
C; Research the company to have knowledge and to become familiar with their process WBE Canada: What keeps you going? What is your biggest motivation?
I believe that women-owned businesses should compete for the business just as much as their competitors would. That’s why it’s important for corporate and government buyers to ensure they are helping to develop suppliers within their chain. Give us a hand up, not a handout.
Lyse: I Love what I do!
Kathy Cheng
Founder | Redwood Classics Apparel
Kim Thiara
WBE Canada: What advice would you give to women business owners trying to find their place in the supply chain?
President and CEO AceTronic Industrial Controls INC.
Kathy: Focus on building relationships within the supply chain. It demonstrates your ability to compete for business and to integrate successful partnerships as part of your company’s long-term diversity strategies. But be realistic when you target corporate or government buyers: from governance to financial backing, it’s not just about GETTING the business, it’s about your ability to SERVICE the business. Look for opportunities to be part of a corporation’s supply chain as a Tier 2 or beyond for manageable and sustainable growth that demonstrates your commitment as a trusted partner.
WBE Canada: Even though you worked in the family business for more than 22 years and made a name for yourself, what were some of the challenges you faced as a female owner after you purchased the company in 2008 and how did you overcome them? Kim: Finding ways to be accountable to myself, the company, as well as my employees. As well as ensuring that the company always moved the envelope forward. I joined a business owners group, that enabled me to stay on top of my To Do List and held me accountable for whatever task/ project I had implemented. In addition to that, being involved in our industry and keeping abreast of what was new and how, as a company, we could continue to remain relevant and a valuable resource to our customer base.
Further, participating in WBE Canada development programs and networking opportunities is crucial to your success. Many WBE’s are in industries that are still dominated by the “Old Boy’s Club”, and by participating in these events you’ll be getting an invitation to the party. Don’t sit on the sidelines! 14
WBE Canada: What is your most valuable piece of advice to other women entrepreneurs who are looking to supply large corporate or government organizations?
Stand by what you have built. IT IS NOT EASY...but you can, and ARE doing what you set out to do by starting your own business. WBE Canada: What is next in store for your business?
Kim: Being honest about your capabilities and which customer you are best suited for... large OEM’s or perhaps Tier 1 or Tier 2? Underestimating and overachieving leave a positive and memorable mark on your company, versus the other way around. Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies are also more flexible, and in some instances, easier to work with especially when it comes to their Payment Terms.
Tara & Shawna: Wonderkind is really excited to be on-boarding 15 new Makers from across Canada to our Women Who Wonder Maker Community. We have been working hard behind the scenes on Holiday21 with a special focus on Corporate Holiday Gift Guides. We are especially proud of bringing eco-friendly, Made in Canada options to our corporate clients who want to give gifts that people will both use and appreciate. **Wonderkind also fits nicely under many corporate Diversity and Inclusion mandates which is a bonus! Looking ahead to 2022....you will just have to sit tight and join our adventure....It’s going to be quite the ride in the Canadian Gifting World! #spreadwonderkind #giftingwithpurpose.
Tara Cochrane & Shawna Pereira Co-founders, Creative Directors Wonderkind
Nimi Nanji-Simard
WBE Canada: As a relatively new company in the promotional products field, you had the advantage of already being an on-line business when the pandemic hit in 2020. What advice would you give to other WBEs who operate virtually and are looking to grow their business in order to secure larger contracts?
Founder & Chief Scarf Lover NimiNimi Designs
WBE Canada: After starting out as a small entrepreneur, you are now selling your products in a large retail environment. What lessons have you learned along the way that would be helpful to other women-owned businesses looking to get their products on store shelves?
Tara & Shawna: We are always looking for an open opportunity. How can we adapt to make a large contract possible? Tara and I are constantly asking “Do large companies know who we are, what we do and how we can help them?” Reaching out and making genuine contact with decision makers has helped us enormously . The “Silver Lining” of COVID is that people are happy to make the time to get to know more about you and the services you offer. In terms of moral (which can be tough when the phone doesn’t ring for a while...) Keep the faith and continue to believe in yourself and your business. WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
Nimi: Lessons are daily and plentiful! Apart from website matters and technical support, I remain a one woman show, which means that the buck always stops with me! In terms of large retail, the landscape has really changed. It is no longer brick and mortar locations but the overall success of retailers’ online platforms that dictates demand. The risk and inventory 15
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remains that of the vendor. That being said, it does provide the much needed exposure and validation that small brands like mine need. My best advice is that there is no magic bullet and one needs several avenue streams and new leads in the pipeline. Self employment is a labour of love!
in organizations in Canada, the USA and beyond. Certified WBEs belong to a powerful business network and gain a market edge, allowing them to accelerate the growth of their firms.
WBE Certification helps Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) get access to corporate and government supplier diversity leaders and buyers
To find out more about WBE Canada Certification and to verify your eligibility, visit www.WBECanada.ca/certification.
There are many benefits to becoming a certified WBE, including access to corporate and government WBE Canada: What keeps you going? What is your purchasing programs, opportunities to network biggest motivation? and build partnerships with buyers and supplier diversity professionals; tools and resources to grow Nimi: I am passionate about scarves, designing your business including training and education to them, telling stories about issues that affect us help you leverage your certification and increase all. The luxury market is a difficult one so I must your business capacity and more. persevere daily.
THE STATE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN CANADA Paul D. Larson, Ph.D., CN Professor of SCM, University of Manitoba Jack D. Kulchitsky, Ph.D., University of Calgary Silvia Pencak, M.A., President, WBE Canada
attracting investors, are among the least important SD motivators.
The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) includes “Diversity & Inclusion” among its Principles of Sustainability and Social Responsibility. Buying organizations are advised to “develop and implement practices that identify and develop supply management employees and suppliers from diverse and underrepresented populations.”1 Aside from its link to social responsibility, there is a business case for supplier diversity (SD). By encouraging competition and broadening the supply base, SD can result in better quality of purchased goods and services, as well as lower costs.2 This article presents selected results of a recent survey of Canadian buying organizations, on barriers, facilitators and motivators of SD in Canada.
The top two barriers to SD – difficulty in finding qualified diverse suppliers and concerns about their ability to perform – imply a critical role for certification councils, such as WBE Canada and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC). Leading facilitators of SD appear to be internal to buying organizations, e.g. presence of diversity champions and commitment of the leadership. CAMSC and WBE Canada are in the middle of the pack of facilitators. Interestingly, Supply Chain Canada, the nation’s premier purchasing/supply chain professional association, is the lowest rated facilitator by a substantial margin.
While 31 percent of the survey respondents have full or “complete” SD programs, 44 percent have “limited” (initial or partial) programs. Elements of a complete program include supplier mentoring, tracking SD spend and focusing on both first- and second-tier suppliers. Limited programs have only gone as far as having a SD policy, training staff, joining a diversity council and/or including SD among their RFP criteria. Another 22 percent of buyers in the sample have no formal program but are guided by the principles of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination.
American connection and program status At about 32 percent each, the respondents represent an equal portion of Canadian companies with no foreign (parent or subsidiary) connection and Canadian companies with an American parent. Another 16 percent of the respondents represent Canadian government buying organizations. The table shows a cross-tabulation of SD program status and organizational connection to the United States, as a subsidiary of or parent to an American company. Canadian organizations with American ties are expected to be closer to full implementation, since SD programs first emerged in the United States during the 1960s. “EO-only” organizations have no formal SD program but do follow the principles of equal opportunity.
According to the survey, the three most important motivators of SD are aligning with organizational culture, bringing benefits to diverse communities and broadening corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Traditional performance indicators, such as reducing costs, increasing sales and profits or
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SD Program Status by American Connection
Jack D. Kulchitsky, Ph.D. is a Senior Instructor in the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. Jack is the co-researcher on the 2020-21 supplier diversity project, which includes surveys of suppliers and buyers, along with a supplier diversity program content analysis of Canada’s “Best Diversity Employers” in 2020.
*Canadian firm with an American parent or subsidiary Chi-Square (p-value) = 7.64 (.022)
Silvia Pencak, M.A. is the President of WBE Canada. Silvia is an innovator driving transformation in supplier diversity in Canada with projects like WBE Canada Toolbox, Supplier Diversity Accelerator, Supplier Diversity Data Services and many others, designed to enable and propel supplier diversity forward in Canadian market.
All Canadian organizations in the sample with EO-only and 67 percent of those with limited SD programs have no direct American affiliation. Conversely, 75 percent of organizations with complete SD programs have some sort of direct connection, usually as a subsidiary of an American company. It is notable that all Canadian organizations with an American connection have either limited or complete SD programs.
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Organizations with larger spend (i.e. higher budgets for buying goods and services) are also expected to have more advanced SD programs. Large organizations command more resources required to create and administer programs. Survey results reveal that small organizations (those with less than $1 billion annual spend) are six times more likely to practice EO-only – and not have a SD program. On the other hand, large organizations are five times more likely to have complete SD programs.
Based on the survey findings presented in this report, along with the Supplier diversity literature, the following recommendations are advanced: 1. Government organizations are needed at the table SD presents a great opportunity for diverse businesses thanks to improved access, added support and development. However, Canada is still behind in its implementation of SD at all levels of government. With all the focus on diverse communities, and internal (workforce) equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, there appears to be relatively little tangible support for diverse businesses in terms of public procurement opportunities. Government organizations, universities and hospitals should ramp up their involvement, engage with more diverse suppliers, and report SD metrics, such as number of diverse suppliers and spend with diverse suppliers. Public-sector post- pandemic recovery efforts should include SD as a strategy to ensure long-term success of diverse communities.
For more details about the survey results, and access to the full report, visit https://wbecanada.ca/.
Paul D. Larson, Ph.D. is the CN Professor of Supply Chain Management at the University of Manitoba. Paul is lead author of Supplier Diversity in Canada: Research and analysis of the next step in diversity and inclusion for forward-looking organizations, published in 2016 by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion.
1. ISM (2020), ISM Principles of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, Institute for Supply Management, Tempe, AZ, (https://www.ismworld.org/for-business/ corporate-social-responsibility/). 2. Bateman, Alexis, Ashley Barrington, and Katie Date (2020), “Why You Need a Supplier-Diversity Program,” Harvard Business Review, August 17, https://hbr. org/2020/08/why-you-need-a-supplier-diversity-program.
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THE STATE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN CANADA continued 2. Organizations should leverage the support of Canadian certifying councils
that the primary driver in Canada continues to be social impact and company values. Reporting requirements could encourage more organizations to pursue SD – turning it from a “nice to have” to a “must have” initiative. While some procurement opportunities might be too large for diverse businesses, requiring first-tier suppliers to track and report their diversity spend (with second-tier suppliers) would contribute to more opportunities for diverse-owned businesses.
The survey confirms the importance of the councils. Top barriers of SD program implementation (difficulty finding qualified diverse suppliers and concern about their ability to meet requirements) can be resolved by working closely with the councils to ensure that suppliers are developed, informed, and connected to supply chains. Councils also verify eligibility of businesses for corporate and government programs to ensure transparency and compliance of SD efforts. Councils, such as WBE Canada, provide support for the development of SD programs and connection to peer networks of professionals pursuing similar efforts in Canada and the U.S. enabling sharing best SD practices, idea exchange and facilitating improved programming.
Supplier diversity could significantly impact the success of Canadian diverse businesses and positively impact their communities becoming an economic driver in a post-pandemic world. The authors encourage corporations and governments to consider implementing supplier diversity initiatives and report on the impact.
3. Tier 2 reporting is needed
For a full list of recommendations, and access to the full report, visit WBE Canada website here.
While the primary driver for SD programs in the US may be economic, this research shows
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Strengthening our economy through supplier Strengthening ourdiversity economy through supplier diversity Inclusive procurement practices strengthen local economies, forge new
business opportunities and create value for communities. That’s why we developed the RBC® Supplier Diversity Program in 2004. Inclusive procurement practices strengthen local economies, forge new Our goal is to advance equality of opportunity for women, That’s BIPOC,why LGBT+, business opportunities and create value for communities. we ® people withthe disabilities, service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses Diversity Program in 2004. developed RBC Supplier by promoting an inclusive supply chain and levelling the playing field for Our goal is to advance equality of opportunity for women, BIPOC, LGBT+, diverse suppliers. people with disabilities, service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses by promoting an inclusive supply chain and levelling the playing field for diverse suppliers.
Learn about our Supplier Diversity Program at rbc.com/sourcing/supplierdiversity Learn about our Supplier Diversity Program at / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. rbc.com/sourcing/supplierdiversity WBE® Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021 21 VPS108119
126028 (04/2021)
Introducing Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada (SDAC) The Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada (SDAC) was established in 2016 with the intention of advancing supplier diversity in Canada. The SDAC is composed of four national supplier diversity councils that specialize in certifying diverse suppliers - WBE Canada, CAMSC, CGLCC and IWSCC. Collaborating and aligning efforts in key areas, the SDAC strives to improve economic opportunities for diverse certified suppliers from across the country, while assisting the various stakeholders in achieving their collective mandates. SDAC focuses on three core activities: Advocacy, Research, and Learning. The SDAC supports and informs governments, businesses and key stakeholders on the importance of inclusive procurement policies and practices through supplier diversity, leading to value with economic growth and social impact. In January 2021, SDAC hosted a Diversity Summit: Connect. Collaborate. Succeed focused on leveraging supplier diversity as a tool for continued economic recovery. On-going discussions centre on current Government Relations strategy development and associated advocacy efforts.
• Networking and connections Advocacy to government, corporates and supporting organizations on the benefits of inclusive procurement.
Full name: Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council Annual Conference: April Website: www.camsc.ca Best contact: crodrigues@camsc.ca | 416-941-0004 Key initiatives:
• Supplier certification • Corporate membership and support
The Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC) facilitates the growth of Aboriginal and minority owned businesses, by connecting them to procurement opportunities with companies and governments committed to a diverse and inclusive supply chain. Founded in 2004, CAMSC is a not-for-profit organization that certifies and prepares diverse suppliers to successfully engage and respond to corporate and government buyers, while
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at the same time, helping large organizations develop and enhance their inclusive procurement processes and connect them to certified suppliers. Minorities and Aboriginal Peoples are entrepreneurial, buying and starting businesses at significantly higher rates than the Canadian average. CAMSC connects buyers and suppliers, so that organizations benefit from the innovative solutions, cost savings, improved employee retention, local job creation, brand loyalty, and increased revenues that result from a diverse and inclusive supply chain.
Full name: Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
Full name: Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada
Annual Conference: June
Website: www.iwscc.ca
Website: www.cglcc.ca
Best contact: DeidreG@iwscc.ca | 416-287-0060
Best contact: supplierdiversity@cglcc.ca | 416-761-5151
Key initiatives:
• Certification of Veteran- and disabled- owned businesses
Key initiatives:
• Certification of LGBT+ owned businesses • Corporate membership • Mentorship for LGBT+ young entrepreneurs • Accreditation for LGBT+ inclusive businesses • Access to global markets
• Corporate membership • Networking activities for Corporate Members
Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBT+ entrepreneurs who collectively generate $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians.
Inclusive Workplace and Supply council of Canada (IWSCC) is the only certifying body in Canada for Veteran and disabled-owned businesses.
and Certified Suppliers
• Inclusive Workplace consulting • Research into Accessible Procurement for Veteranand disabled- owned businesses in Canada
Compared to the average Canadian businesses, LGBT+ owned businesses are more likely to be self employed, more likely to be younger entrepreneurs, more likely to serve more domestic markets - and significantly more likely to employ and work with other diverse-owned businesses.
IWSCC believes that every Canadian has a right to meaningful work; to support themselves and their families. For Veterans and/or those with disabilities, that right is more of a privilege or not recognized at all. Across Canada, they are denied employment, paid less than their peers and are less likely to hold management positions.
In other worlds - LGBT+ business is big business. However, significant barriers still remain.
The IWSCC gives not just a voice, but a platform for Veteran and disabled-owned businesses to ensure they have the same opportunities for procurement as any other Canadian entrepreneur. IWSCC partners with nonprofits and other organizations that advocate for the rights of these groups in order to create a cohesive and amplified voice. The larger the ecosystem; the more opportunities will be available for both Certified Suppliers and Corporate Members.
One in three LGBT+ businesses have purposely hidden the fact their company has LGBT+ ownership. One in four believe they have lost opportunities because of their businesses’ LGBT+ ownership and another one in four have faced discrimination. These barriers are preventing LGBT+ entrepreneurs from fully participating in the Canadian economy which is particularly detrimental as our community continues to recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19.
The IWSCC wants to work with you If you are a disabled business owner, a Veteran business owner or if you want to include these valued businesses in your supply chain!
Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) works to reduce those barriers.
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Introducing Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada (SDAC) continued
Full name: Women Business Enterprises Canada Council Annual Conference: November www.wbeconference.ca Website: www.wbecanada.ca Best contact: concierge@wbecanada.ca | 416-646-6233 Key initiatives:
• WBE certification & development • Membership programs & services • Supplier Diversity program development • WBE Canada Toolbox • Associate Partnerships
The Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization whose mission is to advance economic growth across Canada through certification, development and promotion of Canadian women-owned businesses. Established in 2009, WBE Canada manages the largest database of Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) comprising a community that spans across a variety of industries, purchasing categories, sizes and geographic locations. All WBEs are thoroughly vetted and proven to be majority owned, managed and operated by woman/women. Click here to learn more about WBE certification. In addition to working with WBE suppliers, WBE Canada works closely with its Member organizations (large corporations, governments and nonprofits) helping them to develop and improve their supplier diversity initiatives, include more women in their supply chains and provide connections to other peers as well as ready-tobuy-from women suppliers. Click here to learn more about Membership with WBE Canada.
The Best-In-Class Supplier Diversity Technology. Take your Supplier Diversity Program to the Next Level!
WBE Canada’s Supplier Diversity Data Services Start Your Journey Today!
Supplier Diversity: How to make a big
A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVE ISN’T JUST FOR THE HIRIN
T
• Start internally with your biggest buyers. Identify which teams are the biggest purchasers within your organization, as they may have the highest impact. Educate them early on and guide them to source from diverse suppliers.
oday, most companies have embraced a diversity and inclusion strategy as part of their business plan. This is predominantly seen in their hiring process as well as their client base. However, what is often missing from those plans is a supplier diversity initiative.
• Every purchase counts. While having the buyin of the biggest purchasers is an asset, don’t forget about the rest. Even the small purchases play an important role. This demonstrates that your organization is learning and supporting supplier diversity.
When talking to other procurement leaders in our industry, they often assume supplier diversity is not feasible due to the applicable policies and regulations. This is a myth! As the head of BDC’s procurement team, I quickly embraced supplier diversity as a priority. On the road to putting a formal supplier diversity initiative in place, BDC started engaging with diverse suppliers and participating in supplier diversity conferences. In 2019, we officially launched our initiative with the help of WBE Canada.
We are now in the third year of our initiative and we continue making strides. Every year, we see increased interest and support from the organization. Now more than ever is a great time to invest in supplier diversity to help fast-track our economic recovery. If a formal program is outside your reach for now, even taking small steps in this direction helps—you don’t need a formalized process in order to make a difference. Through simple shifts, Canada’s largest purchasers can make a big impact.
Here are my top tips to get you started with your own supplier diversity initiative: • Learn from others. Working with an external partner is beneficial as they can guide you on best practices. Many organizations have begun developing their supplier diversity programs which are currently at different levels of maturity. I encourage you to ask for support from people with experience doing the same thing. Be inspired, not intimidated.
BECOME A WBE CANADA GOVERNMENT MEMBER As a certifying council for Canadian Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), WBE Canada is a strong advocate for including more women-owned businesses in supply chains across Canada and beyond. In addition to certification, we also help develop women-owned businesses and connect them to opportunities within corporate and government supply chains. Our support for WBEs would not be possible without our work with our buyer community. WBE Canada provides its Members with access to verified WBE database (the largest database of certified businesses in Canada), training and consulting services, networking
• Know your data. It is important to understand the demographics of your overall supplier base to establish a baseline. Tracking this data is important! If the information is not available, survey your suppliers. You may be surprised to find out that you are already working with more diverse suppliers than expected. • Understanding your spend categories. By having a better understanding of your purchases, you can segment the diverse suppliers by spend category to accelerate your identification process.
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g impact with simple shifts
NG PROCESS | By Maude Pariseau Maude has been Director, Procurement at BDC since 2016, where she is responsible for the organization’s procurement and supplier diversity programs.
and matchmaker events and other customized services to support supplier diversity program development and improvement. In November 2020 WBE Canada introduced its Pilot Government Membership program with streamlined membership fees and enhanced support to encourage adoption of supplier diversity in public sector organizations. While adoption of supplier diversity was only at the City of Toronto, BDC and the Government of Canada before the pandemic, we are glad to see increased support for women-owned businesses as we welcomed EDC, City of Brampton, CBC, OPG, CMHC and University of Toronto into our Member community. To learn more click here.
With a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Maude has over 15 years of experience working with entrepreneurs. Driven by a desire to increase diversity and inclusion at BDC, Maude is passionately involved in a number of networks and collaborates with several organizations offering underserved markets such as women-owned businesses and minorities the opportunity to grow through access to new supply chains or the expansion of existing channels.
IT IS TIME FOR CANADA TO START BUYING FROM CANADIAN WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.
Become a WBE Canada Government Member WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
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Equality drives innovation Equality is a powerful multiplier of innovation and growth. It inspires creativity and a sense of belonging. At Accenture we’re committed to championing a culture of equality where our people are empowered to be their best, professionally and personally. Because as equals, anything is possible. Learn more at accenture.com/equality
TIPS & STRATEGIES
FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AISLE
On building a Tier 1 Supplier Diversity Program and on being a Tier 1 Supplier
JOHN CASTELHANO Associate VP, Strategic Sourcing & Procurement North America –BGIS At BGIS, we believe that the key success factor for a Supplier Diversity program is executive leadership commitment and support. Organizations have different approaches to procurement and supplier engagement and it’s important that the supplier diversity objectives are cascaded to the people who are conducting the procurement. It’s also important that these purchasers are provided with the tools and guidance by a centralized lead to help them engage with diverse suppliers and promote the program across the organization. Tracking, reporting on progress and leader accountability are also key success factors. When progress is reported in executive or client dashboards it provides visibility. Successes provide encouragement; targets and visibility provide incentive for friendly competition and success. Networking and partnering with certifying councils open the door to suppliers, other corporates, webinars, and events that are designed to provide guidance.
It’s important to participate in events and maintain and build those relationships
SANJA CANCARTODOROVIC Head of Procurement, Outsourcing & Vendor Management Home Trust Home Trust is a proud member of and ally to WBE Canada. In line with our own Corporate Supplier Diversity Program, Home Trust supports WBE Canada’s efforts in creating opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses. If you are interested in implementing a Supplier Diversity program, keep reading our Dos and Don’ts below: DO: ✔ Understand your vendors. Are any already certified? Are any qualified for certification? WBE Canada can help you with this analysis. ✔ Educate your business unit leaders on the benefits of a supplier diversity program. ✔ Reach out to WBE Canada for a list of possible vendors that you can include in your RFX’s.
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✔ Review your underperforming vendors and check with WBE Canada for a list of certified suppliers to consider By replacing underperforming vendors with those that are WBE certified, you will gain business support for your Supplier Diversity Program.
DON’T: ✘ Don’t try to boil the ocean. Be strategic about what changes you can make with the least disruption and the most impact to your business. ✘ Don’t impose Supplier Diversity to your business units. Instead get their buy-in by demonstrating the value of such a program. ✘ Don’t miss out on WBE opportunities to connect with other Corporate Sponsors. These events are great for networking, sharing ideas and best practices. ✘ Don’t ignore calls for matchmaking events. This is a great way to meet diverse suppliers that you normally would not have a chance to meet, and that meeting could lead to a new partnership.
Tips & Strategies continued
MARYSE BENHOFF President & CEO BG Communications International Inc. BG Communications has spent the last 25+ years dedicating ourselves to developing and implementing processes that allow us to deliver high-quality products and offer exceptional service. Here are some tips to excel as a Tier 1 company:
provide our customers with personalized services and to make them feel secure in what we know is a mutually beneficial partnership. ✔ Certify your quality. Obtaining recognized certifications that endorse the quality of your products, services or processes is a great way to stand out from the crowd. Certifications help establish a feeling of trust and respect with both current and potential customers. Obtaining various certifications has helped us build a solid reputation within the industry and has often been instrumental in securing bids with government and other agencies.
✔ Develop an effective supplier management system. Establish the legal and functional requirements that suppliers must respect to meet and surpass your customers’ needs and provide exceptional quality and customer service. A supply management system is dynamic, so establish performance metrics to help you spot any problems early on and take corrective actions when needed. Having a close relationship with our suppliers has been vital to our growth. ✔ Provide outstanding after-sales service. The sales process does not end with the delivery of your product or service. In fact, after-sales service is a vital part of the overall customer journey and just as important as the services provided at the onset of a project. Providing an exceptional after sales service has allowed us to solidify our reputation, ensure customer loyalty, generate new referrals and access new markets. ✔ Continuously improve and update. In today’s competitive landscape, the status quo is not an option. Keeping up with the latest technological advances and industry trends will not only help you better serve your existing client base, but will also support your continued growth. Do your research, perform thorough analyses, and don’t be afraid of change. Embracing new technologies and updating our processes has allowed us to truly flourish. ✔ Always go the extra mile. The strongest and longest-lasting relationships are built on trust. Promoting transparently, being flexible, reacting quickly to unforeseen events, and adapting to your customer’s individual and changing needs will leave a lasting impression. We always strive to
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES Accelerate Your WomenOwned Business September 9 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET
Calling all Canadian business women looking to accelerate your business and land contracts with large corporations. Join us for a FREE workshop as we help you navigate large corporate supply chains and opportunities they offer to SMEs. Register here.
Key Considerations to Structuring a Growing Business Enterprise
Member Forum: Supplier Diversity Toolkit October 6 @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm ET WBE Canada invites all Corporate and Government Members to our annual Member Forum. This year’s focus is on development of an effective and impactful supplier diversity program. This full-day workshop will provide you with training, information, resources and peer conversations designed to help you kick start your supplier diversity initiative. Register here.
September 29 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET Calling all women entrepreneurs looking for advice on wealth management, join us for an informative session with Jennifer Poon, Director, Advanced Planning, Scotia Wealth Management and learn tax, legal, business, wealth and financing strategies for a growing business as it scales up to maturity. Register here.
Crushing it On-Camera + Showing Up with Authority October 5 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET The pandemic has shifted the way we work and it is shining a spotlight on the skills we need to communicate effectively in the virtual space. The Crushing it On-Camera and Showing up with Authority workshop, with Jennifer Singh, speaker and CEO of She’s Newsworthy Media, is designed to help women develop the skills needed to connect with their peers, teams, clients and stakeholders in the virtual space. Register here.
ENGINEERED FOR
D R I V E N BY D I V E R S I T Y
Toyota’s diverse suppliers — and their inclusive perspectives and progressive capabilities — are essential to our story of creating Mobility for All. O NETOYOTASUPPL IER DIV ER SITY. CO M
Upcoming Events and Opportunities continued
2021 WBE Canada Annual Conference: Moving Forward Together
months of reacting and adjusting to change, this year’s conference looks forward, bringing together champions from both sides of the supplier diversity conversation to share what we’ve learned, the best practices that we’ve adopted and what we must do to build for the future together. Register here.
WBE Forum
November 9-10
November 23 - Save the date!
WBE Canada’s Annual Conference is Canada’s leading event bringing together corporate and government leaders, procurement professionals and women-owned businesses to connect, inspire and celebrate achievements in supplier diversity. After
WBE Canada invites all Certified WBEs to our annual WBE Forum. This year’s focus is on disruptive strategies to help you win more contracts. Save the date!
NOV
23
Walsh Canada is part of the international Walsh Group, a fourth generation family-owned construction company. Since 1898, the Walsh Group has provided general contracting, construction management, and design-build services with regional offices across Canada and the US. Women’s College Hospital Redevelopment
U of T Mississauga Mississauga New Science Building
Contact Walsh Canada for upcoming ICI construction projects &
let’s build
together.
www.walshgroup.com 416.849.9099 | tmeana@walshgroup.com
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT WBE Canada has been working tirelessly over these past months to ensure that our certified WBE community and corporate and government members have the necessary support needed to advance supplier diversity in Canada. Here are just a few of the major updates you may have missed…
Stimulating Small Business Prosperity
Determined! Spotlight on WBEs WBE Canada talked to six certified women-owned businesses from across Canada to find out how they are doing, how they are using the benefits of their certification, what motivates them in their drive to succeed with corporate and government buyers, their tips and strategies to succeed, what they had to do differently as well as how they stayed the course as the pandemic unfurled. Read more.
Small businesses are the backbone of Canada’s economy and at the heart of our diverse communities. This article by Kam Raman, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at RBC in British Columbia, highlights the need to stay steadfastly committed to providing access to procurement opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Read more.
Sourcing the Next Level in Supplier Diversity
WBE Canada Announces Two New Appointments To Board of Directors
There has never been a time when sourcing and supplier diversity has received as much attention as right now. Jamie Crump, President of The Richwell Group, LLC, shares a few tips and strategies that can elevate your supplier diversity program and turn it into a huge success. Read more.
WBE Canada announced that Madeleine Baker, Director, Technology Strategy, Procurement and Supply Chain at TELUS was voted in as the new Vice Chair at the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors, held Monday June 14, 2021. The Board also welcomed Daelan Burgess, Assistant Director of Global Supplier Recovery at General Motors, as its newest Board Director. Read more.
Canadian Women-Owned Businesses Evaluate Supplier Diversity Innovation Within a Diverse Supply Chain
New Corporate and Government Members
WBE Canada and experts from the Universities of Manitoba and Calgary conducted a national survey on the status of supplier diversity in Canada. This survey, conducted in fall 2020, was designed to provide the data necessary to continue inclusion of underrepresented Canadian businesses, specifically women-owned businesses in large supply chains and to move supplier diversity forward in Canada. Read more.
WBE Canada Magazine | Issue 3 | September 2021
WBE Canada’s Corporate and Government Membership keeps growing at a remarkable pace. We’re seeing a tremendous increase in the number of WBE Canada Corporate and Government Members – opening up more doors and countless opportunities to the WBE community. Since July 2021 we’ve welcomed: Grand & Toy, Dentons Canada LLP, Versacom Inc., Ernst & Young Canada, University or Toronto, Nova Bus Inc., Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), Turner Construction and Hyundai Auto Canada. 33
Who’s Who at WBE Canada WBE Canada Board of Directors works through 6 standing committees: Supplier Advisory (certified WBEs only), Executive (Board Members only), Certification, Nomination, Business Development and Public Service Development (currently in the process of merger with the Business Development) Committees. The committee members play a crucial role in WBE Canada’s projects, operations and in determining the future course of action. WBE Canada is grateful for all our committee members and thanks them for their selfless contributions throughout the years. WBE Canada’s Board committee members actively contribute to the development of WBE Canada with their skills & expertise. Any full-time employee of our Corporate Member or Certified WBE organizations can apply to participate on a Committee. Join our community - Volunteer with WBE Canada
ANDY THOMPSON Committee Member VP, Network Infrastructure Transformation, Nokia
JANICE TEE Committee Member Senior Manager, Global Human Resources & Talent Management, Magna
ANNE FEEHELY Committee Member Associate General Counsel, BMO
JEN MCAVOY Committee Chair VP, Client Engagement, Cottan Candy
ARUN NAIR Committee Member Strategic Sourcing Manager, TD Bank
JENNIFER MÉNARD-SHAND Committee Member Founder & CEO | Director, Client Happiness, Staff Shop
CHRISTINE CANNING Committee Member Managing Director, Supplier Relationship Management, BMO
JENNIFER COOKE Committee Member Corporate Lead/Women in Trade, EDC
DAVID MACHOTKA Committee Member Project Manager and Estimator, Telecom by Design
JOHANNA DE LA CADENA Committee Member Supplier Diversity Program Lead, CHEP
EUSEBIUS D’SOUZA Committee Member Senior Director Card Operations & Personal & Commercial Banking Supplier Management, RBC
KATIA DEDOVIC Committee Member President, SCKD Inc.
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MEET OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS KATIE NEVILLE Committee Member Procurement Category Lead for BPO & Professional Services, TELUS
MARYSE BENHOFF Committee Chair President, BG Communications International Inc.
KIM ADES Committee Vice-Chair President, Frame of Mind Coaching
MAUDE PARISEAU Committee Member Director Procurement, BDC
LAURA DIDYK Committee Vice-Chair VP, Client Diversity, BDC
MICHÈLE LEDUC Committee Member President, ZIP Communication
LORENA DIAZ Committee Member Program & Project Management Manager, Accenture
MICHELLE ALBANESE Committee Chair Head of Responsible Sourcing & Supplier Diversity, TD Bank
LOUISE FOGHARTY Committee Member Vice President, Financing & Consulting, BDC
MIKE PACHOLOK Committee Chair Chief Purchasing Officer, City of Toronto
MADELEINE BAKER Committee Chair Director, Products & Services, TELUS
PAULINE MACDONALD Committee Member Head of Procurement & Supply Management, Babcock Canada
MARIAM SAAD Committee Member Director Procurement, IT, Technology Services, TELUS Health & Professional Services, TELUS
STEPHANIE KHURANA Committee Member President, Netchem Inc.
MARTE BELISLE Committee Member President, SommEvents
TATYANA PENA Committee Member Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Senior Analyst, Accenture
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IS YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE? Is Your Organization... READY
INTERESTED
EAGER
to include Canadian Women Business Enterprises in its supply chain?
in developing your own supplier diversity program in the upcoming 12 months?
to benefit from resources and support to streamline and shorten the implementation process?
Inclusion of women-owned businesses in your supply chain is a smart business choice!
Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) EARN LESS THAN HALF the revenue of comparable male-owned businesses. OPEN your procurement opportunities for Canadian WBEs and be part of the solution
BECOME A MEMBER
