In addition to hiring a diverse workforce, another way to support diversity in the
community is to actively seek out out minority- and women-owned businesses as vendors
and suppliers. Companies which have these minority vendor programs solicit the advice
of numerous minority business leaders to identify targeted minority businesses with
which to partner and do business.
Prime examples of companies who commit to seeking minority businesses are RR
Donnelley & Sons Co. and Principal. Both companies have implemented targeted
minority and women vendor/supplier programs.
RR Donnelley believes small businesses are a vibrant part of the economy.
Spending with minority and women owned businesses represents 3.4% of RR Donnelley’s
spending and makes them the industry leader in minority purchasing among commercial
printers. To further increase the effectiveness of targeted vendorship, RR Donnelley:
- Employs a full time manager who identifies minority and women owned suppliers.
- Formed a diversity council who seek diverse suppliers.
- Work with resources including National Minority Supplier Develeopment Council and the
- Womens’s Business Development Center. Each allow RR Donnelley to broaden its range of
vendor diversity.
Principal, too, believes the importance of targeted minority and women vendor/supplier
relationships. Principal formed the Targeted Supplier Partnership Program. This program
ensures that certified minority and women owned businesses are provided with equitable
opportunities to participate as suppliers and/or contractors.
Other companies who participate in partnering with minority vendors and suppliers are
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and ABC Virtual Communications, Inc.
Other Diversity Ideas
Back to Best Practices Menu
Diversity Committee Newsletter Homepage
