Supplier Diversity For Dummies

Chapter 13

Highlighting the Stages of Supplier Diversity Programs

IN THIS CHAPTER

Figuring out whether your program is in the startup, growth, or mature stage

Committing to the right activities for your current stage

The best approach to supplier diversity is one that’s measured and strategic. Many organizations aspire to create a world-class program, or at least one that yields results, overnight. The truth is that having all the elements fall into place at the right time takes time, patience, and planning. But with so many moving pieces, how do you know where to start to get everything moving in the same direction at the appropriate time? One way is by understanding the stage of your program.

Unless you have a large team, an unlimited budget, and endless resources, you’re not likely to do everything at once. Each stage has minimum activities on which you should focus your efforts. This prioritization helps you avoid the urge to do too much at one time and therefore get overwhelmed. Success at each stage creates the foundation to move to the next stage.

In this chapter, I discuss how to identify the stage of your program — startup, growth, or mature — to discover the right activities for each phase.

Determining Your Program Stage and Dealing with Common Challenges

The stages ...