Fall is the season of networking, especially for those in the supplier diversity space. To celebrate, we’re sharing our top tips for getting yourself (and your business) known! Show Up We agree – it’s very easy to click “attend” to an event. The hardest part is actually going! Nerves, a long day, or a stubbed…
What is Neurodiversity? ‘Neurodiversity’ is a term that was coined in the 1990s by Judy Singer, a sociologist with autism. She used it to explain that certain developmental disorders are actually normal variations of the brain. The most common developmental disorders included under this new conception of brain function are ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia,…
The Opportunity for Change How we function in organizations looks different now: we work from home, we work in the office, we work at a coffee shop, or some combination of the three. While there is a lot of excitement around integrating our home and work lives, some changes pose a threat to the way…
Out with the Old, in with the New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are now buzzwords that signal an organization is attentive to the needs of its diverse stakeholders. Yet, as we’ve seen with other buzzwords like ‘sustainability’ and ‘corporate social responsibility’, the widespread use of diversity, equity, and inclusion have led to their dilution…
After some unforeseen hurdles, The Inclusive Workplace and Supply Council of Canada (IWSCC) is thrilled to announce the launch of the survey portion of its landmark research study: Project VENT, or Project Veteran Entrepreneur. Soon after starting the IWSCC, our environmental scan proved that the only information on Veteran business owners was from the…
Research is the key to change. With accurate data, we can present undeniable facts that serve as the basis for new perspectives and guidelines for decision-makers. Although there isn’t much data in the field of supplier diversity, we’re working alongside our supplier council partners to change that. To bring you into the conversation, we’ve…
Opinion March 24, 2022 Procurement practices and policies rarely dominate news headlines and dinner table conversations in Canada. At least, that was the case before two long pandemic years during which federal procurement was at the forefront of Canada’s response to COVID-19. From the great rush to secure personal protective equipment (PPE) in the early…
Market trends, data, competitive threats, and opportunities all need to coalesce to move a board or the C-suite to make organization-wide changes. Use this reasoning to pitch supplier diversity to the powers that be. Market Trends Getting ‘left behind’ is the demise of many organizations historically. That’s because what’s going on in the market is…
A Supplier Diversity Procurement Program reaches out to groups not traditionally included in the supply chain or within the purchasing process of corporations. Some of these underrepresented groups include women, visible minorities, aboriginals, LGBT+, Veterans, and people with disabilities who own and operate their own businesses. Aside from diversity in employment, supply chain diversity is…