Although CSCO’s continue to deal with unprecedented disruption, many remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion [DEI] initiatives. In other words, prioritized efforts to make a more welcoming environment for employees, suppliers, and customers. The 2022 Gartner and Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) DEI survey found that 93% of the largest, global supply chain organizations have DEI goals, with a strong intent to support women and underrepresented races and ethnicities.
Smaller to med-size shippers may not realize that their supply chain, specifically their transportation management efforts, may already support DEI. Big corporations include supplier or vendor diversity as part of their broader DEI efforts. A diverse supplier is a business that is at least 51% owned and operated by an individual or group that is underrepresented or underserved, such as small-business enterprises (SBEs), minority-owned enterprises (MBEs), woman-owned enterprises (WBEs), LGBQT, veterans, and proprietors with disabilities. Forward-thinking shippers have made a conscious effort to provide these diverse business partners equal opportunities within their supply chain.
Why Supplier/Vendor Diversity Is Important
“Aside from moral and ethical considerations, there are several benefits to launching supplier diversity programs,” said Jaimie Kowalski, VP of Sleek Marketing. “An inclusive freight procurement strategy broadens the pool of carrier suppliers which promotes healthy competition, improving on-time delivery, and reducing transportation cost.” When supply chains have more sourcing options, they become more resilient and agile which is a must in today’s uncertain times.
One Tip To Uncover DEI Within Your Supply Chain
If you are a manufacturer, retailer or distribution center you probably use carriers to haul freight. And if you use small to medium-sized carriers [with less than 100 trucks], chances are you are tapping into a diverse group of truck drivers who have a higher than average percentage of underrepresented individuals which may count towards your company’s DEI goals, as supplier or vendor DEI.
Unfortunately, when shippers use middlemen [freight brokers] to source carriers they don’t receive carrier information, and therefore don’t know if the carrier qualifies as a DEI supplier or vendor. But with advanced freight procurement analytics, shippers gain valuable carrier insights to know if and when they support DEI within their supply chain.
To learn more about advanced carrier analytics, fill out this form and we’ll share sample reports.