大休斯顿伙伴关系的“一个休斯顿在一起”倡议的核心重点是增加对休斯顿地区少数族裔商业企业(MBE)的支出. 这项工作通过每季度一次的供应商多样性圆桌会议以及每两年一次的伙伴关系成员首席采购官(CPOs)会议来推进.

的 2022年休斯敦MBE经济影响分析 reveals there are 771 certified MBEs generating $8.2 billion in revenue across 18 industry sectors in metro Houston. 这些跨国企业中有许多已经与全球企业建立了关系，收入超过1000万美元. 休斯顿的企业有一个很好的机会来利用Hga010皇冠软件下载地区多样化的供应商基础，并确保未来有一个强大的、有竞争力的供应商渠道.

During the November 2023 convening of Houston CPOs, 该伙伴关系邀请了两位演讲嘉宾，从他们在华盛顿特区的有利位置提供他们对供应商多样性的看法.C.:

• 卡门·韦斯特，美国农业部副总裁.S. Chamber of Commerce's Equality of Opportunity Initiative
• 奈杰尔·斯蒂芬斯，凤凰战略公司负责人

Amidst the evolving political climate related to diversity, 股本, and inclusion programs in both the public and private sector, 卡门和奈杰尔提供了周到的建议，帮助公司在做出采购决定时找到最好的供应商. 

讨论的主要内容包括:

1. Lead with the Business Case for Supplier Diversity: CPOs and leaders should lead discussions about supplier diversity with a strong business case. This includes highlighting key benefits such as supply chain resilience, 招聘和保留, 获得新的市场和客户, and innovation that supplier diversity can bring. 记录和衡量供应商多样性对企业和社区的经济影响是很重要的.
2. Strengthen Commitment to Supplier Diversity throughout the Organization首席采购官和首席多样性官应强调在其组织内承诺供应商多样性的重要性. Supplier diversity is not the responsibility of just one department, 或者一个人的工作, 而, it should be embedded into the core values and culture of the company. 这一承诺应反映在正式采购过程中，并被视为全面皇冠HGA010官方下载战略的一部分.
3. 加强协作和互联互通在供应商多样性生态系统中，需要加强合作和联系. 公司, 小企业管理局和HMSDC等商业支持组织和商会应该共同努力，共享信息, 资源, 以及不同供应商的数据. This can help overcome the challenge of identifying and accessing diverse businesses, especially those in underrepresented communities or industries. 的 Greater Houston Partnership’s 一起的休斯顿 Supplier Diversity Roundtable, CPO Convenings and the new MBE Accelerator Program are exemplars of this advice. 
4. Improve Understanding of the Capabilities of MBEs: 的 mindset and perception about diverse entrepreneurs and their capabilities need to change. 应该致力于学习和理解这些企业的能力，以及它们如何为供应链做出贡献. This may involve corporate purchasing executives attending customized learning modules, 培训, 以及应对最新趋势的教育, 创新, shifting racial demographics and market demands that put today’s leading MBEs in the spotlight.
5. 利用现有的网络和数据: 的re is a need to leverage existing networks and data to support supplier diversity. 像美国商会这样的组织, 少数族裔商业发展局, 休斯顿少数族裔供应商发展委员会, and Small Business Administration already have lists and databases of diverse businesses. Utilizing and connecting these 资源 can help identify and engage diverse suppliers. 卡门分享了美国.S. 商会正在制定一项新的数字计划，以极大地改善这一信息共享网络，并在2024年推出更多信息共享网络.

一般来说, 作为一个致力于供应商多样性的生态系统, CPOs can lead these efforts by  emphasizing the importance of streamlining the MBE认证流程. 的 certification process for minority-owned businesses has become burdensome and costly. 目前由不同组织提供的多重认证体系可以简化和精简，以减少障碍，增加获得机会的机会. 公司 should keep this complexity in mind and be flexible in the certifications they require. 

For those interested in the Partnership’s Supplier Diversity programming and initiatives, 联系达曼·汤森, 高级主管, 供应商多样性 dtownsend@estadosolido.net.