Ever see a company with a long list of well-known brands that are their customers? These lists are meant to prove that they are a worthwhile company to do business with.
When I see those lists now, I wonder what brand was their first customer. Who was willing to take a chance on them when their customer list was not as impressive?
I’m proud to say I work for Dell, a company that is willing to be that first customer.
In concert with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), we’re proud to to be on the 17th annual list of America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises.
This is the only national award honoring corporations for world-class supplier diversity programs that reduce barriers and drive growth for women-owned businesses. This is Dell’s eighth consecutive year to be included.
Last July, a group of 11th grade girls visited Dell on a field trip. There was a spark in their eyes and excitement as they tried out new products and learned about engineering. It was a prime example that females, from a young age, having extreme potential and passion.
Dell’s support for women extends beyond opening our doors for 11th grade female trips. We support women in business and engage women around the world through a variety of programs, including our Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network and through our supplier diversity program that ensures we have and support women-owned businesses in our supply chain.
Dell continues to support women owned enterprises (WBE) through internal and external diversity programs that empower, educate, and connect women, and collaboration with organizations that support WBEs. In 2014 Dell established a Global Ambassador program to expand its worldwide support and connections for diverse owned businesses.
To date, the Ambassador program has nine ambassadors representing China, India, Central and South America, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
For me personally, it’s important to work for a company that puts its money where its mouth is especially when it comes to women entrepreneurs. I have seen first-hand that one of the best ways for a women-owned business to thrive is by having a company like Dell who is willing to be their customer before they have a long list of well-known customers.
In June 2009, Dell was added to the Billion Dollar Roundtable, a top-level forum for advancing the practice of supplier diversity, and have qualified for membership every year since. This honor recognizes our commitment of more than $1 billion in annual supply-chain spending with minority-, woman-owned and small suppliers. In the 2016 fiscal year, we spent more than $3 billion dollars with diverse suppliers across production and indirect procurement.
Dell believes in the power of diverse businesses to fuel innovation, drive economic growth, and create new jobs. We’re powering the WBEs of the world and are proud to be honored as a WBENC Top Corporation for Women Business Enterprises.
To commemorate this, Dell will be honored in front of an audience of more than 1,500 business leaders at the WBENC Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises taking place March 21-23, 2017 in New Orleans.
