SUPPLIER DIVERSITY RESOURCES
How Can We Help You?
There is a wealth of information out there on supplier diversity. Whether you’re a company or a woman-owned supplier, we’ve made it easy for you to access all the appropriate resources and links to other organizations to help you be better informed and to develop meaningful business relationships.
A few things to keep in mind
As a woman business owner, your business is subject to the same requirements as all other bidders. Tight timelines and sometimes the lowest cost. Be competitive to win the business and have the ability to supply on time and on budget. Read about the other steps you can take to make Supplier Diversity work for your business:
1. Know the industry and learn the industry terminology.
2. Research the corporation or project to become more familiar. For projects, most will have a construction phase and an operations phase. Purchasing requirements will vary greatly from one phase to the next.
3. Know the scope of work, its timelines and deliverables. Research is critical. Projects are schedule driven. You must be able to supply on time and on budget.
4. Find out where you fit in the supply chain. Are you a second or third tier supplier? Who should you supply to?
5. Understand the procurement cycle for the corporation or project you are targeting. Talk to procurement personnel, understand how and when they buy.
6. Network! Attend industry events, build relationships with the buyers.
7. Attend supplier development sessions, even if you think the project is too big for your business, you may meet someone there that needs your business.
8. Look for other businesses that you may be able to partner or team with for contract bidding.
9. Have a strong capability statement. Don’t ask them what they need, tell them why they need your business.
10. Know your value add – what sets you apart from the competition? Understand their business/project and what they require. Clearly articulate why they need to buy from you.
11. Have a quality assurance program and health and safety policy in place. Know and understand what is required by industry overall and the operator specifically and how that applies to your business. Some may only require written policies; others may require development of a full program.
12. Register on a corporation’s vendor database – be sure to complete ALL required information. If you aren’t sure about something, ask for help – don’t leave things blank.
13. Watch for procurement opportunities. Operators will send out Expressions of Interest (EOI) for bidders. They will also post successful contracts – you may be able to supply to the successful bidder.
14. Understand exactly what gender equity and diversity policies actually require operators to do – or not do. Understand what you need to do to be the successful bidder.
8. Look for other businesses that you may be able to partner or team on contracts with.
9. Have a strong capability statement. Don’t ask them what they need, tell them why they need your business.
10. Know your value add – what sets you apart from the competition? Understand their business/project and what they require. Clearly articulate why they need to buy from you.
11. Have a quality assurance program and health and safety policy in place. Know and understand what is required by industry overall and the operator specifically and how that applies to your business. Some may only require written policies; others may require development of a full program.
12. Register on the operators vendor registration database – be sure to complete ALL required information. If you aren’t sure about something, ask for help – don’t leave things blank.
13. Watch for procurement opportunities. Operators will send out Expressions of Interest (EOI) for bidders. They will also post successful contracts – you may be able to supply to the successful bidder.
14. Understand exactly what gender equity and diversity policies actually require operators to do – or not do. Understand what you need to do to be the successful bidder.