Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements.
Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world.
Every year I love to engage with events celebrating International Women’s Day. Supporting amazing women is something I do throughout the year and passionately care about equality and empowering women around the world.
The week started with me joining the celebrations at Enterprise Rent-A-Car at their HQ being invited to share a bit about our ethical and sustainable journey. We love the culture at Enterprise – a truly #inclusive employer and a committed supporter of WEConnect International (the organisation promoting women in supply chain diversity).
In addition, it was wonderful to meet Chrissy Taylor, CEO Enterprise Holdings and hear her talk about family values and commitment to helping everyone thrive in the organisation - what an incredible role model.
As part of our CIPS Special Knowledge Group – Marketing Procurement meeting, chaired by Tina Fegent, I was delighted to welcome Maggie Berry OBE to join our session and talk about the amazing work being done by WEConnect International. Most organisations understand that they need a diverse workforce. Fewer organisations have begun their supply chain diversity program but understand it is the next key step.
Globally, women control $20 trillion in annual consumer spending and make 85% of consumer purchasing decisions. But only 1% of large corporate and government spend worldwide goes to women owned businesses. Now that needs to change!
Maggie and I then attended the @MSDUK – Women of Colour event. Wonderful to hear from @LorelyBurt a champion of supply chain inclusion for many years and the panel session including Farida Gibbs from Gibbs Hybrid was truly inspiring.
Yesterday was our March 2020 Women Business Enterprise – WBE2WBE day kindly hosted by Cisco. Our theme for the session was ‘Meeting the needs of the corporate procurement team’. Building a supply chain diversity program is tough and there are many obstacles but there are so many incredible corporations that have committed to D&I in the supply chain. Understanding each other is critical as there are challenges for both the women owned businesses and the indeed the corporations. We explored some of these challenges and discussed what we can do differently to drive future success.
Thank you to some our wonderful certified women owned business and corporate partners for sharing their insights with us during the session. Bryan Wiggins, Cisco shared what Cisco look for from a supply partner, loved his Tree Story and all sorts of tips including have a ‘defensible differentiator’!
Creating your two-page credentials – thank you to Gemma Wilson-Vidal from Spoon Agency for sharing insights and tips including ‘think like a journalist’ and start strong!
Frederique Rammeloo CEO of Dexter Global Business Solutions gave us a really honest and highly amusing session around procurement, working with procurement teams and top tips for the women owned businesses procuring in their organisations too.
Then we heard from Katie Savage, KTS Events about their success story in winning a contract with IBM, a WEConnect International corporate partner.
We had great day with lots of audience participation, networking, building new connections and opportunities for collaboration.
Proud to be part of such a great organisation and to be able to connect with so many incredible women business owners.
