This article was published by Diageo
Supplier Diversity Is Good Business! Diageo recognizes that diverse suppliers can often deliver greater agility, as well as access to fresh ideas, experiences and lower cost structures that can result in accelerated product and process innovations. This mindset is one that we actively encourage at Diageo both with our own employees and with the partners and suppliers with whom we work.
Our Supplier Diversity Program turns four years old in June and we are proud of the progress we have made. International Women’s Month in March (2019) provided a great opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made with women-owned businesses.
Not only have we have doubled our spend with women-owned businesses since our program’s inception, but half of our diverse suppliers are owned and operated by women.
We are proud of this progress and would like to highlight two of our Woman Business Enterprises (WBEs): The Spearhead Group, headed by CEO Heather Fritzsche, and Enthuse Marketing Group, headed by Kim Lawton & Kristy Snyder.
The Spearhead Group, is a new supplier to Diageo North America, providing our world-famous Crown Royal Purple bags. We selected The Spearhead Group for their focus on superior quality, cost, and service, as well as great leadership and aligned values. Heather herself has earned numerous distinctions working with some of the world’s best-known brands to reimagine the visual identity for countless products across multiple market sectors. Their core values (listed below) also align with ours and provide a foundation for a great partnership.
- Drive value and excellence in the marketplace
- Provide leadership opportunities for women and work policies that support families
- Buy from other diversely-owned companies
- Do the right thing
- Act with equal respect for clients, colleagues and suppliers
- Always go the extra mile with entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking