WHAT’S NEXT
CDW BUSINESS DIVERSITY PROGRAM EXPANSION
APPOINTED REGIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR ENHANCED IMPACT
In a world that’s neither truly global nor truly local, we believe taking a more customized and coordinated regional approach to the BDP will deliver a powerful competitive advantage – both for CDW and for our small and diverse-owned partners.
In 2021, we therefore reorganized our U.S. program into distinct geographical regions, each with a dedicated regional leader. As well as making us more agile and effective in identifying and mentoring new diverse partners, this approach allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges, opportunities and economies of scale each region faces. We then use these insights to inform and tailor our business diversity strategy, boosting both performance and impact.
IN 2021, WE LAUNCHED
OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS
DIVERSITY PRESENCE
IN UK AND CANADA.
IN 2021
CDW Business Diversity Program is member to 4 Global councils, piloting T2 reporting to UK Customers.
When CDW partners with a small or minority-owned businesses, we’re investing in its community too.
This year, we expanded the reach of our Business Diversity Program in Canada, where CDW made $77 million in purchases from small and diverse businesses. We expect this number to continue to grow as our customers are increasingly looking to buy from and work for organizations that share their values around diversity, inclusion and social justice.
Kevin Denison
Business Diversity Program Leader CDW Canada
$37 | £30
million
CDW total purchases in the UK
$77
million
CDW total purchases
in Canada
CDW UK
CDW Canada
DIVERSITY AS A VALUABLE ASSET
The positive social and economic effects of the Business Diversity Program will always be the key metric of its success.
As a business, CDW cares deeply about promoting diversity, equity and inclusion wherever we operate. Yet the program’s impact stretches beyond just our diverse partners and their communities. For our customers, its benefits are considerable too.
When an organization works with CDW and one of our small and diverse-owned partners, our supply chain becomes their supply chain, helping them meet their own diverse procurement goals. It also clearly demonstrates their intention to promote diversity, inclusion and equity, strengthening their relationships with key stakeholders. This, in turn, may lead to increased customer sales, greater employee loyalty and heightened interest among investors.
Likewise, companies that partner with diverse businesses can benefit from tax relief and incentives at a local, state and federal level. They can secure first-mover access to the latest, most innovative solutions. And they can enhance the agility and resilience of their supply chain in the face of disruption – something the last two years have cast into sharp relief.
Simply put, building a diverse supplier network is now about far more than simply being a good business.
In an ever-changing and unpredictable operating environment, it means doing good business too.
Building a diverse supplier network is now about far more than simply being a good business. In an ever-changing and unpredictable operating environment, it means doing good business too.
David Hutchins
Vice President, Strategic Programs and Sales Enablement CDW
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WHAT ARE COMPANIES DOING ABOUT SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
30%
of organizations are setting formal supplier diversity spending goals for the first time.
The diverse business terms have grown to include underrepresented and underutilized groups. Investment is expected to increase across six diversity groups.
Diverse business generally refers to a business that is at least 51% owned by a diverse individual or individuals.
INCLUSION,
EQUITY AND BELONGING
The work we do to support diverse suppliers is rooted in the same values that are at the heart of CDW itself.
We believe in creating an environment of belonging in which all our people feel comfortable and confident in bringing their full self to work. First and foremost, this enables us to create a company in which everyone can thrive. But beyond that, it helps drive collaboration, ignite innovation and deliver better business results.
To cultivate this culture, we focus on embedding diversity, equity and inclusion across all our operations – from who we are and how we operate to the way we recruit and develop talent. We’re also working hard to integrate these values across all our business practices, backing that up with measurable targets and clear lines of accountability.
Of course, this approach extends to how we continue to grow investment with small and minority-owned businesses via our Business Diversity Program. And in this report, we’ve seen the record-levels of spending we facilitated in 2021 along with the powerful multiplier effect this created for jobs, wages and local economies.
Our aim is to have a similarly transformative impact at a grassroots level. For example, we’ve invested in scholarships, student support, marketing and technology among underrepresented and underserved communities. We’re also building long-term partnerships with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), such as the Southern University to drive spending and deliver better, more equitable opportunities for students.
More than anything else, the ‘CDW Way’ is built on diversity, equity and inclusion. We will continue to invest in making those values a lived reality and, in doing so, create a brighter, more prosperous future for our business, our people, our communities and our supply partners alike.
Keith Sanders
Vice President, Business Talent Strategy and Inclusion CDW
What CDW is doing should be a model for every company that talks about diversity, equity and inclusion and digital equity.
If they are serious about these concepts, they can do what CDW has done: make the investment.
Dr. James H. Ammons Jr
Executive Vice President, Southern University System
