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Enabling a global industry leader to cost-effectively meet IT staffing requirements and vendor diversity goals


“MDI Group’s contributions go far beyond the right people and the right pricing — it’s the discipline they put into the process
and their total partnership approach. They are very easy to work with and provide good value — simply one of those firms you don’t have to worry about.”                                                                                                 — Global Procurement Director, Worldwide Beverage Company

The Client

This client is a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of nonalcoholic beverages.

The Challenge

To help drive maximum business results, this international company employs a flexible IT workforce strategy designed to have the right people in the right roles at the right time. To maintain optimal staffing levels, the company engages a high volume of contingent IT professionals each year at a significant cost to the organization.

In 2003, a newly hired global procurement director assessed the company’s IT Managed Vendor Program (MVP) and determined its existing vendor pool was not sufficiently diverse, competitive or cost-effective.

The Solution

The client implemented a comprehensive bid process in order to identify ideal staffing partners that would provide highquality
service and top-tier consultants at an agreed-upon rate schedule, and enable the company to meet its significant diversity targets.

MDI Group quickly rose to the top of the list. “We were fairly wowed after the first two meetings with them. Their pricing was in line, the response was good and tight, and they were the right size,” said the client’s Global Procurement Director. “We were also pleased they used PeopleClick, since we wanted to transition to an automated staffing tool.”

The client selected MDI Group as one of its three primary vendors and was chosen as Master Vendor. In this role, MDI Group would administer the vendor-neutral MVP. From the outset of the revised program, MDI Group’s primary responsibilities were to:

  • Create a team environment where all suppliers were focused on meeting the client’s specific cost, quality, delivery and service requirements
  • Provide mentorship to a new preferred supplier, a small minority-owned business

To build momentum for the program, MDI Group’s Senior Account Executive was placed full time at the client’s facility to promote the MVP and provide personal, responsive and effective service. Being on-site also gave MDI Group an indepth understanding of the client’s culture, technology and business projects.

In order to position the new diversity firm for long-term success within the client’s organization and overall marketplace, MDI Group initiated a strategic mentorship program. MDI Group introduced the diversity firm to the practices and systems used to manage large programs for corporations and also helped their management team develop relationships within the client’s organization. “MDI Group was the linchpin that made the program work among the vendors. I was most impressed by their willingness to mentor a smaller diversity firm we engaged, and how they helped them run their business better,” stated the Global Procurement Director.

The Results

MDI Group has played a critical role in the success of the client’s revised vendor program. To ensure open and effective communication among all program vendors, MDI Group gave all IT staffing suppliers simultaneous access to information and updates. This consistent flow of communication between all team members has led to a strong partnership among the providers.

MDI Group also enhanced the program by implementing new procedures, processes and an automated VMS. MDI Group was instrumental in helping the client convert from a labor- and time-intensive manual procurement process to PeopleClick. This detailed implementation project involved streamlining, documenting and implementing workflows, procedures, forms and templates. “MDI Group’s dedicated approach resulted in a seamless implementation of PeopleClick,” said the Global Procurement Director. “To this day, they continue to come up with new ideas for enhancing its capabilities.”

Working collaboratively with all program suppliers, MDI Group ensured the client received the best talent and service at fair market rates. MDI Group also created the final rate chart for the program, helping control IT spend by putting “not to exceed” rates for all suppliers to follow.

Today, MDI Group oversees the client’s $18 million IT Managed Vendor Program, ensuring that more than 125 IT positions are filled each year; diversity goals are achieved; supplier contracts are adhered to; and hiring managers’ expectations are met. MDI Group also fills a significant percentage of the client’s staffing and consulting needs in these areas:

  • Project Management
  • Change Management
  • Business Analysis
  • ERP
  • Instructional Design
  • Infrastructure Specialists
  • Testing
  • Database Administration

“We have an annual supplier rating and MDI Group scored very high,” the Global Procurement Director concluded. “They are very easy to work with and provide good value — simply one of those firms you don’t have to worry about.”

MDI Group continues to identify process improvements and cost-saving strategies for the client through stringent quality control measures. MDI Group also provides custom and adhoc reports that allow the client to view program activity at both the macro and granular level at any given time, and use this information to make effective business decisions. As a result of MDI Group’s partnership approach, impressive track record and high level of service, the client awarded the firm with an open-ended engagement extension.

Award-Winning Diversity Partner
MDI Group is a women-owned business highly committed to advancing business opportunities for minority- and women-owned firms. In its role as Master Vendor, MDI Group is responsible for seeing that 30 percent of the beverage company’s IT requirements are filled by qualified diversity vendors. Ever since MDI Group was named Master Vendor, the MVP has achieved a nearly 40 percent spend through diversity suppliers.

In recognition of its commitment to supplier diversity forums, MDI Group was recently presented with the client’s prestigious partnership award.

“MDI Group’s contributions go far beyond the right people and the right pricing — it’s the discipline they put into the process and their total partnership approach. I was most impressed by their willingness to mentor a smaller diversity firm we engaged, and how they helped them run their business better.”
- Global Procurement Director, Worldwide Beverage Company

MDI Group Adds Strategic Value

In early 2008, this client was investigating the implementation of a Vendor Management Office (VMO) to consolidate its vendor pool and control staffing costs. Based on its significant experience managing multiple vendors, MDI Group was asked to share its VMO knowledge and best practices, provide strategic guidance, and facilitate initial strategy meetings.

In addition to providing a comprehensive overview of the VMO concept, MDI Group helped the client:

  • Develop agendas and content for meetings
  • Create the VMO Charter
  • Identify processes and process owners that would be impacted by the implementation of a VMO
  • Outline a 30-60-90 day action plan
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