• IT Staffing Solutions
  • IT Staff Augmentation
  • Project Services
• Contingent Workforce Management
  • Managed Service Provider
  • Why IT Specialization Matters
• About MDI Group
  • MDI Leadership
  • MDI Culture
  • MDI in the Community
  • MDI as a Diversity Supplier
  • MDI Group at a Glance
  • Join the MDI Team
• Events & Resources
  • MDI Events
  • MDI in the News
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Case Studies
  • Articles & White Papers
  • Industry Associations
• Consultant Careers
  • Consultant Care
  • Consultant Testimonials
  • Search Jobs

MDI as a Diversity Supplier

As more and more businesses recognize the value of a diverse supplier base, supplier diversity initiatives are no longer considered ‘feel-good’ programs; rather, they’re about consumer buying power and increasing market share. As a certified woman-owned business and recognized thought leader in supplier diversity, MDI Group helps our clients achieve a more inclusive workforce while also meeting their diversity spend objectives.

Diversity Forums

Since 2002, MDI Group has facilitated Supplier Diversity Forums for diversity and procurement leaders in our local communities. These forums encourage senior managers to brainstorm new ideas and to discuss practical solutions to supplier diversity issues with peers in other large corporations. Some of the questions addressed in these forums include:

• How are diversity strategies likely to impact business strategies?
• How can an organization effectively measure and track supplier diversity initiatives?
• How can organizations improve the ability of their diversity and procurement departments to support supplier diversity efforts?
• How should a diversity department operate to have the desired impact on the entire organization?

Diversity Vendor Participation Plan

As a woman-owned business since 1994, MDI Group ‘walks the talk’ when it comes to supplier diversity. Not only do we facilitate diversity supplier efforts within our client base, but our own internal Diversity Vendor Participation Plan (DVPP) increases usage of diversity suppliers, resulting in:

• Greater opportunities for diversity-certified businesses as MDI engages these firms as third-party suppliers and recommends them to our clients and partners
• Achievement of 30% diversity spend on subcontracting
• Consistently reporting our own diversity spend performance to clients
• Mentoring diversity-owned firms

Active Participation in Diversity Organizations

MDI’s commitment to growing supplier diversity takes many forms, one of which is active participation in organizations that support this cause, including:

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Taking an active role as a WBENC Forum Member, MDI works with corporations and Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) firms to develop programs that enhance the relationship between WBE firms and corporate supply chains.
• WBENC Strategic Sourcing Committee. As members of the WBENC Strategic Sourcing Committee, MDI has helped create the WBE Roadmap for Success.
• Women in Technology (WIT). MDI actively participates in WIT, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to offering women in all levels of the technology industry a wide range of professional development and networking opportunities.

Mentoring

MDI Group believes that it is incumbent on us to give back to the business community through mentoring. To this end, we have participated in the Georgia Governor's Mentor/Protégé Program, and have instituted our own mentoring program internally. Because mentoring is most effective when it is provided by an organization with experiences that match the protégé's experience, we know that as a successful woman-owned firm, our leaders have the background and experience necessary to effectively assist other growing, diversity-owned businesses. Goals of MDI Group's mentoring program include:

• Support of our clients' supplier diversity initiatives
• Helping emerging businesses better deliver products/services within local economies
• Identification of IT diversity suppliers to provide products/services
• Broadening of the experience and skills of MDI Group leadership

To learn more about MDI Group’s diversity supplier status or the programs we participate in to encourage and promote diversity businesses, please contact Lauren Parker, Marketing Director, at pr@mdigroup.com.

What Our Consultants Say

"Your dedication to developing and maintaining a meaningful, productive relationship was the single most important aspect to quickly finding the position that matched my skill set. It is a unique relationship to feel that, while I work for MDI Group, MDI Group works for me!"
- K.S.