MDI Joins Local Executives To Address Supplier Diversity In Tough Economic Times

ATLANTA (April 2, 2002) - MDI, a leading IT services firms, met with local executives last week in Atlanta to discuss the impact of the economy and vendor consolidation on supplier diversity. Representatives from Cox Enterprises, Delta, BellSouth, AFC Enterprises, Johnson Controls, Home Depot, Six Continents Hotels, and UPS participated in the MDI Diversity Forum to exchange ideas and develop diversity best practices.

“Local business leaders come to the forum because it is an excellent opportunity for them to discuss their diversity issues in a peer-to-peer environment,” states Ella Koscik, CEO of MDI. “These business executives are looking at how to benchmark their diversity programs, how to mentor their diversity suppliers, and how to motivate management in all departments to use diversity vendors. Developing best practices is the key to implementing a successful diversity program.”

Last week’s forum addressed the status of supplier diversity programs in the face of a tough economy and vendor consolidation. With more attention on cutting costs and streamlining processes, smaller diversity suppliers are often cut from the vendor list. Diversity executives stress that if diversity suppliers want to remain competitive, they must be flexible in their business relationships. Most participants agree that though times are tougher, supplier diversity is still an important issue for their company.

"Regardless of economic conditions, it is imperative that we continue to do business as normal with our diversity suppliers. By doing so, it will increase business for our corporation," said Al Richardson, partnership development manager for Johnson Controls.

One of the roadblocks for diversity suppliers is lack of experience. Many minority and women-owned businesses are smaller enterprises inexperienced in the formal bidding process. They may also lack the processes and procedures necessary to work with large corporations. Participants of the forum emphasized the importance of mentoring and how it can help diversity suppliers become more successful with large companies. Through the Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program, MDI is currently working with Corporate Temps, a local minority-owned business, to help them become more competitive.

“We don’t want to be handed the business, we want to earn it,” states Shawn Menefee, president of Corporate Temps. “MDI is very receptive and is committed to strengthening the small business enterprise. Through MDI’s mentoring, we are streamlining processes and becoming more efficient in our service delivery so we can be more helpful to large companies. MDI is showing us how to do a better job for our clients.”

“MDI is committed to promoting diversity in the marketplace and giving the business community a format in which to discuss the issues. We are taking a leadership role in dealing with the complexities of diversity by mentoring minority suppliers and hosting additional diversity forums,” concluded Koscik.

The next MDI Diversity Forum held in Atlanta will be in September 2003. For additional information, please contact Debbie Hoecker at 888-416-7949.

About MDI Group
MDI Group is a premier IT Workforce Solutions provider with more than 20 years expertise in finding 'best-fit' IT talent for mid-sized to Fortune 500 clients nationwide. Offering IT Staffing Solutions and Contingent Workforce Management, MDI Group has recorded profitable growth every year since it was established in 1988. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, MDI Group has also been named one of Atlanta's 40 best places to work. To learn more about MDI Group, please visit www.mdigroup.com.

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