Supplier Diversity is Crucial to Achieve Strategy Targets
Suppliers Diversity
Shell USA, Inc.
Interview with Brian Hall, Manager for Supplier Diversity & Brand Advocacy, Shell USA, Inc.
Why is it so crucial for your company to have a program to advance and grow supplier diversity?
BH: At Shell, we have long believed that having a strong supplier diversity program gives us important access to businesses, ideas and solutions that reflect the diversity of our communities. Strengthening our supply chain through an effective supplier diversity program helps us deliver on our strategy while supporting our commitment to local economies and communities where we operate.
What are the most relevant benefits that you get from running the program?
BH: At Shell, we strive to create an environment where everyone – from our employees, to our customers, partners and suppliers – feels valued, respected and has a strong sense of belonging. We look for opportunities to foster diversity and see value in bringing different perspectives into the decisions we make as a business. The Supplier Diversity program allows us to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with our supplier base and tap into those networks to help solve our most challenging problems and promote innovation and creativity.
What challenges have you faced with your program, and how did you overcome them?
BH: As our business changes, so must our supply chains. Business capacity and industry knowledge gaps were noted as barriers to entry for diverse-owned businesses. To truly impact the communities in which we live and work, we are taking on an active investment mentality to growing diverse-owned suppliers. As we accelerate the energy transition, we need to do our part to help build the capacity of current and future suppliers for our industry. One example of this commitment is through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) Energy Executive Program. We brought the initial concept to WBENC and were immediately joined by the support of our industry partners BP, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil. Together we joined forces to launch an annual program to build industry knowledge, supplier capacity, and contractual connections for hundreds of Women & Minority-owned business CEO participants We continue to look for ways to partner with certifying partners like WBENC to help deliver sustainable development programs for suppliers. This is true capacity building.
Where do you see the program going into the future?
BH: For Shell, Powering Progress sets out our strategy to accelerate the transition of our business to net-zero emissions. It is designed to create value for our shareholders, customers, and society. Powering Progress has four main goals in support of our purpose, to power progress together by providing more and cleaner energy solutions. It is underpinned by our core values and focus on safety.
To deliver and receive value from the greater supply chain community, we must include efforts to connect, include and grow the diversity of our supply chain. We were intentional in our efforts to collaborate with our industry peers and to showcase our thoughts and ideas to create the WBENC Energy Executive Program. I believe we will continue to be open to programs that genuinely help us to build a competitive and sustainable supply chain.
As part of a corporation with a Supplier Diversity Program, what advice would you give to Hispanic Business Entrepreneurs who want to become suppliers?
BH: I would encourage Hispanic Business Enterprises to continue to support and attend programs offered by the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate chambers. Additionally, I encourage you to build strong networks outside of procurement and supplier diversity teams within corporations. One example could be industry or trade organizations associated with your product or service offerings. Connecting to industry and business leaders is a great way to uncover challenges that need creative supply and service solutions. And finally, look to each other for support and collaboration when facing an opportunity to grow your business.
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To deliver and receive value from the greater supply chain community, we must include efforts to connect, include and grow the diversity of our supply chain.
**photo credit: Courtesy of Brian Hall