For more than a half century, the AT&T Global Supplier Inclusivity organization has connected certified diverse minority-, women-, service-disabled veteran- and LGBT, and disability-owned business enterprises with opportunities to provide products and services to AT&T around the world. We believe diverse suppliers bring value to our company through their unique skills and innovative ideas. Their efforts help us deliver world-class products and services to meet our customers’ diverse needs.
Our Supplier Inclusivity program managers are dedicated to working with our sourcing teams and business units to identify specific areas of opportunity and include diverse businesses in competitive bids. In addition, our robust supplier program ensures diverse suppliers are identified, considered and mentored throughout the sourcing process.
In order to support suppliers to achieve successful outcomes, we provide several programs that offer business development support. These programs are structured around internal and external initiatives in four areas of focus:
Supplier Outreach
Our strategic outreach involves interviewing prospective suppliers at regional and national supplier inclusivity events and sharing important information and criteria about doing business with AT&T. We work with several inclusivity business organizations for targeted supplier identification. These organizations representing national certification organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations, Educational Institutions, and government agencies.
Each year, AT&T executives and managers participate in forums, business expos and business matchmakers to provide an opportunity for supplier engagement. We have developed and launched a virtual platform to conduct interviews and promote supplier connections with our Prime Suppliers.
Inclusivity Supplier Advocacy
We advocate for current and prospective diverse suppliers in their quest to provide products and services to AT&T. In our advocacy, we work closely with our sourcing organization, business unit partners and prime suppliers to identify and influence opportunities for consideration and inclusion of diverse suppliers. Our efforts also include supplier coaching, mentoring and capability assessment to support current and prospective supplier contract success.
Prime Supplier Program
Our Prime Supplier Program is one of the most essential efforts within AT&T Supplier Inclusivity Program. Since 1989, AT&T's Prime Supplier Program has helped to increase the utilization of diverse businesses in our supply chain through subcontracting/tier 2 arrangements.
The AT&T Prime Supplier Program has a dedicated supplier inclusivity manager who works with our prime suppliers to develop annual plans and solutions for improvement and track and review results. As a result of these efforts the annual prime supplier inclusivity plans reflect an increased understanding, and portray innovative solutions designed to increase inclusivity results. For more information, email AT&T Supplier Inclusivity.
Business Development and Education Program
AT&T offers scholarships to diverse business executive/senior leaders as part of our commitment to provide educational support. We provide opportunities for diverse suppliers to participate in executive education and training programs through the sponsorship of formal mentoring and business development programs. We also host and participate in workshops, seminars and 1-on-1 counseling sessions.
Executive Education Program
AT&T proudly offers executive-level scholarships to support and sponsor diverse businesses to thrive and prosper in today’s economy. As part of our commitment to making meaningful and measurable contributions, scholarships are offered to CEOs of certified diverse-owned businesses for the following programs
Tuck Executive Education Programs at Dartmouth College - Hanover, New Hampshire
Sessions cover growth strategy and strategy implementation to achieve profitable expansion. Units on finance essentials, including business valuation and sources of capital, deliver the insights needed to develop strong financial footing, while discussion of lean operations offers insights about reducing costs while maintaining quality. The program also considers strategic alliances, acquisition strategy, and innovation. The program welcomes owners of diverse business enterprises who have five to ten years of ownership management experience and corporate sales of $400,000 or more. For more information, http://dbp.tuck.dartmouth.edu/apply
Tuck-WBENC Executive Program - Dartmouth College - Palisades, NY
The Tuck-WBENC Executive Program is an intensive, six-day executive development program for WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs). It is an intensive learning experience that focuses primarily on increasing the competitive advantage and robustness of the participant's own business. Applicants must be WBENC-Certified owners with minimum three years of experience running a business and have $500,000 minimum annual sales. Includes most meals and accommodations. For more information, https://www.wbenc.org/tuck-wbenc-programs/
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University – Evanston, Illinois
Advanced Management Education Program (AMEP) - NMSDC
A custom executive education program created by NMSDC in partnership with the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University to provide certified, established, expansion-oriented MBEs with the skills and tools needed to achieve and sustain accelerated growth. NMSDC corporate members recommend high-potential MBEs with sales greater than $5 million in manufacturing and distribution and at least $3 million for service and be at least 3 years in business to participate in the four-day program. Through this interactive curriculum and team-based study MBEs learn growth strategies specifically to build capacity and sustainability for the future. Includes most meals and accommodations. For more information, https://nmsdc.org/enterprise-learning/amep/
Questions regarding the Business Development & Education Program can be referred to AT&T Supplier Inclusivity
