Commitment to inclusion

June 28, 2010 No Comments

Wells Fargo works to ensure its supplier base is diverse
by Edward Cates

photos courtesy of Wells Fargo

Achieving progress in supplier diversity and development requires a shared vision and coordinated effort across multiple teams. Wells Fargo is executing an integrated approach toward including minority, women and disadvantaged businesses (diverse suppliers) into its supply chain by developing suppliers and impacting communities with the help of internal champions across enterprise business units.

“We have internal leaders who are committed, who want to know how they can play an active role supporting supplier diversity and want to do more,” says Sonya Dukes, Wells Fargo’s senior vice president and director of Corporate Supplier Diversity. “Our internal partners are where our bidding and sourcing opportunities are initiated. They define the scope of opportunities and ultimately make the final decision. Our local market leaders are significant because they experience the performance of the supplier and are key to long-term relationship building. ”

In a challenging economy, a number of corporations are scaling back their commitment by downsizing or in some cases eliminating entire supplier diversity teams.  Conversely, Wells Fargo is evolving its commitment to supplier diversity by engaging both internal and external advocates to achieve the vision and goals of the company related to diverse supplier inclusion and development.

Collaboration helps sustain focus on suppliers

“It’s critical, especially during this global economic downturn, to integrate U.S.-based MWDBE entities into the Wells Fargo Supply Chain Management business model,” adds Gabriela Spindola, implementation consultant for Wells Fargo Supply Chain Management. In her role, Spindola champions integrating supplier diversity into Supply Chain Management by providing leadership for high impact and enterprise wide initiatives keeping supplier diversity at the forefront. “It’s important to continue the collaboration between Corporate Supplier Diversity and Supply Chain Management.  Supplier diversity enhances our competitive advantage within the market place.”

Spindola’s commitment toward integration of supplier diversity is underscored by her personal passion for inclusion. “As a Hispanic woman, I value companies that embrace diversity, in its culture, business model and overall sponsorship. I’m excited that Wells Fargo shares that vision and focus.”

Martin Davis is executive vice president and head of technology integration for Wells Fargo and a key leader in making sure diverse suppliers supporting technology gain access to contract and growth opportunities. “I have been actively supporting the diversity of our suppliers for close to two decades inside the company. I’ve done that by building very close relationships with various suppliers and by opening doors for them to different lines of businesses or executives they may not have a relationship with. I’ve also given them feedback when they may be missing the mark.”

Wells Fargo focuses on both regional and commodity based integration of supplier diversity from coast to coast. Davis’ leadership and synergy with the Corporate Supplier Diversity team helped Wells Fargo implement diverse spending goals in technology-related projects to ensure diverse suppliers would be included in both direct and indirect contract opportunities.

“I’ve been very open and out front that we have targets and we are trying to ensure that we’re spending 10 percent with diverse suppliers. Our customers are diverse. It makes great business sense and we get great quality products and services from diverse suppliers. As the team gets exposed to more diverse suppliers they see supplier diversity creates a competitive landscape providing better quality goods and services.” Martin adds, “The activity (supplier diversity) to some degree sells itself. A lot of the time it’s about building the relationships and providing the exposure.”

Results seen across the country

Wells Fargo has 6,629 banking stores in 39 states the District of Columbia, (Wells Fargo and Wachovia), representing a significant real estate portfolio. Engaging diverse suppliers within the Corporate Properties Group at Wells Fargo is a focus yielding measurable results and success.

“It is a priority at Wells Fargo to have our suppliers reflect the diversity of our customer base. If that doesn’t happen we’re not successful,” says Bill Augerot, senior vice president and Corporate Properties Group Project Management office leader. Augerot is responsible for transaction management, design and construction in retail and administrative portfolios for Wells Fargo nationwide. Beyond his functional title and responsibilities, he is a senior leader actively working to source, engage and develop diverse suppliers specializing in construction and real estate related services.

Augerot defines what makes suppliers successful at Wells Fargo, adding, “We want suppliers that can get the job done. We want quality of service and cost of service to be in line. At Wells Fargo we have a real commitment to excellence. We want to produce excellence for our internal customers and create the best overall results.”

Corporate Supplier Diversity partners with Business Banking to deliver a holistic approach toward developing sustainable businesses. Jenise Tate is a business banking relationship manager responsible for working with clients with revenue between $2 million and $20 million and is an internal champion for supplier diversity at Wells Fargo.  “I manage a portfolio of clients providing a variety of financial solutions ranging from cash management, borrowing needs, 401(k), succession planning and wealth building for businesses,” says Tate.

As an internal ally to Corporate Supplier Diversity, Tate has consulted with community and trade organizations supporting diverse businesses to discuss their banking needs. “I recently talked with a woman-owned business client that provides copy services and has done work with Wells Fargo in the past. During the course of our relationship, we have provided equipment financing and now we are helping her with succession, legal and estate planning.  Through our talk she immediately saw the value of the expanded services we provide.”

Through the collaboration of a cross-functional team with a shared commitment and vision, Wells Fargo is positioned well for continued progress in supplier diversity.  Uniquely, Wells Fargo’s Corporate Supplier Diversity team is aligned within Social Responsibility, a business unit responsible for issues impacting the environment, philanthropy and community development. Sonya Dukes believes this alignment enhances Wells Fargo’s reach and continuity in its approach. “We are able to have more intentional opportunities around the environment and the work that we have to do in the community,” she notes. “Supplier diversity is becoming more holistic. Our team understands that the business owners we are working with are the ones that can directly affect change within their community.”

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