To Compete During Economic Uncertainty, Minority Suppliers Must Network, Form Alliances and Conquer the Internet

Black Enterprise, June, 2001 by April W. Klimley

Telcordia Technologies, previously the research and development arm of the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), entered the competitive telecom marketplace in 1997 when the company was acquired by employee-owned SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation).

After the acquisition, Telcordia moved quickly to achieve the reputation of a leader in the competitive global telecommunications marketplace and is now known as one of the world's largest providers of operations support systems, network software and consulting and engineering services to the entire telecommunications industry.

To further cement the company's position as an industry leader, Telcordia recently made a firm commitment to launch a supplier diversity initiative to diversify its supplier base and fulfill the obligations and expectations of numerous customers.

The Telcordia Technologies Corporate Procurement Organization established the Supplier Diversity Initiative in 1999 to help assure that all qualified and certified suppliers, who have an interest in doing business with Telcordia, are given the maximum practical opportunity to do so.

Telcordia is committed to seeking out opportunities to procure products and services from small businesses and businesses owned, controlled, and operated by either minorities, women, or disabled veterans.

Our Supplier Diversity Initiative was created to carry out this commitment. This initiative does not compromise total price, quality, or service, but helps to ensure that businesses that may have been overlooked in the past are included in the bidding process. Our corporate goal is to position Telcordia as a leader in Supplier Diversity as viewed by our customers, suppliers and community.

Suppliers who can complement Telcordia core business areas are encouraged to register their companies with the Telcordia Supplier Diversity Office. Please visit our web site, www.telcordia.com/aboutus, for more information.

Verizon Communications Inc.

Verizon Communications Inc., and its predecessor companies Bell Atlantic and GTE have a long-standing commitment to supporting minority and women-owned businesses. The company is a charter member of the elite Billion Dollar Roundtable (a project of Minority Business News U.S.A. and Women's Enterprise magazine) and one of the country's top 30 corporations for supplier diversity, according to Working Woman magazine.

In 2000, Verizon purchased more than $1.3 billion in goods and services from diverse suppliers. Next year the company plans to increase its expenditures with women and minority-owned suppliers by spending at least 16 percent of its procurement budget with these businesses.

Verizon Corporate Sourcing actively recruits qualified minority and women suppliers to submit competitive bids. To help diverse suppliers do business with the company, Verizon holds seminars to assist firms in responding to Verizon's request for proposals, understanding quality requirements and implementing e-business technologies.

Verizon also joins forces with advocacy groups dedicated to business development including the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), regional purchasing councils and local chambers.