We prefer “ variety ” in our pastimes , “ biodiversity ” in our ecosystems and “ diversified ” holdings in our portfolios , yet we unconsciously resist diversity in our social and professional communities . This has become a liability in today ’ s marketplace , costing companies talent , growth & innovative solutions .

From your workforce to supply chains ; diversity & inclusion of people and ideas are critical drivers for further growth in your organisation . We must move past the tick box exercise , truly embrace diversity , and commit to applying it . Looking out at the business landscape today , it ’ s clear that diversity is increasingly being valued in its true sense by companies that thrive to improve productivity and profits — and outperform the competition .

WHY YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN IS RIPE FOR DISRUPTION ?

As we embrace the new digital world that is driven by technological advancement , innovation takes centre stage in every corporate strategy . There is strong evidence that innovation mostly comes from small businesses and individuals , which makes diversity a critical factor to bring new solutions , breakthrough technology and disruptive businesses to market .

Diversity within supply chains can not only bring new ideas and solutions to your organisation , but it also brings competitiveness , and boosts market growth . Beyond these commercial benefits , there is the BIG social value supplier diversity brings - reducing socio-economic inequality and creating stronger , more stable communities . With many global business leaders finally waking up to the positive impact it brings , businesses that understand how to use this to their advantage will stand to gain a competitive advantage and genuinely make positive contribution to a more fairer society .

At MSDUK we are delighted to be working closely with Accenture - and especially delighted that we share similar core values . Together our mission is to rewrite the book on inclusive procurement and encourage diversity as a catalyst for innovation and growth .

In partnership with Accenture , we are launching the Innovation Hub – a launchpad for ethnic minority businesses that have an innovative idea , solution or product to bring to the market . And through our extended ecosystem of the Knowledge Hub and Growth Hub , we offer an integrated programme of activities , processes and networks to bring those ideas to life and help these businesses scale-up and access global markets .

We all have an opportunity right now to embrace diversity as a competitive advantage , examine our own unconscious biases and proactively look for ways to bring different voices to our team and into our decisions .

Let your supply chain be the gateway to innovation , embrace diversity and inclusion to unlock hidden potential and give opportunities to the business leaders of tomorrow that represent modern Britain as it is today ; multicultural & diverse !

TO FIND OUT MORE , VISIT US AT WWW . MSDUK . ORG . UK OR EMAIL DIVERSITY @ MSDUK . ORG . UK VISIT WWW . GSDA . GLOBAL TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GLOBAL NETWORK

INNOVATION | KNOWLEDGE | PROCUREMENT | BENCHMARKING