The system of government in the United States is a Representative Democracy, but when it comes to vendor selection, the focus should be on the word Representative. A government entity, whether at the local, state, or federal level, should truly represent their diverse constituents. One of the easiest ways to accomplish that is by hiring and working with diverse vendors that mirror those constituents.
A definition
When it comes to government vendor selection, diversity generally falls into one of several classifications: Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Minority Owned Enterprises (MBEs), and Woman Owned Enterprises (WBEs). There are other classifications as well, including businesses owned by veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and other minorities. A company is considered a diverse vendor if it is at least 51% owned and operated by one of those underserved groups.
United States of Diversity
The make-up of the United States—by the year 2040 we will be a minority-majority country—is not currently reflected in our government representation. This is yet one more reason that diversity in vendor selection matters, at every level of government. The people should see themselves reflected in the government entities that represent them, and that includes the vendors and suppliers they come into contact with on a daily basis.
A woman-owned business
IJA Strategies is a 100% woman-owned, independent company specializing in Workday® consulting services. Our founder and owner, Andrea Chudy, advances the cause for women in technology each and every day, as a mentor, advocate, and educator. In fact, over 50% of the IJA team are women.
IJA is proud to hold a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification, the most widely esteemed, and highly sought-after, recognition for women-owned businesses in the United States. This is particularly important, even critical, in the technology sector, where women are vastly underrepresented. Learn more about our commitment.