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Initiatives Mentor Protégé Programs For the past several years, BellSouth has selected two minority business entrepreneurs to attend an executive education program designed to provide the same high-level management education available to executives in large corporations. The program identifies tools and strategies that will enable these entrepreneurs to increase the profitability of their firms and to increase their value as suppliers to BellSouth. BellSouth is one of a handful of major corporations participating in the program for the State of Georgia Governor’s Mentor Protégé Initiative. The supplier diversity group, along with BellSouth Business System (BBS) and the partnership program groups, team to mentor three minority suppliers currently in Georgia. Strategic Alliances Alliances have been initiated with many of our key suppliers to encourage their participation in joint ventures with small, minority, and women-owned businesses in our region. Through this program, the diverse suppliers will be better positioned for growth. Employee Awareness Establish a program that encourages employees to consider diverse suppliers in BellSouth's procurement process. Supplier Development BellSouth, through its supplier development group, provides training, conferences, and workshops to educate Minority, Woman and Disabled Veteran-owned Business Enterprises on its procurement process. These workshops provide additional development opportunities for enhancing MWDVBE businesses. External Outreach BellSouth participates in external awareness programs on new strategies and initiatives that encourage alliances with small businesses. These programs include business trade fairs, one-on-one supplier interviews, and affiliations with industry groups, associations, and government agencies. Conferences, Workshops and Business Trade Fairs BellSouth sponsors and participates in business trade fairs to identify MWDVBEs that can provide quality products and services to BellSouth. The company also, provides conferences and workshops to educate MWDVBEs on its procurement process. Additional development opportunities are also provided to enhance MWDVBE businesses. |
