In particular, it provides support through its Supplier Diversity Program , which was launched in 2019. This program aims to increase the number of products and services that BDC acquires from underrepresented communities in Canada, including women, in order to ensure that its suppliers are as diverse as its customers.
Quebec City-based online training company Pardeux is one of the first BDC client companies certified as majority women-owned to join BDC’s Supplier Diversity Program. We sat down with Nathalie Lessard, the company’s president and co-founder, to learn why she believes companies that are at least 51% women-owned should consider becoming certified and registering as BDC suppliers.
What is Diversity Supplier Certification?
“Promoting supplier diversity is a practice that consists of giving traditionally underrepresented suppliers such as women, minorities, Indigenous people or members of the LGBTQ2+ community the opportunity to access the supply chains of large private companies or large public sector entities,” explains Nathalie Lessard .
Why should a company become certified as a diversity supplier?
“There are a lot of benefits. Our company is certified by WEConnect International as majority women-owned and that’s been a game changer for our business.
Nathalie Lessard explains: “Our goal was to export architect database and gain customers from large companies. Obtaining our certification helped us achieve these goals. It allowed us to differentiate ourselves from our competition, participate in buyer-meeting activities and obtain incredibly important information on what large companies buy and their criteria for choosing their suppliers. But most importantly, it allowed us to meet with the procurement teams of the large companies we wanted to work with, such as Walmart, Sony and Disney, and present our business model to them.”
Honestly, at first we didn’t think that getting certified would have a significant impact on our business, but within a year it has brought us tangible benefits. We have gained new supply chain opportunities and potential new revenue streams, while increasing our visibility to potential buyers. We feel confident in renewing our certification every year.”
How do you benefit from your certification?
"I think you have to take the time to attend events and take advantage of networking and coaching opportunities. Sometimes you have to fly to attend a trade mission or conference, but when you consider the networking opportunities and the quality of the relationships you can build, it's worth it," says Nathalie Lessard.
“However, to maximize networking and business development opportunities, you need to follow up with those relationships when you return. For us, the return on those investments has been exponential because we set aside time to do the necessary follow-up work after all the activities.”
Another thing to consider is that it takes time to close a contract. On our first mission with the Women Business Enterprise National Council ( WBENC ), we did seven matchmaking sessions with large companies. It was incredible. We haven’t yet closed any contracts through those relationships, but we’re still in regular contact with the procurement teams of those companies and we’re confident that our time will come.”
Last year, BDC launched its Supplier Diversity Program. What is the benefit of signing up?
“We started working with BDC in 2014 on a small contract. After the launch of BDC’s Supplier Diversity Program, our opportunities to receive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) increased and we are now on our eighth joint project. Registering as a diverse supplier company has made us known to more procurement decision-makers at BDC and, from that point on, the projects we have worked on have allowed us to obtain more internal references at BDC, which has given us the opportunity to serve different groups.
“Plus, BDC is great to work with because they think like business owners and understand how to work with small businesses.”
Companies interested in becoming a BDC Diversity Supplier must be a BDC client, have obtained diversity supplier certification from a recognized organization, or be B Corp certified . Interested companies can register online or view a complete list of BDC purchases .
Nathalie Lessard is the president and co-founder of pardeux, an online training company that helps its clients achieve their business goals through motivating and effective online training and captivating games. To learn more, visit pardeux.ca .
