Case studies
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Advancing economic inclusion
TI has long recognized that vibrant communities are essential for the company to grow and prosper. One way to make a positive economic impact on a community is through the inclusion of minority- and women-owned business entity (MWBE) suppliers.
When large corporations, like TI, partner with MWBEs, the relationship often fuels business growth that creates jobs in a wide range of economic sectors. This job creation strengthens the local economy, which in turn enhances the corporations’ ability to recruit top talent from across the country.
In the 1980s, TI first set out to advance economic inclusion in the communities where the company operates by establishing a model minority/women business development (MWBD) program. This program opened the door for MWBEs to engage with TI and grow their business.
“TI recognizes that a more diverse supply base creates a competitive advantage and a more robust supply chain,” said Shannon Suber, director of TI’s MWBD program. “The MWBD program is a true commitment on the part of TI because we know it’s the right thing to do good for the company, community and customers.”
Going one step further
TI has recently taken its well-established MWBD program to the next level by introducing a supplier development initiative (SDI).
The SDI program gives TI an opportunity to focus on a select number of MWBE suppliers and support their success. Through one-on-one interaction between a TI mentor and the business owner, TI provides developmental feedback and information that could help the MWBE better manage and grow their business.
“The SDI relationship is supplier-driven and mentor-guided,” Suber said. “The supplier is responsible for sharing goals and development needs at the beginning of the relationship so these goals and needs can remain the focus throughout the 12-month program period.”
North Texas-based Krypton Solutions was one of five participants to complete the SDI program during its inaugural year in 2009.
This turnkey personal computer board design, assembly and test solutions company – minority-owned – had 35 employees and four years of business experience when they began participating in the program. Now, nearly two years later, Krypton has increased its revenues by 200 percent and grown its employee base by more than 150 percent to more than 60 employees.
“When we initially joined the program, we were told it was new and so we didn’t really know what to expect,” said Mahesh Patel, Krypton Solutions’ co-owner and sales and marketing manager. “After a few months, both entities were focused on what they needed to do. We began to see some results in the form of orders and revenues increasing month by month.”
Now a program graduate, Patel said Krypton Solutions continues to benefit from its participation through increased business volume, enhanced business knowledge and expanded operational capabilities.
After receiving positive feedback from program participants and mentors in 2009, TI engaged with six different MWBE supplier companies for the 2010 SDI program.
“MWBE suppliers are important to TI and the community, and we need them to be successful,” Suber said. “We will continue to support and expand SDI as long as the program creates a positive outcome for both MWBEs and TI.”
Expanding its reach
In an effort to provide even broader support for local minority- and women-owned businesses, TI served as the exclusive sponsor of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee’s Emerging Business Program.
The program provided area small businesses the information and tools they needed to pursue Super Bowl XLV-related contracts. It also offered training in areas such as procurement preparation and bidding that are important to many MWBE suppliers.
The North Texas Super Bowl XLV Emerging Business Program proved to be the most successful Emerging Business Program since the NFL began the initiative in 1994. More than 5,000 attended workshops, the largest of any Super Bowl. More than 3,000 businesses registered for the program and more than 900 were certified to provide goods and services for the XLV event.
“One of TI’s main goals was to heighten awareness of quality MWBE suppliers in the region and to give emerging companies an opportunity to build stronger business bases in the community,” said Trisha Cunningham, TI’s chief citizenship officer. “To accomplish this, we wanted to make sure we had a record number of businesses registered for the workshops and certified to conduct business supporting the event. We more than doubled the participation levels achieved by any other Super Bowl committee.”
A new program called the Emerging Business Challenge was subsequently initiated to increase emerging business procurement opportunities in North Texas beyond the game. More than 4,900 entries in this program totaled more than $2.6 million in receipts for North Texas emerging businesses.
Good for the community
In addition to supporting local communities through expanded economic opportunities, Super Bowl XLV made a significant impact on the welfare of many North Texas residents.
“It was really more than just the big football game,” Cunningham explained. “Other Super Bowl programs were in place that provided youth education, donations to local food banks and homes for the needy, just to name a few.”
Cunningham said TI representatives continue to discuss ways to expand the program’s efforts beyond the game.
“We want to extend the investment and continue supporting area MWBEs and the community on a broader scale,” she said. “We want to keep these efforts alive even though Super Bowl XLV has wrapped up.”
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Citizenship Report Summary
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