Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services has received the “Coup de Cœur” (Favorites) award at Ayming Consulting’s inaugural Business Performance Awards for the company’s Supply Chain Inclusion Program, which commits to the economic development of diverse and inclusive businesses.

Chosen from a field of 100 applicants, Sodexo was one of five companies to be recognized. The awarded program, launched in 2013, commits to investing US$1 billion in 5,000 small- to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) – including 1,500 managed by women – to help create more than 250,000 jobs by the end of 2017. The program leverages best practices from Sodexo operations around the world to develop strong and sustainable relationships with suppliers in one or more of the following categories:

  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) including social and micro-enterprises
  • Suppliers from women-owned, minority-owned and other under-represented and/or protected groups
  • Major Sodexo suppliers demonstrating a diverse workforce composition, actively embracing diversity and inclusion and promoting local supply chain inclusion

 

Currently, 32 countries have joined the Supply Chain Inclusion Program, and the company’s goal is to have all countries signed on by 2020. This has already resulted in a 45 percent increase in expense spending with SME’s (US$506 million). Sixteen countries have taken specific steps to work with women-owned SMEs, working with WEConnect, in the UK, Canada, Australia, Peru, Chile and India. The program also provides SMEs with training to help improve quality and competitive edge.

Jean-Louis Tassin, Sodexo VP Global Supply Management, said during the award ceremony: “The “Coup de Cœur” trophy from the Business Performance Awards Jury recognizes and rewards Sodexo’s concrete and sustainable commitment towards SMEs across the world in line with our inclusion and diversity values. The Supply Chain Inclusion program that aims to create up to 250,000 new jobs in the countries where we operate forms an integral part of Sodexo’s core mission. As a result, Sodexo’s supply chain personnel are continuously looking to expand and improve their actions designed to improve the Quality of Life of our local communities, partners, clients and end-users”.

Founded in 2016 by international consulting firm Ayming Consulting, the Business Performance Awards reward companies for a strategic initiative that boosted overall performance in areas such as procurement strategy, employee relations, training and innovation. 

To read the full version of the press release, please download the PDF.

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