We recently sat down with L. Jay Burks, PhD and Senior Manager Supplier Diversity at Comcast to talk about how Comcast works with veteran, minority, LGBT, persons with disabilities and women-owned businesses.

Comcast Business Community
Why is diversity important when choosing which suppliers to work with?

Jay Burks
We believe diverse businesses have a lot to offer, but don’t always get access to certain opportunities.  Our goal is to ensure that we are leveling the playing field and providing access to opportunities.  We want to be able to provide successful procurement opportunities for these businesses.

Comcast Business Community
Do diverse companies tend to not pursue opportunities with big companies?

Jay Burks
My research found that there is a statistically significant relationship between procedural justice, entrepreneurial leadership and expectancies. For example, if a diverse-owned business thinks that the selection process is unfair they will be less likely to participate, which makes sense. Why would a businessperson spend time on something that doesn’t seem to promise a decent ROI?

Comcast Business Community
How are you hoping to change this dynamic?

Jay Burks
One way is by sharing tips and insights here on the Comcast Business Community. I’ll be writing a regular blog here to provide insights and tips for diverse businesses.

We’ll be tackling topics like, “Why Certification Can Increase Your Competitive Advantage,” “How to Get Your Business Certified,” and we will have in-depth interviews with each of our procurement managers on what they look for when evaluating companies to work with. We will also be sharing stories of companies who have realized success in order to glean their insights and best practices.

So, add us to your “Favorites” list and don’t miss any of our stories geared to supplier diversity!