Jump to Content
Diversity
Supplier Diversity
Supplier diversity is a priority for BCBSM. Because our customers and subscribers consist of diverse populations, we seek to convey an inclusive approach to our community, our clients and our suppliers. We look for opportunities to form partnerships and strategic alliances.
We're proud that BCBSM has been recognized by our community partners, as these achievements reinforce our efforts to integrate the values of diversity into all areas of our business.
BCBSM seeks to improve the health of Michigan citizens and its business environment. Our supplier diversity initiatives support us in that effort.
— Tricia Keith
Vice President
Corporate Secretary and Services
Featured video
BCBSM Honored Women and Minority Owned Businesses at the Supplier Diversity Achievement Awards
Supplier diversity and inclusion
The Blues continue to build new partnerships with suppliers and business partners to improve supplier diversity and better serve communities in Michigan. A key component of this program is business expansion and penetration in new growth markets.
The Blues currently have 175 diverse suppliers. We consistently exceed our goals for spending with Minority and Women Business Enterprises. In 2010, we spent $78 million with minority businesses, exceeding our goal by 47 percent. We spent an additional $66 million with women-owned firms. Over the past seven years, the minority business spend has increased by 169 percent.
The Blues contribute to the success of diverse suppliers through:
- Hosting annual Supplier Diversity Achievement Awards, which highlight the achievements of diverse suppliers, the procurement staff and company departments
- Hosting the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council's Project One module, where the Blues mentor 15 minority business enterprises that meet monthly to network and discuss business opportunities
- Expanding health care industry knowledge about the value of partnering with diverse suppliers by sharing best practices in supplier diversity, joint webinars on diversity training and diverse supplier presentations
- Leveraging key contracts and training programs with subsidiaries to promote, streamline and support diversity supplier goals
- Developing partnerships throughout the community, such as:
- Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
- Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Center for Empowerment and Economic Development
- National Association of Women Business Owners
Programs
A minimum of 15 percent of our eligible procurement dollars are allocated to minority business enterprises for support of products and services in the following areas:
- Health care services — Wellness and other health care programs, care management and call centers
- Information technology — Hardware, software, communications and IT consultants
- Administrative services — Training, temporary help, advertising, printing and facilities management
Tier II program
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is committed to fostering and increasing purchases from Minority and Women Business Enterprises. The second tier initiative augments our supplier diversity program, and increases our ability to include MWBEs in our supply chains, by requiring our primary contractors to use and report spending with diverse suppliers in the fulfillment of their contracts. Doing so greatly enhances our supplier diversity efforts and extends even more meaningful business opportunities to MWBEs.
Supplier Diversity Awards
BCBSM is honored by the following organizations:
2011
- Top 10 Regional Companies List, DiversityInc
- America's Top Organization for Multicultural Business Opportunities, DiversityBusiness.com
2010
- Corporation of the Year, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (2007–2010)
- Corporate ONE Award for outstanding corporate partnership, MMSDC (2000–2010)
- Buyer of the Year Award, MMSDC — Ulysee Rice, Jr.
- The Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year Award, MMSDC — Donna Strickland
- Corporate Advocate of the Year award, Women's Business Enterprise Council — Great Lakes — Donna Strickland
- Corporate Diversity Champion, National Association of Women Business Owners
- Lead Employer of the Year, U.S. Business Leadership Network
2009
- Corporate Diversity Champion, Michigan International Chamber of Commerce
Top 10 suppliers
Top 10 Minority Business Enterprise suppliers
(Listed in alphabetical order)
- Alliance Technology Solutions LLC
- Arrow Strategies LLC
- Bartech Group Inc.
- IKA Sytems Corporation
- SHI International Corporation
- The Epitec Group Inc.
- The Jonah Group Ltd.
- VisionIT Inc.
- W3R Consulting
- X by 2 Inc.
Top 10 Women Business Enterprise suppliers
(Listed in alphabetical order)
- Allegra Direct Communications
- Alliance Technology Solutions LLC
- Candor Consulting Inc.
- Eliza Corporation
- Iconma LLC
- Jawood Business Process Solutions LLC
- Jawood Management Associates Inc.
- Michigan Office Design Inc.
- Motor City Travel LLC
- Strategic Staffing Solutions Inc.
Become a supplier
The Blues have high standards for both our sourcing professionals and the suppliers that do business with us. We use a competitive process designed to obtain the optimum in quality, service and value. Prospective suppliers wishing to register their company information and general capabilities for future consideration should follow these steps:
Step 1:
Contact supplierdiversity@bcbsm.com for a Supplier Information Form. The form will help define the products and services your company offers and provide a profile for review. Please expect a response within one week.
Step 2:
Complete the Supplier Information Form and obtain certification (recommended, but not required) from a third-party certification agency, including:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council
nmsdcus.org - Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council
mmbdc.com - Women's Business Enterprise National Council
wbenc.org - Center for Empowerment and Economic Development
miceed.org - U.S. Small Business Administration
sba.gov
Step 3:
Submit the Supplier Information Form and certification documentation to supplierdiversity@bcbsm.com to register your company in our supplier network. You can also fax the information to 1-866-294-4981 or mail it to:
BCBSM Supplier Diversity Program — MC 0625
600 East Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48215
