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Being A Regional Example
Aflac encourages other companies to embrace supplier diversity.
by Mary Welch
May 30, 2008
W
orking with female- and minority-owned businesses is the "right thing to do," says Eric
Seldon, vice president of account implementation and management and support services at Aflac. But,
in the process, the Columbus, Ga.-based company found a "diverse market of suppliers that we needed
to tap into – and hadn't before our program."
Since the inception of Aflac's supplier diversity program in 2003, the company has surpassed
the $100 million mark in spending with minority and women business enterprises suppliers. Aflac's
spending with women-owned businesses in 2007 was nearly $24 million
($23,914,907.99).
The company takes its commitment to supplier diversity seriously and sees itself as being an
example to other companies in Columbus that might not be as enlightened. "We feel that we need to
be out there, especially in Columbus, to create awareness of minority- and female-owned
businesses," he says. "We feel we need to get out there and take the lead. We co-sponsor forums so
that local corporations can see what's out there. We do what we can so that others can see the
value of doing business with minority- and women-owned firms. It's a matter that we all have to do
better. We're sort of trying to play a regional role in this and encourage businesses in Columbus,
Albany and other cities."
Like most corporations, Aflac has a process defined on its website to help companies
navigate its supplier chain. However, once in the system, the company mentors many of the
companies. "I know a company has an excellent product, but when they come in to do the
presentation, it didn't come off so well," he says. "Their presentation skills were lacking. That's
one area where we try to mentor these companies. We work hard with these companies so they won't
fail."
Over the past three years, Aflac has significantly increased spending on its supplier
diversity program. The higher outlays include advances in educational training for minority vendors
by offering them courses on techniques for procuring contracts and on the use of technology to
expand business operations.
In May 2006, the company launched its AflacSB program, an online resource for small
companies that offers them tips on how to attract and retain employees while growing their
business.
