|
Edited by Dan Perkins
Source: Astra Release
On December 21, Microsoft Corporation was presented two prestigious
awards for its commitment to creating
more opportunities for women entrepreneurs. The
awards were issued by
Astra Women's Business Alliance,
a West Coast affiliate
of the Women Business Enterprise National
Council (WBENC).
Microsoft, the
worldwide leader in software, services and
solutions, was named “Top Corporation,” for its dedication of time,
talent, and resources to women business
enterprises in a seven state region Astra
serves, which includes Washington, Northern
California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and
Alaska. Microsoft also received the “Done
Deals” award, for creating the most contracts
with Astra-certified businesses since November
2003 in the same geography.
“Microsoft is a
great example of a corporation that values the
creative supply chain solutions women-owned
businesses deliver,” said Diane McClelland,
co-founder and president of the Astra Women’s
Business Alliance. “Microsoft not only
recognizes the value that a diverse supply base
brings to the table, but they also respond to
the market women represent, as investors and
consumers who vote with their dollars, and are
loyal to companies that provide opportunities to
them."
Two of the ways Microsoft
has stood behind its commitment to
provide increased opportunities for women-owned
businesses include providing online interactive
training sessions to
potential candidates for WBENC certification and
referring vendors to Astra and WBENC programs.
Microsoft has also worked to inform corporations
and women business owners of the importance of
third-party certification through these
organizations.
WBENC, which was
formed to increase corporate business access for
women business owners, is working with Microsoft
and other partner organizations to develop and
implement targeted programs that will fuel the
success of women-owned businesses. WBENC
is also working with its corporate partners to
level the playing field and create more
equitable opportunities for all small
businesses, which will bolster the American
economy.
Last year,
Microsoft committed to creating at least five
contracts, known as “Done Deals,” with Astra
women business enterprises during the subsequent
12 months. To date, Microsoft has more than
exceeded its goal, and has created more
contracts with Astra than any other partner
Fortune 500 company. With Microsoft’s help,
Astra and WBENC have received increased support
from other corporate members such as Starbucks,
Boeing, Bon-Macy’s, and Weyerhaeuser, as well as
increased the overall number of certified women
business enterprises during the past year.
“Microsoft
is thrilled to have received these distinguished
awards from Astra, an organization that has made
tremendous strides towards the advancement of
female entrepreneurs,” said G. Winston Smith,
Microsoft’s director of supplier diversity,
Smith
continues, “At Microsoft, we strongly believe in
Astra’s mission to enhance opportunities for
women business owners to gain greater access to
business. These awards assure us, as a
corporation, that our support is having a
quantifiable impact in the women business owner
community, and encourages us to continue to seek
avenues to further assist in the future.”
Microsoft’s
partnership with the Astra Women’s Business
Alliance serves as an example of the
corporation’s commitment to building a diverse
supplier base.
The End |
