Why Diversity In Your Supply Chain Matters

Julie Starr • June 10, 2021

In today’s economy, many businesses are identifying diversity as a key priority for their future growth. Alongside other initiatives and corporate social responsibility (CSR), customer increasingly expects the companies they do business with to reflect their own priorities when it comes to ethical, diverse and sustainable business practices.

Your company might be making huge steps towards improving diversity and inclusion within your own workplace, but how far does that extend into your supply chain?

With the wealth of information and transparency available on the internet, potential clients will be able to tell if you don’t practice what you preach. So why does ensuring diversity in the supply chain matter?

Customer expectations

If you think that choosing suppliers comes down solely to price, you’re in for a shock in the future. Consumers have high expectations of the companies they do business with. Younger generations in particular have far less brand loyalty than seen previously. They aren’t afraid to vote with their feet and take their business elsewhere. Focussing on diversity and inclusion only in the context of your own organization is only a superficial fix.

Companies such as Walmart and IBM have made public commitments to spend a significant portion of their budgets with diverse businesses and those who meet certain sustainability criteria. This is becoming a common company policy in organizations across the world, which recognize the multitude of benefits it can have.

Using a multitude of consumer research and data enrichment services, you will be able to identify exactly what matters to your target market.

Talent retention

The battle to find and retain good employees is one faced by most companies. Yet recent research has shown that employees would consider leaving a company that did not reflect their own personal set of values. Since high employee turnover is indicative of low employee engagement, it’s an issue that needs to be addressed. Better, more engaged employees directly contribute to the success of a company. If you have a diverse supply chain policy in place, make sure that this is communicated to existing employees and stakeholders.

Profit growth

A growing, diverse population means that companies now actively target minority demographics as potential customers. Additionally, more and more businesses are now set up and run by a more diverse cross-section of people. This economic growth can filter through the supply chain, making businesses more profitable.

Many organizations are investing in working with diverse suppliers as they realize that they can provide exceptional returns.

Competitive edge

Diversifying your supply chain can develop its competitive advantage by developing new target audiences. Millennials and Genz comprise the most diverse generations in history and they value diversity in the companies they buy from.

Fostering innovation

Diverse, smaller suppliers, working with larger organizations, often find it easier to innovate and adapt to changes rapidly. This kind of market agility leads to an innovative culture. Innovation pushes markets forward and opens up new opportunities for everyone involved in the process.

Key points

By embracing diversity and inclusion beyond your own company can be the foundation of success for your company. Using diverse suppliers can boost profits, open up new target markets to your company. It’s also great for stakeholder management and employee engagement too.

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Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024

In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024

Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.