Last week, Walmart launched an initiative that is quite amazing in its potential impact for women and families and its proportions. It is called The Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative (http://walmartstores.com/women/). It is the kind of thing that should have been front page news, but since it wasn’t I wanted to draw your attention to it. Over the next five years, Walmart plans to direct billions of dollars in spending to train female workers around the world and support women-owned businesses. For example,
· $20 million will be spent to buy goods from women-owned businesses in the U. S. (double its current spending amount) and the firm plans to double their sourcing efforts from women-owned businesses worldwide.
This is not only good, it is smart business. Women control 20 trillion dollars in consumer spending a year globally. We know that when women are educated and have resources, they invest in their families’ health, education and advancement. Their family unit prospers, the community benefits and the economic picture is better for everyone.
As a women-owned business, supplier of consumer goods and one who has worked with a pro-active Diversity Supplier organization at SUPERVALU, I can appreciate the impact this kind of global initiative can have to help raise the barriers to entry and make doing business with the giants a real possibility. Small enterprises are the innovators, quick to action and quick to change to meet market demands. They bring the spice to the shelf.
I am excited about the prospects for women and their communities everywhere. My hat is off to Walmart.
No comments:
Post a Comment