Patricia Rodriguez Christian and Dr. Shannon Suber

Texas Instruments

Accepting: Dr. Shannon Suber, Director of Minority/Women Business Development and Worldwide Procurement and Logistics Talent Development
Presenting: Patricia Rodriguez Christian (left), Board member, Women’s Business Council Southwest

MWBEs have delivered innovative products and services to Texas Instruments for more than 20 years. TI benefi ts by receiving creative, diverse and cost-effective solutions to its business problems. The company objective is to provide procurement opportunities to certifi ed MWBEs, so that they can successfully compete for TI’s business. Requiring certification gives the company more confi dence in the credibility of its spending metrics, while suppliers benefi t from their relationships with certifi cation agencies. TI’s objective is to use an inclusive sourcing model that seeks out and enables certified nterprises to qualify and successfully compete for business. When these opportunities do not exist.

TI encourages its nondiverse supply base to build inclusive supply chains. TI depends on more than 11,500 suppliers to help them create products and services that enhance the quality of life for its customers and employees. According to Rich Templeton, Texas Instruments chairman, president and chief executive officer, “This is about business. This is about how to best serve our customers and meet shareholder expectations. This is about being a leader, be it in our industry, in the businesses that we operate or in the community. This is not just a feel-good or goodwill program. This is about competing.”

TI benefi ts by receiving creative, cost-effective solutions that help us compete in the global marketplace, Suber explained. “Our community benefits from the positive economic impact these businesses provide through sustainable job creation. To improve the environment for MWBE fi rms to succeed, we must increase supply chain inclusion. Capable diverse suppliers are available in the marketplace,” she said. “They represent one of the fastest- growing segments of the economy and provide an endless array of products and services applicable across industries. MWBEs need more visibility and access. Stronger engagement is needed between buying entities and organizations that certify MWBEs and advocate on their behalf. Engagement with these organizations helps facilitate visibility for MWBEs and the chance to build relationships that can lead to business opportunities.”

TI has long realized the value proposition of utilizing diverse suppliers. “We establish annual procurement goals, then track and communicate our progress on a monthly basis. We maintain close ties with regional affi liates of NMSDC [National Minority Supplier Development Council] and WBENC and participate on their boards, certifi cation committees and key event planning teams — engagements that help us identify and get to know diverse suppliers that we can do business with,” Suber said. “Last year, TI launched a mentoring program with incumbent MWBE suppliers to help them improve their effectiveness and grow their business. In addition, Texas Instruments is presently exclusive sponsor for Super Bowl XLV Host Committee’s Emerging Business Program that provides locally owned MWBEs tools and information to pursue Super Bowl-related contracts and provides training and education to enhance overall business success. The resulting Emerging Business Resource Guide produced for Super Bowl XLV is the largest ever in NFL history.”