WEConnection, August 2016, Volume 13

WEConnect International Corporations Earn High Marks!

The  BUY UP Index  is a new app that allows consumers to make purchasing decisions based on a company's demonstrated commitment to gender equality. The organization rates everyday brands and products and the companies behind them. Using a proprietary rating methodology, the BUY UP index assesses companies on four major areas: Women Employees, Women Leadership, Corporate Citizenship, and Marketing.

We are proud to say several  WEConnect International corporate members earned A and B grades in their industry categories, and some earned top positions. Remarkably, Procter & Gamble received an A rating in three separate industries. 

Here are the member corporations who made the lists (A grades in bold):  Apple for Cell Phones;  BNY Mellon for Banks;  Coca-Cola for Beverage;  Estée Lauder Companies for Beauty Products;  Johnson & Johnson for Beauty Products;  JP Morgan Chase for Banks (ranked #1); Microsoft for Cell Phones (ranked #1); PepsiCo for Beverages as well as Food; Procter & Gamble for Beauty Products, Household Products, and Tampons (#1 in household products and tampons, and the only company to receive an A for household products); Walmart for "Big Box"; and Wells Fargo for Banks.

Congratulations to all! 

Women-Owned Success Stories
Dayna Wallace International - Jamaica

Established in 2013, certified women's business enterprise  Dayna Wallace International is a digital marketing agency that focuses on helping small businesses and corporations reach their target market online and convert their reach into revenue.

Dayna joined more than 200 women business owners, corporate members and partners at   WEConnect International Day 2016 in Orlando, eager to find opportunities outside of Jamaica to help grow her business. While attending she made a valuable connection with a representative of Time Warner who happened to be in the market for the exact services that Dayna Wallace International provides. She also cultivated future prospects with Marriott Courtyard in Jamaica, managing to secure an introduction with its CEO. 


Melaire Linens - South Africa

Melanie Medell, owner of  Melaire Linens, has been chosen to participate in corporate member EY's Entrepreneurial Winning Women Class of 2016 programme. Melanie has been a WEConnect International in South Africa certified Women's Business Enterprise since March 2015.

Melanie credits her selection to the EY programme to WEConnect International in South Africa's support. She says, "This opportunity is a direct outcome of my attendance of the WEConnect International in South Africa Annual Conference held in April this year. In particular, Jean Chawapiwa, Executive Director of WEConnect International in South Africa is a powerful catalyst."


Spotlight on the United Kingdom
OrangeDoor is Dell's Diverse Supplier of Choice

WEConnect International certified women's business enterprise OrangeDoor is delighted to have been selected as a key diverse supplier in Dell's Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report:

" While producing a selection of innovative and forward-thinking projects for Dell, we have elevated them in the technology industry, positioning the business as a technology  leader and provider of choice across EMEA.  Not only have OrangeDoor grown as a diverse independent business, Dell's network has also opened up amazing opportunities which have assisted us in providing exceptional work for our clients.  This collaboration and participation in Dell's own mentoring programme has been a brilliant one alongside OrangeDoor's already strong partnership with WEConnect [International]."


Gill Thorpe on Politics and the Promo Industry

Gill Thorpe, CEO and Managing Director of certified women's business enterprise The Sourcing Team, was interviewed by commons for its podcast "skucast." The theme of the interview was "Politics and the Promo Industry." Gill discussed a number of issues, especially the impact of Brexit. We are very pleased that she also mentioned WEConnect International and the value of supplier diversity for multinational corporations.

(at 14:54) "These big corporations want to work with agile, creative and innovative businesses, and a lot of those tend to be the more diverse businesses."


The Women in Business Travel Report

Almost a third (31.4%) of female business travelers have encountered sexual harassment whilst traveling. Handbag theft is the second most frequent incident, followed by drink spiking and sexual assault. Furthermore, 79.2% of female business travelers claim they are under-prepared to deal with the incidents they encounter. These are just two of the findings from a new report looking at female business travelers' needs, the degree to which these needs are met and whether gender should play any part in corporate travel management.

The Women in Business Travel Report was commissioned by  Maiden-Voyage, a WEConnect International certified women-owned business and the world's specialist resource for female business travellers, from Travel Intelligence Network, specialists in creating unique content for the travel and hospitality sectors.


Events

Annual Great Lakes Women's Business Conference
(WEConnect International certified women's business enterprises are welcome!)
Location: Novi, MI, USA
Date: September 27-28, 2016

Fifth Annual WEConnect International in Mexico
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Date: October 5, 2016

WEConnect International in Chile Annual Forum
Location: Santiago, Chile
Date: October 25, 2016

WEConnect International in Canada National Conference - Power the Economy 
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Date: November 7-8, 2016

WEConnect International in India Think Big Forum
Location: Bangalore, India
Date: November 14-15, 2016

WEConnect International in Europe Annual Conference
Location: London, UK
Date: November 16-17, 2016

WEConnect International in Chile Matchmaking Event
Location: Santiago, Chile
Date: November 17, 2016

WEConnect International in Costa Rica Annual Business Roundtable
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Date: November 21, 2016

WEConnect International in China 2016 Marketplace
Location: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Date: December 8, 2016

Connect with Us