Women's Participation in Corporate Supplier Diversity Programs

APPENDIX 2 – Survey of Women Business Owners

The Purpose of this Survey

The National Women's Business Council (NWBC) is conducting research on corporate supplier diversity programs, which provide opportunities for women-owned businesses to gain access to corporate markets. This survey is designed to collect quantifiable data on the participation and experiences of women-owned businesses in corporate supplier diversity programs.

Goals of the Survey

Women-owned businesses (WOBs) are a significant force in the U.S economy. This survey aims to understand the opportunities and challenges they face doing business with corporations and provide information that will lead to better business results. Toward that end, the goal of the survey is to gather information that will facilitate:

• an understanding of the barriers women business owners encounter when doing business with corporate supply chains;

• an understanding of how corporate supplier diversity programs can be leveraged to facilitate the growth of women-owned businesses; and

• development of policy recommendations, processes, and activities that may lead to increased opportunities for women-owned businesses to obtain corporate contracts.

Completion of the Survey

Completing this survey will take approximately 30 minutes and your participation is voluntary. For best results, we ask that the survey be completed by or on behalf of the principal business owner (chair, president, or CEO).

The survey is an essential element of a national study that includes a review of the literature on the subject of women-owned businesses and focus groups conducted in major cities across the country. Please make every effort to answer all of the questions. The survey does not request your name, and your results will be kept private.

The survey is being distributed to a sample population of women business owners across the United States and is divided into three major sections:

• Section I asks questions about business characteristics, for example, financing data, method of acquiring ownership, and sources of capital.

• Section ll questions about experience with corporate supplier diversity programs.

• Section III asks background and demographic questions about the principal business owner, about participation in business networks, relationships, and social capital.

Confidentiality

Your answers on the survey will be kept private, and will only be reviewed by consultants of NewPoint Strategies, LLC, the company conducting the research for the National Women’s Business Council.

Please submit your completed survey no later than _____________.

Research sponsor

This study is sponsored by the National Women’s Business Council. NWBC is a non-partisan federal advisory council created to serve as an independent source of advice and counsel to the President, Congress, and the U.S. Small Business Administration on issues of importance to women business owners. It is the government’s only independent voice for women entrepreneurs. To fulfill its mandate to provide substantive policy advice and guidance, NWBC conducts studies and other research on issues related to women-owned businesses.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB); without OMB’s approval, the survey could not be conducted.

OMB control number:

Expiration date:

Data collected on behalf of the National Women’s Business Council under contract number SBAHQ-14-M-0124.

Thank you for your participation.

1. ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Please answer the following questions about your current business. If you own multiple businesses, please provide information for your primary business.

1. Are you the principal owner or designated to complete this survey on behalf of the principal owner (Chair, President or CEO) of this company?

___ Yes, principal owner

___ Yes, designated by the business owner

___ No → Conclude survey

2. When did you start/acquire this business (year)? _________________

→ Conclude survey if business was started/acquired in 2012, 2013, 2014 or 2015

3. What percentage of this business is woman-owned? (Combine all woman owners.)

___ 51% or more ___ 50% ___ Less than 50% → Conclude survey

4. In 2014, did this business have gross revenues of at least $25,000?

___ Yes ___ No → Conclude survey

5. How many individual owners are there in this company? (Do not combine two or more owners to create one owner. Count spouses and partners as separate owners.) ________________

6. Is your business certified as a woman-owned or minority-owned business? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Yes, certified as a woman-owned business → Continue

___ Yes, certified as a minority-owned business → Continue

___ No → Go to Q8

Indicate which organization(s) certified your business. (Mark all that apply.)

___ WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council)

___ NMSDC (National Minority Supplier Development Council)

___ NWBOC (National Women Business Owners Corporation)

___ U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce

___ El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

___ Regional, state, or local organization or agency (specify) _______________

___ Self-Certified

___ Other (specify) ______________________________________________

7. Do you or have you served on the board of directors or in any leadership position (such as committee chair, task force chair, etc.) of any organization(s) that certified your business?

___ Yes ___ No

8. Do you actively participate in any service/professional/networking organizations?

___ Yes →Continue ___ No → Go to Q9

To what extent has your participation in service/professional/ networking organizations contributed to the overall success of your business, in terms of:

	Not Helpful	Somewhat Helpful	Helpful
Access to influential business leaders and decision-makers?	□	□	□
Access to business/industry knowledge and resources?	□	□	□
Notification of and access to contracting opportunities?	□	□	□
Revenue generation and funding opportunities?	□	□	□
Other areas? (Specify_________________________________)	□	□	□

To what degree has your participation in service/professional/ networking organizations contributed to the development of business knowledge and skills in the following areas:

	Not Helpful	Somewhat Helpful	Helpful
Understanding of target customers and how to do business with them	□	□	□
Understanding trends and emerging markets (e.g., “the next Silicon Valley”) ahead of the competition	□	□	□
Marketing principles and strategies (including how to promote the business, gather intelligence on new and emerging markets, and develop pricing models)	□	□	□
Building your capacity to develop new ideas, garner support for implementing new ventures, and sustaining growth	□	□	□
Understanding sociopolitical issues, diverse cultures and groups, and how different cultural views might impact your business and strategies	□	□	□
Creating and communicating an effective and compelling value proposition that clearly conveys the unique benefits of doing business with your company	□	□	□
Using technology	□	□	□

9. What is the 5-digit NAICS code for your primary business? _______________

(If needed, please use the link www.census.gov/naics. In the "2012 NAICS Search" box on the left side of that page, enter a keyword that describes your kind of business. A list of primary business activities containing that keyword and the corresponding NAICS codes will appear. Choose the one that most closely corresponds to your primary business activity, or refine your search to obtain other choices.)

10. What is the legal structure of this business?

___ Sole proprietorship

___ General/limited partnership

___ Limited liability company

___ Subchapter S corporation

___ General corporation

___ Other (specify ______________________________________________)

11. Is this a home-based business?

___ Yes ___ No

12. Business owners may have different perspectives on the meaning of “success.” How do you define success for your company? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Achievement of business plan goals, objectives, and financial projections

___ Increasing profits

___ Development of new and innovative products

___ Patents, trademarks, and copyrights owned by the company

___ Increasing market share

___ Entry into new markets

___ Brand recognition

___ Positive business reputation

___ Increased work/life balance

___ Selling the business and getting a return on my investment

___ Other (specify _________________________________________________)

13. In 2014, how many people (including you and other owners) worked for this business as the following?

Full-time employees: ______ Part-time employees: _______ Contractors: _______

Between 2011 and 2014, the number of people who work for this business generally:

	Full-Time Employees	Part-Time Employees	Contractors
Increased.	□	□	□
Decreased.	□	□	□
Stayed about the same.	□	□	□

14. What was the total gross revenue of this business in 2014?

□ $25,000–$49,999

□ $50,000–$99,999

□ $100,000–$249,999

□ $250,000–$999,999

□ $1 million - $5 million

□ $5 million – $10 million

□ Over $10 million

How does the total gross revenue of this business in 2014 compare to that of the previous years:

2013		2012		2011
	___ Increased		___ Increased		___ Increased
	___ Decreased		___ Decreased		___ Decreased
	___ Stayed about the same		___ Stayed about the same		___ Stayed about the same
	___ NA (was not in business)		___ NA (was not in business)		___ NA (was not in business)

How does the total profit earned by this business in 2014 compare to that of the previous years:

2013		2012		2011
	___ Increased		___ Increased		___ Increased
	___ Decreased		___ Decreased		___ Decreased
	___ Stayed about the same		___ Stayed about the same		___ Stayed about the same
	___ NA (was not in business)		___ NA (was not in business)		___ NA (was not in business)

15. Do you currently have plans to expand your business?

___ Yes →Continue ___ No → Go to Q16

When do you plan to expand?

____ Within the next three years

____ In more than three years

____ Unsure, it depends on the economy and/or other factors

How do you plan to fund the expansion of your business?

___Personal savings of the owner

___ Personal assets other than savings of the owner

___ Personal loan

___ Home equity loan

___ Personal credit card(s)

___ Business credit card(s)

___ Business loan from a bank or financial institution

___ Government-guaranteed business loan from a bank or financial institution

___ SBA loan

___ Venture capital investment

___ Loan from family/friends

___ Investment from family/friends

___ Crowd funding

___ Other (specify) _____________________________________

II. EXPERIENCE WITH CORPORATE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Supplier diversity programs are offered by many corporations in order to increase their purchasing from and contracts with minority and women-owned business enterprises. Please answer the following questions about your experiences with such programs.

16. When you first started/acquired this business, did you plan to provide good or services to large corporations as a strategy to grow the business?

____ Yes ____ No

17. When you first started/acquired this business, were you aware of the requirements you would have to meet in order to do business with large corporations?

____Yes Continue ____ No Go to Q 18

How did you learn about the requirements you would have to meet in order to do business with large corporations? (Mark all that apply)

	____	Spoke to peers and colleagues who were doing business with large corporations
	____	Spoke to buyers or procurement officials in large corporations
	____	Spoke to various corporate representatives
	____	Attended business development and/or training events
	____	Conducted independent research using the internet or other methods
	____	Other (please specify:_______________________________)
If YES on Q17 go to Q 19 after answer

18. Why did you not plan to provide good or services to large corporations as a strategy to grow the business?

____	Product/Service was targeted to consumers
____	Did not want to grow too large
____	Requirements to become a vendor were too onerous and/or intrusive
____	Did not think my company had the capacity to meet the demands of large contracts
____	Did not think I could secure financing to meet contract demands
____	Did not think large corporations would be interested in doing business with my company
____	Other (please specify:_______________________________________________)

19. Do you currently have plans to increase your company’s revenue from contracts with large corporations?

___ Yes →Continue ___ No → Go to Q21

When do you plan to increase these revenues?

____ Within the next three years

____ In more than three years

____ Unsure, it depends on the economy and/or other factors

What do you believe are/will be the greatest impediments to your ability to obtain contracts with large corporations? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Lack of contacts within decision-makers in large corporations

___ Lack of relationships with buyers in large corporations

___ Lack of capacity to meet demand

___ Insufficient capital

___ Insufficient information about contract opportunities

___ Insufficient information about vendor requirements

___ Complexity/bureaucracy of the contracting process

___ Other (specify________________________________________________)

20. Have you or do you plan to form a joint venture or strategic alliance in order to pursue contract opportunities with large corporations?

___ Yes ___ No

21. How do you most frequently learn about contract opportunities with large corporations?

___Corporate supplier diversity managers

___ Corporate purchasing/contract managers

___ Notification from business and/or service organizations (e.g., WBENC, Chamber of Commerce, NAWBO, etc.)

___ Relationships with business peers

___ Networking with other business leaders

___ Networking events (including trade shows and fairs, matchmaking events, etc.)

___ Trade press or other media

___ Other (specify ___________________________________________________)

22. Are you aware of corporate supplier diversity programs?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to Q26

23. Have you used or attempted to use any corporate supplier diversity programs to grow your business?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to Q25

Have you received any contracts or subcontracts as a result of your participation in corporate supplier diversity programs?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to Q26

Between 2011 and 2014, has the total gross revenue earned through corporate supplier diversity programs generally:

___ increased?

___ decreased?

___ stayed about the same?

GO TO Q26 AFTER ANSWER

24. Why have you not used (or attempted to use) any corporate supplier diversity programs to grow your business? (Mark all that apply.)

___Not a key component of my company’s business strategy for generating revenue

___Too much red tape

___Procedures/paperwork too time-consuming

___Procedures/paperwork too intrusive

___Do not know about corporate supplier processes and/or how to access them

___Do not know why certification is important to procure contracts

___Business not approved for certification

___Certification pending

___Takes years to get a contract

___Do not believe supplier diversity is helpful

___Some other reason (specify) ________________________________

25. How likely would you be to participate in the following services offered by corporate supplier diversity programs? (Mark all that apply.)

	Not Likely	Somewhat Likely	Likely
Mentorship/business development training	□	□	□
Matchmaking with prime contractors/notice of subcontracting opportunities	□	□	□
Introductions to corporate buyers/procurement decision-makers	□	□	□
Educational programs about a specific company’s procurement process	□	□	□

NOT LIKELY FOR ALL → CONTINUE SOMEWHAT LIKELY/LIKELY FOR ANY → GO TO Q28

26. Why would you not be likely to participate in any of the services of corporate supplier diversity programs? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Don’t believe they would help me grow my business

___ Too time-consuming

___ Would prefer to work directly with buyers

___ Believe being identified as a woman-owned business would limit opportunities for my company

___ Believe my company would be stigmatized by affiliation with supplier diversity programs

___ Some other reason (specify)_____________________________________________

IF NO ON Q.23 AND/OR Q. 24→ GO TO Q 30

27. Has a corporate supplier diversity manager taken any actions or provided any advice that helped you gain business with large corporations?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to Q 29

Indicate the level of actions or advice provided for each of the following:

	Not Provided	Not Helpful	Somewhat Helpful	Helpful
Assessment of my company’s capacity to provide their corporation with goods/services	□	□	□	□
Introduction to purchasing officers and buyers	□	□	□	□
Notification of upcoming contract opportunities	□	□	□	□
Introduction to prime contractors	□	□	□	□
Facilitated access to and/or better terms for trade credit or financing	□	□	□	□
Discussed ways to grow my business (e.g., licensing, new products, global expansion, etc.)	□	□	□	□
Provided information about how to create effective business alliances	□	□	□	□
Supported inclusion clause in contracts to ensure diversity	□	□	□	□
Interceded on my behalf to resolve issues, problems, etc.	□	□	□	□

28. Did you encounter any major challenges or barriers in your attempts to gain business through corporate supplier diversity programs?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to question 30

What challenges or barriers did you encounter? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Could not contact anyone in the corporate supplier diversity office

___ Could not receive any information about upcoming opportunities

___ Could not obtain any guidance or useful guidance on requirements to become a vendor

___ My company’s certification was not accepted

___ Could not obtain any feedback on proposals and/or paperwork submitted, my company business model, standards, quality or safety standards

___ Was referred to purchasing officer but could not contact him/her

___ Was told there were no upcoming opportunities

___ Process was passive; was not actively connected to opportunities

___ Received very little or no guidance about the completion of required paperwork

___ Some other challenge or barrier (specify _____________________________)

Were you able to overcome these challenges and barriers?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Go to question 30

___ Decided to walk away as there were too many hurdles → Go to question 30

How did you overcome them?

___ Talked to someone higher in the organization

___ Sought advice from someone else in the organization

___ An advocate from outside the company interceded on my behalf

___ Performed as a subcontractor to better understand business requirements

___ Other:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

3. ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OWNER

Please answer the following questions about the principal owner of this business.

29. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin? ___ Yes ___ No

30. What is your race? (Mark one or more.)

___ American Indian or Alaska Native

___ Asian

___ Black or African American

___ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

___ White

31. What is your age?

___ Under 25

___ 25–34

___ 35–44

___ 45–54

___ 55–64

___ 65 or over

32. What was the highest level of school you completed?

___ Less than high school

___ High school diploma or GED

___ Technical, trade, or vocational school

___ Some college, but no degree

___ Associate degree

___ Bachelor’s degree

___ Master’s, doctorate, or professional (e.g., J.D. or M.D.) degree

33. What is your current marital/relationship status?

___ Never married

___ Married

___ Domestic partner

___ Widow

___ Divorced

___ Separated

34. Are you a primary caregiver for any of the following? (Mark all that apply.)

___ Children 18 years old or younger

___ Children over 18 years old

___Elderly parents or other relatives

CONCLUSION

35. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about your experiences in the corporate market or with corporate supplier diversity programs?

___ Yes → Continue ___ No → Conclude Survey

What would you like us to know?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________