Q&A with Frito-Lay’s Group Manager Supplier Diversity Jean Lacefield

WE: When did Frito-Lay form its supplier diversity program?

JL: Frito-Lay,Inc.formed its supplier diversity program in 1983 when our senior leadership executed their vision of improvingthe economic wealth of the ethnic business community. Foralmost a quarter of a century,we remain committed to inspiringwell being in our suppliers and the communities we serve. Read more

WBE towing and incident management company providing above-and-beyond service for D/FW

Considering Marilyn Lane’s entrepreneurially laced upbringing, it’s no surprise that she jumped upon recognizing an opportunity to fill an automotive industry niche with a true focus on service. “I wanted to have a different kind of tow service, far exceeding the public stereotype of the industry.We have chosen to specialize in incident management rather than tow-away business – this is the image and public perception we desire,”said Lane, president of WBENC-certified Hollywood Transportation, Inc. dba Hollywood Towing. Read more

Chairman’s Corner

For Bill McCauley, the best fruits of the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance are two-fold.On the one hand, female entrepreneurs have the opportunity to nurture and expand their businesses. And on the other hand, corporations have access to WBEs who can provide them with valuable services and goods.The end result of the WBEA, which provides certification,education programs and networking events, is a pleasant surprise for anyone involved in the organization. Read more

CDR Assessment Group usestraits, drivers and risks toreveal clients’ hidden talents

Nancy Parsons doesn’t read stars, gaze into crystal balls or consult with voices from beyond.Without benefit of smoke and mirrors, she and business partner Kimberly Brinkmeyer, Ph.D. possess a knack for seeing into a company’s future and determining where potential roadblocks lay.

Their company,Tulsa, Okla.-based CDR Assessment Group, provides a broad but pointed spectrum of human resource development services and products to identify the traits, risks and motivations of executives and other employees and assure that the right people are in the right places.It’s particularly helpful considering the current economic uncertainty. Evaluation of a company’s leadership, and then acting on that information, can mean the difference between success and failure.The accuracy of the evaluation is critical, however, and Parsons warns that, while lots of firms offer assessments, most do not go far enough.

THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAILS
Most assessment firms employ a “360”feedback tool intended to provide a look at the external view of “how” performance is observed. The problem with that, said Parsons:“This only tells part of the story.We go further by revealing the ‘whys’ or the root causes of behavior.”Among many jewels in the company crown is the CDR 3-Dimensional Assessment Suite®, a measure of character, risks and drivers.

The Suite’s proprietary instruments were designed to provide specific and forthright results.“We measure leadership characteristics and provide information to leverage strengths and neutralize risks,” she explained.“We reveal inherent leadership derailers,but we also find talents that may have gone unnoticed and unused.”Parsons describes the CDR 3-D Suite as the “Swiss army knife of the assessment world” because it facilitates and strengthens coaching, developmental planning,staffing decisions, succession planning, team building, incentives and risk analysis.What’s more, only one test is needed.The 3-D Suite isn’t the only product offered by CDR.

The Leadership Coaching Workshop trains coaches to help their clients understand why performance behaviors manifest in the ways they do.The 360 Leader Scan is a leadership performance and development instrument that contains 80 items, 10 core competency areas and includes statistical and narrative input. In addition, CDR provides online tools, certification for coaches, workshops around the country and customized development programs that are flexible and adaptable.

THE RIGHT FIT
“We don’t waste precious time on superficial feedback that misses critical traits or that sugar-coats valuable takeaways,” assured Parsons, adding that a confidential feedback session always accompanies the assessments. “Most people will shine given the right circumstances.This process gives insights that empower an individual to become the best leader and contributor possible.”

“Our tools fast-forward development initiatives by specifically pinpointing the individual traits that define performance strengths, talent, gaps, risks, and motivation,”Parsons continued.“The results are straight forward,hard hitting and accurate.”She noted one company that sought to increase the size of its IT department. “I advised them to look in-house,” she recalled.“See if there are employees who may possess the necessary inherent characteristics to be trained in a boot camp approach to take on IT roles. Through our assessments, we were able to quickly identify those whose traits suited IT work.This was a huge success that tapped into hidden talent and rewarded those already loyal to the company.”

THE ROAR OF THE CROWD
CDR has been collecting accolades for its role in evolving company leadership.As an experiment, a writer for The Wall Street Journal took three assessments, one of which was by CDR Assessment Group. He wrote that two of the tests portrayed someone he did not even recognize, while CDR gave him a realistic depiction of his abilities.“We were the only one that provided an accurate reading on his leadership potential,”Parsons said.“The other two told him,‘you have a high capacity to lead others’ and ‘you are well-suited to a management job.’

Interestingly, as he reported, hescored at only the sixth percentile in Leadership Energy on our assessment—whichwas quite contrary to the results portrayed by the other assessment firms.” Manyfirms do not measure leadership energy and other key attributes, in their promotionalprocess.The accuracy and effectiveness of CDR’s products and services have drawn awho’s who of clients, including Lehman Brothers,The Department of Defense,Janssen Pharmaceutica, Sunoco Logistics and Illinois State University. Not tomention foreign companies that use the CDR 3-D Suite now that it comes infive languages.Parsons said she is thankful for the many clients who have referred CDRAssessment Group to other companies.“We are growing steadily,” she said, “and Ithink it’s because we are doing things in a revolutionary way.”

WBCS honors business conducted between itsmembers at TOP T.E.N.

On March 25, the Women’s Business Council – Southwest held its DFW TOP T.E.N.(Trends, Education and Networking)event at the Dallas Marriott Las Colinas. During the event, the WBCS Done Deals committee premiered the 2nd Generation of Done Deals — business deals conducted between WBCS sustaining members and WBEs and WBE-to-WBE business deals. Read more

New Southwest Women’s business WORKS! conveys success

For 12 years, the Women’s BusinessCouncil – Southwest has hostedan annual trade fair open to sustainingand women’s business enterprisemembers and others interested inattending the two-day event. Read more

Turner spends $1.3 billionwith MWBEs in 2007

Turner Construction Company, the nation’s leading generalbuilder, announced that it awarded 3,000 contractstotaling $1.3 billion to minority- and women-owned businessenterprises in 2007. This is the third year in a rowthat the company has surpassed the milestone of awardingin excess of $1 billion of contracts to MWBEs.“We are very proudto have achieved thismilestone as we celebratethe 40thanniversary ofTurner’s formal communityaffairs program.

Our long-standing record of achievement inexpanding opportunities for minority- and women-ownedcontractors across the country is critical to the success ofTurner and of our industry,” said Hilton Smith, Turner seniorvice president, community affairs.Since 1979, Turner’s total number of contractswith MWBEs has surpassed 47,000 at a value inexcess of $16 billion. For more information,visit www.turnerconstruction.com.

Thompson & Knight Dallas attorney to serve on global panel

Molly Steele, a partner in the trial practice group ofThompson & Knight’s Dallas office,was selected to serve onthe International Centre for Dispute Resolution’s Panel ofArbitrators. She joins an elite group of specialists in internationaldispute resolution.

The ICDR panel is comprised of a diverse group of highlyregarded professionals from the business and legal communities.Both the ICDR executive staff and external review committeesscreen candidates for their case management skills,substantive expertise, commitment, ethics, training, and suitabilityto the caseload. Panel members are required to havea minimum of 15 years of senior-level business or professionalexperience and have achieved academic and professionalhonors that mark them as leaders in their respective fields.

Chrysler’s VP and chiefcontroller honored fordistinguished success andcommunity contributions

Kim Harris Jones, Chrysler LLC vice president and chiefcontroller,was honored by the Michigan Chronicle andReal Times Media with the Women of Excellence Award,a tribute to 50 of the most enterprising and influentialwomen in the state of Michigan.The awards event tookplace at the Gem Theater in Detroit.

The Women of Excellence honorees exemplify AfricanAmerican female executives, business owners and communityleaders with proven success in their professionand industry. The honorees are positive role models,whose contributions encourage others, and are active incommunity service endeavors.Harris Jones is responsiblefor corporate financial activitiesand financial reporting, aswell as overseeing the activitiesof the corporate economistoffice.

Harris Jones was thefirst African American female tobe named vice president inChrysler’s history. Previously,she was the vice president ofproduct and procurement costmanagement finance.

Girl Scouts’ CDO selected for 2008 Leadership Texas class

Jennifer Ware, GirlScouts of Northeast Texas’chief development officer, isone of a 100 women selectedfor the Leadership Texas class of2008, a program of the Foundation for Women’s Resources.

Joining an elite network of more than 2,500 leaders, eachparticipant will not only broaden her perspective on Texas,she will also see, hear and experience the realities of thestate by visiting five Texas cities and be exposed to cuttingedgeinformation presented by renowned experts, educators,government officials and facilitators.

“Leadership Texas is a wonderful complement of the workwe do at Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas where our businessis to build tomorrow’s leaders one girl at a time,”Ware said.The theme for Leadership Texas 2008 is “The ChangingFace of Texas.”

Program Partners providing financial supportfor Leadership Texas 2008 are Bell Helicopter Textron, Dell,Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments. For more information,visit www.womensresources.org.

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