Supplier Information

Business Function Mentoring Program: See How Suppliers Have Benefited from This Program

Mentored suppliers provide Cisco with a competitive advantage that increases opportunities, develops best practices, and provides businesses with the tools necessary for success.

Cisco has two distinct Supplier Diversity mentoring programs, the Business Function Mentor Program and the Executive Mentor Protégé Program, both geared to promote supplier procurement development. Past experience has proven that these developmental programs have increased suppliers' one-to-one relationships, new business development, and in most cases overall revenue.

The Business Function Mentoring Program is set up to develop a focused one-to-one relationship with a Global Supplier Diversity business development manager for one year. The program's vision is to use relationships to accelerate business development solutions. Our strategy is to adopt diverse suppliers; increase effective working relationships between business functions and diverse suppliers; and enhance the customer, employee, and partner experience. We implement this program by using Cisco’s Employee Resource Groups and other inclusion and diversity programs to provide guidance on increasing revenue and business growth.

In order to be selected as a Business Function mentee, the supplier must:

1. Have performed work for Cisco for the last two years
2. Have an above average rating on the supplier evaluation form
3. Be in good financial standing
4. Be open to constructive criticism

Suppliers that are currently in the Business Function mentoring program are as follows:

The Executive Mentor Protégé Program (EMP²) uses Cisco's vice presidents to mentor CEOs of diverse-owned businesses. The objective of this program is to increase effective working relationships between Cisco and the CEOs. In addition, it advances the diverse supplier experience by engaging Cisco executives to act as corporate advocates. The VPs are available to help with best practice processes, navigate financial and technology barriers, and make introductions to their professional networks. Currently the suppliers that are in the EMP² program are as follows:

Learn more about Cisco’s Executive Mentor Protégé Program.