Overland-Tandberg is a global technology company serving over 100 countries . We spoke to its Chairman and CEO , Eric Kelly .

As Chairman and CEO , Eric Kelly takes a dynamic role in leading the company in its global growth strategy . This has involved an important collaboration with one of the world ’ s leading banking corporations , JP Morgan Chase , that is expanding the company ’ s mandate of improving global diversity in the corporate and technology sectors .

Kelly says Overland-Tandberg was on the lookout for a partnership with a bank to fit the company ’ s growing , global footprint . “ We actually started off discussing the banking relationship , and then it quickly moved into a symbiotic partnership — they became our corporate sponsor . The collaboration has gained momentum and velocity , with Overland-Tandberg carrying out business with JPMC on the supplier diversity side , working with their chief procurement officer and their supplier diversity group .

Established trust and success

Kelly points to Overland-Tandberg ’ s long history when he speaks about the company ’ s robust reputation in the marketplace . As one of the longest established black-owned global technology companies , it has built up a respected position . Our vision of “ Global Intellect and Inclusiveness ” is the ethos that drives the organization – this vision allows us to have a comprehensive understanding of diversity and inclusion .

Diversity and data challenges

Multinationals and foreign companies face the same challenges as US companies when trying to find black-owned businesses , says Kelly , it comes down to a lack of access , availability and awareness .

“ There are organizations here in the US that showcase specifically black-owned businesses , and diverse companies ,” he elaborates . “ But I think that from a multinational standpoint of foreign companies , it ’ s one of access and availability and awareness . How do you find and develop partnerships at scale with diverse companies when there ’ s no technology platform that ’ s designed to provide that information ?”

Kelly continues , “ The world is digital and getting smaller . If you ’ re a US company you ’ re directly or indirectly doing business globally . This challenge has been constant , which led me to leveraging my history in technology to focus on creating a platform that could align these resources across industry and essentially play a key role in closing the digital and diversity divide .” It ’ s called Bridge 2 Technologies .

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