Dr. Fred McKinney: October 25, 2010

· Toyota's 21st Annual Opportunity Exchange
	Toyota Motor Company is hosting its 21st Annual Opportunity Exchange November 9 and 10 . All certified MBEs are invited to attend this exciting event that has grown to be one of the largest corporate sponsored minority business opportunity events in the country. Toyota does an excellent job requiring it key prime suppliers to attend and to meet with certified MBEs at this two day event. For more information call 859-746-4481 or email, supplierdiversity@tema.toyota.com, and see the flyer below.
	Toyota Business Opportunity Event

· And Finally,
	How do you respond to no? One of the realities of being an entrepreneur is the rejection of a potential customer. A potential customer who the entrepreneur may have spent significant time and resources courting. A potential customer that might make the difference between a good year and a bad year or even the difference between staying in business or bankruptcy. In the later cases, like the poker player who is "all in", the MBE also has significant psychological capital in the deal. So how should an MBE respond to no? As hard as it sounds and as difficult as it is, the answer is that the MBE should respond with grace and professionalism. But what if the no was, in view of an independent observer, undeserved? My answer would be the same. This does not mean that the MBE behave in a way that smacks of inferiority or obsequiousness. Grace and professionalism is rewarded in the long run where noise and vitriol might work in the short run, but risks long term irreparable damage. MBEs, like the unrequited lover, need to vent but should never retaliate. My recommendation is for MBEs to share their frustrations with the Council, particularly if there is a sense that they are the victim of unfairness. One recent case comes to mind where an MBE lost a contract to a business that qualifies for the State of Connecticut's small and minority women's business program. This so called WBE business is in the same line of business as a business owned by the husband of the WBE and operating in the same facility as the husband's business, yet the WBE was able to "win" a contract based on the incorrect assumption that they are a "diverse" business. This is wrong and needs to be corrected by the State and by the contracting parties. It is tough enough for MBEs to win business on their merit. It becomes almost impossible when front WBEs are taking what is left of the dwindling supply of opportunities. But despite all of this the MBE should not lash out. Let me do that for you. And when the fact justify your disgust, I will be your champion and take the slings and arrows. At the end of the day, I believe grace and professionalism are rewarded while the deeds done that make a mockery of diversity are punished, and I commit do what I can to eliminate cases of front organizations, be they WBEs or MBEs. Our corporate members need to take note that they also have a responsibility to not turn the other way when they suspect something is wrong, even when that WBE/MBE has the "stamp" certified. My next move is to contact the Attorney General's office to file a complaint about a business that should not be qualified as a WBE. In your service Dr. Fred

· Office For Rent at GNEMSDC Boston Office

The GNEMSDC is looking for a certified MBE to rent a beautiful large office within the GNEMSDC offices at Copley Plaza. The rent is $800 per month. The office is furnished and if you rent before November 1, 2010 we will provide wireless Internet and a computer for the office. Call 888-874-7114 for details.

· Diggs Construction

If you are looking for a certified MBE construction management firm that can handle large and small corporate jobs, I suggest you consider Diggs Construction.

"Diggs is a construction management firm offering a full range of construction services. We serve both the private and public sector, including commercial construction, industrial construction, and educational facility construction. As a minority owned Company, Diggs Construction's philosophy is simple: there are no challenges, only opportunities. This philosophy allows Diggs to find solutions other firms overlook. From individual projects to concerns commonly associated with the building industry, our unique insight has lead us to be one of the best construction service providers available. We believe in up-front and honest communication, enhancing the quality of life of the communities we build in, reducing environmental impact through green building techniques, and as always, providing excellent service."

Diggs Construction

Hello from Miami

I love New England. Right now the trees are in full and spectacular expression of their fall colors. The air is crisp and seems cleaner. The temperatures have dropped to a comfortable level that requires not air conditioning or heat. Yet as I boarded the plane on Saturday morning to Miami I could not help but think how nice it will be to extend the summer for one more week, because we in the Northeast know that October turns into November and November into December and time seems to slow to a frozen crawl as we return to our indoor lives knowing that the boys of spring will not return with the weather for what seems like an eternity.

But ces't la vie. I am in MIami on a mission. Like Ackyrod and Belushi in the film "The Blues Brothers", but not quite on such a celestial mission, but a mission nonetheless, to increase the corporate membership in the GNEMSDC with new corporate members, to deepen our relationships with existing corporate members and to grow the number of MBEs who become certified with the GNEMSDC.

This is the third year we have hosted a reception at the event the night before the Trade Expo and each year attendance grows. This year I am proud to see that over 200 people attending the conference will be attending our little soiree. These events while fun have a social and business purpose that goes well beyond the imbibing and eating. This event builds relationships between MBEs and corporate members; MBEs and MBEs, corporate members and corporate members and all of the above with the GNEMSDC. I want to thank our MBE partner ACINDO for sponsoring this annual event and being there to help us grow the interest and enthusiasm. For those of you who are not here for I am certain very good reasons, I wish you were here. I wish all of the MBEs and corporate members in Greater New England could come and show what outstanding people and organizations we have in our network. But since you are not, I will, in the African tradition, pour out a little of my Mojito out in the warm sand and express my thanks and respects to those who are not here. I look forward to seeing you all next week.

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October 25, 2010