August 16, 2010

· Trade Expo Day 1 - September 29
	The GNEMSDC Trade Expo and Conference at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods (pictured above) will start on Wednesday, September 29 with a must attend event for MBEs and diversity and procurement professionals. The MBE Input Committee for the past two years has had a half day meeting and session that focuses on real opportunities for MBEs. This year, we are going to have a full day session that will focus on opportunities with corporate members in the retail industry. Currently we have CVS-Caremark and Stop and Shop signed up to participate. We are talking with other major retailers to get them to participate in this event as well. Stay tuned. After the morning session of the Opportunities in Retail is over, we will have a luncheon that will feature a senior executive from one our retail corporate members. Details are still being worked out. The GNEMSDC board of directors and our senior advisors will be holding their meetings on Wednesday as well on Wednesday afternoon. Also in a twist from previous years, there will be an opening night welcoming reception. This will be a great place for some high level networking.

· Trade Expo Day 2 - September 30
	The second day of the Expo starts with Breakfast. Last year we hear from the Chairman of the Council , Kristen Hickey (Aetna) and the MBE Input Committee Chair, Carlton Oneal (Light Speed). This year I have prepared an address on the State of Supplier Diversity in New England. I hope that you can come and hear what I have to say about where we are and what we need to do get closer to the accomplishment of our mission. After breakfast, we have the mega successful business author and consultant Jeff Fox. Mr. Fox is the author of several best selling business books including "How to Become a Rainmaker" and his latest book, "How to be a Fierce Competitor". This session will engage both MBEs and corporate representatives in a workshop that will change how they approach their businesses and their jobs. After Mr. Fox's session, we will have our MBE Honorary Co-Chair Luncheon. Beth Williams, President and CEO of Roxbury Technology Group this year's Honorary Co-Chair. At lunch we will have a panel discussion with Beth Williams and Shelley Stewart, the Senior Vice President of Operational Excellence and Chief Procurement Officer for Tyco International. This high level panel will focus on the changing realities of corporate procurement and it impact on MBEs. The afternoon session after lunch will feature the wildly successful One on One meetings. Last year we arranged over 700 meetings between MBEs and corporate members. I know from speaking with a few MBEs that these meeting have led to some significant contracts. Again the One on Ones will be based on what our corporate members are looking to buy over the next 12 months. The more corporate members we have participating the better. There will be more information on the logistics of the One on One meetings in coming weeks. And after this busy day of seminars, workshops and meetings, it will be time to celebrate with our Shining Star Reception. We are asking all of our past Shining Stars to come this year once again as we honor new inductees into this elite group.

· Day 3 of the Trade Expo - October 1

Jerry Burris, President of the Barnes Group, one of our corporate members will open Day 3 of the show as our breakfast speaker. "Barnes Group is a diversified global components manufacturer and logistical services company, providing thousands of products and unrivaled service to customers around the globe." The Barnes Group is a corporate member of the GNEMSDC.. Mr. Burris is a knowledgeable friend of the Council who previously was the chief procurement officer at GE Industrial Systems in Connecticut. We welcome Jerry back and look forward to his comments After breakfast and the ceremonial ribbon cutting, the Trade Expo will begin. Last year we had over 120 booths at the program and we expect even more this year. Corporate members use this show to meet MBEs and other corporate members. MBEs use the show to market their goods and services in an environment that is the next best thing to having a corporate member visit them in their own place of business. The Sponsors' Luncheon will follow the morning session of the Expo. We are fortunate this year to have as our Keynote Speaker for the luncheon, Murray Martin, the President and CEO of Pitney Bowes. Celebrating its 90th year of innovation, Pitney Bowes is a $5.6 billion company that employs 33,000 worldwide and provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels. "Long known for making its customers more productive, Pitney Bowes is increasingly helping other companies grow their business. Every connection is a new opportunity™." We look forward to hearing a message from the leader of one of the most respected corporations in the country. After lunch, we will be back for the afternoon session of the Expo. In Jeff Fox's book, How to be a Fierce Competitor, he tells a story that captures the advantages of staying late. It is a case of a salesman who makes the largest sale in his company's history simply because he was there until the end of the day. I think MBEs and corporate exhibitors and attendees should remember this with regards to the afternoon session of the Expo. And our Expo would not be complete without a great raffle. MBEs and corporate members are encouraged to donate items that we can raffle off. The proceeds from this raffle go to the educational fund that allow us to provide executive education for MBEs. This year we have already funded four MBEs to attend executive education at Tuck and Kellogg. We would like to fund more. Give Jerilyn Clarke in the GNEMSDC office a call to make your tax deductible donation. One on One Meetings What Goods and Services do MBEs Offer? We are very pleased with the overwhelming response we have received from our corporate membership on One on One participation. The One on One meetings are fifteen (15) minute meetings that we schedule for certified MBEs to meet with corporate representatives on Thursday afternoon September 30 at the GNEMSDC Trade Expo. All participants in the program must be registered for the event. All MBEs participating in the program must be certified with the GNEMSDC. The meetings are "demand driven", meaning that we are scheduling appointments based on the requirements and requests of the corporations not the requests of MBEs. So currently we are collecting those requirements from the corporate participants. After we have compiled a complete lists of requirements, we will begin scheduling appointments for MBEs signed up for the show. If you are an MBE and you do not want to be overlooked, please register because it is from this list of certified MBEs registered for the show that we will draw on to schedule appointments. Last year we scheduled over 700 meetings between our corporate members and our certified MBES. For corporate members, here is a list of the types of services MBEs can offer: Packaging Supplies Shipping Skids Actuarial Services Language and Translation Services Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals Shipping Room Supplies Safety Products Advertising and Marketing Services Awards, Engraving, Gifts and Promotional Items Security Services Investment Banking Services Gas and Electric Construction and Maintenance Construction Management Services Food Products and Corporate Cafeteria Services Coffee for Office Supply Freight Transportation Point of Purchase Displays and Tradeshow Booths Corporate Communications and Crisis Management Consulting Art Reverse Logistics Fuel Oil Coal Traffic Control Janitorial Services Janitorial Supplies Paper and Office Products Office Equipment and Office Furniture Environmental and Green Supplies Signs and Sign Manufacturing Leadership Development Training Video Services and Production Information Technology Medical Supplies Background Checks Employee Recognition and HR Services Law Firms Limousine Services Printers, Fax Machines, Scanners and Shredders Architectural Services Construction Engineering Electrical Services Painting Photography Recycling Carpentry Chemicals Cable Assembly Injection Molding Equipment Leasing Military Fasteners and Hardware Direct Mail Commercial Printers Commercial Banking HVAC Computer and Systems Training Temporary Services Computer Hardware Credit Services Newspapers, Magazines and Print Media Tax Recovery Services On-Line Optimization Services Accounting Services Relocation Services Risk and Safety Services Lean Six Sigma Training Pest Control Hazmat Waste Truck Sales Event Management Next week we will list the corporate members who have signed up to particpate in the One on One program. · GNEMSDC has Space in Copley Plaza to Sublet On September 1, 2010 the GNEMSDC will have two offices available at our Copley Plaza Boston office for rent. If you are interested in moving to this Class A office location at below market rates, please call the office for details. · GNEMSDC Trade Expo Registration is Now Open You are now invited to click on the link below to register for the GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Conference and Expo, The Expo is the largest event of its kind in New England. The program starts on September 29 and ends on October 1. Once again we will be at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The current agenda is also available to look at on line. You can also secure your hotel room at the discounted price of $140 per night. Last year we exceeded our room allotment by over 50 percent. Please call early and reserve your room, because there is no guarantee that you will be able to get a room once we have reached our allotment. GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Conference and Expo Registration and Information · VRT Management MBE of the Week Our passion at VRT Management Group, LLC has always focused on helping small business owners become successful. We love to work with those of you who are truly serious... dedicated... and devoted to growing your business... individuals willing to play full out... and most of all, willing to do whatever it takes to become very successful. According to VRT Management, "Change is the only constant in current turbulent economic conditions. To succeed in today's business climate, organizations and their leaders must transform. We must transform the way we think, the way we work, and in some cases, the game itself. The success of your organization reflects the success of your people. VRT Management Group works alongside your key players and guides them to amazing levels of performance through following initiatives." VRT Management provides consulting services in: Strategic Planning and Executions Entreprenurial Coaching Innovative Problem Solving and Business Growth and Performance Consulting Raj Tedla (pictured above) the founder of VRT Management was formerly an executive at GE Capital and had served as a volunteer for the CMSDC BusinessLINK program. Mr. Tedla is a management consultant, executive coach, people effectiveness specialist and trainer whose expertise includes strategic planning, leadership and organizational development, six sigma, lean, executive coaching, marketing, process enhancements and customer insights. He has studied, researched, written, designed, trained, and consulted extensively for the past 24+ years. Raj is described as "personable, insightful, effective, motivational and results oriented" consultant. Also, he has successfully designed several unique high impact programs for strategic planning, organizational & leadership development, innovation and productivity VRT Business Growth Alliance Special Offer to MBEs · Pfizer to host a Special Event in Groton, CT for MBE's and Corporate Members Join GNEMSDC corporate member, Pfizer as they offer a unique opportunity to learn about Pfizer's operations and business practices. The day will include an exclusive facility tour, special presentation and networking luncheon for GNEMSDC certified MBE's and corporate members. When- Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Where - Pfizer research and development facility in Groton, CT Learn about Pfizer's business practices, strategic sourcing initiatives, procurement process and upcoming purchases. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to network with Pfizer executives and other corporate members. Don't miss this great event. Stay tuned for more details and pre-registration. Space will be limited for this special event. ------------ And Finally, I had the humbling experience of playing with the Nintendo Wii this weekend for the first time. My daughter wanted the game she said because she liked the exercise and yoga programs on the system, but I suspect the real reason was entertainment at my expense. First the game measures your weight, body mass index and your "physical" age. Well I am not too happy to report that not only am I eligible for most senior housing communities,according to this game, I am several years into Medicare eligibility ,and according to the diagnostics of this "game", must have trouble walking and maintaining my balance. They say confronting reality is the first step towards recovery, so I guess it is ok that I know where I really am in terms of my fitness as opposed to what I see when I look in the mirror; obviously I suffer from self delusion on a grand scale. But I suspect that I am not alone in a systematic bias when it comes to self evaluation. This is one of main reasons why it is important to measure things objectively in business. Without independent objective measures of performance companies also tend to engage in self delusion. So while the Wii may not be a good tool for entrepreneurs or corporations,the process of measuring where you actually are while deflating to the ego is probably a very healthy exercise. In your service Dr. Fred