The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs. We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society. You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development. If you like what you read please share internally and externally.
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| GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo Date Changed! - New Dates October 3 through October 5 | | The GNEMSDC Expo that was originally planned and advertised for September 26 to September 28 has been changed to Monday October 3 through October 5 at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. The reason for the change was a number of conflicts on the originally scheduled dates between our show and the Federal Government's Minority Enterprise Development Week program in Washington, DC from September 27 through September 30. Many of our corporate members and certified MBEs attend MED Week either because the Federal Government is often their largest customer and this is the premier Federal government event focusing on supplier diversity. This is also an event that the GNEMSDC may have a role in this year. So for these reasons, we have moved the dates. I apologize for any inconvenience this change may have caused. We look forward to seeing you at perhaps both programs now instead of neither. |
| NMSDC Quarterly Meeting in Boston - July 19-21 | |  The GNEMSDC will be hosting the NMSDC Quarterly Meeting in Boston at the Westin Copley from July 19 through July 21. We welcome the NMSDC executive staff and the leadership from the 36 regional councils.
GNEMSDC corporate members and certified MBEs are welcome to join us for the luncheons on Tuesday and Wednesday and on the Cruise of Boston Harbor on Wednesday, July 20. See the link for registration information. This should be a great event for the region as we showcase Boston, our corporate membership and our outstanding MBEs. The NMSDC Quarterly Meeting Agenda is full of activities and events for the primary stakeholders, Regional Presidents, MBEIC Chairpersons, Regional Council Chairpersons and the NMSDC executive staff, and there are events that are open to the GNEMSDC corporate membership and certified MBEs. We look forward to this important and exciting event.
We welcome Tuesday luncheon Speaker; Joseph Black, Chief Procurement Officer, Aetna Corporation, and GNEMSDC Senior Advisory Board Member. Mr. Black will address, "Minority Business Development from the Perspective of the Chief Procurement Officer". We look forward to his remarks. |
| MBE of the Week - Interpreters and Translators, Inc. | |  In a world where communication is changing the way we do business, you must engage your customers in a variety of ways and in multiple languages, across multiple platforms. It used to be as simple as sending a letter on official company letterhead via US Mail/"snail mail". Your other option was picking up the phone and making a call, sometimes getting voicemail and waiting for someone to get back to the office to return the call. Now, with all types of content floating around the web and many communication platforms to get messages out to your networks and/or customers, communication has evolved making it instantaneous to get messages out to the masses. Many organizations market and sell their products/services overseas to a global audience and according to a recent report put out by the European Commission, most people would rather see that content in their own language.
For example, "Almost 9 in 10 (88%) internet users in the European Union agreed that all websites produced in their country should be available in their countries official languages. At the same time, about 8 in 10 (81%) of interviewees thought that all websites produced in their country should also have versions available in other languages." The European Union is looking at this type of data to determine what languages their web content should be published in. Organizations looking to market and sell their products and services to cultures whose first language is not English should learn from this type of behavior. Most people say that translation is expensive and it's not in the budget. Well, with numbers like the above, organizations can't afford not to translate their websites into their target markets language(s). How many of us here in the United States would buy something online if they couldn't read the words on the screen? Probably not too many! The simple investment will pay off in dividends and create an exceptional customer experience that will not be forgotten. At Interpreters and Translators, Inc. (iTi), we take pride in providing a systematic approach in assisting companies with efficient, cost effective processes so you can communicate with your customers in their language!
Francesco Pagano Executive Vice President fpagano@ititranslates.com 1.800.648.0686 Visit us at: www.ititranslates.com |
| Top 10 Reason MBEs in Construction Should Get Certified | | I was recently invited to meet with an organization comprised of minority construction companies, most of whom were not certified by the GNEMSDC. In preparation for the meeting, I decided to come up with a few talking points on why these firms should consider certification with the GNEMSDC. After getting started, I identified the following 10 items. I could have come up with more, but 10 is enough. Furthermore, I believe these are strong reasons for any MBE to become certified in the NMSDC network. The Top 10 Reasons Why MCC Contractors Should Become Certified with GNEMSDC 1) The GNEMSDC can connect MBE contractors with private sector buyers of construction services. The GNEMSDC has over 240 corporate members. Within the NMSDC network there are over 1,500 corporate members. Private sector buyers operate very differently from public sector companies. Bidding and competitiveness is very important, but it is not a strict "low bid" environment. 2) The GNEMSDC can connect and partially fund the technical assistance for MCC contractors. Every business can get better by increasing their knowledge of their industry and best practices in business management. The GNEMSDC is committed to paying for ½ of the cost of qualified technical and managerial assistance for GNEMSDC certified MBEs. 3) The GNEMSDC can help MBE contractors identify strategic partners. Most successful companies have strategic partners inside and outside their competitive space. The GNEMSDC has deep and extensive relationships with hundreds of businesses that could be helpful in taking a MBE contractor to the next level. The GNEMSDC has over 400 certified MBEs in the network. 4) MBE Contractors that become certified with the GNEMSDC can exhibit at the GNEMSDC Annual Business Opportunity Expo and Conference at Foxwoods, September 26-28. Only GNEMSDC certified MBEs can exhibit at our show. The show attracts over 1,500 attendees every year. 5) The GNEMSDC can help MBE contractors through our Minority Construction Expo program that will take place in 2012. MBE contractors who become certified can participate in the planning of that event and directly benefit from participating in the program. 6) The GNEMSDC can assist MBE contractors via our lobbying and marketing activities designed to increase opportunities for MBEs throughout the region. The GNEMSDC has excellent high level relationships with political and business leaders from around the region. A recent example of our ability to influence public policy was our efforts earlier this year with the CT Lottery and funding of a state disparity study. 7) The GNEMSDC can assist MBE contractors with financing and bonding. The very act of completing our certification is a process that prepares the business for external financing. Once certified, the MBE contractor will have GNEMSDC support with banks and bonding companies. GNEMSDC certified MBEs are eligible for the Business Consortium Fund 75 percent loan guarantee. 8) The GNEMSDC can assist MBE contractors through our many networking events and activities to build strong external relationships with key buyers and sellers. 9) The GNEMSDC can assist MBE contractors through our seminar series designed to develop the managerial and technical expertise of GNEMSDC certified MBEs. 10) The GNEMSDC is currently seeking support for a Minority Business Center. If we receive support, the MBC will be in a great position to assist MBE contractors. The MBC has specific and measurable goals with regards to contracts, contract values and financings for GNEMSDC certified MBEs. The MBC will work individually with participants to grow their size and financial capacity. The MBC will open in September 2011. |
| NMSDC/GNEMSDC Upcoming Events, Activities and Information | | Please take a close look at the events listed below. The links will take you to detailed information about the events. We will have more information for those events that do not currently have live links, but please mark your calendars and call the office.
Events and Activities - Annual Supplier Diversity Golf Classic - July 15, Lyman Orchards Golf Club
- NMSDC Quarterly Meeting, Westin Copley Boston, July 18-21. (This meeting is for Regional MSDC Presidents, Regional Council Corporate Chairpersons, Regional MBEIC Chairpersons and NMSDC executive leadership. MBEs and corporate members who are not a part of the NMSDC leadership are welcome to register for luncheons and networking/cruise dinner on Boston Harbor, July 20. There are also advertising and sponsorship opportunities, call the office for details.)
- Saved date for GNEMSDC 3rd Quarter Meeting at EMC Corporation on August 11: Please register today! and 3rd Quarter Meeting Agenda
Information |
| Non-GNEMSDC Events | | Most of these activities our corporate members, MBEs and Council staff have been invited to attend. The links will take you to detailed information about the events.
If you have events and activities that you want to share with our network send us a PDF file at least two weeks before the event. We reserve the right to publish or not publish events and activities. |
| Golf Alert! GNEMSDC Supplier Golf Classic - July 15 | | 
It is time for ALL PLAYERS and SPONSORS to submit the names of their players. This coming week, we will matching players to foursomes and to courses. If you are a sponsor and have not submitted your names, we want to thank you for your support and hope to see you at the event, but if we do not have names by the end of this week, we will start to take names off the waiting list and put them in your slots. Contact Raffle Item Donation Preview Raffle Items 2011 GNEMSDC Supplier Golf Classic |
| Opportunities with Corporate Members | | | If you are a corporate member, and want the Council to spread the word about your opportunity we would be happy to do that for you anonymously and for free!
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| The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bids |  The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Roof Replacement at Harborview Towers Invitation for Bid (IFB) Solicitation Number: 014-PD-11-S Date: July 1, 2011 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is accepting bids from licensed roofing Contractors to replace the roof at Harborview Towers. All bids are to be submitted no later than 3 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 at which time bids will be recorded and read aloud publicly.
A non-mandatory Pre-Bid Conference/Site-walk through is scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10 a.m. at 376 E. Washington Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06608 in the Conference Room. Although not mandatory, it is recommended that all bidders attend the meeting to better understand the intent of HACB.
A complete copy of the bid document along with required HUD forms can be obtained after 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 5, 2011 at the Purchasing Department, 361 Bird Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605, Attn: Ms. Caroline Sanchez Telephone No. (203) 337-8820. A non-refundable check for $110.00 made out to the Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is required. |
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| And Finally II & Essays on Minority Business Development | | 
The Book is Now Available in Paperback!
Click here to Order Book Today!
Why you should buy? Minority business owners who are looking for practical advice on better managing their enterprises will find a wealth of information in the book. And anyone interested in the best practices in supplier diversity will find the book instructive and inspiring.
***All of the proceeds for the book will be donated to the GNEMSDC. So this is a great way to have your own personal record of this historic time and support the Council. And since all proceeds are going directly to the GNEMSDC your purchase is tax deductible. Our plan is to only sell the book on line. You can read it on all I-Pads, other tables, cell phones and computers. Your purchase supports the work of the Council. Thank you for your support. View Book Table of Content |
| And Finally... | | 
This Independence Day I spent some time speaking with my father-in-law, Payton Thomas. Mr. Thomas was a World War II veteran. We were having a discussion about how times have changed for the better and the worse. Mr. Thomas served in India, Burma, China and North Africa during WW II. He drove trucks and worked to support the front line troops in a segregated unit of all African American soldiers. It was during this war that the military changed its policies with regard to minority soldiers. It took public pressure to integrate the troops by the nascent civil rights leaders who correctly pointed out the contradiction between fight for freedom while over 20 million African American lacked basic rights in their own country. Things have obviously progressed and no longer do we have Black units and white units. But things have also regressed. During WW II there was shared sacrifice by those on the front lines and those on the home front. Clothes, cars, consumer durables, food, shelter and other necessities were rationed and controlled by the Federal Government in order to direct goods and resources to the war effort. The Treasury Department sold War Bonds to private citizens to pay for the war effort. Today, we borrow from China to pay for our war effort and we refuse to face the fiscal facts that you cannot fight three wars without there being some sacrifice on the home front. I do not like war or taxes anymore than the next guy, but if you are going to fight one, the citizens should pay for it. I think without shared sacrifice, the independence that was paid for with the blood and treasure of patriots in the late 18th Century will never be fully appreciated in this 21st century. Some might ask what does this have to do with MBE development and I would offer the observation that MBE development requires sustainable economic growth and political consensus on the rights of all. Independence Day is a day that I celebrate the progress we have made and reflect on the challenges that we still face to make our American revolution continue to grow and bear fruit.
In your service,
Dr. Fred |
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