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. |
Thank You Gloria Yopp for Ten Plus Years! |
 The end of 2011 also brings with it the end of the career of Gloria Yopp as the Certification Manager of the GNEMSDC and CMSDC before that. Gloria is retiring at the end of this week after serving almost 11 years. Gloria was part of the team of Delores Holley that came over to the CMSDC after retiring from Northeast Utilities. The Council was from my perspective, a perfect second career for Mrs. Yopp. In addition to handling the certification process with excellence that was recognized by the entire NMSDC network, Ms. Yopp also had the nearly impossible job of managing my calendar. The last 11 years have been an absolute joy working with Gloria. On behalf of the GNEMSDC board of directors, the regional network of Certification Managers, and all of our certified MBEs, I say thank you and enjoy your retirement. |
Annual Award Gala 2012 |
 It is not too early to start thinking about and planning for the 2012 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala that will take place on Thursday, April 26 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT. Corporate members can begin by thinking about the MBEs they worked with who went the extra mile to provide excellent services for them in 2011. These MBEs benefit from the public recognition of a job well done. MBEs can similarly think about the corporate buyers and supplier diversity managers who assisted them to win contracts and to learn more about them and their corporations.
MBEs and corporate members who are interested in assisting us make this year's event fantastic are also welcome to volunteer to serve on any of the sub-committees we have established. Just give Tatiana a call at the office, 888-874-7114. We welcome your participation. |
Save The Dates - Upcoming Events 2012 |
 We are extremely pleased to share with you information about some of our upcoming events so that you can mark your 2012 Calendar TODAY. In 2012 we will have two brand new events on our calendar for both corporate members and MBEs. The first new event is Greater Boston Minority Enterprise Development Conference on June 7. The GNEMSDC, because of our Boston MBDA Business Center, is taking on the challenge of making this event one of the premier events that bring together public sector buyers, large federal and state non-minority contractors and certified MBEs. The second is actually a return to a New England tradition; the Greater Boston Supplier Diversity Golf Classic on Monday, June 11 at Ferncroft Country Club. Ferncroft is one of Boston's top private clubs and will surely be a hot ticket.
We encourage our corporate members and MBEs to become Annual Sponsors in 2012. These sponsorships help the Council, and they give you a price break over buying participation in the events a la carte. We are also filling out the calendar with some unique events at some of our corporate members' places of business. We have events in the planning process for Pitney Bowes, UTC, and PepsiCO, with more to follow. We are also in the process of selecting sites for GNEMSDC Quarterly meetings. This year we held Quarterly meetings at EMC, Citizens Bank, The Basketball Hall of Fame, and Raytheon. We know that in 2012, Liberty Mutual has signed up to host a Quarterly Meeting. If your company would like to host a Quarterly meeting or a "How to do Business With" meeting, we welcome your participation and support. Just call the office for details.
Here are dates and locations for some of the major events we want you to be aware of. - Tuesday, March 27 - 2nd Annual MBE Capital Conference - Hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Date Subject to Change)
- Thursday, April 26 - GNEMSDC Awards Gala and Annual Meeting at Aqua Turf Club, Southington, CT 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Wednesday, May 23 - NMSDC Awards Gala, NYC at the Hilton Towers Reception stars at 6:00 PM
- Thursday, June 7 - Greater Boston Minority Business Enterprise Conference and Expo Location to be determined
- Monday, June 11 - Greater Boston Supplier Diversity Golf Classic at Ferncroft County Club, Danvers, MA 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Friday, July 13 - Greater Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Classic at Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield, CT 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM
- Wednesday through Friday, September 12 to 14, GNEMSDC Annual Business Opportunity Fair and Conference, MGM Grand at Foxwoods
- Sunday October 28 to Wednesday, October 31 - NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair, Denver, CO
We hope to see you at as many of these events as possible! |
NMSDC/GNEMSDC 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.
Information and Presentations: |
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MBEIC News |
 Gary Stiffler Voted in as MBE Input Committee ChairmanThe votes are in and it was unanimous, Gary Stiffler, President and CEO of the MATLET Group was voted in as the new MBE Input Committee Chairman. Mr. Stiffler replaces Carlton Oneal of Light Speed, LLC, who served 2 terms as MBE Input Committee. On behalf of the GNEMSDC board and the MBE community, I thank Mr. Oneal for his dedicated service to the mission of the GNEMSDC. Congratulations Mr. Stiffler we look forward to working you.
The MBEIC Education sub-committee is seeking additional members. For those looking for an opportunity to forge deeper relationships with fellow business owners, and corporations, and are willing and able to commit some of their time - this would be a great opportunity to help plan and shape events that will inform and educate the Council's MBE community.
If you're interested, Please send an email to Jill Davis at The MATLET Group jdavis@thematletgroup.com before January 23, 2012. |
Corporate Member Showcase - CT Lottery |
State Representative John A. "Tony" Miscikoski, of Torrington, known by many as "The Father of the Lottery," believed that a state lottery could provide substantial benefits to the residents of the state. Each year for nearly a decade, Miscikoski presented legislation to authorize lottery sales. Miscikoski's dream became a reality in 1971, and the Connecticut State Lottery came into being. |
MBE Showcase -BRAVA Marketing Promotions |
BRAVA Marketing Promotions combines a nearly unlimited selection of best price promotional products and exceptional customer service with Fortune 500 marketing and branding experience to achieve the best results for our clients. Our low cost promotional products are selected with the objective of enhancing your company marketing program or advertising campaign. Our online product selection system and extensive imprinted promotional product selection ensure that our clients get the absolute best value in the promotional product industry. At BRAVA Marketing Promotions, we take a consultative approach to your promotional program. We pay attention to the details of proper product selection, imprint design and placement, and on-time product delivery to the location of your choice. View Presentation |
NMSDC News |
 TAKE THE FINANCIAL PULSE OF YOUR COMPANY. REGISTER FOR THE BIZ-FIT CHALLENGE TODAY! The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) has partnered with NuLevel Strategic Solutions to offer a series of online assessment tools to help NMSDC-certified minority business owners evaluate the health and financial condition of their businesses.
The three-part Biz-Fit Challenge program is available to you FREE of charge through 8/1/2012. During this pilot phase, participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. Register for the Biz-Fit Challenge at www.nmsdconline.com/education.
Program Guidelines: To take advantage of this program, participants must meet the following eligibility criteria: - Only the CEO/owner of the minority business is eligible to participate.
- MBE participants must be currently certified by one of NMSDC's 37 affiliated Councils.
- MBE participants must have a current profile in NMSDC's MBISYS ® database.
- MBE participants must maintain current certification throughout the duration of the program (8/1/2012).
- MBEs can take each challenge once and must complete each part before moving on to the next one.
The Biz-Fit Challenge includes the following three online assessment tools:
"Biz-Health Analyzer" - This tool allows MBEs to understand their business' health relative to liquidity, solvency and leverage-the three most common factors considered by capital providers. MBEs are able to assess how they are performing relative to their competitors. "Breakeven Analyzer" - This tool helps business owners determine the company's current breakeven revenues and its five-year projected breakeven revenues. MBEs are able to determine their minimum revenue requirements on an annual, monthly, weekly and hourly basis and use breakeven revenue as a guide in their overall pricing strategy as well as their strategic planning process. "Valuation Analyzer" - This tool is designed to give businesses a rough valuation of their company based on applied industry-based valuation multiples. The information provided includes an overview of various valuation methodologies; approaches to building business value; translating value into wealth; and interpreting business value and business value drivers. Upon completing each part of the online Biz-Fit Challenge, participants generate a comprehensive report using data from their current 12-month ending financial statements and complete a short survey to gauge the overall effectiveness of the challenge.
For more information: Contact the NMSDC Office at (212) 944-2430, send an email to bizfitchallenge@nmsdc.org or read "Biz-Fit Challenge FAQs." |
Opportunities with Corporate Members |
- Greater Boston area corporate member is looking for Janitorial Service. Call GNEMSDC office for more information. (GNEMSDC certified MBE only)
- Employment opportunity in Hartford area non-profit organization, for the IT & Social Media. Call GNEMSDC office for more information
- NAACP Boston branch invites bid for Audit Services, closing January 14, 2012
- The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) invites sealed bids for Lead Paint Abatement at various Federal Developments, BHA Job No. 0717-02, prepared by ATC Associates, 150 Zachary Road, Manchester, NH 03109
- Connecticut Lottery Corporation Request for Proposals - Supplier Diversity Consulting Services
- Employment Opportunity at MA State Treasurer's Office, for the Assistant Executive Director of Sales and Regional Operations for the Massachusetts State Lottery. For more information visit, www.masslottery.com
- Tracks Unlimited, a NJ based railroad construction company, is looking for certified MBEs to assist them in a CT DOT Rail Project. If you are interested in the opportunities with this company contact, Ellen Brown, EEO Officer at Tracks Unlimited, 908-769-6840.
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And Finally II & Essays on Minority Business Development |
 The Book is Now Available in Paperback!
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. |
Boston MBDA Business Center News |
Add "Boston MBDA Business Center" to your Google+ Circle. |
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And Finally... |
 As this year comes to a close, I think about the connections between dreaming, hoping, planning, executing, managing and success. Entrepreneurs are by their very nature dreamers. I say this as an entrepreneur. Even in my current role as the senior executive of a growing non-profit organization, I still dream of greater success for the organization and its stakeholders. Entrepreneurs that are successful, which you can translate as entrepreneurs who overcame setbacks, will recognize the common spirit that enlivens all of us to dream. It starts with a dream. When entrepreneurs close their eyes, or when they have quiet time to reflect about the future of their enterprises, they see where they currently are and where they want to be. The gap between what is and what is desired is only closed by hard intellectual and physical work. There really is no free lunch, or free anything for that matter. Everything must be worked for and worked for with a sense of mission and an attitude that the effort will be rewarded. So as we close out this year and prepare for the next one, take some time this week to dream, to hope, to plan and to see the success that awaits you and your enterprise.
In your service, Dr. Fred |
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