December 19, 2011

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.
Annual Award Gala 2012
2010 gala
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.
Looking Back 2011 Events
2011 Events GNEMSDC hosted or had a role in during 2011.
Thank you for making these events possible!
Boston RAC
6-Jan
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Springfield Lunch
17-Jan
NMSDC Quarterly Meeting Las Vegas Multiday
24-Jan
RI RAC
28-Jan
Testimony to State of CT CHRO on MBE Opportunities
9-Feb
Stamford Municipal Opportunities for MBEs
28-Feb
Boston Scientific - Presenatation to BS Procurement Team on Supplier Diversity
2-Mar
Federal Reserve Bank - Access to Capital Summit at Boston Federal Reserve Bank
3-Mar
Testimony to State of CT General Assembly on Need for Change in State MBE Program
7-Mar
American Association of Blacks in Energy
10-Mar
MDC Reception and Meeting on Clean Water Opportunities for MBEs
16-Mar
Tyco International Supplier Diversity Program Princeton, NJ -Presentation on
Supplier Diversity
21-Mar
BCBSMA Event Celebrating Success of MBEs and BCBSMA Program
24-Mar
Doing Business With NU
29-Mar
Next Street Capacity Building Workshop
30-Mar
NMSDC Quarterly - Multiday event
11-Apr
GNEMSDC Awards Gala
28-Apr
Destino Awards Hartford
5-May
GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting Raytheon
11-May
ICIC Capital Access Meeting Boston
12-May
NMSDC Dinner NYC
18-May
HCC Reception in GNEMSDC Copley Office
24-May
RI RAC at Citizens Bank with Governor Chaffee
25-May
Boston Globe Latinos and 2010 Census Program
26-May
Doing Business with Pitney Bowes Event - Best Practices
13-Jun
ST Louis MSDC Annual Expo
16-Jun
Connecticut Hospital Association Mini Expo for MBEs
23-Jun
Next Street Supplier Diversity Roundtable
30-Jun
GNEMSDC Golf at Lyman Orchards
15-Jul
NMSDC Quarterly Meeting Boston Multiday Event
29-Jul
National Urban League Minority Business Day
30-Jul
Liberty Mutual Lunch for Boston RAC
3-Aug
Quarterly Meeting at EMC
11-Aug
Bryant University Supply Chain Conference
25-Aug
Staples Supplier Diversity Conference
7-Sep
Doing Business with Uconn and Uconn Health Center
14-Sep
MA Supplier Diversity Conference
19-Sep
US Commission on Civil Rights Hearing at State Capitol
20-Sep
Turner Construction National Community Affairs Conference
21-Sep
INE Supplier Diversity Conference at Fenway
22-Sep
MED Week Boston
23-Sep
MED Week Washington DC
27-Sep
GNEMSDC Trade Expo and Conference Multiday Event
3-Oct
UTC MBX
4-Oct
El Mundo Breakfast Boston
13-Oct
Meeting with Cox Communications Supply Chain Team
20-Oct
Connecticut Hospital Association Diversity Conference for Members
25-Oct
NMSDC Conference Multiday Event
30-Oct
RI RAC Organized Dinner and Meeting at Amica
10-Nov
White House Roundtable at Boston Foundation
15-Nov
Holiday Card Exchange Aetna
1-Dec
US Commission on Civil Rights Hearing at State Capitol
6-Dec
Holiday Card Exchange Citizens Bank
7-Dec
Reception at AI Engineers for Customers and Supporters
9-Dec
Presentation to MA State Treasurer's Diversity Council
13-Dec
Holiday Card Exchange Boston
13-Dec
See you all in 2012 events.
Save The Dates - Upcoming Events 2012
2012We 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:
New Corporate Member - Copley Place
simonOn behalf of the board of directors GNEMSDC, I welcome our new corporate member Copley Place - Simon Property.

Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 392 properties comprising 262 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company's common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group.

We look forward to working with Copley Place.
Coprotate Member News - United Rental
UROn behalf of the board of directors GNEMSDC, I congratulate United Rentals on their RSC acquisition.

MBE News - NEW ENGLAND, HOME TO CHEETAH CUBS
cheetahThousands of CHEETAHS have arrived in Connecticut. To our very own certified MBE, Paulette Trowers-Lawrence, who gave life to a vision and dream, these CHEETAHS are real. To those who are kids, at heart, these are plush, huggable, dancing, and singing 12" cheetah toys with removable clothes and built-in music that is timed to the cheetahs body movements.
With the dancing cheetahs' current song, "I am a cheetah, a future leader. Teach me more", Lawrence and the company that she founded, Connect to Higher Education Electronic Tools, Application & Help (CHEETAH™), are helping students to become CHEETAH CUBS© (Children Understanding the Benefits of School) with a no-excuse attitude towards learning. The organization has created interactive, multi-functional and innovative toys that also have an embedded educational benefit that teaches life lessons. Complementary items include sing-along coloring books, music, puzzles, and commitment pledge. As the company continues to motivate children within several schools, a newly introduced mascot will have a lasting impact on students nationwide. CHEETAH™, with its niche of producing innovative and unique plush and stuffed toys, is also expanding its product lines to include promotional items.

Limited Editions of Dancing Cheetahs are guaranteed to be delivered for the Holidays, if purchased by 12/22/2011, on the company's website, www.mydreamcheetah.com. A free My First Sing-A-Long Coloring Book, which includes the words of the song in the toy are also available while supplies last. Grab your cheetah toys today.
MBE Showcase - Industrial Safety, LLC
Industrial SafetyThis week we feature Industrial Safety, LLC
Industrial Safety is a leading provider of integrated supply, procurement and logistics solutions to Government entities and businesses. Industrial Safety is a full service Government Contractor and a preferred fulfillment partner to Fortune 500 Clients. Whether you are purchasing emergency supplies for a natural disaster or constructing a new Military Facility, Industrial Safety has all the supplies you need to effectively complete the job. Industrial Safety has relationships with over 2500 manufacturers and suppliers stocking over 1,000,000 items.

View Presentation
GNEMSDC Social Media News
skype
The GNEMSDC is adding Skype and Google+ to our array of social media resources. Try it you just might like it.
media
Contact us via Skype ID - GNEMSDC1
"Like us" "Follow us" and Face Book, Twitter, and LinkedIn -Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council

Add "Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council" to your Google+ Circle.g
Google+ for business is now available, see Google+ presentation
How to set up Google+ for business - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn5iRkH7W_s
Opportunities with Corporate Members
And Finally II & Essays on Minority Business Development
eBook coverThe 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.

View Book Table of Content
Boston MBDA Business Center News - Welcome Jeannette Gerald
MBDA logoThe Boston MBDA Business Center is pleased to announce that Jeannette Gerald has joined our team of business development professionals. Ms. Gerald headed her own business development consulting company since 2008. Prior to that, Ms. Gerald worked as the Senior Director at the Babson College of Executive Education. Ms Gerald also worked as the Vice President for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay where she headed their Community Impact and Investments group. Ms. Gerald has a BA in mathematics and physics from the University of MA Boston, a MBA from Roosevelt University and a Masters of Science in Information and Management Sciences from the University of Chicago. Ms. Gerald will be working with MBEs in the MBDA Center, helping them get to achieve a higher level of performance and success with public and private buying organizations. We are pleased to have her join our team.

Add "Boston MBDA Business Center" to your Google+ Circle.


And Finally...
Fred in ohio
It is very easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of business and miss the things that are important in life. The reality is that our time here is short and we have an opportunity everyday to make a difference in someone's life other than our own. There is a growing body of literature that points out that the key to personal satisfaction is not how much you make, or how much you keep, or how much you have, but how much you give. I am actively seeking opportunities to give of my time and resources. Not only does it make a big difference in the lives of those you help and need that help, sometimes desperately, it contributes to your own well being. The readers of this newsletter, in the terminology of OWS, are most likely part of the 10 percent, if not the 1 percent. And as difficult as our lives as business leaders sometimes seems, we are all very fortunate in ways that we sometimes forget. I too am guilty of forgetting this simple fact that while we all have worked hard, we owe much of our success to circumstances that were beyond our control and to people we may not even personally know. So this week I will reflect on my good fortune and attempt to give until it hurts. I hope that you will join me. Have a safe and Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza and Joyous Hanukkah. And give.

In your service,
Dr. Fred
Dr Fred QR