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 |
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. |
It is Time to Submit Your Nominations! |
As we close out the old and bring in the new, it is time for MBEs and corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs, corporate buyers, supplier diversity advocates, and corporations for award recognitions that will be presented at the 2012 GNEMSDC Awards Gala on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT.
Each year, at our Annual Awards Banquet, the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (GNEMSDC) recognizes those certified minority suppliers (MBEs) who have distinguished themselves and their businesses by:
Successfully demonstrating growth in sales and employment while overcoming significant obstacles; Consistently providing high quality products and services at competitive prices and offering innovative approaches and cost saving ideas: Continuously growing MBE to MBE purchases; and Significantly contributing to the growth and development of society and their community.
All corporate members are invited to nominate MBEs in each of the following categories:
- Class 1 MBEs - Annual Sales Less Than $1 million
- Class 2 MBEs - Annual Sales between $1 million and less than $10 million
- Class 3 MBEs - Annual Sales between $10 million and less than $50 million
- Class 4 MBEs - Annual Sales greater than $50 million
- Reciprocal MBE - MBEs with their primary office outside CT, MA, RI, NH, ME or VT and must be reciprocally certified with GNEMSDC
By the end of the first week of 2012 all corporate members will receive a form that should be completed by January 31, 2012 with the names of their nominees. Give the office a call if you have any questions about the appropriate category of your nominees. The important thing is to get your nominees in.
MBEs will also be making nominations for the following awards:
- Advocate of the Year - This Award is presented to a supplier diversity manager/director who has done an outstanding job of assisting MBEs for the benefit of both their employer and the MBE
- Buyer of the Year - This award is presented to a buyer from our corporate membership that has gone far and beyond the call of duty to assist MBEs with procurement opportunities and feedback
- MBE Empowerment Award - This award is presented to an MBE who has worked to assist other MBEs
- Corporation of the Year (National Member) - This award is presented to the corporate member who has demonstrated commitment and has delivered results in the area of minority business procurement and development
- Corporation of the Year (Local Member) - This award is presented to the corporate member who has demonstrated commitment and has delivered results in the area of minority business procurement and development
We are requesting that the nominations by MBEs also be back by January 31, 2012. The staff is here to assist MBEs with any questions they have about the process or the categories.
It is appropriate for companies, corporate representatives and MBEs to ask their supporters to consider nominating them for these prestigious awards. Although you cannot nominate yourself, sometimes you have to toot your own horn with a gentle reminder to your friends who you have supported throughout the year. MBEs who believe they are deserving of Supplier of the Year recognition should complete the attached Nomination Form and share it with a corporate member who can complete the process. |
Corporate Member Showcase - Ernst & Young |
 This week we feature Ernst & Young. The Ernst & Young difference: globalization, entrepreneurship, people Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.
| Our global approach
We are the most globally integrated professional services organization - in our mindset, actions and structure. See why this is important. |
| Supporting entrepreneurs - and empowering innovation
Our commitment to entrepreneurs, in both emerging and developed economies around the world, helps drive growth, empower innovation, and ensure that we're working with more of tomorrow's global leaders, today. |
| Diversity, inclusiveness and our people culture
Our people and clients tell us that our diverse workforce and culture brings out the right results in our people and our business. See how. |
View Presentation |
MBE Showcase - Gonzalez, Saggio and Harlan, LLP |
 This week we feature Gonzalez, Saggio and Harlan, LLP. Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan, a national minority-owned law firm, was established in 1989. The Firm has fifteen offices nationwide located in Atlanta, Georgia; Boca Raton, Florida; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis, Indiana; Los Angeles, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Nashville, Tennessee; New York, New York; Phoenix, Arizona; Stamford, Connecticut; Washington D.C.; Wayne, New Jersey; West Des Moines, Iowa. As an MBE certified law firm, we practice with a commitment to diversity and to our community.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in a wide variety of areas and handle matters throughout the nation for mid-sized to Fortune 500 corporations. We have a proven track record of representing public and private corporations, governmental entities, and individuals with a keen insight and understanding into our clients' complex business environment. View Presentation |
MBEIC News |
 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 Groupjdavis@thematletgroup.com before January 23, 2012. |
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." |
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.
Events and Activities:
Information and Presentations: |
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Opportunities with Corporate Members |
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Let's Create Jobs for USA |
 A shared initiative amoung Starbucks, Opportunity Finance Network, and you Createjobsfor USA.org. Americans need jobs -- and we can help. Starbucks is teaming up with Opportunity Finance Network® (OFN) which is a group of community lending institutions set up to provide financing to community businesses that need our help. In donating to OFN, 100% of your donation will help create and sustain jobs in underserved communities. To launch this project, the Starbucks Foundation is donating the first $5,000,000. As a thank you for your donation, you'll get a wristband to wear proudly as a symbol of your support.
An over view of the CDFI Industry by Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
One of GNEMSDC certified MBE is also certified CDFI is The Community Bank in Bridgeport, CT. |
Business News - Ghana GDP Growth at 13 Percent |
 An article in the Wall Street Journal (12/30/11) pointed out that the West African nation of Ghana is expanded at 13.5 percent in 2011. This rapid expansion exceeded every other country in the world except Qatar. The economic growth has led to an expanding middle class and opportunities for scores of Western companies to come in and try to capitalize on this rapid expansion. Companies, many of whom are corporate members of the NMSDC have operations in the country including IBM, Diageo, Marriott, Yum! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell)Toyota and Hilton.
Here is the perfect opportunity for minority entrepreneurs here in this country to team with corporate members, certified MBEs with extensive ties to Ghana and local Ghanaian entrepreneurs. Many years ago I had the opportunity to sit down with the Asantehene in a private audience in his palace in Kumasi. It is great to learn of the growth and opportunities in this beautiful country. Entrepreneurs go to where the opportunities are. Perhaps it is time for some MBEs to take a well planned trip to where things are booming! |
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| And Finally... |
 When I was a high school sprinter in Pasadena, California going to the starting line and hearing the starter say, "runners take your mark", was a source of great anxiety. I knew I was fast and perhaps faster than most of my competitors, or so I told myself, yet the unmistakable pressure to perform was palpable. I knew that in a short few seconds the race would be over and I either would have won or lost. I knew I was as prepared as I and my coach, Walter Opp, could have been. Mr. Opp was one of those coaches that left a lasting impression in my life with his fatherly support and advice not to be a "hot dog", his term for unnecessary displays of bravado intended to humiliate opponents. After all of the runners have settled into the blocks, the starter raises his voice and says, "set" and what seems like an eternity the starter's gun finally goes off, fracturing the temporary peace. And for the next ten seconds you think of nothing, you just run to the finish line. Now that the New Year has begun, the starter's gun has sounded and we are all off in a race to the end of 2012. Some of us will run hard, strong and fast and "win" and some of us will not. Some of us will finish the race with our heads held high and some of us will be disappointed at our performance. All of us will have to overcome the challenges and obstacles in our path. And before you realize it, this race is over. Run strong and true and fast, and as Coach Opp would tell me, you deserve to win.
In your service, Dr. Fred |
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