June 3, 2013

Attend the GNEMSDC and the National Black MBA Association WGC Spring Fling Networking Session
National Black MBA AssociationThursday June 6, 2013 5:30pm - 9:00pm  at the GNEMSDC CT office  333 State Street Bridgeport, CT 06604
 
Enjoy some champagne & hors d'oeuvres while you network!  
 
Why Should You Attend?
 
1)  Meet and Network with  Business Leaders from our Corporate Membership; 
2)  Meet and Network with  MBE Owners;
3)  Meet and Network with Local Political and Community Leaders;
4)  Meet and Network with Leaders from the National Black MBA Association - many of whom work for local corporate members;
5)  Check out our new office digs;
6)  Enjoy some of the best Soul Food in New England from Cast Iron Soul Catering Company of Hamden, CT; and
7)  Drink some "affordable" but good champagne.
 
The first fifty people to register will be entered to win a prize of up to 50,000 
GNEMSDC  Massachusetts & Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Classic
golf
The GNEMSDC Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Golf Outing is coming to 
Ferncroft Country Club on Monday, June 10.   The Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Outing is at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club on Friday, July 12.  Annual Sponsors have the choice of participating in either the Ferncroft Country Club MA outing or the Lyman Orchards Golf Club CT outing or both. 

We are asking for sponsors to provide us with the names of their guests by May 15. Due to the limited space, we will not be able to hold your slots if you do not send your names to the office by June 1.  One of the main attractions of this event is getting MBEs and Corporate members together.

If you are interested in a fun morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building please fill out the registration form and email it to Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org

GNEMSDC MA Golf Classic June 10, 2013
We have reserved a block of rooms at the rate of $139.00 a night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston North Shore, 50 Ferncroft Road, Danvers, Massachusetts 01923.
To Reserve your room please click here or you can call : 978-750-7987
Group Name: GREATER NE MINORITY SUPPLIER COUNCIL
Group Code:  GNE
Deadline to reserve your room: May 10, 2013
 
GNEMSDC CT Golf Classic July 12, 2013
We have reserved a block of rooms at the rate of $89.00 a night at the Fairfield Inn Wallingford -
100 Miles Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.
 To reserve a room please call (203) 284-0001 Reference Group Name: GNEMSDC
Deadline to reserve your room: June 20, 2013

 If you would like to donate any items for our very popular raffle, please contact the office (888-874-7114).                                              
 ***Volunteer  Opportunity  available for July 12, CT  - Contact Office***
Attend How to do Business with Prince Lobel Tye LLP
Prince LobelWednesday June 26, 2013 5:00pm - 7:00pm  at Prince Lobel Tye LLP        100 Cambridge St Suite 2200 Boston, MA 
 
Please join Prince Lobel Tye LLP and the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council for an evening of networking and opportunity. Prince Lobel, a Boston-based law firm, would like to partner with businesses and service providers that share its commitment to a diverse and community-minded workplace. By attending this event, you will have the opportunity to meet Prince Lobel partners and managers, and hear more about their interest in discovering new service providers.

Prince Lobel would like to identify certified minority owned businesses in areas such as IT, plant care, caterers and event suppliers, accountants, printers, private stenographers, subpoena services/constables, staffing agencies, car services, public relations professionals, translation services, Web designers, photographers, toner and printer suppliers, lawyers (out of state CT NH RI as referrals or business partners), investment advisors, and more.

For more information and the agenda click here.
 
Kindly RSVP to Allison Kemon at RSVP@PrinceLobel.com or 617 456 8191.  Click here to learn more about Prince Lobel. Click here for driving directions and parking information.
GNEMSDC MBE Pre-Certification Webinar
GNEMSDCTuesday, June 4 2012  2:00pm - 3:00pm

This FREE webinar is open to any minority business owner interested in becoming a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). The orientation will cover information about the Council, the certification process and the review of the certification application.

If you are interested in joining the webinar please RSVP by June 4, 2013 at 1:00 pm. to Jennifer Little-Greer at jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org 

The link below will allow you to join the online meeting -  Join online meeting
Upcoming Events
 
2013 GNEMSDC Expo Date and Location Set
September 24-25 at Connecticut Convention Center,  Hartford, CT
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.    We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies.  Here are some events you should consider:   
  • June 5  5:00pm - 8:00pm Conference of Minority Transportation Officials additional information
  • June 6 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM GNEMSDC and National Black MBA Association - "Spring Fling" at 333 State Street Bridgeport - Champagne and hors d'oeuvres Networking Event FREE,  Please RSVP at jclarke@gnemsdc.org
  • June 6, 9:00am - 4:00pm   CT Business Expo at the Connecticut Convention Center  Hartford, CTadditional information
  • June 10, 6:30 -2:30pm, GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classic - MA, Ferncroft Country Club, 10 Village Rd, Middleton, MA 01949
  • June 11,9:00am - 11:00am "What Government Can Do for Small Business" Seminar from NW CT Chamber of Commerce -  additional information
  • June 14  1:00 - 7:00  Meet the Lender:  Connecting with Capital and the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce & SBA Small Business Awards Dinner  - Additional Information
  • June 26 5:00pm - 7:00pm How to do Business with Price Lobel Tye LLP  100 Cambridge StreetSuite 2200  Boston, MA 02114
  • July 12, 6:30-3:00pm, GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classic: CT, Lyman Orchards Golf Club- Middlefield, CT
  • July 25, How to do business with Stop and Shop, MA
  • June 22  10:30am UnityFirst.com holds 2013 Common Ground Leadership Awards and Resource Reception at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA  Additional Information
  • August 14, 1-4:30pm, GNEMSDC 3rd Quarterly Meeting, CVS Caremark, 200 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864
  • August 19, 9-11:00am , MBE Orientation (CT),GNEMSDC Office, Bridgeport, CT
  • August 21, 8:30 -11:00am, MBE Orientation (Massachusetts), GNEMSDC Office, 100 Huntington Ave, Copley Place
  • September 24-25, GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo, Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103
  • October 4 - Promising Scholars Golf Classic Laurel View Country Club, Hamden, CT (to benefit inner city New Haven high school graduates matriculating into 4-year colleges and universities.)
    October 27, - November 31,  NMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Conference, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX   
FYI
Babson Business Assessment Tool
babsonIntroducing The Business Advantage Tool
Business Advantage is a very effective and simple to use financial tool that gives a small business owner a real advantage in being in control of their finances and achieving a deeper understanding of this vital part of their business.

Why Business Advantage?
We know that one of the constants in business is change: opportunities for new business, changes in requirements from existing customers, changes in your cost structure or the challenge of competitors. Business Advantage gives you the ability to easily and quickly understand these changes impact your finances - - - how, in detail, it affects your bottom line - - your ability to be profitable. Just over the last week, we had conversations with three MBE's on exactly this issue of understanding the financial impact. In one case, it was about deciding which type of loan would be best. In another case, the financial impact revolved around bid strategy for a new opportunity - - - how to manipulate the various pricing components in order to win the bid and ensure that it is a profitable outcome. In the third case, it was a question of understanding the profitability of various customers - - - and discovering that some may not in fact be profitable!

Business Advantage allows you to make these determinations quickly and easily. It is not intended to take the place of business partners, such as accountants or bookkeepers, but to work in tandem. With Business Advantage, within a few minutes you can model various scenarios and see how they flow through your income statement balance sheet. It takes the guesswork out of making many important decisions. This also makes discussions with those business partners more efficient and focused.

The Bottom Line
At a cost of only $200, you have one of the most effective tools to make your business a success.
5th Annual MBE Economic Survey
surveyHere is the link for the 5th Annual MBE Economic and Business Performance Survey .   We encourage all of our MBEs to complete the questionnaire.  It will take only 10 minutes.  Your answers are anonymous and confidential.  We report the summary data only.  The information you provide helps us to design programs that better meet your needs.   
Click here for survey.  Thank you for your support.
Opportunities
Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid
BPThe Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport is requesting sealed bids for the rehabilitation of 350-356 Hanover Street Apartment Building.   All bids must be received by 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 4, 2012 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.  No bids will be accepted after the designated time.  Additional Information  
GNEMSDC Boston Office is giving away two beautiful desks
desk
The Boston Office is giving away two ornate wooden desks.  They are free but you must be able to pick them up.  If you are interested contact Sarah at 617-578-8900.
Are You Looking for a Business Loan or a Line of Credit?    
loanAre you a MBE looking to purchase large assets and/or increase long-term liquidity at flexible terms, or manage cash flow and prepare for long-term success by purchasing short-term assets, such as inventory and accounts receivable, or funds to help you finance a contract?

The GNEMSDC and the Boston MBDA Business Center can help!  
We have relationships with numerous banks and non-bank lenders who can help you get the financing you need.   Even if you have been turned down, we can help.   Contact the  office at 888-874-7114.  

One of our banking partners - Webster Bank  - saw this note and contacted the Council last week and sweetened the pot!  Any MBE who successfully gets a loan with Webster Bank will receive a $5,000 credit on the loan repayment. 
Do You Need to Reach 2,000 MBEs and Corporate Buyers a Week?
AD
One of the great things about this newsletter technology is that we can track readership, clicks on links and forwards.  I am pleased to report that this newsletter is reaching over 2,000 readers a week.  If you are an MBE or a corporate member, this is an excellent vehicle to get your message out.  
 
If you are interested in becoming a GNEMSDC e-newsletter sponsor, send an email to Sarah James at sjames@gnemsdc.org.  We would like to hear from you.  This ad space will be limited to no more than five MBEs and five corporate members. 
And Finally...
Fred in ohio
This week we will be adding two new full-time employees and one full-time intern.   Diane Thomas will be our new administrative aide. Diane will be working out of our Bridgeport office. José Colon will be joining us as a Connecticut business development professional, focusing on corporate member engagement and new company sales.  Zach Sloan will be joining our Boston staff assigned to the MBDA Boston Business Center and will work with MBE clients and will support our Native American business initiative.   And two weeks ago we added Dominque Bukovan-Stevens and Alan Wu who are both summer interns in Connecticut and Boston, respectively.  These three additions and the two summer interns bring our total staff headcount to 16 people.  This is significant growth since I came into the position in 2001 when we had three full-time staffers including myself.  So these new additions have forced me to rethink, once again what we do, how we do it and who is responsible for getting it done.  This is a great set of problems to have. It is a set of problems that I wish upon all of our MBEs.  We hear so much about building capacity for corporate contracts.  Well the same applies to us.  We have to build capacity in order to effectively serve over 200 corporate members and over 400 certified MBEs.   The Council is growing and our ability to serve our corporate members and our MBEs is expanding.   I am convinced we have a fantastic team.  I firmly believe that there is so much more for us to do to increase the success of minority businesses in the region.  There is also enough corporate supplier diversity work for us to do that we could, and in fact we should, grow more in the near future.  It should be an interesting ride.  
 In your service,
   
Dr. Fred    
Dr Fred QR