GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo: September 24-25
On Line Registration NOW OPEN!
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Business Opportunity Trade Expo is on September 24-25 , Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.
Click to REGISTER ON-LINE TODAY! |
| Exciting Changes in GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo |
 The GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo has been a tremendous success for a long time. So why change? Because change can be good. We are looking to make a major change in the Trade Expo this year. For so long we have told anyone who will listen, that the business case for supplier diversity is determined by connecting corporate supplier diversity efforts to top-line sales and business development efforts. So for the first time in our Expo's history, we are inviting corporations to bring their small business development teams to exhibit on our trade show floor, under certain conditions.
The condition are these:
1) A corporate sales group can exhibit if they are corporate members of the NMSDC/GNEMSDC; and
2) A corporate sales group can exhibit if they also have a booth for their buying/supplier diversity group. The corporate members must have two booths one for buying and one for selling.
I believe that our corporate members have goods and services that can help our MBEs become more profitable and efficient. But more than this, I believe that having corporate business development teams at the Expo will open up opportunities for MBEs with this important part of the house. Additionally, having corporate business development teams solidifies the relationship between the corporate buy side of the house to the sell side of the house. I believe strengthening these relationships helps MBEs by strengthening the position of supplier diversity teams within the corporation.
So this is an invitation to our corporate members to encourage their business development teams to exhibit at the show. I recommend - I strongly recommend - that corporations considering bringing their business development teams use this as an opportunity to highlight how existing MBEs are part of their sales efforts. Highlighting MBE participation in their supply chain would be my recommendation to any corporate member who takes up on this new aspect of our show. This is going to be exciting!
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| Congratulations to GNEMSDC 2013 Shining Stars |
We are very happy to announce that our 2013 Shining Stars are John Brady, CFO of the Connecticut Hospital Association and Dr. Ramesh Wadhwani of SAI Systems. And that this year we are making a special Shining Star award, posthumously to James Daley formerly of the Hartford. .
The Shining Star Awards Reception welcomes all of our previous Shining Stars to also join the newest members of this illustrious group of GNEMSDC supporters. The reception is Tuesday, September 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center. Register on-line.
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Upcoming Events
2013 GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo
September 24-25 at Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
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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:
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DAS Community Outreach - New Contracting Opportunities for both Small & Minority Business Enterprises (SBEs & MBEs)
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Below are the dates, times and directions to DAS' Community Outreach meetings:
Tuesday August, 20 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the DOT complex in Newington. Conference rooms A & B. Directions.
Thursday, August, 29 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Adanti Student Center (Theater), Southern Connecticut State University, in New Haven. Directions.
Thursday, September, 5 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Bullard-Havens Technical High School in Bridgeport. Directions.
DAS encourages any qualified firm that is not yet certified with DAS as an Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) to apply as soon as possible for certification. You may do so by contacting the DAS Supplier Diversity Office at 860-713-5236, or by visiting the DAS. More details.
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6th Annual Supply Chain Management Summit
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 6th Annual Supply Chain Management Summit - August 21, 2013, 5 - 7:00 p.m. - SCM Summit Speakers & Sponsors Networking Reception and August 22, 2013, 7:15 am Registration, Networking & Breakfast, Bryant University, Smithfield, RIJoin us for our 6th annual thought leadership summit where industry executives and subject matter experts will talk about leading supply chain strategies, share best practices, and network with colleagues to discuss the latest benchmarks and innovations. The event also features an Executive C-Suite panel discussion and multiple breakout sessions designed to encourage in-depth discussion about some of today's most relevant supply chain challenges and solutions. As an added benefit, the Summit also qualifies for 6.0 CEUs for CPSM, CPM and APP Re/Certification. I will be speaking at this event on the subject of supply chain management and supplier diversity. The presentation will discuss the apparent conflicts between strategic sourcing, global sourcing and modern supply chain management and supplier diversity. I will also discuss how these conflicts can be resolved with the minimal amount of sacrifice to corporate objectives. SCM Summit Promo and SCM Summit Agenda and Details |
Massachusetts Power of Connections 2013: Meet Prime Contractors and National Grid's Procurement Team
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Only a few spots remain for the Massachusetts Power of Connections 2013 - How to do Business with National Grid event - Friday, September 6, 2013, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
National Grid Waltham Office, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA. Don't miss out on this exciting event - hurry and register asap!
Bill Witcher of Minute Man Trucks Inc. describes his successful experience attending last year's National Grid event:
"Minuteman Trucks, Inc, a Minority Business Enterprise located in Walpole in our Massachusetts jurisdiction was awarded to supply approximately 200 International and Ford chassis cabs to National Grid for 2013 with an estimated value of 13.7 Million dollars. Minuteman Trucks, Inc. started doing business with Keyspan Corp. now owned by National Grid in early 2007. Keyspan purchased some Ford F750 cab and chassis from Minuteman. Over the past 6 years Minuteman continued selling repair parts and performed repairs on those vehicles while owned by Keyspan or National Grid.
Being a certified MBE Small Business Enterprise in the Boston market, Minuteman Trucks has been working with the Boston Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center. Minuteman was invited to a CEO Roundtable Discussion Connecting Businesses with Opportunities at the National Grid office in Waltham, MA, on February 24, 2012, the event was sponsored by National Grid, the Boston MBDA Business Center and the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council. The Boston MBDA Business Center is a program operated by GNEMSDC.
Carla Hunter-Ramsey Director of Supplier Diversity was the moderator discussing supplier diversity and developing mutual business relationships, providing topical information and insights, sharing business contacts, and opportunities. The National Grid Procurement Team shared best practices on how to do business with National Grid. The event concluded with a Q&A session and a networking event.
Minuteman gained valuable information and made new contacts which helped them to prepare a better response to the National Grid RFP for new truck chassis that was issued in August 2012.
Minuteman believes that the partnering event put on by National Grid Supplier Diversity & Procurement Teams, and the Boston MBDA Business Center allowed them to create a professional and mutually beneficial relationship with National Grid." Click here for additional information about the event.
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Connecticut Celebrates Women Entrepreneurs
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 September 20, 8:30 am to 2 pm. at UCONN Stamford Campus, Stamford, Connecticut.
This conference brings together women entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut and provides an opportunity to network with each other, showcase their ventures and participate in a variety of educational workshops to help take their businesses to the next level. Workshop topics include: funding and planning for your business, marketing and social media as well as attaining life/work balance. In addition, participants can learn about the resources offered by the State of Connecticut to support women entrepreneurs and how to leverage the advantages that women and minority-owned businesses have in today's marketplace. The conference also features lunch with keynote speaker Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of Bigelow Tea, for an additional cost. Event Details.
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Celebrating Diversity in the Greater Bridgeport Business Community
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Save the Date Invitation for the "Celebrating Diversity in the Greater Bridgeport Business Community"October 23, 2013, 5:30-7:30 pm at People's United Bank Lobby. (850 Main St. Bridgeport, CT
Join us for great networking opportunity showcasing Minority-Owned Businesses hosted by People's United Bank and Pullman and Comley, LLC.
A detailed information will follow, but space is limited so be sure to RSVP now at 203-330-2059 orevent@pullcom.com. Cocktails & Hors d'oeuvres will be served.
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| Corporate Member of the Week: CT Lottery Corporation |
 The CT Lottery Corporation is the fourth oldest lottery in the United States. Since its inception in 1972, it has raised over $7.5 billion for the valuable programs and causes funded by the state of CT. This past year (FY'13), the CT Lottery raised a record $312.1 million for the state. It accomplished this while promoting high standards of public policy and social responsibility. The CT Lottery is one of only six U.S. Lotteries to be recognized with Level Two accreditation by the World Lottery Association for its responsible gaming efforts.Supplier diversity is increasingly integrated into our corporate culture as a lasting and fundamental value. This fall, the CT Lottery will train its entire work force on supplier diversity fundamentals and best practices. Our ongoing commitment to supplier diversity will also include a supplier diversity feature in our new corporate newsletter and a unique segment on our website. We also look forward to a new multicultural marketing partnership with Bauzá & Associates. The CT Lottery Corporation is a proud corporate member of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, and our CEO serves on its advisory Council. We look forward to participating in the upcoming tradeshow and thank Dr. Fred McKinney for his leadership efforts in Connecticut. |
| MBE of the Week: Computer Decisions |
Computer Decisions was established in 1996 with the "P.C. as a tool" philosophy in mind. The company's original focus was on single p.c. upgrades and installation in which we developed a strong reputation for being deta
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Thank you for a Successful RI RAC Event!
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Thanks to all who attended the Rhode Island Meet & Greet Minority and Women Owned Business event in Providence, Rhode Island on Wednesday Night! It was a very successful and festive event with almost 100 attendees.
Thank you to the RI RAC who put on this event as well the organizations who partnered with us in this event.
Additionally, thank you to Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Director Richard Licht from the Governors office who both attended.
Pictured above is Dr. Fred with Mayor Angel Taveras with representatives from RI Economic Development Corporation, RIBBA (Rhode Island Black Business Association), and CWE.
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Opportunities
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| Solicitation for Small and Minority Business Enterprises |
Associated Construction Company seeks bids from qualified City of Hartford and State of Connecticut small and minority business enterprises for the renovation of 777 Main St., Hartford CT.
The project consists of the renovation of an existing 27 story building into a 285 unit apartment complex which will occupy approximately 315,000 SF. The work will take place in a 14 month time frame beginning early in the Fall of 2013.
Interested minority contractors may inquire by sending a Letter of Interest, Company Profile and DAS or City of Hartford Certification via email to kaw@accgc.com. Associated Construction Co. is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
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| Looking for Volunteers to Speak with BHA Resident Entrepreneurs |
 The GNEMSDC is working with several Bridgeport Housing Authority residents who are entering the world of entrepreneurship.
We have taken these residents through a great program of starting and operating a business. Each of the participating residents brought an idea to the program. We are helping them turn that idea into a real business. As part of the program we are introducing these early stage business owners to some of our outstanding MBEs.
We are looking for a few more volunteers from our MBE and corporate community to come and meet these aspiring entrepreneurs. We are also looking for some MBEs to be judges for a business plan competition featuring these entrepreneurs. If you are interested in assisting us and these entrepreneurs, please give me a call, 203-288-9744.
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| GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program (GALP) |
 We are pleased to announce the start of an exciting new program, the GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program (GALP). The program consists of 5 full-day sessions led by outstanding business professors and writers. The professors in this program represent the best executive educators in the world, and are from the top business schools in the world. The GALP faculty includes, Steven Rogers of the Harvard Business School, Len Greenhalgh of the Tuck School of Management, Olav Sorensen of Yale School of Management, and Jeffrey Fox, best-selling author of "How to Become a Rainmaker" and other top selling business books.
At lunch during each day of the program, we will have corporate CEOs and other C-Level executives speak to the program participants. The CEO faculty include Anne Noble, President and CEO of the CT Lottery, Kevin Kelleher, President and CEO of Cartus, William Jennings, President and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital, Rodney Powell, President and COO of Yankee Gas, Carlton Highsmith, Retired Chairman of Specialized Packaging Group and Joseph Black, Chief Procurement Officer of Aetna. The program begins on Friday October 4, 2013 and ending on Friday, November 8. (There will be no class on November 1 because of the NMSDC conference.)
The program is geared to the owner/entrepreneurs of firms with $10 million in annual sales or more who are looking to significantly grow their business's top and bottom lines. Participants will not only experience the wisdom of the assembled professors, participants will benefit greatly by learning from the other high powered MBE owners in attendance. Space is limited to 25 MBEs. Think of the value of simply making the connections that being part of this program can do for your business; that alone is worth the investment of your time and resources.
Participants will receive a certificate signed by all professors in the program. This will be a valuable reminder of the time invested in this innovative program. Program Details
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You want to Get Your Message Out?
We Can Help You Reach Over 5,000 Subscribers a Week!
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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 5,000 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.
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And Finally III... Musing on Minority Business Development
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 The book "And Finally III... Musing on Minority Business Development" by Dr. Fred is available to purchase today!
Book covers the period from January 1, 2011 though December 31 2012. This two year period was an exciting time for the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), the economy, the country, and the world.
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
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And Finally...
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The hardest part of this job is the frustration of not being able to connect highly qualified MBEs with demanding corporate buying organizations. Economists like to think in terms of demand and supply and well functioning markets. For the most part, markets do work. Buyers often find the best suppliers, and suppliers often are able to sell their products at a profit that covers all of their costs. It is often the case that both buyers and sellers are happy. But the fact of the matter is, in capitalism, no one is every really happy, at least permanently. One axiom of economic theory is that consumers cannot be satiated. In other words no matter how much you have, you still want more. I used to test this theory on my students who would argue, vociferously at times, that they have their limits. But actions speak louder than words.
Companies are similar in their unquenchable thirst for more. This reality is at the heart of the frustration. Companies operate in an organic like way; feeding off of each other, sometimes destroying each other, but also depending on each other. Companies that do not grow ultimately decline and go out of existence. This cycle of corporate birth, growth, stasis, decline and death is "natural". Great entrepreneurs are like magicians capable of extending the growth phase and increasing the angle of its growth trajectory and thus postponing the inevitable.
MBEs are almost all struggling to grow in order to survive. So when MBEs see a problem that they are uniquely qualified to solve for a corporate buyer they are excited. These opportunities often turn into successes. When these happen, I am reminded of why we as an organization exist. When that opportunity does not turn into a contract, they are frustrated and I feel their pain as if it were my company experiencing a profound sense of loss. The loss however is temporary. I get up like most of our MBEs when this happens, dust myself off and get back into the fray. Overcoming loss is what makes winners. So despite my sometimes frustration, I realize that this too shall pass, and we will all have the opportunity to succeed if we stay in the game.
The theme for our Trade Expo this year is Corporate America + Minority Business = Hope + Jobs. This only happens if the opportunities to bring our stakeholders together happens. Sign up for our Trade Expo. I will stomach the frustration as long as the opportunities continue to come and we never give up.
Dr. Fred  |
