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!
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| 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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You're Invited to GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting
hosted by CVS Caremark |
August 13th 12:30pm - 4:00pm
200 Highland Corporate Drive Cumberland, RI 02864
CVS Caremark will be hosting the upcoming Quarterly Meeting on August 13th. Please be sure to attend this meeting to get updates about GNEMSDC, learn more about the CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity Program, meet the CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity Team, and see two exciting MBE Showcase presentations. Meeting Agenda. To RSVP to this event please contact Sarah James.
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Meet & Greet: Rhode Island Minority/Woman Owned Small Businesses
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August 14 5:00pm - 7:00pm,
Fete Lounge 103 Dike Street, Providence, RI
Hosted by GNEMSDC and the Boston MBDA Business Center.
Meet other Organizations that can help you grow your business. Refreshments will be provided.
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For questions call Sarah or Andie at 617-578-8900 or RSVP
Partnered with: CVS Caremark, RBS Citizens, Center for Women & Enterprise, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, and RIBBA |
National Grid Supplier Diversity Event: Power of Connections 2013
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Friday, September 6, 2013 9:00am - 2:00pm
National Grid Waltham Office, 40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA
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Meet Prime Contractors and National Grid's Procurement Team
National Grid's Supplier Diversity office, in partnership with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC), the Center for Women & Enterprise (New England WBENC), the
Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office and Boston Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), invites you to attend its annual One Day Business Opportunity and Matchmaking event for minority-owned, women-owned, and diverse business enterprises. The event is free of charge and is one of the premier business events in Massachusetts this year.
The objective of the event is to provide access for diverse businesses to National Grid MA buying and Senior Leadership teams, key prime contractors for tier 2 opportunities, and executives from partnering organizations with proven track records of success focused on certifying and developing minority, women and diverse business enterprises.
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for registration. Event flyer for additional information. Register today!
Space is Limited. Limit 2 representatives per company. First come, first served. Please register by Friday, August 23rd.
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| Corporate Member of the Week: Aetna |
 Congratulations to Aetna, our current Corporate Member of the Week!
Aetna's Supplier Diversity Program
The mission of Aetna's Supplier Diversity Program is to increase purchasing and business relationships with certified diverse suppliers.
At Aetna, diversity is a core business value and an important part of our culture. We have taken specific actions to ensure diversity is integrated into all aspects of how we do business - including diversifying our supply base.
Each year senior management signs off on annual Supplier Diversity goals that are directly tied to compensation funding. In addition, we hold our prime suppliers accountable to 2nd tier targets that are monitored through our Enterprise Vendor Management Program.
Aetna is a proud supporter of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council among a number of other national industry organizations focused on expanding opportunities for diverse suppliers in corporate America.
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| MBE of the Week: Light Speed |
Light Speed is a full-service eLearning and Communications firm specializing in using the latest technology to provide education and communication deliverables. They have become known for taking an educational or promotional opportunity and making it an impactful experience. Their deliverables take the form of:
- eLearning course design, development and production
- Multimedia video production and editing
- Engaging presentation design, development, production
- Motion graphics and video post production
- Dynamic translation of videos, websites, documents, PPTs and live chat in over 65 languages
Their client list includes many Fortune 500 companies and they have supported the work of departments such as Marketing, Sales, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Corporate Communications, Environment/Health & Safety, Legal, Human Resources, Procurement and others. Their newest offering is a special Supplier Diversity eLearning course that answers the question "Why is Supplier Diversity important to our corporation?"
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| Newly certified MBEs - July 2013 |
Founder/CEO, Elvis Usumanu Services/Products: Asaman, Inc. is a fully-licensed specialty pharmaceutical distributor headquartered in Massachusetts, U.S.A. Asaman is committed to meeting the needs of the clinical trial community with the expedient, accurate, and cost-efficient delivery of quality comparator drugs. As the leading specialist in the field of pharmaceutical procurement, Asaman upholds itself to the highest of industry standards. We guarantee that our clients receive the customized solutions they desire, along with the customer service they deserve.
 MMC Global Designs Inc.
President, Mark Castillo
Services/Products: We are a packaging importer focused primarily on selling to the fine fragrance and cosmetic industry. Specifically, we design, develop and source department store quality rigid boxes and specialty closures. We also have broad-based experience in developing electronic components for the same market. This includes a light up compact and lipgloss.
RaeFoods
Founder/CEO Raeleen Yoon
Services/Products: RaeFoods specializes in creating dairy-free food products. We currently create, produce, and package our first line of products, which are allergen free (dairy, egg, peanut, soy free) muffins, which come in five uniquely distinctive flavors. We target retail and food service organizations and our products can also be purchased on our website.
RSE Associates Inc.
President, Richmond So
Products/Services: RSE Associates, Inc. is a structural engineering firm that provides structural engineering services to building owners and architects.
 The Computer Support People, LLC
Owner. Diego Raigosa
Products/Services: The Computer Support People, LLC is a computer solutions provider and IT consulting firm. Our primary functions include the following: -Business Technical Support -Networking and Systems Integration -Monitoring Services (Managed Services) -Project Management -IT Staffing -Database and Web Development
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| Promising Scholars Golf Classic |
 October 4th, 2013, Laurel View Country Club - Hamden, Connecticut
Schedule of Events:
8:45 Registration and 9:00am Driving Range and Putting
Green Open
10:00am Shot Gun Start: Lunch and beverages will be served on the course 3:30pm Cocktail Reception and 4:30pm Dinner, Silent Auction, and Awards Ceremony Each golfer will receive lunch, 18 holes of scramble tournament play, dinner, and great giveaways. Prices will be awarded for: Low Gross Teams, Long Drive (Male and Female) and Closer to the Pin (Male and Female). Certain prizes will be awarded in CASH
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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:
- August 6, 2:00pm - 3:00pm MBE Pre-Certification Webinar. Please email Jennifer Little-Greer to register and receive the webinar meeting details.
- August 7, 12:00pm - 6:00pm Hurricane Sandy Small Business Recovery and Matchmaking Summit in Newark, NJ - Additional Information
- August 13, 12:30-4:00pm, GNEMSDC 3rd Quarterly Meeting, CVS Caremark, 200 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864 to rsvp email Sarah James
- August 14, 5:00 - 7:00pm - Meet and Greet Rhode Island Minority/Woman Owned Businesses at the Fete Lounge 103 Dike Street, Providence RI. Additional Information
- August 21, 8:30 -11:00am, MBE Orientation (Massachusetts), GNEMSDC Office, 100 Huntington Ave, Copley Place Boston, MA
- August 21, 10:00am - 2:00pm Northeastern University and the Massachusetts State Supplier Diversity Office - Networking Event for local Boston area businesses at Northeastern University, Curry Student Center, 2nd floor Ballroom, located at 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 Additional Information
- August 26, 9:00-11:00am MBE Orientation (CT) at the GNEMSDC Office 333 State St Bridgeport CT
- September 6 - How to Do Business with National Grid - Additional Information and Registration
- September 24-25, GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo, Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103
- September 26 6:00-11:00pm Ritmos de Salud - a cultural performance to benefit Joslin's Latino diabetes initiative Additional Information
- 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 27-30, - NMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Conference, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX Registration Brochure
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Do You Need to Reach 2,000 MBEs and Corporate Buyers 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 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.
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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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I have been critical of the state of Connecticut over its minority business development program for a very long time. The program unfairly lumps Women's Business Enterprises with Minority Business Enterprises in the establishment of goals. WBEs and MBEs should not be treated as fungible or identical.
The program has very lax standards when it comes to certification. The state's goals of 6.25 percent of state purchases for WBEs and MBEs -- combined -- is embarrassingly too low. The MBE goal should be at least 15 percent. The WBE goal should also be at least 15 percent.
The program does nothing for very successful MBEs whose sales or net worth exceed the limits of the program. These large and successful MBEs are the very ones the state should be encouraging to grow even more. Large MBEs are the ones that are employing workers, particularly minority workers. Prime contractors are not held to the requirements that they themselves put into their proposals. Municipalities receiving state and federal funds on billions of dollars in contracts do not have to comply with the meager standards of the state's program, and as a result use very few MBEs. Why should Greenwich and Trumbull be exempt while firms from those wonderful towns come into Bridgeport and New Haven and walk away with all of the business? These are a few of the major flaws in the existing State supplier diversity program.
Yet I have to give credit to the governor for two things that they announced last week. One, they have invested $2 million in the Hartford Economic Development Corporation ( HEDCO) to assist minority contractors with bid bonds and other forms of absolutely necessary financing. And secondly, they have agreed to change the certification requirements so that the stated owner must have working knowledge of the business they own and work in an executive capacity.
Just this week I heard from an MBE who was so frustrated on this issue of front companies that they hired a private investigator to follow a nominal owner around for a three-week period. She was told by the PI that the nominal owner did not once go to the construction company or to a construction site. Her husband was on the site or at the company every day. This state-certified WBE was denied certification by the city of New Haven and Connecticut Department of Transportation because the woman CEO could not demonstrate knowledge and day-to-day management of the firm. Yet the state of Connecticut certified the business. This state-certified WBE has won multiple state contracts as a non-minority WBE eligible firm. This is an example of a front company taking business away from legitimate WBEs and MBEs all while certified by the state of Connecticut.
Hopefully, the standards put in place last week will eliminate these abuses and illegalities. However, you have to ask the question: Why does the state of Connecticut certify any businesses at all? There are organizations that do this for both women and minority businesses. This question is particularly relevant given the fiscal issues facing the state.
But with that being said, I want to thank the governor for investing in the minority businesses. I also want to thank Gov. Malloy for beginning to see the problems with the system he has inherited, and beginning to take some steps to halt the abuses. If we fix the problems in the state's supplier diversity program, Connecticut will become an exemplary place for all businesses to thrive.
In your service,
Dr. Fred
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