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.
|
Boston MBDA Business Center CEO Roundtable
|
|
Tuesday, January 29 from 8 am -10:30, 4 Copley Place, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02116
Featuring:
Richard Manson, President of SourceMark & Nana Poku, President of KANY Corporation
Boston Scientific is one of the leading health care technology companies in the country. "Our products and technologies are used to diagnose or treat a wide range of medical conditions, including heart, digestive, pulmonary, vascular, urological, women's health and chronic pain conditions."
SourceMark is one of the leading MBEs in health care that has successfully tied exporting and importing of health related products and technologies.
The CEO Roundtable is designed to provide support for MBEs, by:
* providing topical information and insights
* promoting mutual business relationships
* providing a forum for sharing business intelligence and contacts facilitating mutual support and sharing best practices
Please RSVP to Sarah James at sjames@gnemsdc.org or (617) 578-8900 by Friday, January 18
|
Mark Your Calendar for the 1st 2013 GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting
|
The first Quarterly Meeting of the year is on Tuesday, February 19, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at City Hall Annex, 999 State Street, Bridgeport, CT
We are inviting buyers and leaders from some of Fairfield County's largest public and private sector buying organizations. We will also conduct a tour of our brand new offices at 333 State Street, right across the street from City Hall.
To RSVP contact Jerilynn Clarke at 203-288-9744 or jclarke @gnemsdc.org
|
| 2013 MBE and Corporate Member Sponsorship Packages |
 On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors we are appealing to GNEMSDC corporate members and MBEs to consider becoming 2013 Annual Sponsors. Annual sponsorship provides companies with a cost effective way to participate in the major events of 2013. Annual sponsorships also are the most important source of financial support for the GNEMSDC and allows us to better plan all of our events. Please take the time to review the packages below. You can charge your sponsorship to all major credit cards. Also we have a package for MBEs that will allow you to pay semi-annually or quarterly. Thank you for your consideration and support. Call 202-288-9744 for more information or to make your pledge.
2013 MBE Annual Sponsorship Packages & 2013 Corporate Sponsorship Packages |
It's Time to Make Your Corporate Awards Nominations!
|
If you are a GNEMSDC-certified MBE and you want to acknowledge the outstanding efforts a Corporate member (and their staff) who have exhibited outstanding efforts in developing business opportunities within their companies for council-certified MBEs, now is the time. The winners of these prestigious awards will be announced at our Annual Awards Banquet on Thursday April 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, Massachusetts. Here's everything you need to know to make your nominations:
The awards open for MBE nominations are:
- Corporation of the Year (NMSDC National Member)
- Corporation of the Year (GNEMSDC Regional/Local Member)
- (Corporate) Buyer of the Year
- (Corporate) Advocate of the Year
- MBE Empowerment Award
Who is eligible for a nomination?
Only active GNEMSDC Corporate Members (and their staff) are eligible for nomination.
What MBEs must do to submit a nomination:
- Complete one Award Nomination form for each nomination
- Write a Letter of Recommendation on your company's letterhead for each nomination
- Submit both your Award Nomination form and Letter of Recommendation for each nominee by email to Gary Stiffler, MBE Input Committee Chair (gstiffler@thematletgroup.com) no later than 5 pm EST, Thursday, Feb 1. Late submissions will not be included in the selection process.
- The selection of a winner in each category will be made by the GNEMSDC MBE Input Committee (MBEIC)
|
Requesting Supplier of the Year Nominations!
|
It is time for corporate members to nominate outstanding MBEs for award recognition that will be presented at the 2013 GNEMSDC Awards Gala on April 25, 2013 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, Framingham MA.
Each year, at our Annual Awards Gala, 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.
Greater New England MSDC is 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 head quarters outside CT, MA, RI, NH, ME or VT and must be reciprocally certified with GNEMSDC
Nominations received after Thursday, January 31, 2013 will not be accepted and will be returned to the sender unopened, there will be no exceptions.
|
Connecticut Creates! Connecticut Manufacturing Summit
|
Date: Friday, January 25 8:30 am - noon Location: Trumbull Marriott
Sponsored by: McGladrey & PlusOne Consulting
Organized by: Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) and partners
Join manufacturers and other industry leaders, educators and workforce development professionals for a discussion on the state of national and local manufacturing and learn about strategies for maximizing your company's success.
Program Highlights:
- Overview of U.S. manufacturing
- Steve Menaker, Partner & East Region Manufacturing Leader, McGladrey LLP
- Presentation of CBIA's report "Connecticut Manufacturing: Building on the Past, Creating Our Future"
- Pete Gioia, Vice President and Economist, CBIA
- Panel discussion: Achieving Success, Resources Needed to Sustain Success, and Strategies for Cost Control and Streamlining Operations
- Brian DiBella, Vice President and General Manager, Wiremold Electrical Wiring Systems Division, Legrand
- Don Janezic, CFO, Bigelow Tea
- Panel discussion: Current Workforce Issues
- Jason Howey, President, Okay Industries
- Douglas Johnson, Vice President of Operations, Marion Manufacturing Company
- Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Executive Director, College of Technology, Connecticut Community Colleges - Dave Tuttle, Manufacturing Department Head, Platt Technical High School
- Policy discussion: Improving Connecticut's Manufacturing Climate
- Joe Brennan, Senior Vice President of Public Policy, CBIA
Receive a reduced registration rate! To register, visit the event's website and go to the registration category Supporting Partner. CI is a Supporting Partner of this event, and contacts who receive this invitation through CI may register at the Supporting Partner rate. |
| The University of Hartford Entrepreneurial Center is hosting a free series:
Learn to Promote Your Business through Social Media
|
 All programs will be held at: Butterworth Hall 1265 Asylum Avenue Hartford, CT
Social Media Made Simple
Tuesday, January 29, 2013 (Storm date: 2/5/13) 6:30 - 8:30 pm Learn the essential strategies and best practices for successful social media marketing including discussion of various social media networks and tools, how to develop relationships, drive sales, and engagement, as well as how to incorporate social media into your business without losing productivity. Register here.
Power of Email Marketing Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (Storm date: 2/19/13) 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Master email communications with this comprehensive look at best practices and winning strategies for getting and keeping quality subscribers, increasing deliverability and open rates, writing good headlines and content, saving time, getting readers to take action, and more! Register here
Getting Started with Constant Contact
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 (Storm date: 3/5/13) 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Constant Contact's Email Marketing tool makes it easy for you to stay in touch with the people who matter to your business and stay top-of-mind by providing meaningful content. In this demo you will learn how to easily build an email marketing campaign, branding it to your business, and publishing it your social networks. Register here. |
Attend a
US Small Business Administration & Boston MBDA Business Center Training Session
|
Date: February 14, Time: 10:00 am - 11:15 am
Place: SBA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
Federal Contract Certifications:
Small business certifications are like professional certifications; they document a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. Unlike permits and licenses, you do not need to obtain certifications to legally operate. However, in order to take advantage of business opportunities, such as government contracts, you may need to obtain some certifications. Learn about these certifications: Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women Owned Small Business, Veteran and Service Disabled, 8(a) Business Development Program, and HUBZone Program.
For reservations, contact Sarah James at 617-578-8900 or sjames@gnemsdc.org by February 8th.
|
| Attend a US Small Business Administration & Boston MBDA Business Center Training Session |
Date: February 28, Time: 10:00am - 11:15am
Place: SBA, 10 Causeway Street, Room 265, Boston, MA 02222
8(a) Workshop The 8(a) Program is intended for business development purposes to help socially and economically disadvantaged business owners grow their businesses, gain a preference for federal contracts, and access sole source contracts
Join us and learn:
* Certification requirements
* Program benefits
* Application procedures
For reservations, contact Sarah James at 617-578-8900 or sjames@gnemsdc.org by February 22nd.
|
Save the Date: MBE Capital Summit
|
 Date: March 14th, 2013 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Eastern Bank in Boston, MA
|
Upcoming Events
|
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:
- January 29, 2013- MBDA Business Center Boston- CEO Roundtable
- January 30, 2013 - MBE Orientation MA - Open to any MBE but specifically designed for any MBE certified in the last 12 months. Please rsvp to jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org
- February 11, 2013 - MBE Orientation CT - Open to any MBE but specifically designed for any MBE certified in the last 12 months. Please rsvp to jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org
- February 14, 2013 - SBA & Boston MBDA Business Center Federal Contract Certifications Workshop
- February 19, 2013 - 1st GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting - City Hall Annex 999 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 1:00 - 4:00 PM
- February 21,2013 - How to Do Business with Stop & Shop (MA)
- February 28, 2012 - SBA & Boston MBDA Business Center 8(a) Workshop
- March 11-14, 2013- National RES Expo (Las Vegas)
- March 14th, 2013 -MBE Capital Summit, Eastern Bank in Boston. 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- April 11, 2013- MBDA Business Center Boston- CEO Round-table
- April 25, 2013 - Annual Awards Gala - Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center, MA
- June 10, 2013- MA Golf Outing- Ferncroft Golf Club, Middleton MA
- June 27, 2013- Virtual MED Day
- July 12, 2013- CT Golf Outing- Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield CT
|
Upcoming Mass Small Business Development Center Network Workshops
|
 You may know that MSBDC provides one-on-one business advising to entrepreneurs and small business owners. They also provide business workshops, some of which you may be interested in attending in the upcoming months:
- Getting Started in Business- 1/29 at the Central Library in Copley Square, 6-8pm, co-sponsored by the Kirstein Business Library
- Business Finance and Accounting Basics- 3/19 at the Central Library in Copley Square, 6-8pm, co-sponsored by the Kirstein Business Library
- Getting Started in Business- 3/21 in Quincy (location is to be determined) 6-8pm, co-sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce
If you're interested in attending, please register online at www.sbdc.umb.edu/training or you can call 617-287-7750 for more information.
|
| The Office of Energy Efficient Businesses Program |
 The Office of Energy Efficient Businesses (OEEB) program, administered and staffed by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT), with funding from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is now available to provide direct assistance to Connecticut businesses to reduce energy costs, and decrease energy consumption. OEEB will screen for potential energy efficiency and conservation measures, review options for energy procurement, and identify opportunities to deploy onsite renewable energy systems using funding from existing programs and/or private investment.
Services Offered:
Energy efficiency opportunities potential analysis
OEEB staff can identify opportunities for placement of high value energy efficiency and conservation measures. OEEB staff will also assist with reviewing proposals from contractors to confirm energy savings calculations, project cost effectiveness, and financial viability.
Energy billing / commodity procurement analysis
OEEB staff can examine a clients energy bills to determine whether their business could obtain a more favorable rate for natural gas commodity and/or electric generation service. An analysis of fuel switching opportunities can also be provided.
Renewable energy potential analysis
OEEB staff can identify financially attractive renewable energy technologies with consideration of existing state and federal incentive and financing programs.
|
| Small Business Innovation Research Program |
|
SBIR is a highly competitive federal program that encourages small businesses to explore their technological potential. It provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization by funding qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena. When high-tech innovation is stimulated, the United States gains a competitive edge as it meets its specific research and development needs. However, the risk and expense of conducting serious R&D efforts are often beyond the means of many small businesses. By reserving a specific percentage of federal R&D funds for small business, SBIR enables companies to compete with larger businesses.
If your firm is developing emerging technology, it may be eligible for a research and development grant through the Small Business Innovation Research Program.
The SBIR Program is structured in three phases:
* Phase I is a feasibility, proof of concept study, typically up to $150,000
* Phase II is usually a prototype and testing development award, typically up to $1M
* Phase III is for commercialization. Several agencies will contract with SBIR winners.
As part of Connecticut's outreach to its disadvantaged small businesses we offer individualized attention, free proposal reviews, some funding for grant writing, and technology assessment reports.
|
|
Here is a fun article from ESPN about a new potential rule that would allow interpreters to accompany coaches at the pitching mound when talking with foreign-born pitchers. You can enjoy the article 
