July 8, 2013

GNEMSDC  Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Classic - July 12
Hole in One $5000 Cash
MA golf
The GNEMSDC Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Outing will once again be held at the Lyman Orchards Golf Club on Friday, July 12.  Due to the limited spots available we are asking for sponsors to provide us with the names of their guests by TODAY.  Also, due to the limited space, once we sell out we will close registration for the event.

One of the main attractions of this event is getting MBEs and Corporate members togetherIf you are interested in a fun morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building please fill out theregistration form and email it to Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org
 
We are looking forward to another great event.  We even have things for non-golfers who attend.
  
Who Wants to Win $5,000?
 
 
You can be a winner of $5,000 cash at the  GNEMSDC golf outing at  Lyman Orchards on July 12th. 

  
The Hole in One Contests will be held on Jones #2 and  Player #11 
Corporate Member of the Week:  CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity
Congratulations to the first ever GNEMSDC Corporation of the Week:  CVS Caremark!  
 From this point forward GNEMSDC is excited to highlight our many exceptional Corporate Members by designating an outstanding Corporate Member as the Corporate Member of the week.  CVS Caremark will be hosting our 3rd Quarterly Meeting on August 13th.  Thank you to CVS Caremark!
CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity Team
In 2012, CVS Caremark spent more than $140 million within the diverse supply chain and will continue to include diverse suppliers in future procurement and sourcing opportunities.  

 Learn more about the CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity Program here.
   
 CVS Caremark has enhanced online Supplier Diversity Portal that you can access here.  Please be sure to take the opportunity to meet the CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity Team (pictured in the photo above) at the GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting on August 13th.   

To RSVP to the GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting hosted by CVS Caremark please contact Sarah James.
Upcoming Events
 
2013 GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo  
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:   
  • July 11 8:00- noon New Hampshire State and Local Vendor Fair in Concord NH  click to register for additional information email mark.manganiello@dred.state.nh.us
  • July 12, 7:30am - 3:00pm, GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classic: CT, Lyman Orchards Golf Club- Middlefield, CT
  • July 19 10:00am-3:00pm New England Native American Business Conference - Hosted by the Mohegan Tribe  Additional Information 
  • 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 13, 1-4:00pm, GNEMSDC 3rd Quarterly Meeting, CVS Caremark, 200 Highland Corporate Drive, Cumberland, RI 02864  MBEs who would like to present during the MBE Showcaseplease contact Sarah James
  • August 13 5:00pm - 7:00pm Rhode Island RAC; Meet and Greet Rhode Island MWBE NetworkingEvent Additional Information 
  • 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 6 - How to Do Business with National Grid - Additional Information to Come 
  • 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 performatnce 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
FYI
NMSDC Purchasing Activity Report Due
bnsdcEvery year the NMSDC asks the regional Councils to collect information on corporate member spending with certified MBEs.  It is that time of the year again.  Now we are asking for each local member of the GNEMSDC to complete this short form.  There are instructions included below.   If you have the information readily available on MBE spending, the form should not take more than 30 minutes to complete.  If  you do not have ready access to this information, this is something the GNEMSDC might be able to help you with.  Also I must say there is no shame in numbers and the information you supply is confidential.  We are not asking for the names or the specific amounts of specific contracts.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call me, 203-288-9744. 

National Members of the NMSDC will be contacted by the NMSDC for their rerports and do not have to complete this document.  Thank you for your cooperation and support.  Knowing your combined impact on minority business development is absolutely necessary for the continued success of the mission.
  
Opportunities
  RFP - Construction Management Sservices  
NHCF
Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund Request for Proposals Construction Management Services.  Community Loan Fund is seeking a qualified individual  or firm to provide professional Construction Management services for the Westville subsidence project in New Haven, CT.

An overview of the RFP may be obtained at the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, c/o E. Randall,
171 Orange  St, New Haven,  CT 06510.  (203)624-7406  Ext  132 or by email at earf@gnhclf.org

It is the sole responsibility of the responder to see that the proposal is in the hands of the proper authority prior to the opening.  Sealed proposals (3 copies) must be received at the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund c/o E. Randall on or before   July 19, 2013 at 12:00pm.

All questions regarding this proposal should be directed in writing to E. Randall at fax (203)401-3378, or email to earf@gnhclf.org. Minority and women owned individuals or firms are encouraged to submit proposals. The Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.
  And Finally III... Musing on Minority Business Development  
coverThe 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.
 
 Purchase eBook or hardcover book today by following this link -    
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
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
On a 9 hour flight, you have a lot of free time on your hands that I could not fill even while watching all of the episodes of House of Cards that I missed.  So I picked up a paperback business book, Warren Buffet's Management Secrets:  Proven Tools for Personal and Business Success by Mary Buffet and David Clark.  
 
The great thing about this genre of books is that they can be consumed in two hours, which makes them great travel companions.  I am by no means an expert on Warren Buffet, but it was very reassuring to learn from this book how he translates the economics of a business and an industry to the success of that business and its management team.  Buffet believes that the most important factor that will determine the profitability of a business are the economics of that business.  Are there economies of scale or scope?  Does the business have pricing power?  Does the business have buying power that can lead to lower cost?  Are the competitors ruthless in their pricing?  How dependent is the business on brand awareness?  Buffet acknowledges that even mediocre managers can look good in a business with great economics, and a great manager will look mediocre in a business with poor economic conditions.  
 
This reality leads to some interesting thoughts regarding MBEs.  Are MBEs concentrated in industries with poor economics, which is the underlying factor that inhibits their growth and development?  To Buffet, the answer to this question is pretty simple to answer:  What has been the profit performance of the enterprise over the past several years; through recessions and expansions?  If the profit history, as measured by profit margin, is one that shows steady improvement, then the economics of that business/industry are strong.  If on the other hand, profits are non-existent or are a function of the economy; high when the economy is growing and low or non-existent during recessions, then this business/industry can be characterized by non-ideal economic conditions.  
 
This suggest that MBEs take a look at their performance over a 7 to 10 year period and see what picture it paints.  The lesson from Buffet is that he took a company (Berkshire Hathaway) that was in the dying textile industry and converted it into a company that focused on industries with great economics.  That is what entrepreneurs do.  Is this what some of our MBEs must do as well? 

 In your service,

Dr. Fred    
Fred QR