July 15, 2013

CT Golf Outing a Success - Thank you!
ct golfThank you to our Annual Sponsors, Golf Outing Sponsors, CT Golf Committee, Staff, and Volunteers.  We look forward to next year.
 
Thank you to all the companies who made donations to our Raffle.  The raffle raised $1420 and $780 from 50/50 which will go towards MBE scholarships.  The companies who donated raffle items are:
 
Save the Date - GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo: September 24-25
expoPlease Save the Date!     
GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo is on September 24-25 , Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. 

 More details coming soon... 

     
  
GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo Highlights
Joset B
President of NMSDC Joset B. Wright-Lacy - Mrs. Wright-Lacy will be our Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Wednesday, September 25.
Joset B. Wright-Lacy is the president of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a private non-profit organization that advances business opportunities for Asian, Black Hispanic and Native American-owned companies of all sizes.  NMSDC encourages mutually beneficial economic links between minority suppliers and the public and private sectors, and helps build a stronger, more equitable society by supporting and promoting minority business development.  Read More...
Mayor
Hartford Connecticut Mayor Pedro E. Segarra - Mayor Pedro E. Segarra will be our Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tuesday, September 24. 
Pedro E. Segarra is the 66th Mayor of the City of Hartford. He was first sworn in on June 25, 2010 and then in November of 2011, he won a sweeping victory with 81% of the vote.

Elected with a clear mandate of bringing stability to Hartford, Mayor Segarra created a sense of urgency to revitalize Connecticut's Capital City. His signature program "Opportunities Hartford" focuses on improvement in three pillars; income, education and employment. During his tenure, Mayor Segarra has stabilized the mill rate, maintained the City's bond rate, and increased the Rainy Day fund to the highest among Connecticut's major cities. The Segarra administration has added a record number of market, moderate and affordable housing units in the City.  Read More...
Attend the GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting hosted by CVS Caremark
CVS Caremark Supplier Diversity
August 13th  1:00pm - 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.  

To RSVP to this event please contact Sarah James
Corporate Member of the Week:  CVS Caremark
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. 
MBE of the Week:  Jonathan Smith Racing, LLC
Jonathan Smith Racing
Jonathan Smith Racing, LLC competes in both NASCAR and Grand Am / ALMS. We offer partners a dynamic spokesperson and sales team to promote their products and services through television, print and social media, along with at-track hospitality. Marketing and team building grow together with a spirited, hands-on approach. NASCAR offers an immediate ROI, and with Jonathan Smith Racing as a corporate partner, your product will shine at trade shows and corporate events. Attention-grabbing race cars and fire-suited drivers create a buzz wherever they appear, from Fifth Avenue  to the local mall.
Recent JSR partners include Soul Electronics and Evander Holyfield's Real Deal Barbeque Sauce.

In 2013, Jonathan Smith Racing began its ground-breaking program, "JSR Racing Ahead".

With the Spring of 2014, "JSR Racing Ahead" will bring Motorsports to major cities, nationwide, offering inner city, at-risk youth an opportunity to experience the excitement of racing in their own neighborhoods. Professional drivers, athletes and entertainers will help promote JSR's message: with a positive attitude plus hard work, you can do anything.Limited openings still exist for additional partners to participate. For more information visit our website: www.jonathansmithracing.com
Congratulations to Diversity Plus Magazine's Tope 25 Women Impacting Diversity
On behalf of the entire GNEMSDC network, I want to congratulate the Diversity Plus Magazine 2013 Women in Power.  Not surprisingly, the impressive list includes a number of women who are active GNEMSDC participants, including Claire P. Scanlon of BNY Mellon, Monette Knapik of CVS Caremark, Carla Traci Preston of Ford Motor Company, Sanujah Powell-Pointer of Merck, Jocelyn Wong of New York Life Insurance, Jamie Crump of United Rentals, Arnice Lamb of Walt Disney, Brenda Burke of Wellpoint, Christine Simmons of NBC Universal, and Janice Williams-Hopkins of the United States Postal Service.  To these wonderful professionals and the others, congratulations and keep up the great work
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 16  8:30 - 5:00 SBA workshop on Government Contract Negotiations Additional Information
  • 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  to rsvp email Sarah James
  • 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 Services  
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.
Opportunity with the Oil Industry 
What is the Purpose of the Event:
To educate prospective suppliers on upcoming opportunities available with the sponsoring companies 
and/or their prime suppliers; To provide a forum for prospective suppliers to learn more about how to 
do business with the Oil & Gas and Marcellus Shale industries; To connect suppliers to buyers for 
specific Commodities and Services; To develop new relationships with suppliers in the Region where 
Chevron AMBU, Consol Energy, EQT Corporation, Halliburton and Shell have current and planned 
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 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
And Finally...
Fred
Fairy tales serve a very useful purpose.  I recognized this after this past Friday's golf outing.  Once again, I did not play, but I did drive around partly lost and partly found.  On this meandering over two beautiful courses on an almost perfect day, I did take the opportunity to take a few swings.  To my surprise, on those few shots, the ball flew straight and true towards the target.  So here is where this fairy tale begins!

Imagine a 60 year old AARP member who has never played one round of golf in his life, despite the fact that he has organized countless golf tournaments and religiously watches golf on Sunday afternoon.  One of the golfers that day invites this 60 year old novice to play in the golf outing next year. 

That night our master novice golfer has a golf dream based on those near perfect shots he made earlier that day.  Not only does this dream imagine a good round of golf, he imagines a near perfect round of golf.  This near senior citizen is discovered and almost immediately joins the PGA as an amateur.  In his first tournament he shoots four straight 62's to win by 10 strokes over Tiger Woods.   Instantly he becomes a media sensation. 

Later that same night he has the second part of his dream.  This time he learns (from his fairy god father) that he can play professional quality golf for the next 10 years, if and only if, he remains an amateur in the most extreme definition of the word amateur.  This means not only can he not accept money from his performance on the tour, he cannot generate income in the form of sponsorships and endorsements.  In exchange for this vow of professional poverty, he would be able to hit the golf ball true and straight towards its goal.  His fairy god father warns him that he may not have the magic touch if he attempts to monetize this new found skill.  That is where this fairy tale ends for me.  What would you do?

In business, fairy tales also play an important role.  In business the fairy tales are often in part at least, historically true which imbues them with an even stronger sense of believability.  We know the business fairy tales in the stories of Rockefeller, Ford, Carnegie, Sloan, Walton, Gates, Buffet and others.  In business, people and companies can become phenomenally and unbelievably wealthy.  The reality of success is always more nitty and gritty than the magical and sanitized fairy tale of instant wealth and success.  Transformative success in business is a process of creative destruction.  Old forms, old products, old processes and old technologies get replace with new forms, new products, new processes and new technologies.  But no matter how destructive,  great wealth and business success is attainable.  As business leaders, we need these factual reminders of the infinite possibilities, but for some they only reside in our heads as fairy tales.  Unless. 

Unless, the believer in the business fairy tale is prepared, insightful, dedicated, and courageous.  The believer can then be transformed from a believer to an accomplisher.  In really, it is up to you to create your personal fairy tale.  What are you doing to make your fairy tale a reality?  Is it just a nice passing dream that breaks up the monotony of a normal business day? Or, is it the nascent plan for the transformation of a dream into a reality?  

Over drinks, I will confide with you the results of my golf fairy tale; did I choose fame or fortune?
 
In your service,

Dr. Fred    
Fred QR