The GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program (GALP)
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We are pleased to announce the second year of 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, David Hinson, former National Director of the MBDA. 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. Last year the CEO faculty included 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 17, 2014 and ending on Friday, November 14.
The program is geared to the owner/entrepreneurs of firms with $1 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.
This year we are proud to have the generous support of the Fairfield County Community Foundation. Call the office if you are interested in being participant in this MBE educational program.
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2014 GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classics -
Registration Now Available!
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I am very happy to announce that we have over 180 registrants for this event! So if you want to participate in one of the largest golf outings in the region, call the office now to reserve your spot!
The GNEMSDC Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Outing will be on
Friday, July 11, 2014 Lyman Orchards Golf Club Middlefield, CT. The tournament begins at 7:30am.
If you are interested in a fun afternoon/morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building please register at: WWW.BOOTHLEADS.COM/GNEMSDC/GOLF2014
Please see the brochure for additional information and new Golf Sponsorship Opportunities. Enter our Putting Contest and you could win a cash prize! Not a golfer? We have several non-golfer activities or you can learn the game and be taught by a pro in the Golf Clinic.
Call the GNEMSDC offices with any questions: 203-288-9744 or 617-578-8900
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Local Corporate Member Training for Prism
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 The next Prism Webinar training for Corporate members will take place on Monday, June 23, 2014 from 1:00 - 2:30pm Eastern Time.
The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) invites NMSDC corporate members to a PRISM training session. The web-based Vendor Management module replaces the MBISYS® database. It stores supplier information to a database for access by suppliers, contract managers and buyers. This session will provide you with an overview of the vendor management module and an in-depth look at its functionalities and capabilities specific to NMSDC Corporate members.
Advance registration is recommended. Seats are limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Once your registration is complete, you will receive an email that confirms your enrollment and includes the information you will need to join the event. Additional information available here.
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Bridgeport MBDA Business Center & GNEMSDC
"Business After Hours" Business Card Exchange |
 "Great vibes!" was the reaction of guests who joined us for the kickoff of our monthly networking series that connects corporate members, MBEs, and other business professionals in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Guests were serenaded by Caribbean Vibe Steel Drum Band and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres by David's Soundview Catering while Café 1000 played host to a wonderful evening.
Don't miss out! Early registration for the next "Business After Hours" starts Friday June 27, 2014.
For more information regarding upcoming "Business After Hours" events please contact Jade Melvin at jmelvin@bridgeportmbdacenter.com
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Accelerate with Google:
Google Is Coming To GNEMSDC Bridgeport on Thursday, July 17! |
 What: Accelerate with Google Academy is a 12-week intensive program that teaches underrepresented minority business how to be found online and generate business through their websites. It focuses on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Google AdWords.
Key Benefits: Use the web to attract new customers, make your business website easier to find, and learn how measure the results.
Deadline: Upcoming application deadline is June 9th, with more rounds of application available in July and August.
Success Stories:http://accelerate.withgoogle.com/success-stories
Please find more information on the PDF attached. Apply today at: http://accelerate.withgoogle.com/. For any questions, email acceleratewithgoogle@google.com and kakui@google.com
If you are interested in attending a luncheon and presentation by Google at the GNEMSDC Bridgeport on Thursday, July 17 from 12 noon to 3 PM, call the office. This event will be limited to certified MBEs only. Lunch will be provided and there is no cost to certified MBEs. And because of space constraints, only one person per MBE for this program.
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Upcoming Events
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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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June 2014 MBE Orientation Attendees
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Corporate Member of the Week: EMC
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EMC is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver information technology as a service (ITaaS). Fundamental to this transformation is cloud computing. Through innovative products and services, EMC accelerates the journey to cloud computing, helping IT departments to store, manage, protect and analyze their most valuable asset - information - in a more agile, trusted and cost-efficient way.
We are committed to establishing and maintaining a world-class supply network in a competitive landscape. Environmental and social responsibility within our supply chain is central to our commitment.
Supply chain responsibility involves a complex system of intertwined social, environmental, and economic issues spread across a global system. Through the EMC® Supply Chain Social & Environmental Responsibility (SER) program, we work with hundreds of suppliers in more than 20 countries to monitor, report, and engage for continuous improvement.
Our strategy is focused on four core pillars: 1. Monitoring through an industry-standard approach. 2. Conducting multi-pronged risk assessments to prioritize suppliers 3. Engaging with suppliers to improve and to drive change through the supply chain. 4. Creating incentives for improvement by integrating social and environmental responsibility into our business processes. Learn more here.
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MBE of the Week: MBJ Wine Group
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 MBJ Wine Group was established in 2011 by Robert and Monica Jenkins. MBJ Wine Group researches and analyzes modern wine marketing trends before presenting a product to a retail establishment or restaurant. We only sell products that fit within our clients business models and this results in a compelling marketing and sales initiative that leads to maximizing brand exposure. In addition, the MBJ Wine Group team brings to the table 15 years of experience in the wine industry through driving growth, delivering expansion, and propelling revenues regardless of economic conditions and increased competition.
Our four core values that we operate under are as follows: Trust, Interaction, Satisfaction, Commitment. Major customers of MBJ Wine include: Hancock Liquor, Liquor Land, West Side Liquor's.
MBJ Wine Group is located in North Easton, MA. For more information please visitwww.mbjwine.com.
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| GNEMSDC Trade Expo and Conference is Coming! |
 The GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo and Conference is coming. This year the event will take place on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1 at the Mohegan Sun Casino and resort. Please mark your calendar. It is time for MBEs and corporate members to start preparing for the event. One of the biggest attractions is the very successful One-on-One sessions. These allow corporate members to schedule 15 minute appointments with specific MBEs for specific commodity/service opportunities. This year we will once again employ some great technology that will allow us to efficiently make these matches between corporate members and MBEs. We encourage all of our corporate members to participate in the Expo and the One-on-One program. This year we have some very important editions to the program. Stay tuned. (Photo is of CT Governor Dannel Malloy with Dr. Fred at last year's Expo.) |
| GNEMSDC Wins Grant from Connecticut Health Foundation |
 On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors, I want to announce that the Connecticut Health Foundation has awarded the GNEMSDC a $50,000 grant to promote greater utilization of the Affordable Care Act by MBEs not currently offering their employees health insurance coverage All of the data suggest that offering health insurance and other benefits are critical for small businesses to attract the best talent and keep them. MBEs interested in learning more about the Affordable Care ACT can call the office for more information. |
Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
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| And Finally... |
I was the luncheon speaker at last Friday's Walt Disney Supplier Diversity Summit at ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, CT. It was a very informative event with senior procurement officials and diversity executives from ESPN and Disney in attendance along with over 100 MBEs and WBEs. (Click Here for a copy of the entire speech.) I focused my remarks on the similarities between MBEs/WBEs and Walt Disney's entrepreneurial experience. However before my remarks I had the opportunity to introduce two MBEs who did not previously know each other, Ed Rodriguez of Pennmar Industries and Annie Pagano of Interpreters and Translators. During my remarks I noted the importance of MBEs taking full advantage of the opportunity to network with Disney and ESPN employees, but to also take the time to meet other MBEs and WBEs in the room. I mentioned during my remarks of the introduction of Pennmar Industries, a maker of pressure sensitive tapes and labels to Interpreters and Translators, a provider of translation services and how I could see the potential for a partnership/collaboration that could take both companies global in markets where neither currently is operating. In this case, imagine Pennmar now offering labels in 70 languages for global companies facilitated by the linguistic expertise of Interpreters and Translators.
I have seen over the years too many MBEs, and I am not pointing to the two companies above, that are in effect "one-trick" ponies. MBEs may be exceptional at what they do, but miss out on opportunities to provide corporate buyers and consumers more wholistic solutions to the complex problems they have. I believe the solution to this is for MBEs to build complementary relationships that solve corporate problems.
Of course in the example above, Pennmar Industries could simply try to build translation services into its existing business, or Interpreters and Translators could get into the label business. I would suggest that neither of these approaches are efficient or effective ways to meet the multi-lingual needs of corporate clients. The solution is collaboration.
As MBEs collaborate more and take advantage of truly synergistic skill sets, they build scale and relevance. They also build capabilities that their primary competitors may lack. This competitive advantage is what makes collaboration work. The key though is getting out and meeting like minded entrepreneurs looking to significantly grow their businesses. And that is where we come in. We would be happy to be the MBE matchmaker if you have a gap or see an opportunity. Simply give us a call. There is money out there to be made. But you have to have a plan to capture it for your business.
In your service,
Dr. Fred
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