RSVP for the 6th Annual Supplier Diversity
Best Practices Forum, November 20
8am - 12pm * State Street Pavilion at Fenway Park (40 Yawkey Way, Boston)
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The Boston MBDA Business Center, Center for Women & Enterprise & GNEMSDC invite you to attend the 6th Annual Supplier Diversity Best Practices Forum! This event will feature a discussion of winning Supplier Diversity practices by Corporate and W/MBE Business Leaders. Keynote Speaker Marquis Miller of the National Minority Supplier Development Council will talk about the National Perspective of Supplier Diversity Programs and John F. Barros, Chief of Economic Development of the City of Boston will speak about Supplier Diversity in Boston.
Please RSVP by November 12 at:The full list of speakers includes:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-supplier-diversity-best-practices-forum-tickets-9906631000
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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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Can your business survive a disaster?
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According to the Red Cross 40% of businesses do not reopen after a disaster. A Disaster Recovery Plan can increase your chances of survival. Please go to www.PrepareCT.com for more information or email Andres Lopez alopez@gnemsdc.org for one on one consultation. Get ready today to develop a Disaster Recovery Plan.
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Corporate Member of the Week: Medtronic
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 Medtronic is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. At Medtronic, we're committed to Innovating for life by pushing the boundaries of medical technology and changing the way the world treats chronic disease. To do that, we're thinking beyond products and beyond the status quo - to continually find more ways to help people live better, longer. We improve a life every 3 seconds through collaboration with our trusted partners and customers. Their valuable contributions and insights helped us improve the lives of more than 10 million people last year.
Medtronic has a long standing supplier diversity program, which originated in the early 90's as a minority business program. In 2003, Medtronic's Supply Diversity program was revamped and formally launched with a full-time program director working directly with Corporate and Business Unit Sourcing organizations, with strategies and performance reviewed regularly by Senior Leadership and members of Medtronic's executive committee. The Medtronic Supplier Diversity team has an ongoing focus on maintaining a solid supplier diversity infrastructure and continuous improvement of tools, training and processes necessary for a robust supplier diversity program.
Medtronic is proud to support GNEMSDC and its mission to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses. Diverse suppliers interested in doing business with Medtronic should access Medtronic's Supplier Diversity Website for detailed program information, including certification requirements, and a link to Medtronic's Supplier Registration Portal, managed by Diversity Information Resources, at www.medtronic.com/supplierdiversity.
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Connecticut Health Foundation - Health Equity Advocate
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 250,000 Connecticut residents are now benefiting from the Affordable Care Act. Christina is one of them. Here is her story |
Access Health CT
- Open Enrollment |
 OPEN ENROLLMENT
For Small Group Customer Service, Enrollment, Billing, etc... please call 1-855-762-4928 or emailShop.AHCT@ct.go |
Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
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| FYI |
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Massachusetts Diversity Coalition Formed
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The GNEMSDC, the Boston MBDA Business Center along with the Center for Women Enterprises, the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce and others have created the Massachusetts Diversity Coalition. These advocacy and business development organizations first came together to promote the utilization of MBEs, WBEs and VBEs in the gaming industry. We have since expanded our focus to include all public and private sector developments.
Warren Bacon, the Project Director for the Boston MBDA Center is the Chairman of the Coalition. For more information, visit our new blog, www.madiversitycoalition.wordpress.com.
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GNEMSDC Community Business School is Back
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 The Community Business School (CBS) is every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM at the 333 State Street in Bridgeport. Last year was the inaugural year for the CBS. This year, we are looking forward to another excellent program that is providing targeted entrepreneurial education to local small businesses and local entrepreneurs. I want to thank Valerie Cooper of Picture That, LLC and Ted Hsu of Horizon Services for taking a leadership role and organizing the curriculum and the speakers. Last year, Valerie and Ted were presenters, this year they are the "deans' of the CBS.
If you know any early stage entrepreneurs who want to attend this 12 week course in Bridgeport, please have them call (203)288-9744 or RSVP Diane Thomas. And if any MBE or corporate member would like to come and share their entrepreneurial experiences with the CBS students, email Jennifer Little-Greer at jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org. I guarantee you - you will be energized by the experience.
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| And Finally... |
I wish I could wave my hand and all of my budget would automatically be deposited into our GNEMSDC bank account. But that is a fairy tale dream. The reality is that the GNEMSDC like any other organization, for-profit or not-for-profit, has to earn its revenue and manage that revenue to provide the services to its stakeholders and customers. This newsletter captures most of the work that we do to accomplish our mission of increasing opportunities for certified MBEs. In a world where there are so many competing causes that deserve the attention of donors, I believe our mission and our effort to accomplish that mission should remain a priority. I heard it said recently that leaders have to communicate not only what they do, or how they do it, but why they do it. Our mission is all about creating opportunities not just for minority entrepreneurs, but to materially improve the lives of all whom they touch; their employees, their families, their communities and the nation. Our mission is a noble one.
This past week we asked all of our stakeholders, MBEs and corporate members, to consider being an annual sponsor . (Visit www.gnemsdc.org to view and download the Annual Sponsorship Package.) The reality is we cannot do what we do, or how we do it without annual sponsors. This coming year is a very special year for the GNEMSDC. We are celebrating 40 years of service. If you have not been an annual sponsor in the past, this is a great year to become one. If you have been an annual sponsor in the past, thank you and please consider continuing that support. Our MBEs and corporate members need your help. Our communities need your help. We need your help. Thank you.
In your service,
Dr. Fred
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