| GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program (GALP) |
We are pleased to announce the start of an exciting new program, 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, Len Greenhalgh of the Tuck School of Management, 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. The CEO faculty include 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 4, 2013 and ending on Friday, November 8. (There will be no class on November 1 because of the NMSDC conference.)
The program is geared to the owner/entrepreneurs of firms with $10 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. Program Details CALL TODAY!
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Jeffrey Fox - GALP Professor - Strategy and Positioning
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 Jeffrey Fox, Best Selling New York Times and Wall Street Journal author, (How to Become Rainmaker and How to Become a Fierce Competitor)
For over 25 years, Jeffrey Fox has been helping clients grow revenues and increase gross margins. Jeffrey is founder of Fox and Company, a management consulting firm that shows clients how to dollarize their value proposition to overcome the price objection and to shorten the sales cycle. Fox has written eleven best-selling business books that have been translated into over thirty languages.
Jeff is the author of "How to Become CEO," which was on the NY Times, Business Week, Wall Street Journal, Knight-Ridder, Amazon.com, best seller lists. His books have been best sellers in France, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and Russia. His book, "How to Become a Rainmaker," was selected as one of the 100 best business books ever written. His "Dollarization Discipline" was selected as one off the top thirty business books of 2006. He is a popular speaker, appearing regularly before senior management groups and sales forces. Jeff is a graduate of Harvard Business School. Fox and Company is in Chester, Conn.
 Also speaking at lunch that day is , President & CEO of Cartus.
Mr. Kelleher is responsible for over 2,700 global employees with offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Additionally, he oversees more than 1,200 corporate, government and military clients in Cartus' portfolio. He has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Cartus Asset Recovery Corporation and Cartus Partner Corporation since 1997. He has nearly 25 years of relocation industry experience, he has developed and managed a progressive range of businesses for Cartus, including corporate group moves, international assignments, private label affinity programs, policy design and consulting, diversity initiatives, and government and military programs.
From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Kelleher served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of destination services unit at Cendant Mobility, where he was charged with successfully developing local destination strategy and affinity efforts. He has also held senior leadership positions in sales, client relations, network management and strategic planning. He serves as a Director of Bradley International Airport, Cartus Corporation, Cartus Asset Recovery Corporation and Cartus Partner Corporation. Since June 2005, he was Chairman of the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board. Mr. Kelleher was Chairman of the Fairfield County (Conn.) Junior Achievement Golf Tournament from 2001 to 2002. He is a Member of the Advisory Board of Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Inner City Foundation for Charity and Education. He is an Executive Member of the Advisory Board of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.
In addition to his many memberships and community based service initiatives, he was the 2001 recipient of the Employee Relocation Council's Meritorious Service Award and was also the 2001 and 2002 honorary Chairman for the Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC) Trade Expo and Business Opportunity Fair. In April 2006, he received the inaugural Nancy K. Dolan Leadership Award in honor of his years of extensive involvement in community service. Mr. Kelleher received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairfield University.
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GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo: September 24-25
On Line Registration NOW OPEN!
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Business Opportunity Trade Expo is on September 24-25 , Hartford Convention Center, 100 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut 06103.
Click to REGISTER ON-LINE TODAY! |
| Exciting Changes in GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo |
 The GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Trade Expo has been a tremendous success for a long time. So why change? Because change can be good. We are looking to make a major change in the Trade Expo this year. For so long we have told anyone who will listen, that the business case for supplier diversity is determined by connecting corporate supplier diversity efforts to top-line sales and business development efforts. So for the first time in our Expo's history, we are inviting corporations to bring their small business development teams to exhibit on our trade show floor, under certain conditions.
The conditions are these:
1) A corporate sales group can exhibit if they are corporate members of the NMSDC/GNEMSDC; and
2) A corporate sales group can exhibit if they also have a booth for their buying/supplier diversity group. The corporate members must have two booths one for buying and one for selling.
I believe that our corporate members have goods and services that can help our MBEs become more profitable and efficient. But more than this, I believe that having corporate business development teams at the Expo will open up opportunities for MBEs with this important part of the house. Additionally, having corporate business development teams solidifies the relationship between the corporate buy side of the house to the sell side of the house. I believe strengthening these relationships helps MBEs by strengthening the position of supplier diversity teams within the corporation.
So this is an invitation to our corporate members to encourage their business development teams to exhibit at the show. I recommend - I strongly recommend - that corporations considering bringing their business development teams use this as an opportunity to highlight how existing MBEs are part of their sales efforts. Highlighting MBE participation in their supply chain would be my recommendation to any corporate member who takes up on this new aspect of our show. This is going to be exciting!
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| One on One Session September 24 at the Expo Technology and New Buying Organizations bring New Excitement! |
This year we are attempting to improve on our very successful One-on-One meetings between MBEs and corporate buyers. Last year we arranged over 1,000 meetings between buyers and MBEs. This year are attempting to significantly increase the number of meetings between MBEs and the buying community. We are introducing a web based appointment application that both our buyers and sellers can use to more efficiently plan and schedule their time at the event. The program will go live after Labor Day.
Here are some of the basics to expect from this technology solution:
1) Registered Buyers will be able to manage their own appointments. This is a demand driven system. Buyers can state in the program the types of goods and services they are interested in and want to see.
2) Registered Buyers will be able to see which MBEs want to see them and approve meeting times for the MBEs they want to see and put others on a waiting list.
3) Registered MBEs will be able to see what buyers are participating in the One-on-One sessions and what they are looking for.
4) Registered MBEs can request meetings with specific buyers/companies.
5) In order for MBEs and Buyers to participate in this One-on-One program they must be registered
for the Expo.
6) In order for MBEs and Buyers to see who is participating in the program they must be registered
in the Expo.
Over 50 GNEMSDC/NMSDC corporate members participated in One-on-One program last year. This year we will exceed this number significantly because we are partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense. The DOD's One-on-One program that has been very successful over the past few years, but did not occur this year. So we have invited their primes to participate in our event this year. We are looking forward to bringing these buying organizations to our event to meet with our MBEs during the One-on-One program, Tuesday, September 24 at the Connecticut Convention Center. This public-private partnership to increase MBE opportunities is unique and exciting.
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Upcoming Events
2013 GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo
September 24-25 at Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
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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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| Suffolk Downs to Conduct North Shore Vendor Forum |
 Vendor Forum at the Reggie Lewis Center at Roxbury Community College on September 10, 2013 3:00pm - 5:00pm or 7:00pm - 9:00pm. RSVP by calling 617-548-9846 or by visitingwww.friendsofsuffolkdowns.com/events
Vendor Forum at Hawthorne Hotel on Wednesday September 11, 2013, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
RSVP by calling 617-548-9883 or by visiting www.friendsofsuffolkdowns.com/events
Caesars Resort at Suffolk Downs and the North Shore Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend a vendor forum for North Shore businesses on Wednesday, September 11 from 7-9:00 p.m. at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. The vendor forum will provide information and guidance on becoming part of our local business program and will include representatives from Caesars sourcing and purchasing staff as well as business partners from Caesars properties in other locations. In June, we hosted a vendor forum at Suffolk Downs with the help of the East Boston, Revere, Winthrop and Chelsea Chambers of Commerce. The event was a great success, with more than 300 local business owners finding out how they can partner with Caesars as we move forward. Our integrated local business plan includes opportunities for local businesses to become on-site vendors, supply goods, products and services to the resort, partner with the resort through Caesars Total Rewards program and provide businesses access to the increased number of employed residents in the local community. The Caesars Total Rewards program, will allow over 45 million members to earn and redeem rewards credit at participating local businesses throughout Greater Boston. We are very excited about our business partnership program and the opportunities it will provide to area businesses. We look forward to sharing more information about this program at the vendor forum on September 11 and are hopeful that you will be able to attend. In addition, Dr. Fred has just been asked by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to serve on the Supplier Diversity Task Force. The purpose of this group is to provide guidance to the Commission on applicants' supplier diversity proposals as part of their efforts to win the limited number of Commonwealth licenses for casinos. I am honored by the invitation to serve. (And I apologize for referring to myself in the third person - so un-cool.) |
Connecticut Celebrates Women Entrepreneurs
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September 20, 8:30 am to 2 pm. at UCONN Stamford Campus, Stamford, Connecticut.
This conference brings together women entrepreneurs throughout Connecticut and provides an opportunity to network with each other, showcase their ventures and participate in a variety of educational workshops to help take their businesses to the next level. Workshop topics include: funding and planning for your business, marketing and social media as well as attaining life/work balance. In addition, participants can learn about the resources offered by the State of Connecticut to support women entrepreneurs and how to leverage the advantages that women and minority-owned businesses have in today's marketplace. The conference also features lunch with keynote speaker Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of Bigelow Tea, for an additional cost.
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Associated Construction Company Has Opportunities for MBEs
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 Associated Construction Company (ACC) is looking for MBEs to work on a major renovation of 777 Main Street in downtown Hartford. This 27 story office tower is being converted into 285 apartments and will occupy 315,000 square feet of new residential housing. The work will take place in a 14 month time frame beginning in the Fall of 2013. For more information contact Ken Woodward at kaw@accgc.com on or before September 20, 2013. ACC is looking for everything Access Doors to Wall Protection and everything in between for this project. Associated Construction Company is a GNEMSDC corporate member and is located at 1010 Wethersfield Avenue, Suite 304, in Hartford, CT 06114. |
Dr. Fred to be Honored by Gateway Community College - September 28
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 Dr. Fred McKinney will be inducted into the Gateway Community College Hall of Fame along with Willam Curran of Halsey Associates, Richard Borer, President and CEO of Easter Seals, Roberta Hoskie, President and CEO of The Outreach School of Real Estate, and Debborah Mele, Senior Sales Manager at at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. TheHall of Fame Reception takes place on September 28 at 20 Church Street in downtown New Haven at the brand new campus of Gateway Community College.
Dr. McKinney served as chairman of the board for Gateway Community College during the early stages of the planning of the beautiful new facility and continues to be an annual supporter of a scholarship for a Gateway student majoring in business, entrepreneurship or economics. Your support by attending the event would be appreciated and goes to a great cause - urban community college education.
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| SBI offers SBIR/STTR Proposal Reviews at No Cost |
 The SBIR Acceleration and Commercialization Program started about a year ago. To date, the state has committed over $1,000,000 to Connecticut's SBIR winners to help advance their technologies, win Phase IIs, and speed up revenue generation. Please review the program for eligibility. We welcome your comments.Please check Zyn and SBIR.gov for other important information concerning the SBIR/STTR Program Check SBIR Source for other award information.
For more information email or call (860) 257-2894. Small Business Innovation at Connecticut Innovations, formerly the Connecticut SBIR Office, was established in 2004 to help small businesses in Connecticut obtain federal SBIR/STTR grants of up to $150,000 for Phase I and $1,000,000 for Phase II. Today, it provides essential programs to stimulate and accelerate "innovation to commercialization" for the state's small business technology stakeholders.
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| Corporate Member of the Week: The CT Lottery |
 The CT Lottery Corporation is the fourth oldest lottery in the United States. Since its inception in 1972, it has raised over $7.5 billion for the valuable programs and causes funded by the state of CT. This past year (FY'13), the CT Lottery raised a record $312.1 million for the state. It accomplished this while promoting high standards of public policy and social responsibility. The CT Lottery is one of only six U.S. Lotteries to be recognized with Level Two accreditation by the World Lottery Association for its responsible gaming efforts.
The CT Lottery is building a robust supplier diversity program to foster a sustainable minority supply chain, and to identify and break down barriers in the supply chain. The CT Lottery has historically exceeded the state's supplier diversity goals. Now, in collaboration with Winston Strategic Partners, the CT Lottery is working to become a leader on supplier diversity in the state and in the lottery industry.
The CT Lottery Corporation is a proud corporate member of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, and our CEO serves on its advisory Council. We look forward to participating in the upcoming tradeshow and thank Dr. Fred McKinney for his leadership efforts in Connecticut. |
| MBE of the Week: ACP Facility Services |
 ACP Facility Services is a Massachusetts based Certified MBE, privately 
owned and was founded in 1986. They currently service over 20 million square feet of space on a daily basis throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington D.C.ACP has a strong history of providing outstanding service to companies ranging in size from small independent professional offices to large corporate campuses. Included among these is retail, educational, laboratory, medical and mixed use space. ACP provides a diverse range of services from light duty maintenance and day porters to floor and carpet cleaning to lab and clean rooms.
Caring for properties and reputations has enabled ACP to maintain a high percentage of customer retention-currently at just over 81%. In addition, by building a service program that is customized to each client's needs and through specialized training programs for its employees, ACP has grown to become the 5th largest commercial cleaning company in the area. (Boston Business Journal 2013). Visit their website at www.acpcleaning.com or contact them at 781-932-0500 to learn about their no risk offer. |
Opportunities
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| Looking for Volunteers to Speak with BHA Resident Entrepreneurs |
 The GNEMSDC is working with several Bridgeport Housing Authority residents who are entering the world of entrepreneurship.
We have taken these residents through a great program of starting and operating a business. Each of the participating residents brought an idea to the program. We are helping them turn that idea into a real business. As part of the program we are introducing these early stage business owners to some of our outstanding MBEs.
We are looking for a few more volunteers from our MBE and corporate community to come and meet these aspiring entrepreneurs. We are also looking for some MBEs to be judges for a business plan competition featuring these entrepreneurs. If you are interested in assisting us and these entrepreneurs, please give me a call, 203-288-9744.
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| FYI |
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| Vase Construction and GNEMSDC Partner on Resident Owned Business Program |
The following training and meetings are free with VASE Construction subscription. Additionally, GNEMSDC members are not subject to fees for training or meetings. RSVP is still required.
Section 3, MBE, & WBE Training
Date: Friday, September 27, 2:30pm - 4:45pm (RSVP is required)
Location: GNEMSDC Office at 333 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Cost: $85.00 per person
Contractor Network Meeting
Date: Friday, September 27, 5pm - 6:30pm (RSVP is required)
Location: GNEMSDC Office at 333 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Cost: $15.00 per person
Hosted and Sponsored by The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (GNEMSDC)
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| The Bigger Discussion - Supplier Diversity 2.0 |
 On August 23, Dr. Fred, Marquis Miller, Louis Green along with several other supplier diversity leaders met in New Orleans on a panel entitled "The Bigger Discussion". The link below connects you to a video of that program. Feel free to share and to comment.The Bigger Discussion - Supplier Diversity 2.0 |
And Finally...
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 It is a busy time of the year. The U.S. Open Tennis Championship, the start of the professional and college football seasons, the start of school, the final month of baseball season, the return of Congress from their summer break and most importantly the unofficial start of the business season. Summers are great, but it seems that there is a lack of focus because the weather is so nice. Although, September is arguably the best month of the year in terms of weather, people seem to have a little more pep in their step. So welcome back. It is time to take care of business. And there is no better place to start the season than at the GNEMSDC Business Expo and Conference. See you soon.
In your service,
Dr. Fred  |
