Our Premier Issue
April 15, 2009
Welcome to the Premier Issue of the GNEMSDC MBE Input Committee monthly newsletter. Times may be tough now, and as we look ahead to the rest of 2009, being a part of the GNEMSDC and aware of the activities of the MBEIC is one of the essential actions for sustainable growth as business individuals, as well as our Council as a whole.
Among the goals for the coming year is the increase in communications and opportunities for all certified MBEs, from Legislative issues to educational actions.
This communication tool will bring you the latest news each month - INFORMATIVE - ACTIONABLE - RELEVANT
"Almost always, the cretive dedicated minority has made the world better."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Economic Stimulus Package
What's in it for you?
Since President Obama signed the economic stimulus package into law February 17, there have been many questions about its provisions. Our membership now has access to each of their state's websites to see where there may be elements of the package that could filter down to their businesses.
The Education Sub-Committee has formed a small think-tank to discuss the State of CT MBE opportunities resulting from the Economic Stimulus Package. This was in reaction to there seeming to be very little earmarked specifically for MBEs in the funding. The group was led by GNEMSDC MBE Input Committee Members Femi Bajomo, Valerie Cooper, Ted Hsu, John Jiang, and Diane Winston. They recently presented their findings and suggestions on how you can creatively cash in on funds that may be earmarked for others. In a nutshell, information is critical. Begin by going to www.recovery.gov to find the link to your state's Stimulus Funding website. At the state level website, you can view all projects by municipality and type; contact your local politicians for ideas on how you can stay informed on any Stimulus-related meetings or workshops planned in the future. Be creative: think collaboratively (with other MBEs, corporations, non-profits); think within and outside your industry, think how to partner with the most unusual of partners. Check out www.grants.gov for funding opportunities. Take advantage of the SBA loans with NO FEES, available only until December 31, 2009.
To access their information which will help you understand "What's in it for you" and "How you can drill it down to State, District and City levels", go to this PowerPoint.
The State of Massachusetts also has information to share. The commitment from Lt. Governor Murray continues to be focused on higher education, transportation, clean and renewable energy & infrastructure improvements. You can view the full capital plan at www.mass.gov/capital.
For the other states, see Dr. Fred's newsletter of March 30th.
Special Contest!!!
Name this newsletter!
Our newsletter needs a unique name. So, we are looking to you, our membership, to participate in helping to create one. The only restriction is your imagination, so start thinking and sending your suggestions for our newsletter name to Karl Nurse, at karl@karlnurse.com. Please put as the subject: MBEIC Name Contest. Karl will collect the suggestions and our Communications Sub-committee will select a winner by May 5th. Gary Stiffler, The Matlet Group, has generously donated a pair of Red Sox tickets as your prize. The only provision is that these tickets MUST be used. Many thanks, Gary.
So, hurry, have some fun with this, and get your ideas to us.
Committee Report
Education Sub-Committee
"Our goal is to bring critical training programs to MBE firms in the most cost effective, time conscious and non-redundant manner. We will offer these educational opportunities for owners of MBE firms and perhaps employees of MBE companies alike."
Different companies have different challenges. The Education Sub-committee has created a survey that was emailed to MBEs in early April. From this survey will come an initial assessment to separate the critical needs from the extraneous topics for every type of MBE firm. The results with the top four 2009 priorities will be a part of next month's newsletter.
In 2008, an MBE Three-Tiered Building Block Model was developed by this Committee that is defined as emerging, intermediate and advanced, representing the stages of business growth and development. The MBE Education Program will aim to develop MBEs in a holistic fashion and offer courses that enhance: 1) professional/functional, 2) industry and 3) personal growth and evelopment. This three-tiered approach helps define the business growth maturity curve for MBEs based on annual sales volume. The majority of GNEMSDC MBEs are in the intermediate level, occupying the majority of the left segment of the MBE business growth maturity curve, with sales up to approximately $7 million.
The curriculum contents being discussed are: Professional/Functional (Accounting & Financial Management, Business Strategy & Development, Effective Sales & Marketing, Operating & Technology, Human Resources, Executive Management), Personal (Networking, Prioritization & Time Management), and Industry (Strategic Sourcing, Construction). The training platforms will be Corporate Programs, Kellogg/Tuck, Web/Digital Media; Workshops/Teleseminars, Educational Bartering, BusinessLinc, and Mentoring.
Upcoming are the development of a strategy to increase MBE attendance and obtain additional financial sponsors for Tuck. There has been a decision to consolidate their Advanced Class (AMBEP), originally done in the spring and early fall, to a larger session which will now take place November 15-20, 2009 and will be titled, "Growing the Minority Business to Scale."
Their regular MBEP (Minority Business Executive Program) will commence as usual on July 12-17, 2009, and then August 9-14, which is titled, "Building a High Performing Minority Business." (two separate sessions)
Sub-Committee Team Members are Co-Chairs for CT Arvin Chaudhary & Valerie Cooper, Alexis Brooks as Chair for MA, Jill Davis as Chair for RI, Ted Hsu, and Sandra Ruiz-Desai.
Correspondence for the MBEIC should be sent to:
MBEIC c/o commVerge Marketing
4133 Whitney Ave., Building 4, Box 2
Hamden, CT 06518
For further information and suggestions for this newsletter, contact:
Marilyn Dayton
Chair for the Communication Sub-committee MBEIC
mdayton@eotomarketingsolutions.com.
Message from Carlton
Now that our Council has grown, many of you have asked for updates on the activities of the MBE Input Committee. It is our hope that you will look forward to receiving this newsletter as much as we look forward to sharing updates on our activities in addition to information on projects and initiatives that you may find useful.
A very important item to note in this premier issue of our newsletter is we have restructured the MBE Input Committee to ensure every MBE across the Greater New England area feels their interests are being represented. As part of that restructuring, we have added two additional Vice-Chair positions to the committee. The two new Vice-Chairpersons are Derek E. Brooks, President & Chief of Operations of Inside Cable, Inc., a Massachusetts based firm, and Gary Stiffler, President/CEO of The Matlet Group, LLC, in Pawtucket, RI. Derek and Gary will operate as the primary points of contact for MBEs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island respectively. Lori Johnson, Founder & President of commVerge Marketing, a CT based firm will continue to work with CT based MBEs, and Ron Everett of PRC Supplies will continue as our committee Secretary. I believe we have a very strong core of leaders and I look forward to working very closely with each of them, along with the entire MBE Input Committee, to provide timely and relevant input to the Greater New England Council.
In closing, it is important to note this newsletter is not intended to replace nor compete with the tremendously useful weekly newsletter from our Council President Dr. Fred. I encourage you to continue to read his newsletter on a weekly basis in order to stay up to date on all of the activities of the Greater New England Council. Our plan is to send this MBEIC specific report of news and events on a monthly basis.
Best wishes for continued success and I look forward to greeting you personally at the upcoming GNEMSDC/MBEIC Awards Banquet on April 30th. The banquet this year is sure to be a fabulous event as we expect close to 1,000 attendees to what has become the largest business awards event of its kind in the Greater New England area.
Carlton L. Oneal
Chairperson, MBE Input Committee
Trivia of the Month:
- The average bank teller loses about $250 every year.
- The average American will eat 35,000 cookies in a lifetime. (I think I've already reached my quota!)
We need you...
The purpose and mission of the MBEIC is to provide advice and guidance to the programs operating under the auspices of the GNEMSDC and to conduct such other activities that the Committee adopts in the furtherance of its goals to enhance minority economic development, provided such actions do not impair the 501c (3) tax-exempt status of the GNEMSDC. Go to www.mbeicct.org for more information.
We are looking for people like you, fellow MBEs, who would like to commit to helping one another and by volunteering to be a part of this wonderful group. The only requirement is that you join one of our sub-committees.
If you would like to participate, contact:
Carlton L. Oneal