The 12th Annual SLMBC Golf Classic is approaching quickly, with over two hundred golfers preparing to hit the greens on Thursday, Sept. 28. We’re expecting this year’s tournament to be among our biggest yet, which is why we’ve reserved two courses for 2006 – the Far Oaks Club and Stonewolf Golf Course.
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Corporations are downsizing in every possible way. In the procurement world, that means reducing the total number of contracts companies issue, making them easier to manage and track. The result is that products and services are bundled together to create high-dollar value contracts that cover a wide array of needs. With Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) on the smaller end of the small business spectrum, MBEs face a particularly difficult challenge if they want to win that corporate contract. However, MBEs willing to break from business as usual have some innovative options they can pursue for winning corporate business.
Taking a page from the corporate playbook, MBEs can team together to bid on contracts, mirroring the way contracts have been bundled together. The teaming arrangements can be fixed, such as creating a joint venture. One St. Louis MBE, Inner Circle Logistics, Inc., did this successfully and – through its joint venture – ended up with a corporate-wide agreement with Fortune 500 Raytheon. Alternatively, teaming arrangements can last the length of a single contract or target a single customer.
These arrangements represent a new vision for MBEs, who are more likely to be sole proprietorships than U.S. businesses overall. Moving from a sole proprietorship or relatively small firm into a teaming arrangement requires a change of mindset for business owners who may have set out to be their own boss at all costs. However, partnering is not only a sound business strategy for MBEs, it may be a necessary survival strategy. Corporate contracts are only getting larger, and most small businesses are not growing quickly enough to keep pace. MBEs need to scale up quickly to stay in the game.
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Thanks to the generosity of SLMBC’s corporate partners, Civic Progress, and the Regional Business Council, SLMBC-certified MBEs can participate in the Saint Louis University’s Supply Chain Management Program at a discounted price:
As a SLMBC-certified MBE, you’ll want to take advantage of Saint Louis University’s (SLU) Consortium for Supply Chain Management Studies. Offered through SLU’s John Cook School of Business, the Basic Supply Chain Management program provides comprehensive insight on management development tools for MBEs who are involved in inventory management, purchasing, and warehousing as part of an overall supply chain process. All SLMBC-certified MBEs are encouraged to participate and learn how to operate more efficiently and to network with potential business customers within the St. Louis region. Classes begin the first week of September. To register, contact Dana Hill of SLMBC at (314) 241-1143. For a full description of the class objectives, visit the John Cook School of Business Web site at http://business.slu.edu/centers/Consortium_Supply_Chain_Mgt/Certbasic.html.
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The inaugural class of the Focused Growth Program (FGP) has been selected and work is currently underway to begin identifying mentors and advisory board members who will offer program participants ongoing advice and insight on ways to take their businesses to the next levels of growth. The FGP participants include:
A 10-member Mentorship Committee selected the first class of FGP participants. Committee members are:
Many thanks to Ed Adams and the entire Mentorship Committee for helping the FGP get off to a strong start! We will provide ongoing updates on the progress of the FGP in future issues of Connections The FGP was made possible through a grant from AmerenCDC.
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Golf brochures have been mailed to all corporate members and MBEs. To register, fill out the registration form and return it to Valerie Shelton along with the appropriate fee. Online registration is also available by visiting www.slmbc.org. Remember, all registration fees are non-refundable.
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The preliminary structure for the Virtual Information Community (VIC) is underway.
VIC is a comprehensive Web portal that will provide national and local contract opportunities, along with access to educational and training resources for corporate members and MBEs. Thanks to our corporate members and MBEs who have provided valuable insight and feedback to help SLMBC develop this exciting new tool.
The VIC will enter its beta testing phase by the end of August. This phase includes numerous testing and evaluation screenings. If you are interested in participating, please call Anjanette Brooks at (314) 241-1143 or send her an e-mail at abrooks@slmbc.org.
Stay tuned for more VIC updates in future issues of the Connections newsletter.
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Nomination forms will be mailed to all corporate members and MBEs on Sept. 15. Completed forms should be returned to Barbara Gibson at the Council by Oct. 6. You’ll receive more details about the gala and registration process in the next several weeks. Mark your calendars for this exciting event! |
Congratulations to David Steward, founder and chairman of the Board for World Wide Technology, Inc., whose company ranked No. 2 on the Minority Business News (MBN) 100 list for 2006. The MBN 100 ranks certified minority business enterprises in the United States based on reported revenue for the previous year and number of employees.
Congratulations are also in order for Pangea Group, which ranked No. 61 on the MBN 100 list:
Pangea Group
Michael Zambrana
Location: St. Louis, MO
Company description: Construction, environmental services
MBN 100 ranking: No. 61
The following SLMBC reciprocal MBEs were also listed on the MBN 100:
Software House International
Thai Lee
Location: Somerset, NJ
Company description: Global procurement and outsourcing computer products and services
MBN 100 ranking: No. 1
MasTec, Inc.
Jorge Mas
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Company description: Building and installing of communications and utility infrastructure
MBN 100 ranking: No. 4
The Bartec Group, Inc.
Jon E. Barfield
Location: Livonia, MI
Company description: Staffing support and outsourced vendor management services
MBN 100 ranking: No. 15
MPS Group, Inc.
Roderick K. Rickman
Location: Detroit, MI
Company description: Industrial, environmental services
MBN 100 ranking: No. 34
Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.
Donna Fujimoto Cole
Location: Houston, TX
Company description: Chemicals, lubricants, fuel and resins
MBN 100 ranking: No. 49
Guy Brown Products
Ashoke “Bappa” Mukherji
Location: Brentwood, TN
Company description: Supplier of imaging products
MBN 100 ranking: No. 50
B&S Electric Supply, Inc.
Clarence W. Robie
Location: Atlanta, GA
Company description: Distributor of electrical equipment
and supplies
MBN 100 ranking: No. 66
Cannon Industries, Inc.
Jack Cannon
Location: Rochester, NY
Company description: Sheet metal fabrication and stamping
MBN 100 ranking: No. 96
MBE Recognition
Kwame Building Group was selected by HNTB Architects Engineers & Planners to provide services as a subcontractor on the Highway 40/Interstate 64 improvement project.
Brenda Newberry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Newberry Group, was recognized as one of the women of achievement by the St. Louis Business Journal.
Welcome the following newly certified MBEs and Reciprocals:
B & L Communications, Inc.
Ms. Brenda Anthony, President
Service Contractor – Cable Wiring
Florissant, MO 63033
Phone: 653-0582
Fax: 653-8874
b&lbasndlcommunications.com
Hawi Yang Architects
Mr. Hwai Yang, President
Professional Consultants – Architectural
St. Louis, MO 63131
Phone: 692-7888
Fax: 692-7888
www.hwaiyangarchitects.com
Presto Color Printing, LLC
Mr. Saurabh Patel, Manager
Services – Commercial Printing
St. Louis, MO 634108
Phone: 535-2727
Fax: 535-9760
Email: rob@prestocp.com
www.prestocp.com
Willerding Acquisition Corp.,
dba Willerding Metal Fabrication, Inc.
Mr. Gary Bertolucci, President/Owner
Manufacturing – Metal Fabrication
O’Fallon, MO 63366
Phone: 636-272-2366
Fax: 636-272-2368
Email: gbertolucci@willerding.com
www.willerding.com
Reciprocal MBE
Maregatti Interiors, LLC
Ms. Ana Maregatti, President
Professional Consultants – Interior Design
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Phone: 317-805-3975
Fax: 317-805-3977
Email: ana@maregattiinteriors.com
www.maregattiinteriors.com