WBENC March 2012 President's Report

MARCH 2012

President’s report Best Practice Profiles from Top Corporations: Chevron and Office Depot

15 years history in the making Five Strategies for Maximizing Your Time at WBENC’s 2012 Summit & Salute

Government Spotlight: Department of Defense National Conference & Business Fair Host Committee Spotlight: Claudette Stroble and Patricia Dominguez march edition 2012

WBENC

president’s report

Calendar of Events

This calendar includes events hosted by WBENC’s Regional Partner Organizations and strategic partners. Visit WBENC’s online calendar for more events.

WBENC´s Summit & Salute to WBEs March 21-22, 2012 Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, Baltimore, Md. Visit www.wbenc.org/summit-salute for more details.

US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 22nd Annual Legislative Summit March 21-23, 2012 Washington Marriott at Metro Center, Washington, D.C. Click here for details.

2012 Dallas Latina Style Business Series March 22, 2012 Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas Click here for details National Association of Women Business Owners - LA 26th Annual Leadership & Legacy Awards Luncheon March 23, 2012 JW Marriott at L.A. Live, Los Angeles, Calif.

Click here for details.

Center for Women & Enterprise 2012 Annual Auction & Gala March 24, 2012 Renaissance Boston Waterfront, Boston, Mass.

Click here for details.

WBEC-PA-DE-NJ Executive Leadership Luncheon March 30, 2012 Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa. Call 877-790-WBEC (9232) or visit www.wbecouncil.org for details.

Ohio River Valley 2012 Catch the Wave of Success: “Navigating the Ups & Downs of Your Business.”

Two-day Regional Conference for Women-Owned Businesses April 9-10, 2012 The Galt House, Louisville, Ky Click here for details.

Los Angeles Latina Style Business Series April 12, 2012 Los Angeles, Calif.

Click here for details.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) & Native American Contractors Association (NACA) Small Business Partnering and Matchmaker Session April 18, 2012 Radisson National Airport Arlington, Va. Click here for details.

WBEC South 13th Annual Women’s Business Opportunity Expo Innovation through Diversity April 18-19, 2012 New Orleans Marriott, New Orleans, La. Click here for details.

Southwest Women’s BusinessWORKS! April 19, 2012 Irving Convention Center, Irving, Texas Click here for details.

CEED Annual Award Celebration April 19, 2012 Motorcity Casino Hotel, Detroit, Mich.

Click here for details.

WPO 15th Annual Conference April 25-27, 2012 InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, Atlanta, Ga. Click here for details.

WBEC-PA-DE-NJ Successful Strategies for Navigating Supplier Diversity and Procurement MatchMaker April 27, 2012 Pittsburgh, Pa. Call 877-790-WBEC (9232) or visit www.wbecouncil.org for details.

Editorial Team Editor in Chief Cristy McCullough AVP Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management Managing Editor Sharon F. Beadle Editorial Assistant Allison Gibson Production and Design Limb Design Photography Linda Johnson Writers Paige Adams Director, Development and Corporate Relations Sharon F. Beadle Managing Editor Betty Cole Sr. Director, Programs Kim Jones Manager, Member Services Cristy McCullough AVP Marketing, Communications, and Brand Management Pamela Prince-Eason President & CEO Lynthia Romney RomneyCom, LLC Candace Waterman Senior Director of Compliance & Alliance Relationships Lakesha White Sr. Certification Program Manager

Table of Contents:

March Edition of the President’s Report

New

Calendar of Events

Corporate Members

President’s Message

1

Features WBENC’s Founder and Builders

1

Bunn

WBENC’s Extended Executive Committee

3

Trina Nees

Best Practice Profiles from Top Corporations: Chevron and Office Depot

4

Operations Project Manager

Government Spotlight: Department of Defense

8

D.W. Morgan Company, Inc.

Certification

Maria Guerrero

Five Strategies for Maximizing Your Time at WBENC’s 2012

Vice President Supplier Diversity Purcell Systems, Inc. Ronny Oliver Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Manager JM Family Enterprises, Inc.

9

Summit & Salute

Opportunities Summit & Salute – Online Registration Deadline is Today!

11

WBENC National Conference & Business Fair:

13

Time to Get Connected Call for Auction Items for 2012 National Conference: Get Recognized

14

Be Part of a MatchMaker Meeting at National Conference –

15

WBE Deadline May

Todd Kimpton

Resources

AVP, Procurement

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) & Native American

16

Contractors Association (NACA) Small Business Partnering Capgemini Usa Rodney Dickens Supply Chain Engagement Director cracker barrel old country stores Anthony Greene Manager, Supplier Diversity Mcgarry bowen

and Matchmaker Session

Recognition National Conference & Business Fair Host Committee Spotlight:

17

Claudette Stroble and Patricia Dominguez Women’s Business Development Center–Chicago Receives $170,000

19

Grant from Deluxe Corporation Foundation for Online/On-Demand Business Education Project Ernst & Young Announces Winning Women Program™

20

Application Deadline

David Kim Sr. Finance Analyst www.wbenc.org

march edition 2012

WBENC

president’s report

President’s Message It is Women’s History month. What better time to reflect on the progress we have made since our inception, 15 years ago, and to recognize what a great time it is to be a woman’s business enterprise (WBE) – or to do business with one.

So where have the past 15 years taken us? In that time, the total

leadership roles among our Corporate Member companies: Virginia

number of women’s businesses in the United States has grown by

Rometty, President and CEO of IBM; Meg Whitman, President and

50 percent to an estimated 8.1 million, according to a recent study

CEO of Hewlett Packard; Denise Ramos, CEO and President of ITT;

by American Express OPEN. In addition, these same businesses are

and Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Sam’s Club (a unit of Wal-Mart). And

generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenue and employing nearly

let us not forget that these women and their organizations join an

7.7 million people. Compare this trend with 34 percent growth for

already impressive group of Corporate Member companies, such as

businesses as a whole – and you realize just how impressive the

Archer Daniels Midland, Campbell Soup, Kraft, PepsiCo, TJX, and

growth of women-owned businesses has been. That is the good news.

WellPoint, which are already led by women at the CEO level or above.

However, when we take a closer look at how these businesses are

Also, writing their own history as entrepreneurs, innovators and

doing compared with the national average in terms of jobs and sales,

trailblazers are the many outstanding women executive leaders,

we see there is room for improvement. Over the past 15 years,

Presidents and CEOs among our WBENC-Certified WBEs. For

employment and sales growth for women-owned enterprises are 8

instance, two of our 2012 Women’s Business Enterprise Stars,

percent and 53 percent respectively, lagging the national average of

Julie Sinnett and Lynn Tilton, are doing just that. Julie Sinnett,

17 percent and 71 percent. The obvious conclusion from this data is

Swervepoint, has changed the world of promotional products by

that women business enterprises are struggling to grow. Fortunately,

aligning products to strategically fit a company’s need and going

this is where WBENC plays a significant role.

beyond sheer innovation to bring smart business solutions to

At WBENC, we work to narrow that gap. It is clear to me that

Tilton, Patriarch Partners, is “a passionate proponent of saving

enhancing women’s businesses’ contribution to the GDP and job

American jobs by saving American companies.” According to a

creation is critical to the long-term success of not only the WBEs

2011 article in Forbes Magazine, Lynn has owned 150 companies

themselves, but also to the creation of innovative products and

and saved over 250,000 jobs since 2000. And, according to ABC

services, and to a stronger national economy. These are the goals of

News, she is one of only a few women billionaires in our country. So,

WBENC’s strategy to engage Corporate and Government Members

we are proud of the ingenuity, contributions, and solutions all of our

with WBEs toward revenue-producing partnerships.

WBENC-Certified WBEs have provided, not only to Corporate and

customers like the producers of hit TV shows Dexter and CSI. Lynn

Government Members, but to the world at large.

As two of our core initiatives, WBENC certifies sophisticated, viable women’s business enterprises that are 51 percent owned

So how about our own history? It is hard to imagine it was just 15

and operated by women; and provides those WBEs access and

years ago – early 1997 – that a small group of leaders came together

connection with the organization’s Corporate and Government

to create what is now the premier organization for women-owned

Members. In turn, fueling our strategic work are our Corporate

businesses to get the support they needed. WBENC filled that

and Government Members that are among the most committed,

void, becoming an advocate for women’s businesses to access the

accomplished leaders working with women’s businesses today.

corporate marketplace and compete for contracts on a level playing field.

As we celebrate WBENC’s 15th Anniversary, there’s no better way

In tribute to our founders, in the starter’s circle were WBENC Board

to acknowledge Women’s History month than to recognize and

Chair William C. Alcorn; WBENC President Susan Phillips Bari;

congratulate those women who are making tomorrow’s history

Women’s Business Organization leaders; and a number of corporate

today. Over the past several months, women have ascended to top

partners. We also recognize the small but powerful band of WBEs like

Billie Bryant, Sherrie Conrad and Doris Thomas who are our “fore mothers.” (For details, see the “WBENC’s Founders and Builders to read about those involved from the beginning.)

History has shaped WBENC, creating an organization that melds

WBENC’s Founders and Builders

the perspectives of the earlier leaders – many of whom continue to

Among the WBENC founders and builders are Bank of America,

contribute and mentor today – with the innovation and contributions of

Macy’s (formerly known as Federated Department Stores, Inc.); Ford

today’s emerging leaders to create a dynamic and forward-looking future.

Motor Company; Fujitsu Network Communications; IBM Corporation; JCPenney Company, Inc.; Motorola; PepsiCo, Inc.; Sears, Roebuck

That’s why WBENC – through our Roadmap to 2020 – is aiming to

and Company, Inc.; Texas Instruments, Inc.; and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

lead the way in fueling growth among women’s businesses that can make a difference in our economy and our nation.

Four Women’s Business Organization Partners (WBOPs) were the early providers of WBENC’s national certification from their home

Everyone attending WBENC’s Summit & Salute on March 21-22, in

bases in Illinois, Ohio, Texas, and Louisiana. They were the Women’s

Baltimore, Md., with Presenting Sponsors Accenture and Ernst &

Business Council of Louisiana; the Greater Columbus Women’s

Young, will engage in this strategy through a number of business-

Business Development Center; the North Texas Women’s Business

building sessions. There you will have the opportunity to significantly

Council; and the Women’s Business Development Center – Illinois.

enhance your skills, broaden your vision, and build your business with valuable connections with corporations, government entities and WBEs.

Among the founding WBEs were Billie Bryant of CESCO, Inc.; Doris Thomas of Global Travel Dallas; and Sherrie Conrad of the Conrad

Trailblazers, in their own areas of specialty are Fortune Magazine’s

Consulting Group.

Pattie Sellers and Tuck Business School’s Dr. Leonard Greenhalgh, the keynote speakers of our 2012 Summit. Pattie Sellers developed

An integrated Internet-accessible database of certified WBEs was

the Fortune 50 Most Powerful Women program and has profiled

created and partner organizations were trained in its use. Approxi-

many female CEOs. She is on the front lines of women’s leadership.

mately 500 certified WBEs were “grandmothered” into the database.

Dr. Leonard Greenhalgh is at the forefront of understanding the true

Susan Phillips Bari took the helm of WBENC after working on its

impact of minority and women-owned businesses on a corporation’s

planning, and proceeded to build it toward the organization that we

competitive advantage.

are today.

But, beyond certification, the heart of our work here at WBENC

Following the service of Interim Chair Deborah M. Cannon, of

consists of creating access and connection opportunities that

NationsBank, we were honored to have our first Board Chair, William

generate business. Toward that end, our Multi-Tier Opportunity

J. Alcorn of JCPenney Company, Inc., serve from September 1997

Connection will facilitate both Corporate-to-WBE and WBE-to-WBE

to December 2000.

opportunities.

So as we acknowledge our past while planning for our future, I know it is a great time to be a woman in business. Working together with our Corporate and Government Members, our WBEs, RPOs and staff, will create an even brighter 2020.

Sincerely, Pamela Prince-Eason WBENC President and CEO

www.wbenc.org

march edition 2012

pg 2

WBENC

president’s report

wbenc’s Extended executive committee

Ruby McCleary

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) announced THE extended Executive committee of THE Board of Directors this month.

Mary Tacher

Michael K. Robinson

Diane Pinkney

Last month, WBENC announced its new WBENC Board members and acknowledged its Executive Committee for their leadership and commitment. In the spirit of Recognition – an important part of the organization’s COR (Certification, Opportunities and Resources) Values, WBENC is happy to introduce and thank its Extended Executive Committee this month: Barbara Carbone — Chair, Audit Committee (KPMG) Ruby McCleary — Chair, Program Committee (United Airlines) Diane Pinkney — Chair, Nominating Committee (Altria) Michael K. Robinson — Chair, Global Services and Programs Committee (IBM) Mary Tacher — WBENC Board Secretary, and Chair of the Ethics and Field Governance Committee (JC Penney) Julie Copeland — Vice Chair, Women’s Enterprise Leadership Forum (Arbill) Lynne Marie Finn — Vice Chair, Women’s Enterprise Leadership Forum (Superior Staff Resources) Blanca Robinson — Vice Chair, Leadership Council (Women’s Business Enterprise Council–South)

“We are proud of the talent and commitment of our Board members, and are particularly appreciative of the extraordinary work conducted by the members of our Extended Executive Committee. They head up initiatives that are crucial to our growth and success,” said WBENC Board Chair Laura Taylor.

Feature

Best Practice from top corporations: Guiding wbes to success Best Practice Profiles from Top Corporations: Chevron and Office Depot This month’s President’s Report’s Best Practice Profile tells the story of how two Top Corporations educate WBEs on the values and strategies that they hold high in their respective industries.

Chevron, a 12–time WBENC Top Corporation for WBEs, focuses on safety insisting that its WBE suppliers adhere to its rigorous safety standards. Office Depot, having earned the Top Corporation distinction 10 times, takes a mentoring approach, to ensure its WBEs understand strategies that are needed to succeed in the retail industry, such as brand awareness.

Both companies go the extra mile to partner with WBEs and prepare them for successful engagements.

www.wbenc.org

march edition 2012

pg 4

WBENC

president’s report

Best Practice Profile from a Top Corporation: chevron Safety is a core value for Chevron. Therefore, Chevron makes it a priority to ensure that its Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and diverse suppliers hold themselves to the premier safety standards and practices that Chevron itself follows.

In an effort to prepare its WBE suppliers to be competitive in their quest to win Chevron business, the company educates potential suppliers on key safety programs that they should follow in order to be considered viable candidates for contracts.

“Safety is the most important core value that Chevron has,” says Ron Rodrigues, Supplier Diversity/Local Content Manager, Chevron Corporate Procurement. “Those suppliers that demonstrate excellent safety are the ones with whom we are most interested in working with to build relationships and grow business.”

One supplier who is doing just that is WBENC-Certified WBE Cenergy, a dependable source of workforce solutions in the oil and gas industry. Cenergy provides Chevron with professional personnel who have a strong commitment to Incident and Injury Free Operations. In fact, Cenergy’s success is demonstrated in its achievement of zero OSHA recordable incidents while working 5.2 million man hours for more than four years. To accomplish this, Cenergy provides a specialized on–boarding program that prepares its personnel through a highly developed, customized one-on-one experience. As a result, all personnel meet the Chevron Operational Excellence requirement for contractors, including Drug, Alcohol, Stop Work Authority and Fit for Duty policies.

Given Chevron’s commitment, it doesn’t take long for WBE suppliers to learn that they can’t get in the door without a stellar safety program. Individuals working on Chevron sites – as prime suppliers or subcontractors – must have the safety training and procedures in place.

Indeed, Chevron procurement and supply chain professionals look for suppliers with an excellent safety record and overall safety program, and remind them to make safety a very important part of their value proposition during the sourcing process.

Among the key safety program indicators are Days Away From Work Rate (DAFWR), Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR), and Experience Modification Rate (EMR).

Other elements can include: • Behavioral Based Safety Program, a proactive approach to injury prevention and safe behaviors.

• Job Safety Analysis, a procedure that helps integrate accepted safety and health principles and practices into a particular task or job operation.

• Documented Safety “Tailgate” Meetings, or short, regularly reoccurring safety meetings that can be very effective in reminding employees about the importance of safety in their daily tasks.

• Stop Work Authority, empowering an employee to stop work that does not comply with the safety and timing standards.

• Defensive Driving Training, to reduce the risk of driving by anticipating dangerous situations, despite adverse conditions or the mistakes of others.

• Ergonomic/Repetitive Stress Injury Program, designed to prevent employees from being injured while performing repetitive activities such as typing/keystrokes.

“As a best practice, these standards enable diverse suppliers to know what it takes to succeed and do business with Chevron by incorporating our most important value – safety,” Rodrigues says.

“As a best practice, these standards enable diverse suppliers to know what it takes to succeed and do business with Chevron by incorporating our most important value – safety,” Rodrigues says.

Ron Rodrigues Supplier DIversity/Local Content Manager Chevron

Best Practice Profile from a Top Corporation: Office Depot.

As a leading global provider of office supplies and services, Office Depot is committed to seeking out women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and offering them opportunities to provide innovative products and services to Office Depot.

Stride, KleenSlate and Addendia are all WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) who currently are suppliers to Office Depot. One area that provides great opportunities for companies with unique products for the Office Depot customer is in merchandising. Space-saving binders, award-winning school tools, and collapsible storage pallets are just a few of the innovations that these WBEs bring to the market – making them prime candidates for Office Depot’s vendor mentoring program.

What is Office Depot’s mentoring program?

Office Depot’s mentoring program comprises five key initiatives.

1. Seeks viable WBEs. 2. Offers them key opportunities in our procurement process.

3. Partners with like-minded organizations to provide additional resources to WBEs. 4. Markets these partnerships.

5. Empowers the WBE, making them one of the best resources from which to buy.

Specifically, Office Depot mentees get the benefit of an Office Depot representative, usually from the Supply Chain Diversity department, guiding them through the steps to become a vendor at Office Depot. Office Depot provides insight into how these businesses can capitalize on their innovative ideas and move their businesses forward. For example, KleenSlate, one of the first mentees, completed the process with Office Depot and their business continues to grow exponentially. Stride has experienced impressive increases in sales with the introduction of Office Depot’s Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) catalog representing the Company’s Supply Chain Diversity product repertoire. And, Addendia, one of Office Depot’s newer vendors, has seen incremental growth for the past few years.

“Office Depot strives to identify unique opportunities for each vendor to get exposure, not only for Office Depot, but for the vendor’s individual brands,” Shari Francis, Manager, HUB Merchandising, Supply Chain Diversity, Office Depot. “That’s because, in our retail stores, building each company’s brand is an important step in establishing their products with Office Depot’s customers. The Office Depot mentoring program not only helps guides the WBEs on how to utilize marketing contacts to provide opportunities for customers to learn more about them, but also helps the business to convey key elements of their brand, such as their company’s philosophies and how their product provides solutions to existing or potential customer issues.”

Office Depot’s three-tiered Supply Chain Diversity Program, composed of Tier One, Vendor Diversity, and Supplier Diversity, is devoted to mentoring and growing WBEs. Mentoring is weaved throughout the entire program, allowing a creative exchange to flow back and forth, while pinpointing areas that need to be strengthened in the relationship.

In conclusion, the focus of each of the mentoring programs at these two companies vastly differs, but both offer worldclass programs worthy of being named America’s Top Corporations for Women Business Enterprises.

Shari Francis Manager, HUB Merchandising, Supply Chain Diversity Office Depot

“That’s because, in our retail stores, building each company’s brand is an important step in establishing their products with Office Depot’s customers.”

Says Shari Francis.

www.wbenc.org

march edition 2012

pg 6

Feature

Government Spotlight: Connecting to Federal Opportunities with the Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD), the largest consumer of goods and services, is responsible for coordinating and supervising all functions related to national security and the U.S. Armed Forces. The DoD is made up of the Departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Since the DoD has the largest discretionary budget, which exceeds $530 billion, it is, or should be, a prime target for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs).

However, it is important for interested business owners to know, understand and follow proper protocol when pursuing business with an agency of this magnitude.

WBEs that are afforded the opportunity to present their products/services to a contracting officer should provide a cost-effective, quality solution to the agency’s requirements.

In an effort to secure business with the DoD, there are 10 key actions that must be taken:

For more information on connecting with the many departments within the Department of

Even in the large world of government contracting, not all companies are able to enter the supply chain as prime contractors to the DoD. However, there may be an opportunity in the secondary market (Tier 2).

There are a few resources to consult, including the directory of prime contractors that lists the name, address, and telephone number of Small Business.

Defense, please visit http://www.defense.gov/ 1. Identify your product/service.

2. Register your business in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR).

3. Identify your target market within DoD. 4. Identify current DoD procurement opportunities

landing/contract_resources.aspx. All WBEs and WOSBs are encouraged to attend WBENC’s Summit & Salute to learn more about how to access opportunities with the federal government.

at www.fbo.gov.

5. Familiarize yourself with DoD contracting procedures.

6. Investigate Federal Supply (FSS) Contracts.

7. Seek additional assistance as needed.

8. Explore sub-contracting opportunities.

9. Investigate DoD small-business programs.

10. Market your firm well.

www.wbenc.org

march edition 2012

pg 8

WBENC

president’s report

Certification

Five Strategies for Maximizing your time at Wbenc’s 2012 summit and salute Networking and relationship building is about making a connection with someone – not just getting their business card. Networking is not always easy, nor should it be. It is an ongoing process that when done with the proper preparation and mindset, will be extremely rewarding.

Please review these 5 tips to make valuable connections during WBENC’s Summit & Salute. Remember, done right, networking can lead to new business opportunities.

1. Network with a purpose.

Outline company goals and objectives for the event. It has been said before, but setting goals makes a company more productive and keeps it on task.

A company’s goals might be to meet 10 specific people during the two-day event. Make a list of who they are, and be diligent about seeking them out.

Bring lots of cards and rehearse what to say (see Tip #3).

2. Do homework.

This is an opportune time to meet representatives of America’s Top Corporations. First, review the list on WBENC’s Facebook page or website.

Then choose the ones that are the best fit for the products and services offered by your company. Look at each companies’ annual reports and/ or websites to learn more about what

they are purchasing, what states and countries they do business in, and their purchasing cycles. This will assist WBEs in having a knowledgeable conversation when speaking with targeted companies. It is important to note, there will be a number of WBENC-Certified WBEs in attendance as well who may be great prospects, so don’t miss any opportunity to make great connections.

3. Be authentic.

People do business with people they know and trust. Use the initial introduction to speak authentically about your self and your business.

Be succinct, genuine, friendly and honest about the solutions your firm can provide. This is a great time to perfect a 30-second elevator pitch and to be ready to use it when making connections.

4. Show interest in the other person.

It is great to talk about yourself and your firm, but it is also important

to listen as well. Making a real connection comes with listening to the other person. Take mental notes or write them down on the business card.

Ask about their company’s goals, how to assist them in achieving those goals; try to learn something about the person as well. Make a real connection.

5. Always follow up.

Don’t let all your hard work and research go to waste…follow-up!

Take time to send an email with your company’s capabilities statement.

Make it short and sweet. Set yourself apart by sending a handwritten note, followed-up by an email with your firms’ capabilities. Include something from the conversation in the note, to let them know you were listening to them and not just focused on yourself.

Don’t forget to tell them you will see them at WBENC’s National Conference & Business Fair in June!

vision

opportunities

success

Thanks to Our Sponsors:

president’s circle

tribute to education patrons

2012 ADP-LLC

presenting sponsors Web & Data Solutions ‣ DM Production ‣ Fulfillment Web & Data Solutions ‣ DM Production ‣ Fulfillment

platinum

diamond ✶

rpo leadership council

wbe stars ✶

women’s enterprise leadership council

Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, March 21-22, 2012

WBENC’s

multi-tier

OPPORTUNITY

CONNECTION

Sponsored by

The Summit & Salute also offers:

Excellent Learning

Latest Information

Women’s Business

Tribute to America’s

and Networking

on Best Practices and

Enterprises Award

Top Corporations for

Opportunities with Top

Market Trends

Dinner

Women’s Business

Corporate Expertise

Enterprises for 2011

WBENC

president’s report

Opportunities

Summit & salute Register in Person on March 21 and 22 Presenting Sponsors – Accenture and Ernst & Young LLP

WBENC’s not–to–be–missed 2012 Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises is less than a week away.

Taking place March 21-22, at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, the Summit will feature sessions on business forecasts, market trends and best practices. As always, a highlight of this event is the unique networking environment, which is particularly conducive to conducting business. In addition, one of WBENC’s dynamic keynote speakers is Pattie Sellers. Pattie chairs FORTUNE Magazine’s annual “Most Powerful Women Summit,” and will lead Summit participants in engaging discussions.

March 15 was the last day to register online at www.wbenc.org/summit-salute. However, onsite registration will be available at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel beginning Wednesday, March 21 and 22.

Click here to see the list of impressive organizations and top WBEs who have joined Accenture and Ernst & Young as sponsors of the Summit & Salute.

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of Vision, Opportunities and Success, during our comprehensive one-and-a-half-day program including an unforgettable evening recognizing WBENC’s 2012 Women’s Business Enterprise Stars, as well as WBENC’s 2012 Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises.

Register Today: Go to www.wbenc.org/summit-salute to view the detailed agenda, register for the event and make your hotel reservations. Hotel space is limited, so make this a priority.

For questions regarding this event, please contact Paige Adams at padams@wbenc.org.

s s i m t ’ don year’s ! this bration e l e c

CeLebrating 15 YearS: VISION, OPPORTUNITIES, anD SUCCESS!

tueSDaY, June 19 tHrougH tHurSDaY, June 21, 2012

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

2012 sponsors aS oF MarCH 12, 2012

2012 Co-CHairS

FeatureD SPonSorS

Contributing Partner SPonSorS accenture aCt-1 group altria group, inc. arbill aSaP Solutions group LLC bP america Cenergy Charlie bravo aviation Chevron Digital Hands energy Future Holdings ernst & Young LLP exxon Mobil Corporation ibM KellyMitchell group, inc.

Manpowergroup Mirror Show Management ntSg, inc.

PepsiCo, inc.

Pfizer inc Pitney bowes inc.

Private eyes raytheon Company Shell oil Company Strategic Staffing Solutions Superior Staff resources, inc. target the Coca-Cola Company transPak inc.

Visionista Wal-Mart Stores, inc.

WeConnecct Canada Welcome events Women’s business enterprise Council of Pa-De-snJ

register today!

For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org/wbencconf

LeaD SPonSorS

at&t DeMartino Construction Company general Motors Corporation Staples, inc.

W.W. grainger, inc.

PrograM SPonSorS alcatel-Lucent archer Daniels Midland Company Johnson & Johnson

PLatinuM SPonSorS brocade Ford Motor Company JPMorgan Chase & Company Kaiser Permanente Macy’s Marriott international MasterCard Worldwide Pacific gas and electric Company time Warner inc. toyota Motor north america Wells Fargo

HoSt CounCiL

Women’s business Development Council of Florida

HoSt CoMMittee

Landry & Kling events at Sea Host Committee Chair a-Plus Meetings & incentives bruno White entertainment Doubletake Studios, inc.

MCo Construction Services, inc. orlando Conference Management group, inc. restor telecom SDi international Corp.

Software resources, inc. the DW group, inc. triage Partners LLC

experience: • A chance to conduct at least 40-50 percent of your company’s annual prospecting in two days • Access to procurement representatives ready to make buying decisions • Time for formal and informal face-to-face networking • Training to give you an edge in a competitive business environment

WBENC

president’s report

opportunities

WBENC National Conference & Business Fair: Time to Get Connected Co-Chairs: Avis Budget Group, Office Depot, Accel inc., ICON Information Consultants

The 2012 WBENC National Conference & Business Fair will be held June 19-21, 2012, at Peabody Orlando Hotel and the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. This event, WBENC’s 13th annual, represents the year’s best opportunity to spotlight a business in front of the world’s largest corporations, government agencies and women-owned businesses. Each participant and sponsor is committed to doing business with WBENCCertified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) and WBENC WBEs certified through the United States Small Business Administration Program’s Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program (WOSB). That is why more than 3,000 individuals representing Fortune 1000 corporations, government agencies, and women-owned businesses attend this prestigious conference.

A number of high caliber workshops are planned, including one that focuses on economic impact and job creation; entrepreneurial training; innovation, technology and sustainability; and the best ways to access capital and develop new markets.

Everyone is welcome to attend! However, only WBENC-Certified WBEs and regional or national WBENC Corporate Members may exhibit and/or sponsor. To register today as an attendee or exhibitor, go to www.wbenc.org/wbencconf. Early bird registration ends April 13, for attendees.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, click here or contact Paige Adams at padams@wbenc.org.

Opportunities

Call for Auction Items for 2012 National Conference: Get Recognized The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is pleased to announce the 2012 Silent Auction call for donations.

The Silent Auction will be held on June 19, 2012, at the Peabody Orlando hotel during the National Conference & Business Fair.

$150,000 Goal You are invited to help WBENC achieve its 2012 Auction goal of $150,000 and make this very special event a success. We are seeking donations that generate excitement, unique interest and great bids. Use your imagination, but some suggestions for donations include.

Arts

Entertainment

Power Meetings

Sports Related

• Theatre tickets • Painting/photography • Books

• Restaurant certificates • Cinema tickets/passes • Family fun/games

• Breakfast, lunch or dinner with ‘C’ level executive

• Game tickets • Skybox memorabilia

Electronics

Health/Beauty

Gift Cards

Travel

• Computers • Cameras • iPods

• Spa-related • Jewelry/handbags • All things ‘girly’

• Any retailer • Any denomination

• Hotel/timeshare getaways • Airline/transportation tickets

Click here to download and review instructions to submit a donation. Any donation will be greatly appreciated – there is no minimum.

“Your donation guarantees national exposure reaching thousands of businesses and may be tax deductible,” shares Lynn Griffith (WBE Auction Chair and President of Welcome Events). “In addition, an early and generous commitment helps WBENC build excitement for the auction, and offers another outstanding reason to attend the 2012 National Conference & Business Fair.”

Proceeds from this event support the programs and services that are provided by WBENC and its 14 Regional Partner Organizations.

With your support, WBENC is confident that it can achieve or exceed its 2012 goal. Make this year’s auction the best yet!

www.wbenc.org

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WBENC

president’s report

opportunities

Be Part of a MatchMaker Meeting at National Conference – WBE Deadline May 11 What ARE MatchMaker MEETINGS? As part of the 2012 WBENC National Conference & Business Fair, on Thursday, June 21, WBENC will host MatchMaker Meetings.

A MatchMaker meeting is an opportunity for WBENC-Certified WBEs to meet with buyers from our WBENC Corporate Member organizations to discuss possible opportunities in various service and product areas

Who is eligible?

All WBENC-Certified and full-conference registered WBE suppliers are eligible (i.e., WBE sponsors, WBE exhibitors and full conference WBE attendees). Any WBENC Corporate Member buyers interested in participating in the conference should email matchmakers@wbenc.org.

When is the WBE Deadline?

The deadline for conference registration is May 11, which is also is the last opportunity to be eligible for a MatchMaker meeting.

See note above on eligibility. Register today!

Are WBEs guaranteed a meeting?

Our goal is to arrange quality, relevant meetings for both the WBE and Corporate Member. Since meetings are based on current or near future sourcing opportunities of our Corporate Members, unfortunately one-on-one meetings will be limited to the opportunities that exist. Therefore, WBENC is not able to guarantee a meeting for every eligible WBE.

Resources

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) & Native American Contractors Association (NACA) Small Business Partnering and Matchmaker Session

Join Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and the Native American Contractors Association for a small business partnering workshop on April 18, 2012, at the Radisson National Airport Hotel in Arlington, Va. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop is intended to build relationships and partnering opportunities with women-owned small businesses and NACA members.

The following tracks will be offered: 路 路 路

Working with Tribes, ANCs, and NHOs, Contracting Opportunities Through Partnering Programs, Teaming for Success;

In addition, a Business and Matchmaking Session will be held following the training segment. Click here for more information.

www.wbenc.org

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WBENC

president’s report

Recognition

National Conference & Business Fair Host Committee Claudette Stroble and Patricia Dominguez This month the President’s Report looks at two members of the Host Committee for the 2012 National Conference & Business Fair. While each represents a very different industry, they share a customer-focus and can-do creativity that makes them invaluable business partners to leading corporations.

Orlando Conference Management Group, Inc. Claudette Stroble, President Since founding Orlando Conference Management Group (OCMG) in 1993, Claudette Stroble has built her business into a premier national conference and events management company. OCMG enables its clients to connect with their customers, engage their talent, and establish the vital exchange of ideas that make them succeed.

Claudette Stroble

OCMG operates nationally with projects ranging from large franchisee conferences and trade shows, to carefully calibrated client advisory board meetings. Stroble, whose career includes designing and implementing events for companies like General Electric, heads an experienced team that can create customized events, such as programs at the Sydney Olympics and multi-city road shows for electric cars and motorcycles.

Key to OCMG’s success is its ability to problem solve with an eye to the bottom line. When a hotel that had been booked for a large annual meeting went into bankruptcy, many companies would have been caught in a bind, losing a substantial deposit and waiting to be paid back cents on the dollar.

But because OCMG uses its own credit card for deposits, rather than the standard corporate check, it was able to dispute the charge with American Express by producing the signed hotel contract as well as the card charging information. What’s more, OCMG not only found a suitable space for the

meeting, despite the fact it was only a year out, but also re-engineered the new property to meet the needs of the meeting as it had been developed saving excess costs and time.

This is an example of how OCMG identifies the key elements to ensure a meeting’s success and delivers the best venue, transportation, entertainment and support. Perhaps most importantly, OCMG creates a seamlessly executed experience that enables clients to focus on their business rather than on the detailed logistics that make or break events.

Stroble is a 2010 WBENC Star and was named Florida’s WBE Member of the Year in 2011. She serves on an Advisory Board for the Department of Advertising at the University of Florida and on an advisory board for the Florida Museum of Natural History. She is a member of various community and industry organizations.

Triage Partners Patricia Dominguez, President and CEO Patricia Dominguez is President and CEO of Triage Partners, an award-winning provider of technology-enabled services for the telecommunications, broadband and cable industries.

With a highly skilled and credentialed workforce, Triage works globally for some of the largest telecommunications and third party logistics companies to provide products and services for both corporate and individual customers. Their work can range from installing telecommunications and cable components, to configuring entire corporate communications systems, to the testing and recovery of telecommunications equipment.

Patricia Dominguez Yet what sets Triage apart is its continuous pursuit of process efficiencies and innovations to cut costs and speed delivery of their clients’ products and services. For one telecommunications company, Triage found a way to repair and clean cable television set top boxes on their property rather than ship them out of state, saving money on inventory turns. More than 80 percent were available for use within 72 hours.

Additionally, Triage creates analytics to measure the savings and show the client continuous improvement – and then customizes those processes to other products and services in the client’s portfolio. “We give our clients data that they never had before, and help them use it to improve customer satisfaction,” Dominguez says.

Of course, one key measurement is how well Triage represents their clients’ brands. “We are the first and last line of defense for maintaining our clients’ reputations before the millions of customers who rely on them. These customers expect to be able to make phone calls and view their cable TV and Internet with 100 percent perfection,” she adds.

In addition to being WBENC certified, Triage has TL 9000 and ISO9001:2008 quality certifications and is certified by CPUC. Triage Partners was named one of the nation’s top woman-owned businesses and one of Florida’s Top 100 Diversity Companies by DiversityBusiness.com. Dominguez won the prestigious Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Business Woman of the Year Award for Technology in 2011. www.wbenc.org

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WBENC

president’s report

Recognition

Women’s Business Development Center– chicago Receives $170,000 Grant from Deluxe Corporation Foundation for Online/On-Demand Business Education Project The Women’s Business Development Center–Chicago (WBDC–Chicago), the nation’s oldest, largest and most successful small business assistance center for women, recently received a $170,000 grant from Deluxe Corporation Foundation. WBDC–Chicago will use the grant to convert the WBDC–Chicago’s current in-person business education courses into online/ondemand, interactive learning opportunities.

“Our business curriculum has been designed to educate women entrepreneurs so they are able to make informed decisions and successfully compete in the marketplace,” said Hedy M. Ratner, WBDC–Chicago co-president. “We realize that many are not able to attend our in-person workshops due to time, financial and family constraints. The WBDC–Chicago is very grateful for the support of Deluxe Corporation Foundation in providing these entrepreneurs with a learning experiences as good as, or better than, in-person classroom training – but on their own time and terms.”

Consistent with other WBDC–Chicago offerings, the online learning opportunities will be available in Spanish and English. The project will be carried out in two phases, enablement of WBDC–Chicago’s website to support and facilitate online/on-demand learning and conversion of the first group of courses.

“The Deluxe Corporation Foundation is focused on long-term solutions that help people, businesses and communities thrive and grow,” said Lee Schram, chief executive officer of Deluxe and president of the Deluxe Foundation. “This mission is reflected in our grant to the WBDC-Chicago, enabling them to help many more women entrepreneurs by providing business education courses in the online environment.”

By updating the way the courses are delivered, the WBDC–Chicago will expand its reach and capacity to better serve its clients. Deluxe Corporation Foundation awards more than $90 million to education, arts and human services programs.

RECOGNITION

Ernst & Young Winning Women™ Program Now in its fifth year, the Entrepreneurial Winning Women Program™ is a competitive award and leadership program that identifies a select group of high-potential women entrepreneurs whose businesses show real potential to scale– And then helps them do it.

Apply or nominate an outstanding entrepreneur for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Program.

• Join an elite network of the country’s best entrepreneurs and high-

growth company leaders.

• Participate in a customized leadership program with year-round

activities designed to accelerate and sustain business growth.

• On a complimentary basis, attend the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum® 2012, the country’s most prestigious gathering of high- growth companies, November 14-18 in Palm Springs, CA (www.ey.com/us/strategicgrowthforum).

Eligibility: Applicants are women CEOs who have founded their privately held U.S. companies within the last 10 years and have achieved at least $1 million in revenue in each of the past two. Typical applicant company revenue ranges from $1 million to approximately $20 million annually.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, or to learn how to nominate a deserving woman entrepreneur you know, review the brochure and visit www.ey.com/us/entrepreneurialwinningwomen. The application period closes on April 30, 2012.

www.wbenc.org

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