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IN THIS ISSUE Honoring trailblazers in supplier diversity MBE Spotlight: Olivas and Associates Supplier diversity biz : Karen Blackwell, Nestlé FCI achieves Corporate Plus status Smart tips for MBEs News briefs
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 2014
Honoring trailblazers in supplier diversity SCMSDC’s 30th annual Leadership Excellence Awards reinforced how supplier diversity has shifted from once being a socio-economic outreach program for minorityand women-owned businesses to an initiative that corporate leaders and individual companies embrace as business imperatives and view as good, practical business sense. Held October 1 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the council honored the “best of the best” in supplier diversity. Its prestigious Leadership Excellence Award was presented to Bill Imada, founder, chairman and chief collaboration officer of IW Group, a minority-owned advertising, marketing and communications agency focused on the growing multicultural markets – marking only the second time in 30 years that an MBE received this honor. For the second consecutive year, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) was named Corporation of the Year. Also for the second straight year, Northrop Grumman Corp. received SCMSDC’s Corporate Innovation Award. Verizon was the recipient of the Corporate Ambassador Award.
NMSDC National Conference and Business Opportunity Fair November 2 - 5 Orlando, Florida We hope that you will be one of the nearly 7,000 corporate executives, minority business owners and government officials who will attend NMSDC's biggest event of the year. Visit www.nmsdc.org for details.
Southern California Gas Co. receives the Corporation of the Year award for the second consecutive year. Pictured with Virginia Gomez are SoCalGas Supplier Diversity team members.
City Toastmasters Meeting November 6, 20 - 9 to 11 a.m. SCMSDC Headquarters
Participants will hone speaking and leadership skills in a friendly and
“Our 2014 honorees are trailblazers in supplier diversity and have raised the bar for others to follow,” according to SCMSDC President Virginia Gomez. ”Never satisfied with the status quo, they continue to innovate and excel in minority supplier development and create business
non-threatening atmosphere. The SCMSDC chapter caters to business owners and their employees. Contact: Natalie Masiello, nmasiello@scmsdc.org or 213-689-6963.
Tory Burch Foundation & Bank of America Entrepreneur Event November 12 - 8 to 10 a.m. InterContinental, Los Angeles Elizabeth Street Capital is a Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America initiative designed to provide women entrepreneurs in the U.S. with access to affordable loans, mentoring support and networking opportunities. FREE event. For details and registration vist www.LA1112.eventbrite.com
How to do business with the Airport, Port and DWP November 18 - 2 to 4 p.m. Cal State Northridge Event will include experts from Contracts & Purchasing, Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles World Airports, Department of Water & Power, Trade Connect, Port of Los Angeles, MCS Hollywood Business Source. For details, vist conta.cc/1wbcMfF
MBE Orientation November 20 - 2 to 4 p.m. SCMSDC Headquarters Learn how to best leverage your MBE certification. Great for newly-certified, those who are pending certification, and those MBEs who have been certified but would like to get connected. Free event! Last Thursday of each month. Visit www.scmsdc.org for more events.
opportunities in the minority community.”
Leadership Award In accepting the Leadership Award from SCMSDC Board Chair and Southern California Edison Director of Supplier Diversity Joe Alderete, Imada said, “I’m a product of people like Joe Alderete...When we pitched business to Edison the first time, we failed. Three years later, we failed again, and Joe told me not to give up. The third time, we won a contract, and they didn’t make us a Tier 2 supplier – they made us Tier 1. And, now we are helping Edison with mass market advertising. The 2014 Leadership Award recipient Bill Imada message to MBEs (left) with SCMSDC President Virginia is, ‘Do not give Gomez and SCMSDC Board Chair Joe Alderete. up.’” For more than 20 years, Imada has represented some of the top companies in the U.S., including American Airlines, Coca-Cola, Farmers Insurance, Godiva Chocolatier, McDonald’s, Southern California Edison, Walmart Stores and many others. He is active in the community and serves on several boards and advisory councils, including the Advertising Educational Foundation, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Center for Asian American Media and the LAGRANT Foundation. Imada also co-founded the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund and established the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship. He was invited to meet President Barack Obama with 12 other Asian/Pacific Islander American leaders and was also appointed to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The only other MBE to receive SCMSDC’s Leadership Award is Earvin “Magic” Johnson, chairman and CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises, and founder and chairman, Magic Johnson Foundation.
Corporate Awards Awards were given to corporate members in recognition of their exemplary supplier diversity achievements. These included: • Corporation of the Year -Given to a corporate member that has consistently provided tangible offerings to diverse entrepreneurs through training,
Northrop Grumman’s Vicky Harper-Hall speaks after receiving the Corporate Innovator Award.
development and the award of contracts. SoCalGas, which achieved a record 45.4 percent spend with diverse suppliers last year, received high marks for its supplier diversity policies, programs, leadership best practices and overall spend results. • Corporate Innovator -- Northrop Grumman Corp. was praised for its innovative supplier diversity programs to develop diverse suppliers. • Corporate Ambassador -- Verizon was recognized for its commitment to providing educational opportunities to help diverse firms grow and succeed and its vast community outreach. Other award nominees were Kaiser Permanente; MillerCoors; Nestlé North America; Randstad; The Walt Disney Company; Toyota; Union Bank; and US Bank. Local nominees include USC, American Honda Motor Co. and Los Angeles World Monica Heredia (center) of VeriAirports.
zon, flanked by Bonnie Nijst and Virginia Gomez, accepts SCMSDC’s Corporate Ambassador Award.
Corporate members are nominated by SCMSDC's Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC), which is comprised of minority business owners who provide the board and council with constructive and solutions-oriented input on issues affecting minority-owned businesses. The National Minority Supplier Development Council’s (NMSDC) national corporate members nominated to compete for the NMSDC Corporation of the Year Award are automatically placed in competition for the local, regional affiliate council award. A selection committee, including organizational leaders who advocate for ethnic minority businesses, MBEIC members and MBEs-at-large evaluate and select award recipients based on a pre-established points system. This year, the committee members were MBEIC Chair Bonnie Nijst, ZEESMAN; MBEIC Vice Chair Denise Peoples, Peoples Choice Staffing; Sue Bhatia, Rose Interna-
Joe Alderete (center) with NMSDC President Joset Wright-Lacy (left), Virginia Gomez and Corporation of the Year co-chairs, at a reception preceding the awards dinner.
tional, Inc.; Greg Craig, Anahau Energy; Dennis Huang, Asian Business Assn.; Ying McGuire, Technology Integration Group; and Tracy Stanhoff, American Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Event Sponsors Platinum Southern California Edison Southern California Gas
Gold
Toyota
Joe Alderete (second from left) accepts a resolution from the City of Los Angeles for his decades of service in supplier diversity. From left, Board of Public Works VP Monica Rodriguez, Virginia Gomez and Councilman Curren Price.
A new feature of the LEA called the Corporation of the Year (COTY) Co-chair sponsorship concept was launched this year. “The concept ties the Corporation of the Year Award more strongly to the MBEIC so that the committee owns the event and is more invested in the success of the Corporation of the Year portion of SCMSDC’s Leadership Excellence Gala,” according to Bonnie Nijst, MBEIC Chair. The 2014 COTY Co-chair sponsors included Rita Kalwani, KAL Architects; Sujata Mody Kamdar, GBS Linens; Sanjay Kucheria, Trinus Corp; Bonnie Nijst, ZEESMAN, Denise Peoples, Peoples Choice Staffing; Phil Ramos, Philatron; Anita Ron, BriteWorks, Inc.; Patricia Watts, FCI Management Consultants, and Immediate Past Chair of MBEIC, and Joe Blackstone, Blackstone Consulting, Inc., and SCMSDC Board member. “Through the years, the MBEIC has been a major factor in the council’s overall success, but this year, for the first time, under Bonnie’s leadership, our MBEs and the MBEIC raised the bar with their support,” Gomez said, referring to the tremendous success of the COTY Co-Chairs sponsorship. Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers,
Dignitaries and special guests
shares a laugh with Gwen Moore. He signed autographs and gave the keynote address.
Several dignitaries were on-hand for the Leadership
Silver
WellPoint
Bronze
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Corporate Sponsors
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. AT&T Chevron EastWest Bank Fluor NBCUniversal The Walt Disney Company Verizon
MBE Sponsors Anahau Energy BriteWorks, Inc. Blackstone Consulting Cordova Bolt FCI Management GBS Linens KAL Architects Peoples Choice Staffing Philatron S.C. Anderson TLM Petro Labor Force Trinus Corp. ZEESMAN
Excellence Awards, including NMSDC President Joset Wright-Lacy; Los Angeles Councilman Curren Price, who chairs the Los Angeles City Council Economic Development Committee; Board of Public Works Vice President Monica Rodriguez, who champions diverse business inclusion and access to city contracts; former state Assemblywoman Gwen Moore, author of General Order 156, the powerful legislation that ensures access, inclusion and awards to diverse businesses; Gaddi Vasquez, senior vice president of Southern California Edison and Edison International; 1972 Heisman trophy winner and entrepreneur Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, keynote speaker; and former SCMSDC Vice Chair Anthony Piazza, who retired earlier Quest Crew brings the crowd to its this year as vice feet with high-energy, high-flying president of Human dance moves. Resources and Administration, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. In Wright-Lacy’s welcoming remarks, she said, “I’m proud to bring greetings from MBEs and corporate members throughout 24 regional councils to make sure we are leveling the playing field for diverse suppliers. There’s nothing more important than making sure that everyone gets a chance to play.” Alderete, who will be retiring from SCMSDC’s board and Edison in December, received the council’s Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a resolution from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office and Councilman Curren Price, commending him for his dedication and tireless service in supplier diversity.
Retiring from SCMSDC’s board in December, Joe Alderete receives SCMSDC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. From left, Virginia Gomez; Gaddi Vasquez, SVP, Southern California Edison and Edison International; and former Assemblywoman Gwen Moore.
MBE Spotlight: Olivas and Associates
Former astronaut uses lessons in space to propel business Veteran NASA astronaut John “Danny” Olivas understands all too well the importance of being prepared to handle any scenario, while remaining nimble and flexible when circumstances change. He employed these lessons when he flew on two space shuttle missions – Atlantis and Discovery – including five space walks, and continues to use them today as an entrepreneur. Olivas, who spent 12 years with NASA before retiring in 2010, sees similarities between his former career and current one as head of SCMSDC-certified Olivas and Associates, an engineering consulting firm focused on forensics engineering, failure analysis, incident investigation and engineering support services. “Business, just like space, is full of surprises,” he says. “You start with a plan, only to discover that things change and you have to respond to unanticipated conditions. With space flight, we would map out a 14-day mission, knowing full well that as soon as we got into orbit, everything we planned for could be tossed out the window. You always need to start out with a thoughtful plan, but you also need to respond to the inevitable change around you.”
John “Danny” Olivas
Olivas and Associates’ goal is to identify, analyze and solve problems and avoid mission-critical safety issues for its clients, which include major oil and gas, aerospace and retail companies. The firm’s services range from requirements and concept definition, design and test protocol development to acceptance testing and maintenance and sustaining engineering. Using a holistic approach, the Manhattan Beach-based firm applies cutting-edge science and engineering to investigate incidents both before or after they occur to support cost-effective, practical solutions. In addition to Olivas, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in mechanical engineering and materials science, the company leverages a team of engineers and consultants as subcontractors. Reaching his childhood dreams By age 7, Olivas dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Two years later, he added business owner to his am-
bitions as he sold whistles and other items to neighborhood kids. At 32, Olivas was selected as an astronaut candidate, where his training involved instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems and water and wilderness survival. In addition to his work on Atlantis and Discovery, he was one of the principal researchers following the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia accident, in which all seven crew members lost their lives. On his career as an astronaut, Olivas says what was most memorable was “being able to see the world 250 miles above the surface of the planet. It’s a breathtaking view. I would recommend it.” “The greatest memories have little to do with flying in space,” he adds, “but more as a member of the astronaut core on the ground…Being able to say you worked on missions or that you were able to help identify problems and assist an entire organization like NASA become safer -- that’s what is really gratifying. The heart of who I am is an engineer.” In addition to running Olivas and Associates, Olivas is the director of space initiatives at University of Texas at El Paso, where he also leads the Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance Research. CASSMAR is a cross-functional, multidisciplinary center focused on risk reduction research to make commercial human spaceflight safe and successful. He is also a motivational speaker, drawing on his personal and professional experience and lessons learned to discuss the values of leadership, teamwork and integrity. Keys to success “One of the things I learned in my career is that success in life is a function of your ability to work hard and never give up,” says Olivas, who enjoys spending his leisure time with his wife and five children. “Perseverance is one of the most significant traits that any business owner can have.” Olivas, whose firm was recently certified as a minority business enterprises (MBE), is excited about the council’s programs and services. “At NASA, I saw firsthand the benefits of including diverse populations, and how much better and stronger we all were as a result. With the council, I’m looking forward to the networking opportunities and building new valuable relationships.” His advice to other MBEs: “Be passionate about
what you do, work hard and never give up. If you have these three elements, you’re destined for success.”
Supplier diversity biz
Karen Blackwell, Nestlé Karen Blackwell knows what it’s like to be a business owner trying to break through the doors of a major corporation and win a contract. She used to be one. Prior to becoming Nestlé’s manager of Supplier Diversity, North America in 2005, she had her own minority business enterprise (MBE)-certified consulting firm Karen Blackwell working as a lobbyist specializing in development. She also ran a federal Minority Business Opportunity Committee while serving as Assistant Deputy Mayor under Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, and oversaw business outreach for the Alameda Corridor for his predecessor, Mayor Richard Riordan. Blackwell’s experiences as an MBE, running a business resource center and working with diverse suppliers have served her well at Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, which includes such brands as Lean Cuisine, Nestlé Toll House, Purina PetCare, Dreyers, Arrowhead and Nescafé. She oversees Nestlé’s supplier diversity program, which includes working with thousands of women-, minority- veteran-owned and other small businesses across North America. Here are some of her observations on: Working with Nestlé. “We’re a global company and the largest food company in the world. Suppliers are best served when they understand the scope and breadth of our company. For example, often we are required to buy for the North American market, which includes Mexico and Canada. With this large footprint, our supply chain must adhere to very strict quality and pricing standards that the majority of small businesses will find difficult to meet. Often these companies may find that they are a better fit as a supplier if they focus on getting in at the 2nd or 3rd tier of the supply chain. “As a food manufacturing company, the bulk of our spending is in raw materials and packaging and we source these items globally. We typically do not use distributors because our volumes and responsible sourcing audits require that we interface directly with the companies providing the materials that are crucial to our operations.”
“I’m a big fan of NMSDC’s Corporate Plus program (see related story). It’s a great resource for connecting with MBEs with a proven track record and a way of working that demonstrates value to the customer that referred them into the program. I am always pleased to meet MBEs that have taken the risk, and shown the initiative and perseverance required to succeed. When I connect Corporate Plus MBEs and Nestlé buyers, I move forward with confidence knowing that both parties will find their interactions valuable.” Working with MBEs. “Diverse suppliers spend important time trying to get Fortune 500 companies to become clients. All too often it’s a sacrifice, because they do not have resources to dedicate to marketing. This means they put in extra hours to fulfill their obligations to their existing customers. Since time is the only resource that cannot be recovered once lost – we don’t encourage behaviors that waste their time. It’s important that MBEs understand that we value their time and encourage them to use it wisely.” The rewards of her job. “I’m happy I’ve had roles such as being the manager of Supplier Diversity and Development at Nestlé, where I help minority businesses grow and become more successful. It’s a great feeling to see business owners providing for their families and paying it forward by hiring from their communities and supporting local businesses. It’s a powerful story about working together for the common good.”
FCI achieves Corporate Plus status A sure sign that a minority business enterprise (MBE) has made it is when the firm achieves National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) Corporate Plus designation. And, FCI Management became the latest SCMSDC-certified business to join this elite group. The Long Beach-based firm, founded in 1998, is a full service energy/utility consulting company with a broad level of expertise in distribution and transmission, energy efficiency, project management and public affairs. In reaching Corporate Plus status, FCI has the proven capability to handle national contracts for major corporations. There are approximately 100 MBEs throughout the U.S. in this group in which membership is designed to recognize their national capabilities, bring them to the attention of national corporate members, and expand their participation in the NMSDC network. “I am ecstatic about this prestigious honor,” says FCI
Management Founder, President and CEO Pat Watts. “This recognition demonstrates that FCI has established itself as a company that services customers nationally. SCMSDC and NMSDC have been an integral part of the growth and development of our company, and I am looking forward to our induction as a Corporate Plus MBE at the national conference next month.” Each Corporate Plus member has a corporate sponsor. FCI's corporate sponsor is U.S. Bank. According to Fesha Buie of U.S. Bank Corporate Procurement - Supplier Diversity, “FCI has proven their ability to deliver projects across multiple states within our portfolio while remaining price competitive. It's a pleasure to promote a company that meets and exceeds their commitments. U.S. Bank believes in building businesses from within and support our business partnerships by building deeper relationships on multiple levels of engagement.”
Smart tips for MBEs
Striving for greater work-life balance Being your own boss means you have greater control over work-life balance, right? Not necessarily. In fact, when you’re running a business, you may face more challenges achieving this balance since you’re more likely to take on additional tasks and responsibilities. To ensure you stay healthy and happy, here are a few tips to help you strike the right work-life balance: • Have a schedule. Just as you schedule your business activities, it’s important to schedule leisure time with family and friends. All work and no play will make you a less effective boss and manager. Build in time for fun and relaxing activities -have a regular date night with your spouse or friends, or set aside a weekly activity with your kids. • Keep commitments. No matter how crazy things get at work, keep your outside commitments. Treat your personal schedule like your work schedule, and don’t cancel activities when the going gets tough. You will be happier in the short- and long-run that you kept these commitments. • Stay in the moment. Wherever you are, focused on whatever is right in front of you. means when you’re with family, don’t think about “to do” list at work. Remove distractions like smartphone and don’t try to multi-task.
stay This your your
• Be healthy. Get enough sleep, eat healthy foods
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and exercise. Take care of yourself so you have the energy and stamina to run your business and handle family matters. The constant push-pull of work and family life is taxing so the more energy you have, the better you can handle the world around you. • Learn to say no. Many business owners believe it’s a bad word, but saying ‘no’ can protect both your time and energy. And it doesn’t have to be used just for work, but also such things as turning down personal invitations or anything else that can impede on your time. It’s easy for work to overtake your life, but striking the right work-life balance will make you a more effective business owner in the long run. By doing so, you’ll avoid burnout and have a more fulfilling, happy life, and a more successful business.
News briefs SCMSDC participates in CPUC event SCMSDC President Virginia Gomez participated as a panelist in the California Public Utilities Commission’s 12th Annual Supplier Diversity En Banc on General Order 156, held at USC on October 9. Serving on a panel comprised of business chambers; small business associations; women, minority, service disabled and faith-based organizations, Gomez and other leaders shared perceptions on General Order 156, which encourages regulated utility and telecommunications companies to contract with businesses owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans.
Gov. signs bill opening door to LGBT firms Gov. Jerry Brown signed the first bill in the country to open the supply chain to LGBT-certified businesses. Starting in 2015, California public utilities will be required to expand their small business program to include not only minority-, women-, and service disabled veteran-owned enterprises, but also LGBT-certified firms. All public utilities with annual revenues exceeding $25 million will have an LGBT business enterprise goal. The business must be at least 51% owned and managed by an LGBT individual(s). The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) was instrumental in the bill’s passage and are the exclusive national third-party certification provider for those businesses that qualify as LGBT business enterprises.
JOIN SCMSDC Visit www.scmsdc.org to find out about Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, the MBE Health Insurance program, major networking events, business development programs and more!