MWBE SUCCESS TIP: How to Identify Your Target Audience
If you are like many small, minority and women owned businesses you may be reluctant to defining a niche market for business or limiting yourself to going after contracts of a certain size and scope. Many business owners feel that by carving out a target client profile that they may …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS – Differentiate through Certification & Self-Branding
Certification is a powerful tool for disadvantaged, small, minority and woman owned firms to increase opportunities with government agencies and large corporations. That said, all too often I see certified businesses really struggling with how to use certification; they are frustrated and often give up before seeing any real results …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS TIP: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
You may find this hard to believe, I did at first, but if you want to really grow and take your business to the next level, you can’t do it alone. You need support and you need help. The key decision for MWBE firms is where do we get help …
Read MoreHOW TO DEVELOP AN EFFECTIVE COST ESTIMATING STRATEGY FOR GOVERNMENT BIDS
The basis for developing an effective cost estimating strategy starts with a good business plan. A well thought out business plan will force you to consider key elements that are the foundation of cost estimating that includes cash flow projections, budgets, profit margins and sales goals. In my opinion, it …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS TIP: BE CLEAR ABOUT YOUR CAPACITY
I remember years ago when I first got certified as a minority and woman owned business enterprise (MWBE), I was so excited; I literally thought the sky was the limit. I remember downloading various lists of buyers and sending out several mailings announcing my certification and providing an overview of …
Read MoreMWBE SUCCESS: 5 TIPS FOR INCREASING SALES IN 2015
Analyze Sales from 2014: taking into consideration where sales are coming from, profitability and activities that are contributing or not contributing to results. What is the return on investment from your marketing, business and networking activities? Are you doing what is necessary to drive sales? If not, what is holding …
Read More5 Tips for Follow up – 8th Annual NYC Procurement Fair
I was truly inspired yesterday after attending the NYC Procurement Fair as Mayor DeBlasio and members of the MWBE team shared their deep connections to entrepreneurship and diversity. I am always energized and grateful for the opportunity to connect with government buyers, gather information and network with other MWBEs – …
Read MoreMWBE DISPARITY STUDY
I am sure you are all aware of published MWBE disparity studies and reports that indicate in many instances large corporations and some government agencies wrongly assume that MWBEs are incompetent, lack capacity and resources to provide the level of service they require. As certified MWBES, we need to be …
Read MoreCAN HIRING A PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM IMPACT MWBE SUCCESS?
I’ll never forget the best piece of advice I received from Angela Jia Kim, owner of Om Aroma Spa and Savor the Success, when I asked the question, “Should I hire a PR firm?” Angela shared that at times she had multiple PR agencies working for her, and that PR …
Read MoreMWBE CERTIFICATION REQUIRES STRATEGY
In my interview with Adrienne Mitchell of MarketWatch Radio, I talk about the importance of having strategy to maximize your certification. Here are some of the highlights of the discussion. Know Your Capacity: all too often I see MWBES trying to go from zero to a million overnight and that’s …
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