GM’s little blue button delivers big on safety and security

In a day and age where people are constantly on the go — spending more time traveling by car than ever before — it is important to have a number of tools within reach. Seeing the need for travel assistance and increased safety, General Motors founded OnStar in 1995. The automotive giant’s invehicle safety and security system, OnStar has rapidly become known as the little blue button, which is now available on more than 50 GM 2007-and-later models. Read more

Central and South Texas Minority Business Council

While the Central & South Texas Minority Business Council is still relatively young — it was formed in 1999 and affiliated with the NMSDC in 2000 – its leadership has not allowed its youth get in the way. “Our expansion has been a blur, but because we had the right staff managed by our [vice president and chief operating officer] Eva Leos, the strongest corporate members, the best motivated MBEs and the absolute greatest working board of directors,” said President Dinah Lovett, “our success has seemed almost like we were charmed. Read more

Influential African-American leaders serving on Texas boards

The message is clear. If the national economy is to flourish, a diverse talent pool must be assembled to help guide the best practice procedures among Fortune 500 corporations, public sector agencies, institutions of higher education, the government and non government organizations. These entities understand that diversity is the fabric by which we live, grow and prosper and as a result, they look to minority participation at the board of directors to help connect with a diverse community and customer base.

A recent study conducted by Spencer Stuart, a global executive recruiting firm, showed that of the 2,357 directors at the top 200 S&P 500 companies, 15 percent are minorities. The 2006 Board Diversity Report also found that 90 percent of S&P 200 companies had at least one minority director. CEOs see the value in looking at those with diverse backgrounds to broaden the perspective with regard to core business initiatives.

Bringing awareness to the forward-thinking practices wheeled in motion by public and private entities, MBN Texas magazine has compiled The Influential African-American Leaders in Texas, a sampling of African-American leaders serving on Texas-based boards of directors. Influencing change – diversifying leadership – and building a better tomorrow, these individuals are impacting policy at the highest levels. They are making a difference in the way these entities conduct business, giving a voice to the communities they serve.

ACCESS 2008: retooled and reloaded

With an agenda showcasing minority business enterprises and providing face-to-face meeting time with corporate buyers and decision makers, the ACCESS 2008 business networking event looks to be the most dynamic in the 35 years of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Council.

Along with co-chairs from American Airlines, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Business News Group, the council is making big changes to this year’s ACCESS, scheduled for May 5-6 at the Arlington Convention Center.

The council is dedicated to offering attendees a program that soars beyond the traditional trade show. This year’s event has been completely revamped, from the floor space to how the event will be conducted. “This year, ACCESS is going to be more dynamic than ever,” said John Rau, ACCESS cochair and managing director of purchasing for American Airlines.“ACCESS is different this year because we are going to feature the MBEs and ensure they are showcased and given numerous networking opportunities throughout the day.”

A twist on the old format, certain areas and time slots will be dedicated to each industry group, ensuring that time spent at the event will be tailored to meet individual MBE and corporate sustaining members’ needs, Rau added.

“At American Airlines, we are excited that we will have designated times to bring in our buyers for a specific product or service grouping,” said Sherri Macko, manager for supplier diversity at American Airlines.“We feel that we will be able to get more buyers to the event by knowing exactly when they should be there. We think the focus on MBEs at this year’s event will prove to be a win/win.”

The changes in this year’s format are based on input from past attendees, Rau said. In developing the new concept, the planning committee considered many issues. “We also looked at the feedback that was provided in last year’s survey and we took the suggestions seriously,” he added.“We knew that we needed to change it up quite a bit.

We also knew that we were charged with blazing a trail that would determine the success of this event in 2008 and beyond.”

With a goal of creating a bold effort to attract recurring as well as new attendees, the new format provides a vehicle for sustaining members to make great connections, Rau explained.

“Corporations and the public sector agencies are looking to source minorities, and minorities in business want to access that potential business,” said Margo J. Posey, council president.

“As a public entity, [D/FW Airport is] always interested in making sure we have provided an opportunity for our community to bid and participate in opportunities at the airport,” said Don O’Bannon, ACCESS co-chairman and vice president of Small and Emerging Business for D/FW Airport. “This is a venue in which we’re able to identify potential vendors and bring them information about what is going on at the airport and get them involved in some of our contracting opportunities.”

During the allotted times, MBEs may receive spot bids with state agencies at the event, Posey said. “We’ve encouraged agencies to bring projects to be bid on at ACCESS. On one day, we will schedule MBEs to go through and talk with the contracting agencies, whether they are state or private,” Posey said.

“We asked them to bring a list of their needs and they can even accept bids at the event and award them before the end of the show.”

The various industry groups will be split in segments, so MBEs can pick the specific groups they’re most likely to do business with, she pointed out. “We want them to have the opportunity to come out and leave with a bid,” Posey added.

“We want to connect the right buyers with the right suppliers. Acalendar will be available to those registered to attend, and we’ll schedule buyers in specific industry groups at certain times.”

“The main objective is to get the quality face time with corporations from across the country and in the Metroplex,” said Don McKneely, ACCESS co-chair and president/ CEO of Business News Group Publications. “Hopefully the big businesses will have some vendors to bring them new product.”

Breaking tradition from a standard lunch program, this year will feature testimonials from corporations and individuals who have benefited from their relationship with the council over its 35 years, McKneeley said. “It will be very inspiring, and everyone will be pumped.”

There is a different concept for the floor, too, Posey explained.

“People can leave the big booth at home,” she said. “We’re taking a back-to-basics approach, encouraging people to bring the people for opportunities.” Those wishing to participate in the event need to pre-register by contacting the council at www.dfwmbdc.com or 214-630-0747.

BNSF awards diverse suppliers

BNSF Railway honored two top diverse suppliers during a recent ceremony held at its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Multatech Engineering Inc. received the Distinguished Supplier Award, and Zones Inc. was honored as Newcomer of the Year. Dennis Johnson, BNSF vice president and chief sourcing officer, presented the awards.

Multatech, a certified Hispanic-owned minority business enterprise, has been a BNSF supplier for many years, starting as a mechanical/engineering/ plumbing subcontractor. With increased business, the company has expanded as a design and construction management firm. Multatech is BNSF’s largest dollar- volume MBE supplier.

Zones is a direct marketing reseller of information technology products. The relationship began when BNSF purchased desktop and laptop hardware from Zones as a test. BNSF has also purchased other items from Zones, including printers and 40” liquid crystal displays. BNSF also uses Zones for information technology spot buys. Asubsidiary of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, BNSF Railway Company operates one of the largest North American rail networks, with about 32,000 route miles in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is an industry leader in Web-enabling a variety of customer transactions. To learn more about BNSF visit the Web site: www.bnsf.com.

Toyota appoints Diversity Advisory Board members Greater Houston Partnership recognizes greatests

AUSTIN – Toyota’s North American Diversity Advisory Board welcomed three new members, including Gilbert Casellas, vice president of corporate responsibility for Dell Inc., during its 18th annual Opportunity Exchange minority business conference and trade fair. The advisory board, formed nearly six years ago, provides outside perspective and guidance to Toyota and establishes clear goals for the company’s efforts and commitment to nurturing inclusion and diversity in the workplace.

New advisory board members also include Phyllis Campbell, president and CEO of The Seattle Foundation, and James Lowry, senior adviser for the Boston Consulting Group.

Current member and former Secretary of Labor, Alexis Herman, one of the nation’s most recognized thought leaders in strategic corporate diversity, will continue to chair the advisory board. The eight-member advisory board also includes retired Federal Appellate Judge Nathaniel Jones; former Congressman and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp; former Congresswoman Susan Molinari; and former Transportation and Energy Secretary Federico Peña.

“Toyota believes that diversity and inclusion are essential to our long-term success,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. “Our Diversity Advisory Board’s invaluable guidance, service and dedication for the past half decade have led to a number of significant achievements for our company. The board is imperative to our efforts, helping move us forward in the right direction.”

The advisory board meets regularly with senior management several times a year and provides objective advice and guidance to the highest levels of Toyota’s North American management with respect to the content, implementation and further development of Toyota’s 21st Century Diversity Strategy.

About the new members:

Gilbert Casellas
Casellas oversees Dell’s global diversity, sustainability and corporate philanthropy functions. He previously served as chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, general counsel for the U.S. Department of the Air Force and co-chairman of the U.S. Census Monitoring Board.
Phyllis Campbell
Campbell previously served as president of U.S. Bank of Washington from 1993 to 2001. She has received many prestigious awards for her community service work, including the Woman Who Makes a Difference Award from the International Women’s Forum and, in 2006, the Lifetime Achievement Award from City Year.
James Lowry

Lowry leads the Boston Consulting Group’s Chicago office in its firm’s workforce diversity, ethnic marketing and minority business development consulting efforts. He has hosted two nationally syndicated TV programs, “Inside Bedford Stuyvesant” and “Minority Business Report.” Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, chairman of The City of Chicago Library system board and was recently inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame.

Burst out of your comfort zone

How often have you listened as someone rationalized his or her mishandling of a problem by externalizing its source? This person might say something like, I can’t meet my quota because, My territory is too small, or Our prices are too high. Read more

Energy and utilities spark alternative opportunities

As the one sector that literally fuels the world’s economic engine, the energy market has seen an increased level of attention in recent years and rightfully so. Read more

Automotive Heroes find Toyota opportunities

When Toyota decided to open a new production plant in San Antonio, Texas, for its popular Tundra pick up trucks, the dynamic automaker made clear its intentions to follow a model it knew would yield success. The firm made a commitment to form strategic relationships with an array of suppliers willing to establish on-site operations. Read more

Mcompany pays tribute to executive leadership

The 11th annual Mcompany Awards, celebrating “Executive Leadership in Supply Chain Diversity and Inclusion, was recently held at the Tower Club in downtown Dallas’ Thanksgiving Tower. Each year, Mcompany fulfills its mission in paying tribute and honor to outstanding entrepreneurs, corporations, organizations, public entities, individuals and advocates. Read more

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