Central and South Texas Minority Business Council
March 26, 2008
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
March 26, 2008
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
March 26, 2008
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.
Burst out of your comfort zone
March 26, 2008
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
March 26, 2008
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
March 26, 2008
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
Early 20th century dollars translate to modern-day diversity at Ford Motor Co.
March 12, 2008
What can you do with $5 per day? For the average American, the answer to this question may entail buying a gallon of milk, getting a car wash, or purchasing lunch from a favorite fast food restaurant. But in 1914, $5 per day took on a different meaning for a gentleman by the name of Henry Ford, Read more
Leveraging the WEB to optimize supplier management
February 11, 2008
When Tom Y. Ren and his wife Lily Xiong first got Houston-based AECsoft USA Inc. rolling in the late 1990s, they were doing it primarily as a hobby. At the time both were working as programmers for industry. Read more
NMSDC: Delivering Results
February 11, 2008
In October 2007, the National Minority Supplier Development Council recognized United Parcel Service Inc. with its prestigious Corporation of the Year Award at the 35th anniversary Awards Gala capping its annual conference. Read more
National chair offers advise, outlook for MBEs
February 11, 2008
MBN USA recently talked to James Staton, who has been reelected as chairman of the National Minority Supplier Development Council’s National Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee, to find out how the NMBEIC faired in 2007 and what its plans are for this year. Staton is also president of Debriants Office Services Inc. Read more
