YOU DON’T GET THE SUMMER’S OFF?

Years ago in my youth some of the most intensely anticipated time of the year was when school dismissed for the summer months.  No more studying and homework.  It was 10 weeks of finishing my chores earlier and spending hours upon hours playing baseball or basketball with friends.  Equally anticipated were the days my mother would treat my siblings (9 brothers and sisters at the peak) and I to a picnic in the park.  We would often go to Mallory Park in Dayton, Ohio, where the pool would beckon all those brave enough to dive, or even jump, off the high diving board. This was before all the injuries and lawsuit forced city parks department to remove the diving boards and forbid any diving whatsoever.
                                                                               
Later as I matured a few of my friends and a couple of my siblings secured excellent positions in education and they too looked forward to the summer months as a time for more leisurely activities.  The education industry seemed to use the months of summer to rejuvenate and recharge; a time to slow down and take a deep breath and smell the roses.

By: Jesse Moore Purdue University

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Will the Stimulus Package Stimulate Minority Businesses?

The government will spend $499 Billion (the balance of the $787 Billion stimulus package are tax cuts and not actual spending) designed to stimulate the United States economy. Much of the money will be spent on construction and are elements of the package that include opportunities for a variety of industries including professional services companies, technology firms and training organizations. The big question among minority business owners is "will the stimulus package stimulate minority businesses?" The fair answer is we don't know but the signs are becoming clearer as the money starts to flow.

By: Melvin Gravely, The Diverse Business Dialogue, April, 2009

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Groups Want Diversity in Stimulus Hiring

A group of 50 advocacy organizations has asked President Barack Obama to issue an executive order that encourages the hiring and training of minorities, women and low-income residents to work on federal construction projects, particularly those funded by the economic stimulus package.

By: Tony Pugh, McClatchy Newspapers, April 9, 2009

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Governor outlines state’s stimulus energy conservation plan

March 20, 2009– Governor Mitch Daniels has announced that the state’s plan to use nearly $132 million in federal stimulus funding for energy conservation efforts that are 11 times the current annual program will be submitted to the federal government in the next few days.

“In using federal stimulus dollars, our template is speed, jobs, and lasting value.  In the conservation context, that means helping as many low-income Hoosiers as fast as possible while permanently reducing state energy consumption by the equivalent of one small power plant every 10 years,” said Daniels.

http://www.in.gov/gov/3047.htm

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Bigger Profits Through Targeted Sales Workshop

Offered by the Supplier Diversity Development Coalition of Greater Lafayette

Bigger Profits through Targeted Sales workshop is a one day, hands on program that focuses on marketing and sales on two different dates.  These workshops coach each participant to create their own strategic action plan for marketing and sales – that they can implement into their own business immediately. 

The workshops will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 and June 24, 2009 on the campus of Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette, Indiana.  To find out how you can develop your individualized marketing strategies, new and refined selling skills, and new business contacts, please visit our website at: https://www.agecon.purdue.edu/cab/newventures/biggerprofits2009/.

 

The Five Myths of Minority Business Development

The Five Myths of Minority Business Development

Observing and studying business development over the past 15 years from the perspective of an MBE, a consultant and a professor in an Executive MBA program, there are a number of myths that are repeated so often that they take on the status of truth. Well like all myths, there is some truth in the story, but it largely is a fiction. Over the next five weeks, I want to discuss and identify five myths which coincidentally all begin with the letter C. These five myths are:

• The myth that the lack of capacity is a (the) major reason why MBEs are not succeeding
• The myth that certification is sufficient to earn you business with corporate and public sector organizations
• The myth that the lack of capital is a (the) major reason why MBEs fail
• The myth that companies love competition; and
• The myth that corruption explains the distribution of public sector contracts

By: Greater New England Council Newsletter, June 1, 2009
Printed with Permission by Dr. Fred McKinney

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The Elements of A Business Plan: First Steps for New Entrepreneurs

By organizing your thoughts on a possible business venture into a business plan, you begin the process of creating a successful enterprise. This publication addresses common questions about business plans and then discusses what is included in the major sections of a business plan. At the end, it also describes a number of common errors made when developing a business plan.

By: Cole Ehmke and Jay Akridge, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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NAWBO NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2009 NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS' DRAGOO SELECTED TO NAWBO NATIONAL BOARD President and CEO of RepuCare to represent Indiana   INDIANAPOLIS - Billie Dragoo, president and CEO of RepuCare, one of Indiana's largest and fastest growing specialty healthcare staffing providers has been selected to serve on the national board of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).   Since joining the Indianapolis chapter of NAWBO more than 10 years ago, Dragoo has been instrumental in the organization's growth and success. Often identified as an architect of the Indianapolis chapter, Dragoo led the chapter through an unprecedented membership increase during her term as president. She is currently a member of the NAWBO-Indianapolis Board of Directors.   Dragoo's appointment to the national board stems from her unique ability to cultivate legislative relationships across the state of Indiana. As founder and chair of the Indiana Women Business Owner's (IWBO) Political Action Committee, she is always on the front lines advocating for M/WBEs. Her bi-partisan efforts have propelled women business owners to the forefront of numerous high profile opportunities, which had once been relegated to their male counterparts around the state.   "The efforts of NAWBO-Indianapolis have been cited as best practices around the nation," said Dragoo. "We are honored to know that many chapters are utilizing NAWBO-Indianapolis' efforts as a roadmap for success. That, in itself, speaks volumes about our chapter's members and our commitment to the NAWBO mission."   Dragoo is the first business owner from Indiana selected to serve on the national board in its 34-year history. Dragoo will begin her two-year term following the board of directors' installation ceremony scheduled to take place during NAWBO's Women's Business Conference 2009 in Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, June 24. MEDIA CONTACT: MaryKay Scott | Chapter Administrator | (317) 608-0252 | mscott@nawboindy.org ABOUT NAWBO-INDIANAPOLIS The National Association of Women Business Owners propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. As an organization with a "customer first" philosophy, we: STRENGTHEN the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development; CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture; BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion makers. NAWBO® and Women Mean Business® are registered trademarks of the National Association of Women Business Owners.

 

In The Spot Light

On April 14-15, 2009 The Indiana Minority Supplier Development Council (IMSDC) held its annual Supplier Diversity Conference and Indiana Business Opportunity Fair.  The event was held at the Indiana Convention Center and the Office of Supplier Diversity Development was there with a few goals (1) visit with diverse business interested in doing business with Purdue University, (2) market the Bigger Profits Through Targeted Sales Workshop and (3) and get feedback  from diverse businesses.  We asked one question, which outreach format do you believe will offer your organization the most value? Option 1, an annual MBE/WBE Vendor Fair where businesses can showcase their products and/or service capabilities to the Purdue Community. The format would be open and would be advertised to the entire campus community or, Option 2, a Vendor Showcase that would be small sessions held Quarterly for businesses to present their products/services to department heads, business managers and Deans of various Colleges and Schools.  This event would be by invitation only with an audience of 50 or less.  Of the 24 people who participated in the survey 16 felt that the MBE/WBE Vendor Fair format would offer them the most value for their time.

Attendees completing surveys also received the chance to win a set of tickets to the Purdue University vs. Northern Illinois football game on September 19, 2009 compliments of the Purdue Athletics Department.  The winners are Bret Hardin of Distribution One, LLC and Junior Jabbie of Banneker Industries, Inc.  Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey and stopped by the booth. 

By: Lynnise Smith, Purdue University

Bret Hardin Distributino One, LLC				Junior Jabbe Banneker Industries, Inc.

 

Kudos:

Rob Mutzl & Betsy Spencer of JR Kelly Company, Inc. contacted OSDD for assistance with identifying qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises who could potentially partner on the Lilly Hall Renovation project & the Lynn Hall Renovation at Purdue University.

Linda McMann of Integra Construction, Inc. contacted OSDD for assistance with identifying qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises who could potentially partner on the Lilly Hall Renovation project at Purdue University.

Brett Patterson, Project Manager for Kettelhut Construction, Inc. contacted OSDD for assistance with identifying qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises who could potentially partner on the Lilly Hall Renovation at Purdue University.

Brent Mather, Senior Project Manager for Brenner Design contacted OSDD for assistance with identifying qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises who could potentially partner on various projects throughout the state of Indiana.

Keystone Construction recently completed their MBE certification.

Keisha Smith & Bill Bailey of Davis and Associates and JR Hudson of Turner & Davis for their continuous efforts to identify qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises to participate on the Mackey Arena Renovation & Additions project. 

Cornelius Harper, Clarence Lyles and Donte Adams of IGS Distributing were featured in the March 2009 edition of Black Enterprise.

Steve Habben, President of Kettlehut Construction, Inc. contacted OSDD for assistance with identifying qualified minority and women-owned business enterprises who could potentially partner on the Windsor Hall Renovation Phase III - Shealy Hall - Renovation project.

Congratulations are in Order:

Congrats to Cornelius Harper, Clarance Lyles and Donte Adams of IGS Distributing! Cornelius, Clarance & Donte were featured as a Business on the Move in the March 2009 edition of Black Enterprise.

Congrats to Mark Rosemond of Bar Flooring! Bar Flooring was just named the successful subcontractor for Wilhelm Construction on bid 02-01A-2009 (South Addition and Renovation, Site Work and Utilities) for Mackey Arena.

Congrats to Ersal Ozdemir of Keystone Construction! On January 19, 2009 Keystone Construction was certified as an MBE with the State of Indiana.

Purdue's own Linda Kelly, of Purchasing Services was honored with a Buyer of the Year Award at the 2009 Indiana Business Opportunity Fair. Linda's nomination was a result of her service and support to Netwise/Lafayette Office Systems, a MBE located in Tippecanoe County. Congratulations Linda!