NY/NJ MSDC welcomes leading state officials to Business Opportunity Expo 2008

New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Commissioner John Egan of the New York State Office of General Services cut the ribbon to open the Trade Fair section of the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council’s Business Opportunity Expo 2008, held June 2 -3 at the New York Marriott Marquis. Read more

AT&T SMB-specific programs cited as differentiators in marketplace

In recognition of its strategy to provide small businesses withthe same high level of service as larger enterprise customers, AT&T Inc. was rated favorably in a recent comprehensive analysis of wireless carriers by leading telecommunicationsconsultant IDC. Read more

Highsmith finds a niche and takes it for miles

When Carlton L. Highsmith founded Hamden,Conn.-based Specialized Packaging Group Inc. in 1983, he quickly identified the wonderful opportunities existing within the packagingindustry. However, at that time, there was no way of knowing he would be able to build thecompany to its current level. Read more

Warrior Group: Challenging traditional construction

Warrior Group has risen to the top of the industry. As a certified small business, Warrior Group grew revenues more than 150 percent over the last few years. Read more

Construction CEO Arcilia Acosta dispenses entrepreneurial knowledge, skills to help others

Illustrations of Don Quixote figure prominently in the otherwisesimple décor of Arcilia Acosta’s office on Ambassador Row in Dallas. Quixote, Cervantes’ early 17th century idealist hero, refusedto abandon his dreams despite popular sentiment they were unattainable.Acosta did attain her dreams and, in quixotic fashion, she uses hersuccess to accomplish a greater good. Read more

Supplying the global economy

How does minority supplier development fit into strategic planning process of corporations?

That was the topic of a workshop heldat the National Minority SupplierDevelopment Council Conference and Business Opportunity Fair last October in Miami. With the theme, “Building the Global Economy of Tomorrow Today,” the NMSDC held a number of workshops targeted at minority business enterprises and corporatesupplier diversity professionals. Read more

Group O grows bigger and better in Texas

As an organization grows, whether through acquisitions or pure organics, the exercise affords the firm the ability to provide its client base the best service. However, determining when and where it is appropriate to expand is often a delicate and strategicdecision, one related directly to customer satisfaction. And, as many business owners know, this satisfaction is not only the result of putting forth a solid offering, but it is equally representative of the organization’s ability to maintain a working culture. Read more

For the conscientious MBE, 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. After all, regardless of what market sectors are hot at any given point, one constant remains - there will always be a need for energy. To this point, Framingham, Mass.-based Energy Insights recently released its top 10 predictions for North American utilities in 2008, which has unearthed true areas of need and potential opportunityfor engagement of minority- and women-owned business enterprises. Read more

SuStainability: Is your talk, your walk?

When it comes to sustainability, there are a lot of companies that have caught on to the rising consumer demand for more environmentally friendly products and services, but have missed the related call for that same business to be operated in an environmentally and socially responsible way. In other words, how do you respond when the question is raised “are you walking the talk” of sustainability? The Cone Inc. 2007 environmental survey reports consumers overwhelmingly (69 percent or higher) expect a business to operate in an environmentally sound and socially responsible way, as well as offer products and services that reflect this same environmental sensitivity. Read more

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