MBN 100 - List Dynamics

As the national economy has continued to falter, consumer and corporate spending alike have a understandably dropped across the board. And, unfortunately, small businesses are often hit the hardest. However, as the MBN 100 list of Top Minority Businesses clearly shows, the downward economic trend does not necessarily mean a gloomy forecast. Read more

GUIDING PRINCIPLES - Core values, vision, leadership create culture of MBE success

As the business marketplace undergoes a metamorphosis into a global landscape, the recipe for entrepreneurial success has changed significantly. While the new environment is ripe with opportunity, it also sports a far broader level of competition and an intensity that demands an edge to succeed. With this in mind, there are few better ways for entrepreneurs to learn than by example. Watching, listening and learning from people who have been in the trenches gives valuable insight into what to do and what to avoid. Read more

The Working Group

Theories suggesting a possible downturn in supplier diversity dominate many discussions among members of the Working Group these days. Not that supplier diversity has gone the way of cathode ray-tube televisions, but with the economy spiraling downward and minority-owned companies closing doors, combined with corporations condensing supplier lists and turning to global outsourcing, these are not the best of times for many businesses. Read more

Pinnacle Technical Resources and EDS — one year later

With a focus on technology, cost savings and delivery of unrivaled service, Dallas-based Pinnacle Technical Resources grew from a $300 investment in 1996 to a business with more than $250 million in annual revenue today. Much of that success resulted from a key partnership with EDS. Read more

The Graves Doctrine A Bold Strategy to Embrace Diversity at American Airlines

With over 80,000 employees, serving 240 cities around the world, launching 900 flights into the skies and serving a quarter of a million customers daily, American Airlines has done more than become the world’s largest airline. The Fort Worth, TX-based subsidiary of AMR Corp. has thoroughly embraced what it means to fully incorporate the power of diversity into the fabric of its culture – a concept that has the firm at the leading edge of making diversity a core business value. Read more

PRWT acquires Merck plant, becomes lone MBE pharmaceutical manufacturer

Companies buy other companies all the time, so it appeared to be business as usual on the day PRWT Services, Inc. completed its acquisition of Cherokee Pharmaceuticals from Merck & Co. Inc. True, it was a long and arduous process, from due diligence to signing on the dotted line. Even Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell personally recognized the deal as a good one. Read more

Building on a legacy

IBM’s Michael Robinson earns NMSDC’s Minority Supplier Development Leader of the Year award

On any given day, you will find Michael Robinson within the walls of the IBM Corporation ardently responding to phone calls and e-mails, participating in internal meetings, and working with procurement councils. Robinson devotes his time to educating both his internal and external customers as he mentors his teams to help them reach pre-determined goals. Read more

A supplier diversity roundtable discussion with P&G

Don McKneely, founder and CEO of Busi­ness News Group, recently had the opportu­nity to sit down with Procter & Gamble’s Keith Harrison, global product supply offi­cer; Rick Hughes, vice president, global pur­chases; and Read more

Tony Brown reinforces Ford’s commitment to diverse suppliers

MBN USA recently had the opportunity to talk to Tony Brown, senior vice president, global purchasing, Ford Motor Co. The discussion focused on the company’s continuation of its legacy of diversity and inclusion and how minority suppliers can remain viable in the global environment. He also touched on the future of Ford. Read more