Business to Business
Minority and Small Business Development Program
In 2003, Chamber leaders re-established a Minority Business Development program. The goal of the program is to arm minority and women business owners with the tools necessary to compete on a larger scale. Another goal is to stimulate business relationships between small, minority and women-owned businesses and major employers.
Objectives of Business to Business
- To assist small, minority and women business-owners in developing a greater understanding and appreciation for the pre-requisites and requirements for procuring business with medium to large-sized organizations and companies.
- To introduce strategies for small businesses to increase the size and amount of contracts for which small, minority and women-owned companies can compete.
- To develop a full understanding and appreciation for the local certification process, as well as the other certifications that are available to minority and women-owned companies.
- To address any “unique” issues associated with minority business development.
- To provide resources to assist small, minority and women-owned businesses in becoming successful.
Each element of the Chamber's Minority Business Development Program is underwritten by Jackson Energy Authority. All services are free to local small, minority and women company-owners. Local is defined as Madison County and its contiguous counties, plus McNairy County. Jackson Energy Authority began its own Local Small Business Diversity Program (LSBDP) in 1999 in an effort to increase its supplier diversity. In 2008, Jackson Energy Authority and teh Chamber formally merged their existing diversity programs to form the new Business to Business program. B2B is open to all certified small, minority and women-owned businesses.
Below are the various components of the Minority Business Development Program:
Training Opportunities
Several educational sessions are held throughout the year on a variety of topics including Marketing, Finance and Doing Business with Major Employers. These seminars incorporate numerous elements including: licensing, bonding, certification, insurance, bid requests, requests for proposal, negotiating prices, joint ventures, strategic alliances, cash-flow management, receivable financing, advertising, sales calls, networking and sales referrals.
Certification
The certification process recognizes excellence in business standards. Many large companies will only do business with certified companies. Being certified sends a message of credibility and competence to those wanting to do business with a company. In order to qualify for certification, a company must meet at least one of the following three classifications:
- Must be at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a minority or a group of minorities who are African American, Native American, Hispanic American or Asian-Pacific American. Owners, operators and controllers must be United States Citizens.
- A woman-owned business is at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by a woman or a group of women who are United States citizens.
- Must be a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration.
In addition, the certification ensures that all necessary licenses and paperwork are in order and an on-site visit is made by Infinite Consulting. This process is free. For more information, contact Tina Mercer, Infinite Consulting, 731-298-4002.
Directory
A directory of area minority and women-owned businesses is available. These are distributed to area major employers, other minority companies, and others. The directories are distributed to area major employers, other minority companies, and others. The 2008 directory will soon be available.
Networking
B2B has been extremely successful in creating opportunities for small, minority and women business-owners to network with each other, as well as with other businesses. Each seminar, training session, roundtable, luncheon, etc., offers a superb networking environment and an opportunity for people to make contacts and share product or service information with others outside the normal business circle.
If you would like more information about the B2B program, please contact Mandy White at 731-423-2200 or email mwhite@jacksontn.com.
