How Long Does It Take?

Last week we fielded three calls about getting diversity certified, and while each caller had very specific questions they all had one in common — how long will it take me to get certified?   These calls come from business owners who want to get certified for a particular reason; usually because an opportunity they want…

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Less Stress Through Proof Reading

Preparing the application for SDMWVBE (Small, Disadvantaged, Minority, Women or Veteran Business Enterprise) certification can be pretty stressful for a variety of reasons. We live and breathe our businesses first.  Certification is a tool that we use to serve our customers and expand our markets.  But, in a process that seems alien and out of…

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Less Stress, Complex Questions

Complex and compound certification application questions can really amp up the stress level. Make sure you understand the questions before you answer them. When in doubt, don’t try to interpret. Pick up the phone, or email account, and ask!

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Getting Certified

It has been interesting to learn how business owners decide to get certified. Like much else in business, it appears to be recommendation based.

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Wishing and Hoping

I often wonder how many MWBE suppliers are listed in these random corporate and government databases. And, how does Supplier Diversity actually use these registration systems? I think all we diverse suppliers really want is an opportunity to bid competitively to provide our goods or services.

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The VOSB Verification Program

In October of 2010 President Obama signed the Veteran Owned Small Business Verification Act, a law that requires the status of firms to be confirmed as owned and operated by Veterans, Service-Disable Veterans or an eligible surviving spouse; assuring that these business are indeed eligible for VOSB (Veteran Owned Small Business) contract set asides.

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Introducing the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program

Back in October 2010 the United States Small Business Administration finalized its WOSB Rule to start a new Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program, after a study from the Kauffman-RAND Foundation found 83 industries (based on NAICS codes) where women-owned small businesses were being underrepresented. Beginning Friday, February 4th 2011 the WOSB Federal Contract Program implementation will move forward and it is anticipated the first contracts will be awarded in the fourth quarter of 2011.

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Spotlight on NWBOC

The National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) was created in 1995 with the stated goal of increasing competition for women owned businesses in both the private and public sector.

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