Sheila N. Williams, DBE Program Mgr
City of Kansas City - Aviation Dept.
601 Brasilia Ave
Kansas City, MO 64153
Voice: 816-243-3108
Fax: 816-243-3207
MED WEEK - Buyer/Supplier Forum Wrap Up Notes
1. Stay focused
2. Don't look at your business as a minority business but simply as a business. The differentiator is not diversity but how your business fits into the company. The fact that you are an MBE is the cherry on top.
3. Be competitive in pricing
4. Use the mirror method. Are you professional? Is your team professional….they represent your business.
5. Bump Ideas off other business owners
6. Have a Strategic Business Plan and revisit it periodically
7. Reinvest
8. Take continuing education classes
9. Grow your customer base-diversify not only geographically but your products & services
10. Come to the table with ideas on how your business can help the corporate client.
11. Know how to properly decline an RFP.
12. Use a scorecard. This is a tool that is another mechanism to evaluate your success & your improvements for both the corporation and business owner.
13. Have open communication! You must keep the project manager abreast on any changes, delay etc.
14. Do your homework about companies you want to do business with.
15. Find a mentorship program. What areas do you need assistance in? Scalability? Growth?
