Supplier diversity Programs assist in finding & getting diversified suppliers

Corporate diversity programs can be a good technique to obtain contracts from the Fortune 500 companies. The majority of corporate giants contain a diversity division and they exist to help your small business.

Corporate diversity departments assist in finding and getting diversified suppliers outside of the corporation. They are going to help your small business in getting work from the company. Realize that these companies don't operate the same as the government's minority programs. They most likely will not have contracts just for a minority certified business. Although, a few times they may have government specifications in their contracts to use minority businesses. However, these opportunities are regularly managed in the different divisions within the same corporation. So, they may request a list of minority vendors from the diversity department or they may look for the right vendors on their own.

Supplier diversity programs will not have the ability to take you to the Chairman of the Board in a person's initial visit. Yet, upon developing a partnership they might be able to get you an appointment with a department VP or some other decision maker. These diversity departments are fantastic at providing an introduction to somebody that has purchasing power. This can be significantly better than looking for the appropriate individual from the outside of the company. These programs are an excellent source of insider tips too.

An important component to getting corporate contracts is the follow-up. Following the first appointment mail a note or a card saying you appreciated the time and consideration. After that, begin seeking for reasons to stay in contact. As with all marketing endeavors, your goal is to be kept in their thoughts. They will be busy with other vendors but your goal will to be their favorite. The next step is then to begin relationships with other departments in the company.

Learn more about corporate diversity programs. A person can find information about a niche business too, like Native American business. Visit the links to find out more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darryl_Noble

==> Watch recent Supplier Diversity webinar by Steve Larson, here==> http://a3.video3.blip.tv/0280008566499/Louisgreenmmsdc-201108161206WEBINAR_SupplierDiversityBestPracticesELearni682.wmv?brs=128&bri=4.8

Define, Promote & Live Your Powerful Personal Brand

Hear Lethia Owens on Diverse Business show

Listen to internet radio with Diverse Business on Blog Talk Radio

"You have the real potential for creating a powerful and exciting distinction that fascinates, inspires, rewards and engages others to become advocates of who you are and what you offer of value." Genece Hamby

What is Personal Branding?

Every day, everywhere you go and in everything you do, whether at work or at home, you are telling the world about yourself, your values, your goals and your skills. You are defining your personal brand. Your personal brand is composed of the expectations, perceptions and emotions that people associate with you. According to personal branding expert Nick Nichols, your personal brand is the firm impression or fixed image that comes to mind when people think of you. A personal brand is the mental picture that people conjure up when your name is mentioned.

Can you articulate, in 35 words or less, what unique value you deliver to your supervisor? If you answered ‘NO.”, you are among many professionals who aren’t leveraging the power of personal branding to enhance their career. If you can't authentically and clearly explain your value to your supervisor, how can you expect them to understand it and appreciate it?

My most requested keynote is entitled, “Building the Brand Called You: Creating an Indispensable Personal Brand!” Companies are realizing the benefits of helping their employees see themselves as an individual brand.

They are starting to acknowledge that self-realized employees work more efficiently and innovatively and are secure enough in their abilities to welcome teamwork. A personal brand communicates the value an individual brings to the table.

Each of us brings unique gifts and talents that can be used to make valuable contributions in our personal and professional lives. This is why the concept of personal branding works. Developing your own personal brand is not about winning a popularity contest. There's no cookie cutter solution or set of behaviors or theories you can just take over from other successful people. That would not be considered being authentic to your true self. It would be in a sense false advertising because you are pretending to be someone you're not. Being an original ‘You’ is far more valuable than being a first-rate imitation of someone else. Wouldn’t you agree that an original Picasso painting is far more precious than a brand new lithograph of the same painting? Your personal brand must be the product of authentic self-examination, or it simply won’t work.

If you know yourself inside out, your strengths and weaknesses, you can begin to value yourself. You will then be able to articulate your value and effectively demonstrate your skills, attitudes, beliefs, sense of worth, and the breadth of possibilities within you. When you know your strengths and the value of your contributions, you will be able to develop a personal brand that reflects the person you desire to share with the world. Whether it is inspiring others through your servant leadership skills (a leadership philosophy in which the leader serves the people he/she leads by encouraging collaboration, trust, foresight, listening, and the ethical use of power and empowerment), using your communication skills to nail that sales presentation or listen to a troubled family member or friend, or simply demonstrating to colleagues, clients, and superiors just how much more you have to offer, you are building your brand, one action at a time.

Peter Montoya, author of The Brand Called You, describes your personal brand as “a personal identity that stimulates precise, meaningful perceptions in its audience about the values and qualities that person stands for.” I often use the phrase, “What you see is what you get!” when describing myself. As you consider your own personal brand, work hard to ensure that what people see is what you want them to get.

Success and wealth love action.

Begin the process for attracting phenomenal success and wealth into your life by implementing what you have just learned. Start with these easy three steps:

1) Imagine your business being better by implementing the strategies you just learned.

2) Decide which two or three things you will implement in your business as a result of the information you just read. Identify one thing you plan to do immediately.

3) Act on one strategy you learned within the next 24 hours. Ask someone to hold you accountable. Your success depends on it.

Lethia would love to partner with you on your success journey as you begin working through the steps above. She has prepared a special bundle of resources to help you build a powerful personal brand and attract all of the opportunities and resources you need to be both successful and wealthy. You can access your free gift valued at over $129 by visiting us online at the following web address - http://www.Facebook.com/PersonalBrandingStrategist

As a personal branding and social media strategist, Lethia Owens is passionate about teaching people how to think, work and live powerfully! Lethia is a professional speaker and consultant who enjoys working with enterprising speakers and business owners who want to build a million dollar brand using cutting edge social media marketing strategies. For more information on Lethia Owens International, Inc. please visit http://www.LethiaOwens.com

Diverse Business Online Radio with Mark Hackshaw

Hear Mark Hackshaw on the Diverse Business Online Radio by Diverse Business | Blog Talk Radio


A stylish auto hub
Ford, Chrysler created bustling, urban suburb -- and brought it down
Greg Tasker | The Detroit News

HIGHLAND PARK -- In this tiny community straddling Woodward Avenue, the managers and workers of the burgeoning auto industry found an urban oasis -- small neighborhoods of tidy bungalows and tree-shaded lanes. Even the street names -- California, Pasadena, Buena Vista -- seemed to reflect their dreams of upward mobility.

As the automotive hub of the globe in the early 20th century, cranking out millions of Model T's, Highland Park could afford to nurture those dreams.

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With its move up Woodward from Detroit, the Ford Motor Co. had transformed the sleepy, pastoral farm village into a bustling community. Ford opened its innovative manufacturing complex on Woodward and lured thousands a few years later with the promise of $5 a day in wages.

Bounded mostly by Detroit and a bit of Hamtramck, Highland Park also would become the seat of the Chrysler Corp.

But Highland Park was more than just a company town. It was a model American suburb, home of leafy streets with distinctive bungalows, thriving main streets and community-minded corporations.

The residential streets that fanned across Woodward and other main roads were never more than three blocks long. Never mind that the city was the home of Ford -- the company that put the world on wheels -- the city was designed as a streetcar community, with public transportation never being more than a block and a half away. Residents could hop on a streetcar to downtown and other parts of Detroit, but they could shop, work or play in their own community.

"Back then you had people living and working in Highland Park. You had people living above the main street businesses," said Harriet Saperstein, chairwoman of the Woodward Avenue Action Association and former president of HP Devco, a nonprofit economic development agency. "You talk about the new urbanism. Highland Park had it a long time ago. It truly was a city in itself, with a separate identity from Detroit."
Shops, residents pack Woodward

In its heyday, Highland Park boasted a population of more than 50,000, which swelled every day as thousands of autoworkers streamed to their jobs at the auto plants. Much of the construction -- commercial and residential -- occurred over an 11-year boom from 1914 to 1925.

This legacy includes the Albert Kahn-designed Ford factory and a significant collection of Dutch colonials, Tudor revivals and Arts and Crafts bungalows. Two neighborhoods, Medbury's-Grove Lawn and Highland Heights-Stevens -- with some 700 homes -- are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Woodward and the city's main streets were packed with mom-and-pop shops, banks, restaurants, hotels, theaters, churches and apartment buildings. Its schools boasted high academic standards and a wealth of extracurricular activities.

In 1938, Sears Roebuck and Co. opened in an expansive Art Moderne building on Woodward, across from the Ford plant, which, by then, no longer made cars. Ford continued to assemble tractors there.

"With the variety of stores in place, you didn't have to travel outside Highland Park to do any shopping," said Jerome Drain, who grew up in Highland Park and returned to live there in 1989. "You had Sears, you had major stores, you had restaurants, theaters -- anything you wanted was there. You had all the amenities of a thriving community."

For many, Sears was the Target of its day, a working man's alternative to the downtown J.L. Hudson flagship store. With its central location, Highland Park became the home base of other well-known companies, including Sanders and Highland Appliance.

"Lots of folks called Highland Park the hubcap of the wheel of Detroit," said Katherine Clarkson, a former Highland Park resident and former executive director of Preservation Wayne. "It was the shiny thing in the middle. The workers' wives would come to Sears and the Ford company stores to shop. It was really a busy, vibrant city. It was an affluent community, even though the individual folks were not."

Automotive executives, managers and workers moved into neighborhoods with street names that symbolized Highland Park's cosmopolitan sensibility: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pasadena, Rhode Island.
Automakers contributed to city's fall

The automakers put Highland Park on the map, but they also contributed to its decline.

The ever-growing Ford Motor Co. moved its car operations to its sprawling Rouge complex in Dearborn in the late 1920s. Decades later, Chrysler left.

In between, this once highly integrated community lost thousands of residents. Businesses left or relocated, further eroding its tax base. After more than a half century, Sears closed shop in 1992. The city gained a reputation for blight, crime and poverty.

The human and tax drain contributed to the city's well-publicized money woes, and the state took over its finances in 2002. The state still manages the city's fiscal affairs.Even so, many in this community of 16,000 are optimistic about Highland Park's future.

While vacant lots and abandoned buildings remain, new shopping centers have been built along Woodward. Coca-Cola Co. opened a distribution center in 2006, and Visteon Corp. recently announced plans to build a factory on the former Chrysler site. Efforts continue to preserve and redevelop the Ford plant, a National Historic Landmark, as well as the city's McGregor Library.

"I definitely see positive signs now," said Carl Pettway, who grew up in Highland Park but lives in Detroit. He opened a barber shop, Fade Away, on Woodward several years ago. "People my age who graduated in the 1980s still have relatives here. I hear a lot of people talking about moving back. I'm looking to see big things happen here in Highland Park."

Even an outsider like Mark Hackshaw sees potential.

Hackshaw, a real estate developer and entrepreneur, initially came to the Detroit area from the East Coast to run a car dealership. Instead, he bought the eight-story Medical Arts Building on Woodward and restored it.

"If you look back on the history of Highland Park, it's always had the ability to create things here," said Hackshaw.

"We can't look for someone else to come to Highland Park and save it. We need to do it, and I see it happening. Coca-Cola is here. Visteon Corp. is coming, and new stores are opening. It's going to happen."

From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20070417/METRO/108010007/A-stylish-auto-hub#ixzz1JFyOlnSB

Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

By Sherese Duncan, www.shereseduncan.biz

How are you doing with your transmogrification? Are you moving forward at a rewarding rate? Or have things slowed down recently? Is your life visibly changing the way you want it to? Or are you still stuck with the same problems?

I woke up this morning thinking about the economy and two people I’m training -- two well established business owners. It's been a little over six months since they started their respective programs -- and although they are very happy with their results and progress, they are now stuck.

Don’t worry, they won’t know who they are but a lot of business owners can relate to what’s going on with them. First, let me say it's very frustrating for me, because I can see the benefits: a much larger income, money in the bank, a much more satisfying business, and the possibility of having everything they’ve always wanted -- and earning a great living from it.

When I say frustrating, it’s not a negative, it’s more of “I wish they could see what I see,” feeling. Because though I can see the finish line, they are standing still. They have each put in many of hours of work, and if you know me you know I put you to work, and they have followed my advice about organizing an income-focused strategy. They were doing sooo well even in a tough economy.

So why have they stopped? Why are they stuck?

There could be many reasons. But here’s the reason we discovered and it was a major breakthrough for moving beyond the barriers:

They have done everything they could do comfortably and have arrived at a place where they've never been before…

It was time for them to move into the “Discomfort Zone…”

Any new step forward now is a step out of their comfort zone which is very scary and uncomfortable. Believe me, I know.

My clients had a very hard time getting out of their comfort zone; I recommended starting with baby steps. I told them, “don’t tackle anything that will completely turn your world upside down, instead maybe try turning left to go to the store vs. turning right. You never know what you might find.”

If you can identify with my clients, you can now say you’re not alone; a lot of people have this stumbling block. You have to realize when you get in your little place where you are comfortable but unhappy. Inside you know that it’s not going to grow your business or expand your growth as a person, so you have to want to succeed, you have to be open to new things and you have to take the initiative and get transmogrified!

As of today, both clients are transmogrifying step by step and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Now is NOT the time to be comfortable – you might miss some great opportunities to move beyond any barriers you’re facing today.

You have to let go of that comfort zone which is really a fear zone.

Get the heck out of your comfort zone!

Hear the interview with Louis Green here:

Listen to internet radio with Diverse Business on Blog Talk Radio

About the Author:

Small Business Strategist Sherese Duncan has been working with small business owners for over 12 years. In 2001, she launched Effició, Inc., a business education and consulting firm, to help business owners build, grow, sustain, and maintain profitable business enterprises. However, do not confuse her with (just) being a business coach; instead, Duncan is a “trusted, confident strategic partner,” who helps her clients “create the wealth and a complete, whole and balanced life that they want through entrepreneurship.” Duncan and her company are all about execution and results. Duncan received her bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and her MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is involved in a variety of industry-related organizations, and recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her premier online school, The School of Business for Entrepreneurs. Most importantly, Duncan is known for her fun, motivating, highly interactive style that focuses on real-world solutions you can put to use immediately.

Simply put, her business approach works.

Learn with Sherese:

• Get your FREE Transmogrification Newsletter (free ebook included)
• Get your FREE SBE eLearning 7-Day Briefcase (free products included
• Take strategic business courses in the School of Business for Entrepreneurs

© SD Global

10 Twitter Tips to help grow your business by Dante Lee

Guest post by Dante Lee (guest on Diverse Business show)

If you don’t know what a “tweet” is, you are officially behind the curve. But don’t panic—read on and you’ll be back on track in no time. Twitter is an online tool that allows you to communicate and stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: You can already do this through social networking and blogging.

Twitter, often referred to as micro-blogging, distills communication into one or two short sentences—maximum 140-character transmissions. Twitter allows people to follow you and you to follow them. In this context, follow means “to keep up with what other people are doing” or “to stay in the know.”

In January 2010, 73.5 million unique visitors logged on to Twitter and over 1.2 billion tweets were transmitted. Millions use Twitter every day. Some use it for pointless, self-indulgent banter. Others use it to create meaningful dialogue and share content. I’ve been seriously tweeting throughout 2010 and have left my initial skepticism behind. Tweeting is definitely something that all entrepreneurs should seriously consider, If you don’t already have a Twitter account, it’s time to get one. It’s 100 percent free. If you do have a Twitter account, it’s time to start tweeting. For more details or to sign up, click here. To follow me on Twitter, click here. (And follow Diverse Business)

Twitter’s exponential growth makes it a very useful tool for getting and retaining new clients.

It’s also an amazing way to stay in the know. Check out two new sites that can enhance your Twitter experience. Twellow.com helps you easily find relevant people to follow on Twitter. Essentially, it’s a Yellow Book directory for Twitter profiles and is much more extensive than the search feature on Twitter’s website.

I use this site all the time to find people who are connected to the businesses that I’m most interested in. For instance, if I search for relevant key words such as “supplier diversity,” “minority business,” or “diversity recruiting,” I find people and start following and interacting with them. Eventually, these are people who’ll inquire about my services.

Another valuable site that entrepreneurs can benefit from is called TweetBeep.com. It allows you to get e-mail alerts whenever someone twitters about you or your company. You can also specify other key words that may be of interest to you.

10 Twitter Tips to Help Grow Your Business

1. Don’t start automating your tweets. This will only make you look impersonal and faceless. People are following you on Twitter because they want to follow YOU, not some automated script. Avoid services like TwitterFeed.com that will automatically post your blog feeds. Do this yourself manually because not every blog post needs to be tweeted. Keep your tweets meaningful.
2. Be conversational. Don’t just use Twitter to post a bunch of links. Talk in first person, and be you. After all, that’s why people are following you in the first place.
3. Don’t just follow anybody. Twitter is not about random interactions. You want to interact with people and brands that are relevant to you.

4. Ask questions. If you have a question pertaining to your industry, why not post it on Twitter? Many times, the people following you will have the answer and will reply very promptly.

5. Retweet other people’s tweets. If it’s newsworthy and it’s relevant to your followers, retweet it. Not only will you get credit for sharing a resourceful tweet, but you’ll also gain more followers.
6. Reply when people talk to you. Whether it’s a public message or a direct message, always reply when someone communicates with you or mentions you. Remember that the more dialogue you engage in, the more followers you get.

7. Don’t be a salesman. Your followers on Twitter don’t want to be bombarded with sales pitches. Be indirect. Just say resourceful things and eventually people will inquire about your products and services.

8. Use TweetLater.com—a tool that allows you to schedule your tweets for future dates.

9. Try Tweetie, an application for the iPhone that allows you to manage multiple Twitter accounts. Not only can you send tweets and retweets, but you can also follow and unfollow people right from your cell phone.

10. Check out TweetDeck.com, an application for the iPhone, the BlackBerry, and other cell phones – that also allows you to manage your Twitter account.

Dante Lee is a respected motivational speaker and diversity consultant. Lee is also the co-founder of Lee Moss Media. He is the author of Black Business Secrets.
Visit: www.dantelee.com. Hear his recent interview on the
Diverse Business show.

DIVERSITY: The Value of Mutual Respect

"Seek to understand before seeking to be understood."

-- Augustine, 4th Century

"A great many people think they are thinking when they
are merely rearranging their prejudices." -- William James

"Always remember that you're unique.
Just like everybody else." -- Anonymous

Diversity. Considered by some to be the "D" word! My philosophy in presenting the subject of diversity is best understood when considering an onion with its many layers. Each layer presents another opportunity to discuss the best ways to work together with greater harmony, understanding and mutual respect.

• Fear of Loss

• Cultural Competency

• Professional Status

• Religious Affiliations

• Generational Influences

• Disability Awareness

• Gender Differences

• Diversity/Personality Style

Of course there are many more layers in some organizations, like Political Differences, Musical Tastes, etc. I believe that workforce diversity is dealt with through the doorway of each unique personality style. I also believe in presenting the material in an honest, vulnerable manner that doesn't leave people merely tolerating (heartily dislike that word in this context!) each other.

Participants are encouraged to connect with others who can become their cultural guides and/or historical guides as they seek to understand before seeking to be understood. As someone once said, "You can attack my head (I wasn't thinking), but please do not attack my heart (I mean well and truly want to learn)."

The "Egg Shell" Effect: Some diversity initiatives leave the participants in such a state of hyper-awareness about their differences that everyone is left walking on egg shells. On edge. Nervous. Fearful of saying something stupid. Risk-averse or risk-neutral. Very little sense of humor.

Enter the "anti-egg-shell" experience that engages both the head and the heart, encouraging participants to understand the risk/reward ratio. The higher the personal risk of vulnerability, curiosity and openness, the greater the relational payoff. Embracing the spice of life! It's the wisdom that emerges from the curiosity-driven life -- possessing the potential of transcending the humdrum work environment into a transformational diversity-astute lifestyle (24/7).

The freedom to enjoy the humor (even laughing at ourselves) is one of the side benefits of greater understanding...as we delight in learning about ourselves and others around us. This is the kind of stuff I am passionate about!

RISK Low -------> Medium ---> High ------->

REWARD ------> Low ----> Medium ------> High

Everyone approaches workforce diversity in their own style. Some folks are more blustery in their approach while others are more quiet and reserved. It's hard to know what they are really thinking. Attitudes may be strongly felt, but are not as readily accessible to co-workers. Still others deal with diversity as a task to be accomplished. For some their task is completed for that day when they leave to go home -- picking up the next morning with the desire to continue with the completion of the task.

Understanding diversity begins by awakening the understanding our own "hot buttons" and discovering how and perhaps why we behave the way we do. People around us do not respond to our intentions. They respond to our behavior. Regardless of our individual values and convictions, it is paramount that co-workers treat each other with respect, compassion and integrity.

My initial focus is in helping participants take an inward look, understanding more about their own strengths and vulnerabilities. This is done with a certain gentle artistry in which no one has his or her dignity or self-respect stripped in the process. It's a lot of fun.

Then I help participants take an outward look -- how they interact with others around them. Here we show participants how they can, not only understand their co-workers, but also have the skills necessary in exporting this knowledge to their other relationships. People who are happier at home tend to be happier and more productive at work and vice versa.

Working in a diverse workforce stretches and challenges everyone's internal world. Gender, race, generational issues and other layers cause all of us to take a brand new look at personal prejudices and narrow-mindedness. At the same time, each new layer provides another wonderful opportunity to seek to understand before seeking to be understood. (Near the bottom of this page is the difference between a proactive and reactive approach to diversity.)

Training, education and skills determine the "what" we do. Values are the "why" we do things the way we do them. Behavior and emotions are the "how" we do what we do. Co-workers do not respond to intentions, they respond to behavior. That is why we focus upon the "how" and what sponsors it from the inside out.

* HOW: Determine your personal approach to diversity
* PROBLEMS - How you approach the diverse problems and challenges
* PEOPLE - How you interact with and attempt to influence others
* PACE - How you respond to change and activities
* PROCEDURE - How you respond to rules and regulations set by others

Civility in the workplace must be expected and is imposed externally by any organization wishing to remain competitive. But there is higher level of success that emerges from harnessing the power of mutual respect and cross-cultural understanding. Mutual respect must spring from the internal structures of each individual. For this to truly capture the culture of the organization this must cascade down from the senior leadership to every level of the organization -- enhancing creativity, productivity and an emotionally safe environment.

-- by Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D., CEO/President, The Freeman Institute® www.DiversityCrazy.com

Return on Investment (R.O.I.): Some futurists predict that before or by the year 2050 there will be no clearly defined racial/cultural majority in the USA. Demographic changes and shifting attitudes in the nation result in a different face of the workforce. In work environments where differences in gender, race, religion, or other cultural aspects are not addressed, undue tension results. Our diversity training approach moves beyond a basic awareness of differences; we help people learn skills to cope more effectively with the challenges of facing diversity in a responsible and reflective manner. The proactive implementation of the contents of this diversity program can't help but usher in greater productivity and creativity in any organization.

About the author: Joel A. Freeman, Ph.D., President/CEO, Freeman Institute®
"Dealing With People Who Drive You Crazy!"®
www.WorkHardWorkSmart.com -- Freeman's New Book
www.FreemanInstitute.com -- Freeman Institute
www.FreemanStuff.com -- TFI Online Store
www.CIDcoach.com -- Critical Incident Debriefing
www.Black101.com --Black History Collection
www.DiversityCrazy.com -- "Diversity: The Value of Mutual Respect"
www.AngerSeminar.com -- "When Strangling Someone Isn't An Option!"
www.JoelAFreeman.com -- Freeman's Bio

The Business of Running a Business with Melinda Emerson

Meet Melinda Emerson

Listen to internet radio with Diverse Business on Blog Talk Radio

Melinda Emerson, known as "SmallBizLady," is one of America's leading small business experts. She is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, social media strategist and small business coach and the Start-Up columnist for Small Business Trends.

Melinda has lectured on small business at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Rosemont College and for clients including: IKEA, Verizon, GlaxoSmithKline, National Association of Women Business Owners, PA Governor's Conference for Women, U.S. Department of Labor, International Association of Business Communicators, the Small Business Administration, and the Center for Women's Business Research. Her areas of expertise include small business start-up, recession-proof marketing and social media strategy.

Melinda Emerson began her professional career in television as a producer. Within five years, inspired by Oprah Winfrey's HARPO Studios, Inc., she left television to pursue her entrepreneurial dream to create an award-winning production company. As the founder and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda has created productions for clients such as Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Comcast and Radio-One. Melinda hosts #Smallbizchat a weekly talk show on Twitter. #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.

Melinda also blogs at Succeed As Your Own Boss. Emerson's first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works is being released in March 2010 by Adams Media. She has also recorded an audio CD, 10 Things You Must Never Forget in Business.

Melinda has been featured on NBC Nightly News and in the Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report and Black Enterprise. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech. Melinda Emerson has also won numerous awards including Top 50 Women in Business in Pennsylvania, Top 30 Leaders of the future by Ebony Magazine, and the National Association of Women Business Owners' Woman of Distinction Award. Melinda is a dedicated wife, mother and woman business owner who lives in Philadelphia, PA.

Website

http://www.melindaemerson.com/

Special Edition of the The Diverse Business Show with Ken Harris, Detroit Black Expo

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Power Panels

Final Schedule for the Detroit Black Expo IV Weekend presented by Caesars Windsor.

Thursday
July 29, 2010 President Welcome Reception Sponsored by Caesars Windsor, Caracal-Office, and Bank of America │By Invitation Only │

HBCU Black Alumni Weekend Hosted by the UNCF, Detroit Black Expo, Detroit Inter-Alumni Council, Detroit HBCU Network

Friday
July 30, 2010 Black Expo Marketplace │Lot A of University of Detroit Mercy │ FREE │5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
July 30, 2010 National Town Hall Meeting Sponsored by Wal-Mart, DTE Energy, Comerica Bank and the Urban Financial Services Coalition of Detroit │Student Center Building – Fountain Room │ FREE WITH RSVP* │6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

July 30, 2010 HBCU Black Alumni Leadership Reception Hosted by the UNCF, Detroit Black Expo, Detroit Inter-Alumni Council, Detroit HBCU│They Say Lounge│FREE │ 9:00 pm – 1:30 am

Saturday
July 31, 2010 Black Expo Marketplace & Sound Stage │Lot A of University of Detroit Mercy │ FREE │ 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
July 31, 2010 Leadership NEXT Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank │ FREE WITH RSVP │Commerce & Finance Building – Room 209 │ 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
July 31, 2010 Bank of America Power Panels and Entrepreneurship Workshop Series │ FREE WITH RSVP │ Life Science Building – Room 113 & 115 │ 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

• Certification and Procurement Sponsored by Ambassador Bridge │10:00 am to 11:00 am ││Room 113│
• Growing any business in 16 weeks presented by Andrew Morrison, President of Small Business Camp │10:00 am – 11:00 am │Room 115 │

• The Art of Branding, Advertising, Marketing Your Business by Pam Perry, PR Coach │11:00 am to 12:00 pm │Room 113 │
• Technology Check-Up Workshop presented by Comcast and Microsoft Workshop │11:00 am to 12:00 pm │Room 115│
• Getting Your Business in Order with Legal, Accounting & Insurance Advice │12:00 pm to 1:00 pm │Room 113 │
• Building Our Community: How to Serve on a Nonprofit Board presented by Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) Workshop │12:00 pm to 1:00 pm │Room 115│
• Creating the Global Mindset with Trade, Import & Export Oversees │ 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm │Room 113 │
• Business and Technology with Verizon Wireless │1:00 pm to 2:00 pm │ Room 115│
• Access to Capital through Grants, Sponsorship, Loans and Investors │2:00 pm to 3:00 pm │Room 113│
• Customer Service Workshop presented by Brazen, Inc. │2:00 pm to 3:00 pm │ Room 115 │
• How to Start a Small Business and Manage A Nonprofit │ 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm │Room 113 │
• “How to Shortsell” How to Reduce Your Mortgage without Ruining Your Credit presented by Herb Strather │ 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm │Room 115 │

Saturday, July 31, 2010 HBCU Black Alumni Block Party & Fish Fry Sponsored by Sam’s Club, Red Bull and Comcast │ Lot A of University of Detroit Mercy │ FREE │ 2:00 pm –8:00 pm
July 31, 2010 HBCU Black Alumni Party Hosted by the UNCF, Detroit Black Expo, Detroit Inter-Alumni Council, Detroit HBCU Network │Firewater Bar & Grill │FREE │ 9:00 pm – 1:00 am

Sunday
August 1, 2010 Black Expo Marketplace & Sound Stage │Lot A of University of Detroit Mercy │ FREE │ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

August 1, 2010 Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce Leadership Dinner Sponsored by Greektown Casino and Hotel, Comcast, DTE Energy, and Fifth Third Bank │ BY INVITATION ONLY │

*Call 313-638-2052 or to register visit www.detroitblackexpo.com