96 PROFESSIONAL WOMANS MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE WWW.PROFESSIONALWOMANMAG.COM
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
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eing able to call yourself an official Minority- owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is more than just a title. In fact, when you become certified as an MBE, there are a surplus of benefits that can help you to grow your business in ways that werent possible before certification. So, whether you've been certified for years or youre wondering if the application process is worth your time, here are three ways that certification can benefit you. (NMSDC) offers grants, exclusively to companies that are certified under their agency. While there is funding available for non-certified businesses, becoming certified allows you to utilize as many resources as possible.
Networking
Having a support system is one of the most important aspects of any kind of endeavor from business aspirations to personal projects. Since the events of COVID-19, there has been the addition of more virtual networking events that allow small
Certification:
The Best GiftYou Can Give Your Business
By Natalie Rodgers
businesses to better connect with one another despite their distance. While networking is possible without certification, becoming certified is one of the easiest ways to gain access to the people you need to make your business succeed.
Corporate Partnerships
Not only does certification connect you with other small businesses, but also to large-scale corporations. Especially today, large corporations are more interested than ever in increasing their supplier diversity initiatives and partnerships. In order to do this, corporations depend on small businesses to connect them to other small businesses that can help them hit their supplier diversity program goals. By becoming a certified MBE, your business greatly increases its chances of becoming a partner with big name banks, retail stores, shipping services, digital providers and corporations of all kinds. Not only can you increase your revenue stream, but you can also expose your companys brand to a larger audience and funding pool.
Resources
Becoming certified also gives you access to resources and trainings that you can utilize to expand your knowledge and skillset in any area of business. While the types of resources and trainings differ per certifier, some of the most common programs available to MBEs are specialized financing, train- ing workshops, educational programs, career fairs, professional business advice, mentorship, technical assistance and management training. These events are often exclusive to MBEs in your certification and are one of the best hotspots to obtain all of the tools you need for every stage of your company. Taking the next step into certification can feel like taking a step into the unknown, but in the long run, the rewards that come from certification are some of the greatest gifts you can give towards your companys success.
Sources: Small Business Administration, Zen Business
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