Conference
Wrap-up
scmbdc
‘Heavy Hitters’ and More at SCMBDC’s Minority Business Opportunity Day
ters for such a reasonable price?” asks Claudia Kihano Parker, a first-time atten- dee of Southern California Minority Bu- siness Development Council’s (SCMB- DC) Minority Business Opportunity Day (MBOD). Parker, who owns Parker Law Group,
“W
Inc. in Mission Viejo, Calif., expressed a sentiment that many past attendees have long known -- MBOD is one of the best ways for business owners to meet who’s who in Corporate America, build relati- onships and, ultimately, increase sales. Business owners who attended the 35th
annual event on February 24 at the Paci- fic Palms Conference Resort in Industry Hills, Calif., had the opportunity to parti- cipate in a full-day of activities. MBOD offered two engaging workshops, includi- ng a panel discussion on how to get in the door with major automakers; ‘Quick Con- nect,’ one-on-one appointments designed to match certified diverse suppliers with corporate buyers and decision makers; ‘Hard Hat Pavilion,’ an activity specifi- cally for construction and construction-
here in the world can you get exposure to so many heavy hit-
related businesses, and a business expo. “We’ve always known MBOD is one
of the best deals in town and a productive way to spend the day,” says SCMBDC President John W. Murray, Jr., noting the event attracted about 1,100 people. ”There are countless stories of relations- hip-building and doors opening to new contracts as a result of suppliers and cor- porations meeting at MBOD.”
From cloud to cars
Abdi Ahmed, president and chief technology officer of NetServe Systems, Inc., began MBOD 2011 by presenting a workshop on ”Cloud Computing: Is It Time to Get Your Head in the Cloud?” He defined cloud computing as a way
to increase capacity or add capabilities without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software. Cloud computing encompas- ses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service that, in real time over the Internet, extends IT’s existing capabilities. The benefits of cloud computing in- clude ”ease of use, scalability, low risk,
reliability and low cost,” he says. The second workshop, aptly named
”Shifting Your Business Into Drive,” fea- tured executives from major automakers, including Nissan North America, Hyun- dai Motor America, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Serving on the panel were: Da- niel Boren, purchasing supplier diversity coordinator, Nissan; Walter Rodriguez, manager, diversity and corporate outreach, Hyundai; James Colon, vice president, Toyota Product Communications, Toyota, and Charles Harmon, manager, corporate procurement, American Honda. Moderated by Bill Imada, chairman
and CEO of IW Group, Inc., a communi- cations firm specializing in multicultural markets, the panel discussed what it takes to do work with their firms. These include having a strong value proposition, being specific about what suppliers can do, un- derstanding the company’s business and its procurement needs, researching the company, and not promising something that can’t be delivered. The keynote speaker was Gerry Fer- nandez, founder and president of the Mul-
SCMBDC board members and other representatives take part in the expo’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. 12
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