Diverse Business Show Blog Talk Radio

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Josh Linkner speaking on Creativity in Detroit at MMPC2012


Josh Linkner is The New York Times Bestselling author of Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, named one of the top 10 business books of 2011. Josh is the CEO and Managing Partner of Detroit Venture Partners. Together with business partners Earvin “Magic” Johnson and NBA team owner Dan Gilbert, Josh is actively rebuilding urban areas through technology and entrepreneurship. Josh is also Adjunct Professor of Applied Creativity at the University of Michigan.

Josh is the Founder, Chairman and former CEO of ePrize, the largest interactive promotion agency in the world providing digital marketing services for 74 of the top 100 brands.

Prior to ePrize, Josh was the founder and CEO of three other successful technology companies. He has been honored as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is a President Barack Obama Champion of Change award recipient. Josh is a regular columnist for Fast Company and Inc. Magazine, and his work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, and The New York Times.

 Josh is also a Berklee-trained professional jazz guitarist performing regularly in jazz clubs throughout the United States.

Most importantly, Josh is on a mission to make the world more creative.


Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council Provides Access to $17 Billion in Contracts and Job Growth at the 31st Annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference and Opportunity Fair

- May 2 - 3 conference will feature 325 exhibitors, up 45 percent within 2 years
- Conference draws more than 1,500 attendees from a wide variety of industries
- Professional development sessions available to corporations and minority businesses to help them reach their full potential
Louis Green, President, CEO of the MMSDC

DETROIT, Mich., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) will host its 31st Annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference and Opportunity Fair, the largest procurement opportunity fair of its kind, at Detroit's Cobo Center on May 2 - 3.

The conference's theme is "Striving for Excellence, Delivering Value."  The event will offer corporate buyers the opportunity to make connections with the fastest growing segment of the economy.  Minority suppliers can reconnect with customers and potential customers; learn from professional development experts, and showcase their products and services.  There is a tremendous business opportunity as buyers from hundreds of major corporations will attend to seek out certified Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with whom to do business.

"We are proud that this event has directly generated more than $1.2 billion in business for our members in the past six years," said Louis Green, President and CEO of the MMSDC.  "The 50 percent growth in exhibitors that we have experienced this year is a testament to the value that our members feel this conference brings to their bottom line."

The MMSDC is one of 37 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council.  MMSDC is a privately funded, non-profit, corporate services organization that has provided unique procurement opportunities to corporate members and certified MBEs for over 30 years.  MMSDC provides ongoing growth opportunities, financial support, training and education for its membership.  The organization is nationally recognized for its work with major corporations to promote minority business development and growth. 

The conference, sponsored by automotive supplier Takata, will feature 325 exhibitor booths.  On May 2, the MMPC Professional Development University will offer 36 experts with a full day of seminars designed to develop and grow participating businesses.  Speakers will include representatives from Chrysler, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Google, and DTE.  The Opportunity Fair, on May 3 is open to business owners for the nominal fee of $50.  

About MMSDC
Founded in Detroit in 1977, the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (formerly known as the Michigan Minority Business Development Council) has more than 1,200 certified minority businesses and over 300 corporate members working to further its mission to certify minority businesses; provide access to procurement opportunities; and develop capacity for minority business development.  MMSDC is a 501(c) (3) organization.  Proceeds from this event support MMSDC programs and services and are tax deductible.
The MMSDC is nationally recognized for its work with major corporations to promote minority business development and growth.  MMSDC also operates one the Detroit MBDA Business Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce.  The Detroit MBDA center provides rapid growth-potential minority businesses the "keys to entrepreneurial success" through access to markets, capital and strategic consulting.  Visit the MMSDC's web site to learn more about these programs and services at www.minoritysupplier.org.
 
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Website: www.minoritysupplier.org

Monday, March 5, 2012

Crowfunding: How to get FREE money for your Projects




Crowdfunding pulls together a group of people or community with the same vision towards a cause to raise fund for a project.

For example, you are starting a non-profit organization that aims to help stray dogs and cats then the better way to fund this project is by seeking support from animal lovers. It is best to come up with strategic plan template that explains the organization's mission and vision. It is also best to share your plans on how you are planning to use the money that will be raised. This way, people will be confident that their money is used for a good cause.

Here are 7 useful and effective crowdfunding tips:
1. Identify your target audience - the very first thing that you should do is to identify your target audience. It is very important to present your project to the right people. Animal lovers and vegetarians will surely support a project about cats and dogs and filmmakers and actors will support a project about helping movie crews and staff. In other words, you should know the people who will show interest in your project.

2. You should plan ahead of time - it is very important to come up with concrete plan in advance. This way, you will be able to answer inquiries of people about your project.

3. Pitch your project with love and concern - to be able to gain support for your project, you need to pitch it and you should show love and concern. People should feel the genuine love and care that you have for this cause. You will be able to gain more support when they feel the sincerity in your pitch. You may not be a great speaker but if you speak from your heart then everything will fall into place.

4. Improve your presence in social media networks - you will be able to reach your target audience by improving your presence in different social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and tumblr. It is advisable to connect with them by posting stories, pictures and announcements. It would also be great to include your contact details so they can reach you for their support and donations.

5. Treat your crowdfunding like a campaign - it would be best to treat your crowdfunding like a campaign wherein you need to get the approval of your target audience.

6. Tell a great story - another effective crowdfunding tip that you could follow is telling a great story that will warm people's hearts. It is advisable to share to them some stories that you witnessed personally or probably the main reason why you supporting a particular cause.

7. Show results - it would be great to send updates to people who showed support for your project. You could send some pictures, thank you notes or video clips just to show gratitude to them.
The tips mentioned in this article will help you raise funds for a project that you believe in. Therefore, if you are planning to start a project or a non-profit organization supporting a good cause then you should consider the tips discussed in this article.
Mabel Miles likes to share information on crowdfunding tips and strategic plan template as well as a host of additional services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6915731