Older Black Lesbians
Speak Out
ZUNA NBLC April 11th - 13th 2003
 

In Business

African American Businesswomen
Face Double Jeopardy
Maisah B. Robinson, Ph.D.

Though firms have been implementing programs to improve diversity in the workplace, recent evidence indicates that race and gender barriers still exist, to a large degree, in terms of advancement at higher level positions. The Fortune marketing Report (1996) indicated that 97% of senior managers in Fortune 1000 and 500 companies were white and male. These findings seem to suggest that both a racial and gender limitation may exist for African-American females with respect to career growth.   [Read More]

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
Helping Your Child Plan A Career!
Dawn Reid

I am convinced what you want to be when you grow up most often is determined (or at least planted within your mind and spirit) when you are a child.

Every now and again, I ponder my own childhood and revisit my desire to become a great thespian, poet, and artist. I remember vividly the "make believe" plays with me as the staring actress, and "Chrissy" my favorite doll, as my supporting actress. And, I recall memories where, at the age of four, while other children were scribbling unidentifiable objects on construction paper, I was making recognizable figures and geometrical shapes with shading and distinct artistic characteristics. All of this creative genius even overflowed in to my ability to write short stories by the age of six.  [Read More]
 

"Follow Up" to Business Success
Adriana Copaceanu

Business relationships are one of the most important aspects of business life today. It is so much easier to maintain our relationships to current clients, than to find new ones!

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to get new customers. And that’s no easy task, but with consistent follow up, you can be successful.

You CAN make the dreaded phone call, dress professionally, and deliver a great presentation! But if you stop there, it's all just a waste of YOUR time.

Follow up is the single most important aspect of effective marketing. Some studies indicate that about 90% of sales are lost because of failure to follow up.

Here are some suggestions of follow ups that work: [Read More]

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Does SBA have grants for businesses?
• How do I finance my business?
• How do I get federal contracts?
• How do I find a mentor?
• How can I develop business Internet skills?
• How do I sell overseas?
• Is there help for women with special needs?
• Is there special help for girls?
• How can I prepare for a natural disaster?

Want to sell to the federal government? Start by going to www.womenbiz.gov, the premiere, online gateway for women-owned businesses. At this site, you can register your business with federal government contractor databases. The three main government registries are PRO-Net, Central Contractor Registration (CCR) and Electronic Posting System (EPS). Access and information about these sites can be found at http://www.womenbiz.gov

"Selling to the Federal Government" is an SBA guide offering a step-by-step introduction to the world of federal contracting, and demystifies the technical and marketing challenges that contracting involves.

Once you've mastered the basics, you will soon be able to move on to our EC/EDI section that will cover more advanced topics in "Electronic Commerce and Electronic Data Interchange:"

SBA has recently added a new office called Contracting Assistance for Women Business Owners. Check their site for some helpful information.

Another important site for doing business with the Government is www.govcommerce.net.

Each women’s business center provides assistance and/or training in finance, management, marketing, procurement and the Internet, as well addressing specialized topics such as home-based businesses, corporate executive downsizing and welfare-to-work. All provide individual business counseling and access to the SBA’s programs and services; a number are also intermediaries for the SBA’s MicroLoan and Loan Prequalification programs. Each WBC tailors its programs to the needs of its constituency; many offer programs and counseling in two or more languages. The following is contact information and a brief description of each WBC.

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