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Charlotte,
NC - August 11, 2005
Supplier Diversity Works! (SDW) has successfully met the eligibility
criteria established by the Carolinas Minority Supplier Development
Council, Inc. (CMSDC) for certification as a Bona Fide Minority Business
Enterprise.
An
affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., the
CMSDC provides major corporations and certified minority suppliers with
various opportunities to build mutual and productive working relationships.
The Council creates a unique partnership in economic development by
consolidating and blending the interests and resources of major
corporations and minority owned businesses.
Certification Expands Geographic Reach
"We are very pleased to be affiliated with the
Carolinas and National Minority Supplier Development Councils," stated
Felicia Watlington, president of Supplier Diversity Works, LLC. She
went on to add, "This affiliation helps us to better meet our clients'
needs. It broadens our reach, opening doors to potential partnerships with
similar firms in other areas of the country."
Growth of Women/Minority-Owned Firms
Between 1997 and 2004, according to the Center for Women's
Business Research, the estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned
firms was nearly twice that of all firms (17% vs. 9% ),
employment expanded at twice the rate of all firms (24% vs. 12%), and
estimated revenues kept pace with all firms (39% vs. 34%).
Women-owned firms employ 19.1 million people and generate $2.5
trillion in sales. In addition, minority-owned businesses grew more
than four times as fast as U.S. firms overall between 1992 and 1997,
increasing from 2.1 million to about 2.8 million firms, according to the
Commerce Department's Census Bureau. The 30 percent growth rate exceeded
the 7 percent increase for all U.S. firms, which jumped from 17.3 million
in 1992 to 18.4 million in 1997.
About
Supplier Diversity Works!
Supplier
Diversity Works, LLC is a Charlotte-based management consulting/training
firm that assists corporations/large purchasers in developing and
implementing supplier diversity programs that achieve business objectives.
Website: http://www.supplierdiversityworks.com
About
Felicia Watlington
As
the leader of SDW project teams, Felicia Watlington, president, has over
twenty years corporate/entrepreneurial experience. Her vast experience
covers a broad spectrum; including process management/business process
improvement, strategic planning, financial analysis, business
development, process/plant engineering, and human resources.
Felicia
is immediate past executive director for the Carolinas Forum (an affiliate
of WBENC, Women's Business Enterprise Council). In addition, she has
operated a highly successful consultancy to the small/medium business
community for the past nine years in the areas of business
planning/coaching, business financing, and marketing strategy.
More info: http://www.supplierdiversityworks.com/Felicia_Watlington_bio.pdf
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