New Year means new attitude

It is said that every second and moment in time provides a new chance in life and an opportunity to accomplish important tasks at hand. As the New Year begins, the same philosophy applies presenting another 12-month period to meet the challenges ahead.

For a successful 2012, local leaders pin point community involvement, supporting Black businesses, networking and honing customer relations skills as a means to move forward.

PresidentSpeaks
THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS—In town promoting his Jobs Bill, President Barak Obama addressed a mixed crowd of big and small businesses.


President Obama cited entrepreneurship as the way to create new jobs for the future. During his visit to Pittsburgh seeking support for his American Jobs Act he said small business is a key factor. He specified that his mission is to create smart, forward-thinking ideas that will help the economy and workers adapt to changing times.

Pittsburgh small business owners also played a role in offering ideas on how to tweak federal policy by being included as part of the White House’s Startup America initiative. During the spring session Pittsburgh was one of eight cities where senior administration officials visited meeting with entrepreneurs to hear directly from them ideas and suggestions for reducing barriers and improving regulations to build a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation. Three local participants involved in the session were Kenneth Elliott of The Elliott Group, Cameil Williams, president of Williams Management, LLC and Adrienne Brown, owner of Sassy Sauce.

“Participating in the Startup America: Reducing Barriers event was a great way for my voice to be heard in an effort to assist small business owners like myself,” said Brown. “I am honored to have been chosen.” Upon the conclusion of the meetings officials are to publish a report outlining findings and solutions.

“It is a time to move, a time to organize in all area neighborhoods,” pointed out Carl Redwood of the Hill District Consensus Group. “Things are going to get worse before they get better,” he said siting the forthcoming Port Authority bus cuts as an example.

The mission of the Hill District Consensus Group is to work together through the differences and with the commonalities, to establish and enforce standards and processes in all aspects of community life: economic, political, spiritual, and social for the ongoing health and prosperity of the community. Such an organization geared to identify and address issues within neighborhoods is appropriate for most communities throughout the city and county, is the belief of Redwood. He has assisted the Lincoln-Larimer communities organize and is currently working with East Hills residents.

Confident that the April 24 primary election is a crucial one, Ed Gainey chairman of the Pittsburgh Democratic Committee believes conducting voter registration drives and get out to vote campaigns is important for 2012. “Our vote does count, and is very significant,” he said. Being an educated voter is the key. “Knowing what is going on with the current Republican race and realizing the accomplishments of the President (Obama) are major.”

A few undertakings of President Obama he mentioned included instituting the US Auto industry rescue plan, the creation of the $789 billion economic stimulus plan, passing universal healthcare, preventing a second Great Depression and the ending of the war in Iraq.

Amazed that African-American buying power is expected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2015, Vernard Alexander stressed that it is important for business owners to be prepared to meet the demands of the market. “It is time for entrepreneurs to step up their game.” Two key factors he identified that will make or break a business are customer service and knowing their market. “Competition is stiff, but if the report is accurate, then the money is there”

The report he is referring to is “The State of the African-American Consumer Report” conducted by the NNPA and Nielsen. The report indicated that this gives a population of an estimated 41.8 million the influence to control and assist themselves and their communities.

“With statistics like that it is essential that we start spending in our own communities. It is a critical time and we have to support and invest within ourselves,” said Gainey. “We have to show a level of commitment and have the dollars turning over within our neighborhoods.”

Alexander, owner of the Minority Networking Exchange said as an entrepreneur his goal and commitment is to assist other entrepreneurs get prepared in 2012 for what’s ahead in 2015. Known for his elevator pitch and business plan competitions and various networking affairs, he said he plans to continue sponsoring events.

“As I suggest that business owner’s step up their game I have to do the same,” Alexander said. “This year I’m going to sponsor workshops and seminars on topics like bookkeeping, marketing, the proper use of social media and finding funding.” Conducting business coaching sessions is another service he said he hopes will assist businesses from the startup phase to the well-established.

Recently receiving a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, the Christian Evangelistic Economic Development group is one of numerous non-profit organizations in the area geared to assist small businesses. CEEDs’ mission is to revitalize, strengthen and produce healthy, self-sustaining communities through innovative programs and projects that put community members and stakeholders in the forefront of economic growth and self-sufficiency by helping connect small businesses to the economy and assisting them in building businesses and creating jobs.

“From voting, to our spending power, where we go from here is up to us,” points out Gainey. “We have to control our own destiny. With $1.1 trillion in spending power we should own major businesses and control how the Fortune 500 companies treat us. In 2012 we have to enter it with a new attitude.”

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