THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE—MWDBE Governmental Committee members Duvall Aiken from left: Valerie Waters, and Monica Jones, share a rewarding moment with 2013 Hall of Fame inductees Kathleen Agostino and Barbara Fisher. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels)
“Mind your Ps,” the theme of the conference for Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises outlined performance, procurement, process and preparation for participants during the MWDBE Governmental Committee’s yearly event. In its 12th year, the conference once again dealt with issues relivant to the needs of small businesses in the region.
“Addressing the government’s responsibility as related to MWDBE companies, Mind your Ps—Preparation, Process, Procurement, Performance was the committees way of providing DBE firms with the necessary tools and techniques to better navigate the public contracting arena,” said Cameil D. Williams, conference chair and DBE Contract Compliance Officer at the Port Authority of Allegheny County. “Topic and resources for this conference derived from much discussion and brainstorming.”
Panelists addressing the event topic were; Barbara Weaver, Procurement Center Representative SBA; Paul Boggs, PJ Dick-Trumbull—Lindy Paving, Elizabeth Bowers, Small Business Administrator, dck worldwide, LLC, Deborah Wojcik, Director Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO), Nathan G. Heitzman, Project Coordinator—DBE Supportive Services Center Cheyney University of Pennsylvania and Gregory R. Spencer, Randall Industries, LLC.
Weaver, addressing the topic of preparation, focused on the word embrace. Relaying that embracing leadership, planning, learning and preparation is significant for business owners to succeed against the barriers of gaining contracts. “Leaders make wise decisions, communicate effectively and understand and manage people, money, processes, strategies, competition and priorities. She also indicated that the way to master leadership is by leading self, others, managers and executives.
Planning she explained takes a solid strategic plan, deciding what has to be done today to be ready for tomorrow. The components of a good plan include a statement of vision, mission, value assessment, and goals. To embrace preparation, in conclusion Weaver suggested that businesses have management systems and financial statements in place and to keep all insurances, certifications and regulations current.
Weaver is assigned to monitor government agencies and federal prime contractors throughout West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania.
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