WHEN:	Thursday, May 22th, 2008
VENUE:	Kean University, 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083, at Downs Hall
TIME:	8:00AM – 1:00PM
COST:	Attendees/Workshops – Free

If you are in business the following workshops may make all the difference whether you get a contract or not, so please make every effort to attend:

Workshops

· The Secret to Bidding and Winning RFPs
Let the insiders tell you what the real secrets are to winning that all elusive contract. Sometimes, it’s the simple things that make a difference and if you understand the fundamentals then it gives you a competitive advantage

· Panelists
Moderator – Nationally acclaimed public speaker and negotiating Guru Greg Williams, CEO, youremergingsmallbusiness.com

Raul Mercado, Supplier Diversity Manager, Schering-Plough, will highlight the importance of preparation and background research. Raul spent years working with emerging small businesses educating them about the certification process and about getting it right the first time

Dennis Kopik, Procurement Contract Manager, Port Authority of NY/NJ, will discuss the buying process, probably the most important part of the RFP process. He will explain what buyers are looking for and how you can get that competitive edge by doing some very simple things.

Lisa Marie Codrington, Manager, Contract Compliance, NJ Transit will discuss the importance of managing the relationship after getting the contract. As many successful women and minority entrepreneurs know, the easy part is getting the contract but it’s the relationship that really matters and the ability to deliver the value promised.

· Improve Profits and Performance with Business Coaching
This workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs overcome the challenges of running a business by maximizing the use of coaches or mentors. The coaching industry is largely unregulated but growing, and our panelists will give you inside tips to finding the coach that's right for you and taking the right steps to avoid the con artists. There are many types of coaches but a good business coach is a mentor who can help you in difficult times.

· Panelists
Moderator – Angela Harrington, CEO, Harrington Communications, and one of the top public relations companies in New Jersey.

Marcie Hanhart, CEO, Action International says everyone needs a coach. Marcie will talk about why coaching helps and how do you know at what point you need a coach. Of course coaching comes in many varieties, for example wellness, personal, and business, but do you know which one is right for you?

Jim Dear, CEO, Ideal Horizons Coaching, will highlight the process of working with and getting the most out of your coach. Asking the right questions and identifying the areas that need improvement will make all the difference in your growth.

Mike Wall, Vice President, Capital One Bank, will give you a real practical outlook on the value of coaching or mentorship from a banking perspective. Banks have been coaching forever but they never called it that, they called it relationship building. Mike will give you a perspective about working with your financial institution to incorporate all the things you have learnt to get to the next level.


For information to register, sponsor or exhibit, please go online to www.diversityplus.com/njexpo or email Michele Montgomery, Event Coordinator, at expo@diversityplus.com or call 973-486-0142 (Ext- 708).

All events will be hosted at Downs Hall, Kean University