Making the Case that Advocacy Affects the Bottom Line
Want to help persuade fellow women business owners that public policy affects the bottom line?
Read this story from Fortune Small Business about factors affecting revenue growth for women business owners.
Headlined (very unfortunately) "Which Women Get Big," the article summarizes the data about wbo's and the policies that limit growth (only 22% of SBA loans go to wbo's; only 3% of government contracts, for example).
For a completely different and provocative take on this article, check out Chicago NAWBO Board member Kirsten Osolind's blog, re:invention marketing. Kirsten's blog is chock full of commentary on marketing for women entrepreneurs; if you visit you'll learn something new.
Read up, then use the info to persuade other women business owners to get involved in advocacy efforts at the local, state and federal level.
And, don't forget to check in on the Make Mine a $Million Business project ... you, too, can be a million dollar business owner.
posted by CG2 at 10:05 AM
4 Comments:
Hi Claire:
Thanks for reading re:invention's blog and for your link! I agree: advocacy is an essential part of building a viable, sustainable, and successful National Association of Women Business Owners organzation and expanding our power and influence as women business owners.
I recently led and championed the inspiring Illinois Inter-Chapter Council's Step Up to the Plate event in Springfield:
http://reinventioninc.blogspot.com/archives/2006_02_01_reinventioninc_archive.html#113951638282985061
With regard to government contracts, I would like to think government contracts are a frontier opportunity for women. Only 3% of federal contracts are awarded to women-owned small businesses. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce waged war throughout 2004 over the SBA's failure to achieve the 5% target goal of the Women's Procurement Program. Yet the number hasn't budged!
I believe it may be hard to correct this on a national basis. According to SBA Spokesperson Tiffani Clements, nearly 80% of federal contracts go to firms within the Washington Capitol Beltway.
A better opportunity for women to forge change and build million dollar businesses on a national basis: big boy business contracts. Currently women land just 4% of corporate contracts. Women need more access to S&P 500 pockets.
Glad to have you on board re:invention's blog. Adding NAWBO's new blog to our blogroll!
kindly,
kirsten
ceo and kcc
re:invention, inc.
"connecting corporations and enterprising women"
5:24 PM
Glad to find your blog via NAWBO.
I'm a member of the NAWBO-NNM Public Policy committee and one of our biggest frustations is hearing, "but public policy has nothing to do with me."
That's one reason I'm also the NM editor of the MicroEnterprise Journal My goal is to offer "bite-sized" pieces on issues and legislation so people can become more aware (without feeling overwhelmed).
Kirsten, I wasn't aware you were a fellow NAWBO member! Love your blog - you go girl - keep talkin'
Mary Schmidt
Business Developer & Marketing Troubleshooter
Thinking Strategically, Acting Tactically
www.maryschmidt.com
12:24 PM
Just a quick "power blogging tip" Adjust your posting so people can post without having to create a blogger account. You can do this and still prevent anonymous postings. Folks still have to enter email and URLs. And, you can set it up behind the scenes so you can prevent just about all spam and inappropriate comments.
If I wasn't already "blog-savvy" I would have given up before I ever posted the previous comment. As it is, I've now set up a blogger account which I'll never use.
Best wishes & keep up the good posting!
12:27 PM
Mary:
Thanks for your comments and encouragement. I've changed the settings on the blogs to allow real name posts without registration. The blog will still not accept "anonymous" posts. I've turned on "comment moderation" to implement these changes.
Thanks again for engaging!
Claire
12:49 PM
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