Strengthening America’s Small Business Supply Chain

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SBA Announces Request for Proposals to Conduct Supply Chain Mapping Analysis and Matchmaking

How do we build ecosystems of entrepreneurship that can make regional economies more competitive and attract more manufacturing back to the United States?

Today, many cities and communities are looking past the old practice of simply “chasing smokestacks” (using tax and other incentives to lure companies to their cities). Instead, they are focused on building the types of long-term, local entrepreneurial ecosystems and supply chains of small businesses that serve as a natural magnet for these companies.

The reality is that large manufacturers need a diverse and nimble network of small suppliers. These suppliers make large companies more efficient, more productive and more globally competitive. A strong supply chain of small businesses can be a determining factor for locating production in a particular area. And it really is a win-win. Tapping into a large commercial supply chain can also be a game-changer for a small supplier. A recent report showed that suppliers reported revenue growth of more than 250 percent just a few years after selling their products to a large corporation and employment increased by more than 150 percent on average.

Across the country, we are seeing manufacturing and production coming back to the United States. And this trend is likely to continue as companies recognize higher U.S. worker productivity, lower energy costs, increasing labor costs abroad and other logistical advantages of U.S.-based production.

Today, companies around the world are seeing America’s competitive landscape and they are increasing investment and expanding in the United States. This is creating good American jobs and economic opportunity. In fact, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted an annual survey of executives showing that the United States was viewed as the top destination for future foreign direct investment. This was the first time the United States topped this survey since 2001.

So how do we build on this momentum?

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched the American Supplier Initiative (ASI). The goal of the ASI is to increase market access for small suppliers, to offer counseling and mentoring services, and to provide ready sources of working capital to support increasing sales. And as part of these efforts, the SBA is helping to lead the Administration-wide Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), an effort designed to support communities that demonstrate best practices in developing a sustainable manufacturing ecosystem.

To build on the partnership, the SBA is seeking proposals to conduct supply chain analysis of disrupted or at-risk regional manufacturing communities. Additionally, these proposals call for the creation of matchmaking events designed to better integrate small businesses into commercial supply chains. A link to the RFP can be found here.

Going forward, we will continue to build the type of public private partnerships that support the onshoring of more American manufacturing and the expansion of America’s entrepreneurial infrastructure to ensure that more small businesses have the tools they need to grow, to create jobs and to fuel America’s economic growth.  

Karen Gordon Mills is the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA helps both Main Street and high-growth small businesses get access to capital, counseling, federal contracts, disaster assistance and more.Tags: Official SBA News and Views, Open For Business, SBA News and Views

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How to Move Up and Become Part of the Supply Chain to Larger Companies

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by Caron_Beesley, Community Moderator

Created: February 28, 2013, 9:59 amUpdated: February 28, 2013, 9:59 am

Looking for ways to become a supplier to a larger company?

A recent study showed that after a small supplier lands a big purchase order or a contract from a bigger company, the small company’s revenues go up 250 percent and they create about 150 percent more jobs in just two or three years. This is a great opportunity both for small business and for the economy.

But how can a small business go about landing a contract to be part of this lucrative business growth opportunity? Here are some tips, tools and resources that can help you get there.

Do Your Research And Plan Your Strategy

Breaking into a new market or new client base requires planning. This blog offers some tips for finding larger companies that would be a good fit for your business; getting that important first meeting; refining your sales pitch; and alleviating any perceptions about your “small” business status: How to Up the Ante and Start Selling to Larger Companies.

Use Available Resources – #1: “Supplier Connection”

Large U.S. multinational companies also know the value that supply chain networks have for them and their customers and have strengthened their efforts to reach out to small suppliers. For example, several large firms have come together to create a single, standard online application – called the Supplier Connection – that allows small suppliers to market themselves to many large U.S. firms at the same time. These firms include Office Depot, Bank of America, Dell, Facebook, Kelloggs, UPS, Pfizer and more.

The Supplier Connection portal is open (free of charge) to U.S. small businesses that have less than $50 million in revenue, or have less than 500 employees and that provide the following goods or services:

Facilities supportFood and beverage manufacturingIndustrial manufacturingLab supplies and equipmentLogisticsProfessional, marketing and technical servicesService partsSoftware

The program is part of the Obama Administration’s American Supplier Initiative, which was created to encourage companies to use small businesses as suppliers. Check out the Supplier Connection website for more information. These FAQs are also a useful resource.

Use Available Resources – #2: Your Network and Assistance Programs

Tradeshows and industry conferences are a great way to network and meet potential customers. Even if you don’t have the budget to exhibit yourself, simply attending can provide a great venue to meet the bigger players in your industry or target market. Here are some tips for getting the most out of these events: Got a Trade Show to Go To? Make it Pay Off for Your Small Business.

Other avenues to explore include your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Development Center (many host events and networking sessions that showcase larger companies in your region).

If you need one-on-one help or counseling, consider a free mentor from SCORE. These folks have walked in your shoes, whether as business owners or executives, and can help you formulate and execute a growth strategy into new markets.

Don’t Forget the Largest Customer of All - Selling to the U.S. Government

The largest purchaser in the world just happens to be the U.S. federal government, which plays a major role in fostering the growth of supply chains filled with innovative small businesses. You can read more about the ins and outs of this market opportunity from the SBA here, the agency also offers several online courses that can bring you up to speed on how to sell to the U.S. government. Another option is to partner with businesses that already hold or are bidding on government contracts. This process, known as sub-contracting, provides a useful point of entry into this market (which operates quite differently than the private sector).

The government also offers programs that help specific business groups such as veteran-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and others, gain access to the federal marketplace.

These blogs also offer insight into the business of selling to the government:

Caron Beesley is a small business owner, a writer, and marketing communications consultant. Caron works with the SBA.gov team to promote essential government resources that help entrepreneurs and small business owners start-up, grow and succeed. Follow Caron on Twitter: @caronbeesleyTags: Community Blogs, Small Business Matters, Managing

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Strengthening America’s Small Business Supply Chain

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SBA kündigt Ausschreibung durchzuführen Supply-Chain Mapping Analyse und Matchmaking

Wie baue wir Ökosysteme des Unternehmertums, die regionale Wirtschaft wettbewerbsfähiger machen und mehr Fertigung zurück in die Vereinigten Staaten zu gewinnen kann?

Heute, viele Städte und Gemeinden suchen vorbei an der alten Praxis einfach "Schornsteine jagen" (mit steuerliche und andere Anreize um zu Unternehmen, um ihre Städte zu locken). Stattdessen, sie konzentrieren sich auf das Erstellen der Arten von langfristigen, lokale unternehmerische Ökosysteme und Lieferketten von Kleinunternehmen, die als ein natürlicher Magnet für diese Unternehmen zu dienen.

Die Realität ist, dass die großen Hersteller ein vielfältiges und flinke Netz von kleinen Lieferanten benötigen. Diese Lieferanten machen Großunternehmen, effizienter, produktiver und mehr global wettbewerbsfähig. Eine starke Lieferkette von Kleinunternehmen kann ein entscheidender Faktor für die Produktion in einem bestimmten Gebiet suchen. Und es ist wirklich eine Win-win-Situation. Die Erschließung einer großen kommerziellen Supply Chain kann auch ein Spiel-Wechsler für einen kleinen Lieferanten sein. Ein kürzlich veröffentlichter Bericht zeigte, dass Lieferanten nur wenige Jahre nach dem Verkauf ihrer Produkte zu einem großen Unternehmen und Beschäftigung stieg um mehr als 150 Prozent im Durchschnitt ein Umsatzplus von mehr als 250 Prozent gemeldet.

Bundesweit sehen wir Produktion, die Rückkehr in die Vereinigten Staaten. Und dieser Trend dürfte sich fortsetzen, da Unternehmen höhere US-Arbeitnehmer-Produktivität, geringere Energiekosten, steigende Lohnkosten im Ausland und andere logistische Vorteile der US-amerikanischen Produktion erkennen.

Heute Unternehmen auf der ganzen Welt sind Amerikas Wettbewerbslandschaft zu sehen und sie sind die Investitionen und Ausbau in den Vereinigten Staaten. Dies schafft gute amerikanische Arbeitsplätze und wirtschaftliche Chancen. Ein kürzlich erschienenen Artikel im Wall Street Journal hervorgehoben in der Tat eine jährliche Erhebung von Führungskräften, die zeigen, dass die Vereinigten Staaten als Top-Destination für künftige ausländische Direktinvestitionen angesehen wurde. Dies war das erste Mal die Vereinigten Staaten diese Umfrage seit 2001 gekrönt.

Also wie kann wir diesen Schwung aufbauen?

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) hat vor kurzem der amerikanischen Lieferanten Initiative (ASI). Das Ziel des ASI ist, Zugang zum Markt für kleine Lieferanten, Beratung und mentoring-Dienstleistungen anbieten und bereit Quellen von Betriebskapital zu zunehmenden Vertriebsunterstützung bieten zu erhöhen. Und als Teil dieser Bemühungen, die SBA hilft führen die Administration-weite-Investing in Manufacturing Gemeinschaften Partnerschaft (IMCP), schießt aufs Gemeinschaften zu unterstützen, die best Practices bei der Entwicklung eines nachhaltigen Fertigung-Ökosystems zu veranschaulichen soll.

Um die Partnerschaft zu erstellen, sucht die SBA Vorschläge zur Supply Chain-Analyse der gestörte oder gefährdeten regionalen Produktion Gemeinschaften führen. Darüber hinaus rufen Sie diese Vorschläge für die Schaffung von Kooperationsbörsen entwickelt, um kleine Unternehmen besser in kommerzieller Lieferketten zu integrieren. Ein Link zu der Ausschreibung finden Sie hier.

In Zukunft werden wir weiterhin den Typ des öffentlich-private Partnerschaften zu erstellen, die die Onshoring mehr amerikanische Herstellung und den Ausbau des Amerikas unternehmerische Infrastruktur um sicherzustellen, dass mehr kleine Unternehmen die Werkzeuge, die sie benötigen haben, zu wachsen, um Arbeitsplätze zu schaffen und das Wirtschaftswachstum Amerikas Kraftstoff zu unterstützen.

Karen Gordon Mills ist der Administrator der U.S. Small Business Administration. Die SBA hilft beiden Main Street und wachstumsstarke kleine Unternehmen erhalten Zugang zu Kapital, Beratung, Bundes Verträge, Notfall-Hilfe und vieles mehr.Tags: offizielle SBA-Neuigkeiten und Ansichten, offen für den Handel, SBA-Nachrichten und Ansichten

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