When Tamara Fleming received a scholarship for a highly regarded executive education course through the NGLCC's Supplier Diversity Initiative, she also received the tools she'd need to help her and her partner's business grow at a key time for their company.
Fleming, creative director and principal of certified LGBTBE FEMWORKS, said her participation in the Tuck School of Business Executive Education's Building a High-Performing Minority Business program was a valuable one that "couldn't have come at a better time" for her integrated marketing agency that specializes in multicultural marketing for LGBT audiences.
"The scholarship really gave us the opportunity to raise the bar and provided tools to bring our business to the next level," Fleming said. "My business is at a crossroads in the areas of increasing capacity and expanding in general. It's quite exciting, but it can be challenging while still working on generating sales and forming business relationships."
For Fleming, the program was "right in alignment" with FEMWORKS' marketing goals for 2011—expanding and growing her company's organizational leadership while increasing performance. Fleming says the program provided just the guidance she was looking for to help her business not only reach its marketing goals, but also expand its client base by learning how to effectively land corporate and federal government contracts.
Fleming also plans to use what she learned in the program to better understand her customers and improve the company's customer service process.
During the program in November, Fleming and 51 other minority business owners received expert training, consultation and insight on analyzing financial statements, developing and strengthening leadership and developing strategic alliances to increase business capacity. Thanks to the NGLCC scholarship, funded by Aetna and Ernst & Young, Fleming says she not only learned how to grow her company, but she was also able to connect with other minority business owners.
"I went in wanting to learn and understand proven strategies for venturing into new markets, but I also developed strong bonds with other minority business owners who share my sentiments about the benefits of the program," she said. "These relationships are essential for short- and long-term growth and support."
"The NGLCC and our partners care deeply about helping LGBT businesses succeed," said Victoria Fulkerson, vice president of corporate relations and supplier diversity at the NGLCC. "We will continue this commitment in 2011 and beyond through our certified suppliers, corporate partners and affiliate chambers."
Fulkerson noted that Fleming was the first of what will be many LGBT business owners who will be able to apply for a scholarship to attend the program at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.
To inquire about applying for a scholarship for the May 1-6, 2011 program, please contact Joanna Dees at jdees@nglcc.org or 202-234-9181.
For more information about the program, click here.
