Organizations that would like to do business with Shelby County will be required to apply for an approved vendor number through the on-line vendor registration process. You must access the document on-line and complete all of the required information and submit your request electronically (paper applications will no longer be accepted). You may access the vendor registration using the following link:
https://forms.shelbycountytn.gov/lfserver/vendorapplication
Please make sure that you access, print & or read the attached instructional documents prior to completing the application.
Interim Shelby County Mayor Joe Ford rolled out a report Thursday that sets a 20 percent goal along with a campaign to raise awareness among small businesses that they can get a piece of the county’s business.
“It could be janitorial supplies. It could be printing. It could be medical supplies. It could be computer supplies,” Ford said. “It’s everything you see in county government.”
Shelby County Government through its Purchasing Department believes that a successful community is one where all levels of society and business are given equal opportunity to enjoy economic success and prosperity. The purchasing department believes that Locally Owned Small Businesses represent a major part of our business community and offer a wide variety of products and services needed by the County. When the County utilizes this segment of the community, it enriches the owners, employees and families of these businesses and the community as a whole with success and prosperity.
Locally Owned Small Business subcontractors who have certified by the Shelby County Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance and are urged to consider same in compilation of their bid. Additionally, subcontractors on the list are advised of the project so that they may advise the general contractor of their desire to submit a bid.
For informational purposes, the County considers a Locally Owned Small Business to be one which:
- Is a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, joint venture or any other business or professional entity that has gross annual sales of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) or less over the last three (3) fiscal years.
- At least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a Shelby County resident and located within the boundaries of Shelby County, Tennessee.
To help our Department expand these programs, the Purchasing Department urges our locally owned small businesses to contact the Shelby County Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance at (901) 545-4336 and inquire as to certification.
As we move to a new millennium, Shelby County will continue to emphasize policies that foster locally owned small businesses by removing obstacles to their growth and by implementing incentives. For all of us, it is important to remember that fostering small businesses is good business in Shelby County.
How Small Business Is Using Social Media [STATS]
The University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business looked at the relationship between social media and small businesses and found that the technology adoption rates in the U.S. have doubled in the past year from 12% to 24%.
The data comes straight from the university’s third installment to its Small Business Success Index report and is based on a December 2009 telephone survey of 500 small business owners. Adoption rate calculations are compared against a baseline report conducted in December 2008.
The study concludes that one nearly one in five small business owners are integrating social media into their business processes — Facebook() and LinkedIn() were the most popular sites. In fact, 45% of surveyed respondents even believe their social media initiatives will pay off financially in 12 months or less.
As the graphic below details, the small business owners who are using social media are primarily engaging in social media through company pages (75%) and status updates (69%) on Facebook or LinkedIn. What’s especially intriguing is that a much smaller percentage of respondents — just 16% — are using Twitter(
) as a customer service channel.
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Memphis Entrepreneurs you could win $50,000 towards your business.
Are you America’s next great inventor? Have you successfully launched a business or created a new product? Are you generating new jobs to boost the economy? If you have a great story to tell or idea to share, we want to hear it! Make your idea come to life by shooting a 3-minute video explaining what free enterprise means to you by April 9. Any digital video camera will do, be it low-end or professional quality.
Provide a virtual tour of your big plans or get some friends together to tell your free enterprise story. Please read the terms and conditions and frequently asked questions for detailed information on the contest. Watch the video! http://www.freeenterprise.com/take-action/video-contest/
I missed the BENNY Awards, but I grabbed this article about the winners over at commercialappeal.com.
The Black Business Associationof Memphis has announced winners of the 24th annual Black Entrepreneurship Networking Needs You awards, including accountant Charles Whitsy as outstanding business professional and Taylor Brown Apothecary as business of the year.
The awards were presented Saturday evening during a ceremony held at the Holiday Inn at the University of Memphis. Best-selling author and business speaker Don Hutson delivered the keynote address.
“We had an outstanding list of nominees and an excellent selection of winners,” said Roby Williams, BBA president. “These people and organizations promote the best entrepreneurial efforts in our city while creating new jobs and a stronger tax base.”
Other BENNY recipients are:
Hardy Bottling, outstanding woman-owned business.
FedEx, outstanding corporate involvement.
McDonald Plumbing, outstanding service provider.
Memphis Light Gas & Water Division, outstanding business development.
Methodist Healthcare, outstanding business purchasing.
Pete Mitchell and Associates, outstanding professional services.
The New Olivet Baptist Church, outstanding community involvement.
Renaissance Business Center, outstanding business facility.
Total Control Logistics, outstanding new business.
The BENNY Awards are sponsored by the BBA, which was founded in 1974 and is supported by the Memphis Department of Housing and Community Development.
The awards recognize business accomplishments by minority and women-owned businesses and honor supportive corporations
Congratulations to the winners as well as the nominees.
