Small Business STRONGER

Procurement | FREE Program

Dates: July 16, 2024 - August 20, 2024 | Apply Online by Friday, June 28th

- Kickstart with Impact:  Begin your Small Business STRONGER journey with an engaging in-person introductory workshop on Tuesday, July 16th from 9:30am - 1:30pm.

- Deep Dive Sessions: Continue with five weekly, 2-hour virtual sessions packed with essential insights and strategies.

- Expert Guidance & Networking: Learn from guest experts and industry leaders in the fields of Finance, Law, Technology, and Procurement that will delve deeper into the topics and help expand your network.

- RFP Playbook: You’ll leave the course with a comprehensive RFP Playbook, a roadmap to create actionable plans and content libraries to secure future government contracts.

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Long Term Contracts. Long Term Impact.
For businesses located within the five boroughs of NYC

The Interise Small Business Stronger (SBS) Procurement program is designed for procurement-ready small businesses who want to develop the skills, knowledge and capacity to pursue and secure government contracts in order to grow their business. The program will feature an in-person introductory workshop, followed by five weekly, two-hour virtual sessions. The curriculum targets established businesses who are in the early stages of contracting or who are looking to pursue procurement opportunities as part of their growth strategy.

SBS Procurement sessions will cover a wide range of topics relevant to Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Procurement including: Unique Value Propositions, Capability Statements, Financial Management through a Procurement Lens, Negotiation, Legal Implications, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and more. Throughout the five-week course, participants will develop an RFP Playbook, integrating their learnings and creating action plans and content libraries for their future pursuit and awards of government contracts.

- Graduate of Interise StreetWise MBA Program or a graduate from a similar capacity building program.

- Your business' principal office, place of business or headquarters is located within the five boroughs of New York City.

- Your business revenue over a 3 year average is between $300K and $10M.

- Your business has been in operation for at least 3 years. 

- You have received a government contract within the past 24 months or intend to submit for government contracts within the next 36 months.

- Willingness and ability to participate in the introductory workshop and all five of the 2-hour virtual sessions.

- You have some familiarity with the New York Procurement Economy.

- If you do not meet all of the above qualifications, but your business operates in the Clean Energy Industry, we encourage you to apply.

Program Requirements

What You Will Learn:

- Unique Value Proposition: Gain a competitive edge and stand out in the crowded marketplace.

- Capability Statements: Confidently differentiate from competing suppliers and showcase your strengths effectively.

- Financial Management:  Master financial strategies through a procurement lens.

- Negotiation Tactics: Win contracts with confidence.

- Legal Insights: Navigate the legal landscape with deeper understanding.

- Artificial Intelligence: Leverage AI in your procurement strategy for a competitive edge. 

Meet the Instructor

Robert Clark Williams, Jr. (Rob) is a seasoned leader in government and community engagement with a strong focus on diverse and small business development. As the former Director of Government and Community / Diverse and Small Business Engagement for the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office, he has a long history of helping MWBEs achieve procurement success and gain government contracts. Currently, he is an Interise StreetwiseMBA Instructor, supporting the growth of small businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color and those in low-wealth communities. He also serves as a National Trustee of The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA).

In addition to founding Executive Strategies, LLC, Robert has held board leadership roles with The Algonquin Club of Boston, The New England Committee’s Legal Defense Fund, The Roxbury Community Health Center, and the Mattapan Community Development Corporation. His academic background includes studies at Merrimack College, Georgetown University, Harvard University's National Fellows Program, and The Massachusetts School of Law at Andover. Robert resides in Boston, MA, and Martha’s Vineyard with his wife, Sabrina, and remains dedicated to fostering economic growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion in all his endeavors.

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR

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