Participating in an Historic Event – First Ever US Federal Government Procurement Fair for LGBT Businesses!

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Part 1 of 2 of a series around LGBT economic development

On November 15, 2012, it was truly an exciting privilege to attend the first ever Federal Government Procurement Fair for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) owned businesses. The event was organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the certifying body for LGBT business enterprises. And the NGLCC provides a wide range of support services to LGBT-owned businesses as well as for the corporate partners who now include LGBT in the supplier diversity mix.

The afternoon session was appropriately held at the US Department of Commerce Building in Washington, DC. Before the 50 to 60 LGBT business owners started visiting with the approximately dozen Federal agencies that were represented, we had a dynamic and inspiring 45 minute session with several short addresses.

Dr. Rebecca Blank, the Acting Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of Commerce delivered a compelling speech on

Dr. Rebecca Blank, Acting Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Secretary of Commerce

the importance of encouraging LGBT owned business as a key to US economic growth. Dr. Blank spoke of the President’s US Export Initiative and how LGBT-owned business can and should contribute to it. Three of her key points:

• That LGBT entrepreneurs can start businesses that help spur economic growth
• That creative LGBT business owners can develop innovative products and deliver more efficient processes that will help our economy
• LGBT entrepreneurs starting business can help grow jobs

Dr. Blank also praised the work being done by the NGLCC with its US government sanctioned trade mission to Colombia, since LGBT business have special products and expertise that international markets want … and this also helps the US balance of trade.

Gautam Raghaven, White House Liaison to the LGBT community

A second speaker, Gautam Raghaven, White House Liaison to the LGBT community, spoke of the need to continue to stimulate and grow the economy, and that is an issue that LGBT business owners should deeply care about…. because what is good for the economy is good for LGBT people.

Later on this week I will write a second blog connecting several aspects of the LGBT community to our country’s economy.

A “Fireside Chat” with a Fortune 500 CEO – the Value of Organizational Development

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On Monday, Nov 12, 2012, I attended a unique first-time event sponsored by the Triangle Organizational Development Network (TODN – link). The event was limited to a small number of participants to allow for more intimate discussion and interaction over a nice dinner in a restaurant private dining room. The event was billed as a “fireside chat” and titled “OD Value Proposition from the CEO Perspective.”

Rick Anicetti

The featured speaker (actually it was more of an informal interactive chat) was Rick Anicetti, a former “Fortune 500” CEO is now Founder and President of From One to Many Leadership Consulting LLC (an affiliate of Vistage International.) Prior to his latest venture, Rick was CEO of Delhaize America, which is the parent company for the well-known leading grocery chain Food Lion.

As one of relatively few CEOs who actually spent time in a Human Resources position, Rick offered us some excellent and profound insights into leadership. Rick was specifically asked to address how he as a CEO views the value of the Organizational Development practitioner. Some of the nuggets of wisdom I took away included:

• In today’s market, it is often difficult to differentiate between competitors. They can all get the same products, systems and processes. So therefore the one differentiator can be an organization’s people, and their ability to get it done better and faster.

• A company’s human resources (or people) are the most important investment of the company, but also its most expensive and fragile resource.

• Since most CEO’s do not have HR or Organizational Development experience, we in HR need to “ease into things” pertaining to HR and OD instead of blasting in with everything all at once. I liked Rick’s colorful analogy of “not leading the CEO out onto the skinny boards too quickly.”

• It is important for HR and OD practitioners to really know the core business and to look for strategic ways to make an impact on the business

• A simple way to look at leading others: share all you can, share where you are going, why we are going there, and each individual’s role in it.

It is a special opportunity to spend quality time in a small group setting with a senior business leader of Rick’s stature. I thank Bob Stapleton and the TODN leadership team for setting up this wonderful opportunity. And I encourage all TODN members and friends to take advantage of future “Fireside Chats.”