MLive Highlights $5B in Contracts from MEDC and Pure Michigan Business Connect Matchmaking Summits
Running a business presents many challenges, no matter where you are. Getting new clients and customers is never easy—but absolutely essential if the business is to succeed. But I am proud to say that Superior Business Solutions, as a Michigan-based company, can participate in a truly unique program designed to make the process easier for businesses in the state.
I discussed the program in a post last week and shared the benefit on the eightWest WOOD TV8 morning show. In short, it calls for successful local businesses to commit to awarding significant contracts for products and services to qualified local suppliers, rather than working with companiees that are out-of-state.
Connections Boost Michigan Businesses
Consumers Energy spurred the initiative three years ago. The company pledged to award $5 billion in such contracts to W. Michigan businesses, and is already halfway to that mark. Other businesses have joined in the effort. But how do local businesses take advantage of this opportunity and make their capabilities known to the awarding companies?
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) sponsors a series of Pure Michigan Business Direct “Matchmaking” Summits across the state. (The projection is for 40 such events this year alone.) At these by-invitation events, capable suppliers can meet and present their talents to companies who attend with contracts to award. Even more to the point—suppliers get to engage with companies they might never have been able to meet otherwise.
In my view, it’s a very proactive and forward-thinking program in which government and private businesses work together for the economic good of the state’s economy and business climate. Furthermore, I don’t know of another state that does it quite this way—or quite this effectively.
Connecting Close to Home
Last Tuesday, a summit was held at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Consumers Energy, Spectrum Health, Herman Miller and more than a dozen other companies attended, ready and willing to award contracts to suppliers.
Nearly 300 people attended, so clearly many suppliers met or interviewed with those companies. And many business relationships were launched or reinforced. We were excited to be part of it. We attend these events regularly and have a number of business contracts to show for it.
A Heartfelt Thank-You—and An Invitation
For more about this summit, check out the excellent article on the event by MLive’s Shandra Martinez. Thanks, Shandra, for an excellent write-up, and also for using Superior Business Solutions as an example. You can follow Shandra on Twitter @shandramartinez and MLive @MLive.
In the article, I offered a few suggestions about how businesses can make the most of their opportunity to participate in these Business Connect events. But I’d certainly be happy to discuss it with you personally, and help you get your business in on the action. Feel free to reach out to me from our Contact Us at anytime. I am always here to help you grow your business.
