The El Paso Minority Business Enterprise CenterTM will accomplish its mission by offering the following four types of clients services.
- Client Assessment - We will help MBEs identify immediate and long term needs and project potential growth using a variety of specialized tools and programs.
- Strategic Business Consulting – using personalized one-on-one or group consulting we use an integrative systems approach to foster the growth of minority firms and provide education and training to minority entrepreneurs on significant business topics.
- Access to Capital – This is often one of the most needed areas to help MBEs to thrive versus just survive. We will diligently assist MBEs in securing the financial capital necessary for growth and expansion of their businesses.
- Access to Markets – This involves assisting MBEs with procurement and contracts, increased sales and revenue. Examples of relevant activities include but are not limited to conducting strategic market assessment and assistance, identifying sales leads, bid preparation assistance, creating market promotions, brokering services, and assisting in the development of joint ventures and strategic alliances.
Additional Information on Client Business Consulting Activities
Business Consulting activities fall into two broad categories which include the Client Assessment process and Functional Assistance.
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Client Assessment – a fundamental business evaluation via an interview between the client and MBEC consultant. This service
is designed to provide
- Background and contact information on the client;
- Client business analysis with respect to its core competency, organizational structure, market and industry placement, production of products/delivery of services, marketing plan, resources and financial viability;
- Analysis and benchmarking of the client;
- Development of an intervention plan utilizing a systems-integrated approach and client report; and,
- Identification of resources and referrals.
- Functional Assistance – Provides the MBEC client with detailed business consulting services including but not limited to:
- Marketing, e.g., market research, promotion, advertising and sales, sales forecasting, market feasibility studies, pricing, product and customer service, brochure design (excludes mass printing);
- Financial Management, e.g., capital budgeting, general accounting, break-even analysis, cost accounting, financial planning and analysis budgeting, tax planning, business consulting (excludes bookkeeping, tax preparation, and audits);
- Financial Assistance, e.g., identification, preparation and packaging of standard commercial and alternative debt (loans, lines of credit, etc.), bonding, leases (property and equipment), equity (venture capital, angel, etc.), and mezzanine (near equity, subordinated debt, etc.) financing and trade credit opportunities;
- Procurement Assistance, e.g., preparation and planning for the identification of private and public-sector contracting opportunities;
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Operations & Quality Management, e.g.,
- Manufacturing - plant location and site selection, plant management, materials handling and distribution, total quality management, metrication for world market, and business consulting;
- Construction - estimating, bid preparation, bonding, take-offs, and business consulting;
- International Trade Assistance - exporting, importing, letters of credit, bank draft, dealerships, agencies, distributorship, exporting trading companies, joint ventures, business consulting, and freight forwarding and handling;
- Specialized Certification - ISO 9000(+) knowledge of program and standards, how to implement standards, how to report and properly apply for ISO 9000(+) Quality Systems certification;
- Total Quality Management - process engineering, inventory control, purchasing, continuous improvement programs;
- Technology & Systems - automation design, development and integration of technology to support infrastructure, knowledge management, data mining, performance based reporting;
- (6) Organization & Administration, e.g., human resource management, job evaluation and rating system, employee stock option programs, training, business consulting; and,
- (7) General Management, e.g., organization and structure, formulating corporate policy, feasibility studies, reports and controls, public relations, staff scheduling, legal services (excludes litigation), business planning, organizational development, bid preparation, and business consulting.
Disclaimer: The MBEC will not perform or engage in the day-to-day operations or make decisions for its clients.
