COLIN NETALUCSB SUSTAINABILITY

Buy Local Programs;Creating Jobs Through

Supporting Local Business

2014 Independent Business Survey

• coalition of organization that represent independent businesses• Members include the American Booksellers Association,

American Independent Business Alliance, Independent Running Retailers Association, among others

• Non-profit organization founded in 1975• Work with citizens, policymakers and businesses to design

systems, policies and enterprises that meet local needs; to maximize human, material, and financial resources; and to ensure that the benefits of these systems and resources accrue to all local citizens

Findings

Independent businesses located in cities with local first campaigns run by local business alliances outperformed those in cities without such a campaign

Independent businesses held a 4.7% advantage in average revenue growth

Findings

Challenges Facing Independent Businesses

Desired Policy Changes

Michigan B2B Program Initiative developed by the

Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Access to a Business to Business Network

Find procurement resources, new business opportunities

Finance, legal, accounting, marketing, human resources, and other business services offered at little to no cost

Large Buyers

B2B Database

Specially designed matchmaking tool created by InfoReady

Data Harvesting Program: Whiteboxing- meeting with partner organizations to

prepopulate database

Benefits to Joining the Website

• Track and respond to “Request for Proposals” and other buyer requests from both Michigan and out-of-state businesses;

• Update your company profile with appropriate industry and keyword information so that buyers and potential collaborators can find you;

• Review special business offers from other Michigan businesses;

• Request pro bono or significantly reduced business services from Pure Michigan Business Connect strategic partners;

• Track and apply to attend invite only procurement events with companies such as Ford, Chrysler, Blue Cross Blue Shield,

Consumers Energy, General Dynamics, DTE, etc.; • Search for collaborators or potential suppliers; and • Post your own

company’s procurement needs.

Pro Bono Services

Legal Marketing Planning Human resources Small business

operations Accounting Web assistance graphic

design Economic Gardening

Supplier Summits

• Find new procurement opportunities• Facilitate introductions that explore: • Direct and indirect sourcing• Exporting opportunities• R&D partnerships• Innovative collaborations• One-time specialized buying needs

Inside a Supplier Summit

Supplier Summits are demand drivenCollect list of needs from large buyers for

next buying cyclepotential suppliers fill out application onlineSuppliers information forwarded to large

buyers, who select who to invite to summit