Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox to co-host first-ever "MLB Diversity Business Summit" - Major League Baseball

MLB Press Release05/15/2012 3:01 PM EST

Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox to co-host first-ever "MLB Diversity Business Summit"

Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox will co-host the first-ever “MLB Diversity Business Summit,” which will provide attendees with unprecedented access to Human Resource and Procurement executives from MLB’s Central Office, all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and Minor League Baseball Clubs. This inaugural event will be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday, July 24th. Event information and early registration are currently available at MLB.com/diversitysummit.

“Major League Baseball is pleased to co-host the MLB Diversity Business Summit, giving our game another opportunity to connect with a diverse pool of individuals and businesses,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “I thank the Chicago White Sox for their support and hospitality, and we hope that everyone involved will benefit from the direct interaction afforded by this inaugural event.”

This sports diversity employment and business opportunity trade fair will provide job seekers and entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to network directly with club and sponsorship decision-makers for employment and business opportunities. The agenda for the event will include league-wide networking, exhibit floor access, special presenters, workshops and executive roundtable discussions. Deadline for early registration is June 1st.

 “It is an honor to join with Major League Baseball and co-host the MLB Diversity Business Summit this summer in Chicago,” said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “Diversity is critical to success in business and in baseball.  From purchasing the best products available to acquiring and developing the very best talent in the front office, the White Sox are committed to diversity throughout our business operations and throughout our ballpark.”

“The diversity of Major League Baseball is important to Commissioner Selig on-field as well as throughout our entire business,” said Wendy Lewis, Senior Vice President, Diversity & Strategic Alliances.  “The MLB Diversity Business Summit will connect a diverse and inclusive group of individuals with Human Resource, Procurement and other executives throughout the industry. We are looking forward to welcoming the many talented students, professionals and business owners who will participate in this groundbreaking event.” 

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Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox to co-host first-ever "MLB Diversity Business Summit" - Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox will co-host the first-ever “MLB Diversity Business Summit,” which will provide attendees with unprecedented access to Human Resource and Procurement executives from MLB’s Central Office, all 30 MLB Clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and Minor League Baseball Clubs. This inaugural event will be held at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago on Tuesday, July 24th. Event information and early registration are currently available at MLB.com/diversitysummit.

“Major League Baseball is pleased to co-host the MLB Diversity Business Summit, giving our game another opportunity to connect with a diverse pool of individuals and businesses,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig. “I thank the Chicago White Sox for their support and hospitality, and we hope that everyone involved will benefit from the direct interaction afforded by this inaugural event.”

This sports diversity employment and business opportunity trade fair will provide job seekers and entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to network directly with club and sponsorship decision-makers for employment and business opportunities. The agenda for the event will include league-wide networking, exhibit floor access, special presenters, workshops and executive roundtable discussions. Deadline for early registration is June 1st.

 “It is an honor to join with Major League Baseball and co-host the MLB Diversity Business Summit this summer in Chicago,” said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. “Diversity is critical to success in business and in baseball.  From purchasing the best products available to acquiring and developing the very best talent in the front office, the White Sox are committed to diversity throughout our business operations and throughout our ballpark.”

“The diversity of Major League Baseball is important to Commissioner Selig on-field as well as throughout our entire business,” said Wendy Lewis, Senior Vice President, Diversity & Strategic Alliances.  “The MLB Diversity Business Summit will connect a diverse and inclusive group of individuals with Human Resource, Procurement and other executives throughout the industry. We are looking forward to welcoming the many talented students, professionals and business owners who will participate in this groundbreaking event.” 

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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NAWBO Chicago Invites Entrepreneurs to Pursue Procurement Opportunities - PR.com

NAWBO Chicago Invites Entrepreneurs to Pursue Procurement Opportunities
NAWBO Chicago invites small business owners to attend a diversity and procurement event, "Work Your Diversity. Procurement is Smart Business" on February 21, 2012, at the offices of the Small Business Advocacy Council, 20 S. Clark St., 14th floor, Chicago.
Chicago, IL, February 10, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Getting certified as a Women-Owned Business, Minority-Owned Business and/or Small Business Enterprise can result in greater business development opportunities to eligible small businesses. That’s why the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners, in partnership with the Small Business Advocacy Council, Women’s Business Development Center and Federation of Women Contractors, invites entrepreneurs to register for “Work Your Diversity. Procurement is Smart Business,” on February 21, 2012, in downtown Chicago.

“We see this as an opportunity to educate entrepreneurs about the business development opportunities and markets they may not be aware of,” said Julie Savitt, Director-Diversity, NAWBO Chicago. “The panelists – all of whom represent potential buyers -- will discuss the products and services their organizations or entities buy.”

The panelists will be public and private sector diversity or procurement officials, such as:
· Frieda Curry, Director of the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Women's Business Development Center
· Carlos Gutierrez, Outreach Manager, Illinois Department of Central Management Services - Business Enterprise Program
· E. LaVerne Hall, Director of Cook County Contract Compliance
· Victoria Wright, MS Ed., Training & Development Analyst, City of Chicago Office of Compliance
· Brian Montgomery, Manager-Supplier Diversity, Procurement Sourcing, NICOR Gas
· Rosalyn Putman, Lead Business Development Specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration
· Nadia Quarles, Assistant Vice President-Diversity, University of Chicago

In addition to learning how to leverage procurement as a growth strategy, business owners also will have the opportunity to network with procurement officials and diverse business owners. Procurement officials from the University of Chicago and Illinois Tollway Authority have been invited to attend, as well as members of Illinois' Hispanic, Black, Asian American and Gay & Lesbian chambers of commerce.

“Work Your Diversity. Procurement is Smart Business” will be held on February 21, 2012, from 8am to 10:30am, at the offices of the Small Business Advocacy Council, 20 S. Clark St., 14th floor, Chicago. To register, visit http://www.nawbochicago.org.

About NAWBO Chicago
For more than 30 years, NAWBO Chicago, a 501(c)6 professional organization, has led the way in providing and promoting growth and development opportunities for women-owned business enterprises. Through excellence in vision, leadership, and continuous outreach to the diverse community of women entrepreneurs, NAWBO Chicago strengthens the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promotes economic development; creates innovative and effective changes in the business culture; builds strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations; and transforms public policy and influences opinion makers. To learn more about NAWBO Chicago, visit http://www.nawbochicago.org.

###

NAWBO-Chicago
Sylvia Alston
847-341-6846
Contact
nawbochicago.org

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Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Asian bosses see Europe crisis as opportunity - Chicago Tribune

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Asian business leaders see the euro zone debt crisis throwing up more opportunities for investment than their North American counterparts do, a poll showed this week.

Over three-quarters of Asian executives said they saw potential to invest in European businesses and 45 percent were making plans to do so in 2012, the survey of 800 business leaders in North America, Asia and the Middle East showed.

North American executives are less optimistic about Europe's future and only 7 percent have made such plans. In the Middle East, 14 percent of executives had fixed investment plans for Europe.

"Our research highlights that Asian businesses have the right business fundamentals and, more important, the right mentality to take advantage of the changing landscape," said Mark Malloch Brown, the chairman of FTI Consulting in Europe.

The global business advisory firm carried out the survey from Jan 9 to 16.

Over 70 percent of Asian executives believe their European competitors are struggling and said EU goods are now cheaper.

Despite increasing trade tensions, the volume of trade and investments between China and the 27 countries in the EU has risen steadily in recent years. Foreign direct investment by EU firms in China stood at 4.9 billion euros in 2010, while Chinese firms invested 900 million euros in the EU.

FTI said there were several areas where foreign companies could take advantage of "distressed assets at fire-sale prices" in Europe.

Banks and governments may be able to offer opportunities.

"Many banks have postponed action in the hope that an economic upturn would make it easier to sell assets," the report said. "But their previous hesitation may now force banks to offload these assets into a buyer's market."

European governments are also looking for a way to close budget gaps and could sell assets as one option - giving brave foreign buyers an opportunity to gain a hold in a mature global market with 500 million consumers.

(Reporting By Eric Holmberg; editing by Luke Baker/Anna Willard)

View the original article here

Zynga in active talks about online gambling opportunities - Chicago Sun-Times

Updated: January 21, 2012 2:06AM

SAN FRANCISCO — Zynga, the social game company known for “FarmVille” and “Zynga Poker,” is mulling a new market — online gambling.

Zynga Inc. confirmed Friday that it is in active talks with potential partners. San Francisco-based Zynga says it is speaking to the potential partners in order to “better understand and explore” the opportunity in online gambling involving real money.

The company’s “Zynga Poker” title is the world’s largest online poker game. That game, however, is played with fake money.

AP

© 2011 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit http://www.suntimesreprints.com/. To order a reprint of this article, click here.

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Taking chance on franchise opportunities - Chicago Sun-Times

By David Sharos For The Sun January 10, 2012 12:40PM

Marcelo Alvarez owns The Entrepreneur’s Source, which helps would-be entrepreneurs identify interests as well as explore possible franchise opportunities. | Submitted

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Updated: January 10, 2012 3:11PM

The history of American business was founded on the backs of entrepreneurs. Today’s economy is influencing some to consider whether working for themselves might be better than leaving their future in the hands of someone else.

That’s the thought process of Phil Trabaris, 54, a Naperville resident who plans to open a new Sports Clips franchise in nearby Wheaton by mid-January. Trabaris worked with Marcelo Alvarez, a franchise coach who runs The Entrepreneur’s Source — also a franchise. Alvarez’s business helps would-be entrepreneurs identify interests as well as explore possible franchise opportunities.

“We try to give people ideas about things they could do that they haven’t thought of as well as provide assessments of their interests — you could sort of look at us as a ‘matchmaker,’” Alvarez said. “We’ve placed people in a wide range of businesses from document shredding to teaching kids to draw.”

Trabaris works as a contract worker and project manager for BP setting up IT systems. But the work isn’t as steady as he would like, and Trabaris and his wife, Julie, “are looking for something more long term for their future.”

“I want something to do as well as have a source of income once I retire, and I feel the ‘Sports Clips’ franchise is a good, wholesome model,” he said. “I mean, it’s all about guys going in and watching sports and getting their hair cut. It’s not a technology-driven sort of thing, and the basic process has remained the same for hundreds of years.”

Trabaris said he hopes to eventually open three franchises, including one in Naperville, although the market here is fairly saturated, he said.

Alvarez, whose franchise is in Downers Grove, opened his business in 2006. During the past five years, he said, he has worked with “25 to 30 individuals living in Naperville.”

“Not all of them have gone on to open franchises, but my territory has mainly been in the Naperville market,” he said. “People want to use our service either because they have lost work or they aren’t as happy as they’d like to be in their current job.”

Another local entrepreneur is Scott Brady, 48, who operates a Naperville franchise of CertaPro Painters, which he bought in 2010. A former CFO and finance consultant, Brady said FranChoice in Naperville helped him find the franchise opportunity. It’s a service similar to the one Alvarez runs. Brady said he underwent some “psychological testing” to determine his interests and was allowed to shadow certain individuals already involved with franchise businesses to see if he liked them.

“I would never have known about painting as I’m a businessman, but I’ve actually employed as many as 12 to 15 crews and had 60 painters working for me in the busy season,” he said. “I still do some financial consulting and tax work, but I wanted to build something as a retirement vehicle and be my own boss.”

Another Naperville resident who has established himself in a start-up business is Atul Akhand, 46, who said Alvarez and The Entrepreneur’s Source were critical in launching Captivating Signs, at 670 W. 5th Ave. in Naperville. Akhand said he voluntarily left an IT management and consulting business, and started working in signs “to control his future.”

“I was provided with a number of possible work opportunities from The Entrepreneur’s Source as well as given background on the potential of various businesses and whether owners had to be passive or active,” Akhand said. “I wanted a business that had no geographic restrictions, and my sign business does not. I received some training and materials and access to suppliers. From this point on, the business and its success is mine.”

Akhand admits he launched his business “during the beginning and height of the current depression” but said “providing good customer service and quality products” always makes for a successful business.

“I’ve been doing this now for three years and my clients are very satisfied,” he said.

For those who are considering taking the entrepreneurial leap, Brady offers a few bits of advice.

“When you start, you want to tread slowly and learn as much about the job or business as you can,” he said. “If you should hire sales people, you need to know the business and the product well. And if you do buy into a franchise, don’t try and change things and reinvent the wheel. There’s a reason why that franchise is there, and it’s because the model works. You need to follow it.”

© 2011 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit http://www.suntimesreprints.com/. To order a reprint of this article, click here.

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Business Briefs: Networking opportunities - Chicago Sun-Times

Updated: January 9, 2012 2:10PM

Geneva

Networking luncheon: New year’s networking is the theme for the next Geneva Women in Business luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17 at Northern Illinois Food Bank, 273 Dearborn Court, Geneva. Solidify relationships with fellow GWIB members during the special networking event catered by Gen-Hoe Restaurant. Reservations at 630-232-6060. Members: $25 with reservation; $30 if invoiced. Nonmembers: $30 with reservation; $35 if invoiced.

Naperville

Artists, learn to make money: North Central College invites aspiring artists and entrepreneurs to a free panel discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 on “Making it in the Arts” at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Contact Amy Rogers at 630-637-5468 or aerogers@noctrl.edu to learn more.

© 2011 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit http://www.suntimesreprints.com/. To order a reprint of this article, click here.

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