By the NGLCC Supplier Diversity Team
The first month of 2023 might have come to an end — but it’s not too late to follow through on a New Year’s resolution! This year, many LGBTQ+ business owners have resolved to maximize their LGBTQ certification through the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). This certification provides access to a network of nearly 2,000 Certified LGBT Business Enterprise® (Certified LGBTBE®) suppliers and 430+ Corporate Partners, as well as local affiliate chambers in your area and supplier diversity thought leaders across the nation. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind as you continue to use this platform to market your products & services and stick to your business resolutions throughout 2023!
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Make sure your business profile is up to date
Whether you recently certified your business or you have been LGBTQ-certified for many years, keeping your MyNGLCC profile up-to-date is one New Year’s resolution to remember throughout 2023. The MyNGLCC portal is your connection to NGLCC Corporate Partners and other Certified LGBTBE® suppliers, with your business profile serving as your public capabilities statement. Are you looking to do corporate contracting in the new year? Team up with another LGBTBE on a new project? Here are a few pro tips for keeping your profile up-to-date so you are accurately identified for new opportunities.
First, make sure that you have correctly selected your industry. This is one of the primary filters used to search for Certified LGBTBE® suppliers in the MyNGLCC portal. Second, add your company’s annual revenue. This section is optional; however, it is crucial to identifying businesses for key opportunities. Third, be sure that the keywords section includes terms that capture the goods, services, and capabilities that your company offers. Lastly, ensure that your profile description provides a clear snapshot of your business and capabilities.
Each section of your profile can be updated by clicking the “Edit” button. We recommend updating your profile at least twice a year to make appropriate updates. Don’t forget to update your profile with any changes regarding new contact information, website links, or business capabilities. Have questions about the MyNGLCC portal or LGBTBE certification? Join our LGBTBE Orientation, which is hosted on Tuesdays following Certification Committee meetings.
Brand your business as an LGBTBE
One of the first things you can do after receiving your certification and one resolution to keep for this year is to brand your company as a Certified LGBTBE®. Newly certified businesses receive a toolkit containing Certified LGBTBE® signage with their welcome materials. You can display these logos on your website, marketing materials, email signatures, and business cards to advertise your new certification and commitment to the LGBTQ+ consumer. Be sure to consult the logo guidelines in the Toolkit prior to publication! You can also share a digital press release to announce your certification using the assets included in your Toolkit. Please reach out to our team at supplierdiversity@nglcc.org for sample press releases.
Applying for the Certified Spotlight feature is another great opportunity to advertise your unique business story and new LGBTBE certification. The Certified Spotlight’s purpose is to highlight leaders in the LGBTQ business community. Once you apply, our Media Team will reach out to you with next steps if your story is selected for a digital profile on our blog, social media channels, or newsletter. Have questions about Certified Spotlight? Our team is standing by to answer them at media@nglcc.org.
Make connections
Entrepreneurs understand the importance of establishing connections to strengthen your business. Connecting with fellow business owners, corporate partners, supplier diversity leaders, and local affiliate chamber members will help expand your network and create opportunities for success. With LGBTBE certification, you’ll be able to make new, valuable connections to grow and strengthen your business in the New Year.
NGLCC has over 50 affiliate LGBT chambers of commerce throughout the United States. When you join your local affiliate chamber, you gain access to a network of like-minded business owners and allies looking to support LGBTQIA+ business equality and economic prosperity. Affiliate chambers also host unique programming opportunities to support you and your business throughout the year — visit your local chamber’s website to stay tuned for upcoming events, corporate opportunities, and advocacy initiatives. As an added bonus, your LGBTBE certification fee is waived when you are a member in good standing with an affiliate chamber. You’ll also get the chance to connect with other Certified LGBTBE® suppliers and learn how they’ve leveraged their certification to help their business grow!
Attend NGLCC programming
Once you get certified, one of the most beneficial things you can do to support the growth of your business is to attend events and meet new people! As a business owner, it is imperative to understand the many ways to get connected with other LGBTBE businesses and our corporate sponsors.
NGLCC hosts interactive educational programming throughout the year to ensure business owners have consistent opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. Join us on the last Friday of each month for NGLCC Sip & Pitch Fridays, which serves as a chance to informally present your business to a panel of experts and fellow business owners for positive, constructive feedback and new ideas. Click here to learn more about Sip & Pitch, or to apply to pitch at an upcoming event!
Another monthly educational program to attend is Webinar Wednesday, a business development webinar series geared towards the needs and interests of certified suppliers. Feel free to check out our YouTube page to view previous Webinar Wednesday programs, and visit our events page to sign up to attend upcoming webinars. Click here to learn more about Webinar Wednesday or to submit a topic to present at an upcoming event.
Ready to return to in-person business development opportunities & programming? You’re invited to join us at the annual NGLCC International Business & Leadership Conference, the largest LGBT business event on the planet! This year’s Conference will convene in Denver, Colorado at the Hyatt Regency Denver from August 14-18, 2023. The NGLCC Conference delivers innovative leadership programming as well as networking and engagement opportunities for more than 2,000 LGBT and allied business leaders. Cutting-edge educational programs include inspiring keynote speakers, the annual B2B Boot Camp for certified LGBT Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs), a local chamber development track, Marketplace Expo, one-on-one Matchmaker meetings between suppliers and Fortune 500 companies, and much more. Prior to the start of Conference, the Supplier Diversity team invites you to join us for “Reaching for Success,” a pre-event business development session for newly Certified LGBTBE® suppliers. Stay tuned for more information & registration for the “Reaching for Success” session from our team, and click here to prepare for NGLCC Conference 2023 registration as it becomes available.
Prepare for recertification
Recertification helps you retain access to events and opportunities within the NGLCC community and maintain all of the external benefits that come with being a Certified LGBTBE® supplier. It is important to learn how to re-certify your business, if you are still eligible for certification, and when you should begin the process.
First, check your eligibility for certification! Have you changed ownership in the last two years? Is your business now a not-for-profit? If so, your eligibility status may have changed. If you aren’t sure about your status or have questions, reach out to a member of the Supplier Diversity team to assist with any questions you may have about your eligibility. Now that you know your eligibility status, you can kickstart the recertification process.
Certification expires every three years, and you should begin the process to re-certify your business two months prior to your expiration date. You can check the expiration date on your LGBTBE certificate or certification letter to determine when to begin the recertification process.
Ready to get re-certified? Log onto the MyNGLCC portal and complete your recertification application as directed. Add your information, updated tax documents, affiliate chamber membership receipt, and any other requested documents reflecting change in the business. From there, a member of the Supplier Diversity Team will assist in your application process.
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Being certified as an LGBTBE through NGLCC is just the gateway to success as a diverse-owned business. Practicing these tips & tricks will help you to strategically execute your business marketing strategy and communicate with your desired audience, whether you operate in the Business to Business (B2B) or Business to Consumer (B2C) space. It’s never too late to get started on a resolution for your business — don’t forget that our team is here to assist you in maximizing your opportunities to do business, no matter what time of year it is!
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Click here to learn more about LGBTBE certification and get in touch with our team.
