Understanding the 8(a) Program Webinar - 5/9

American Express OPEN and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) are offering a free one-hour educational webinar on Wednesday, May 9 on the formal certification process for the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program – a nine year program designed to assist in the development of small companies owned and operated by individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The program provides participants with access to a variety of business development services, including the opportunity to receive federal contracts on a sole-source or limited competition basis, and has been an important driver of growth for thousands of minority entrepreneurs over the past few years.

Taught by Give Me 5 instructor Gloria Larkin, participating business owners will learn in detail what to do before, during and after 8(a) certification. This session will clearly define the eligibility criteria, the program’s timeline, tips to market your certification effectively, the secret of 8a sole source contracts, and teaming to leverage the 8(a) certification after graduation. This webinar is part of Give Me 5, a national program created by American Express OPEN and WIPP to help women business owners get a leg up on selling to the world’s largest customer: the U.S. government.

Additional Information can be found below:

Give Me 5 190: Understanding the 8(a) Program

Date: Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Time: 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

Where: Virtual

Free Webinar for Small Businesses – “How to Write Successful Proposals (Part 2)”

It takes small businesses an investment of both time and money to seek federal contracting opportunities. In 2010, active small business contractors reported they invested an average of $103,827 in time and resources seeking federal contracts – an increase of 21% over 2009, according to a survey conducted by American Express OPEN. Learning how to write a winning proposal is critical in helping to save business owners’ most precious assets – time and resources.  

American Express OPEN and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) are offering a free one-hour educational webinar on Wednesday, April 11 on the “Do’s and Don’ts” of writing an effective proposal on federal government solicitations. Taught by Give Me 5 instructor Barbara English of Solutions, Inc., participating business owners will learn in detail the contents of a request for proposal (RFP), the pricing tools, and whether “to bid or not to bid.”  This is the second of three webinars (the first of which ran on March 28) to be held as part of Give Me 5, a national program created by American Express OPEN and WIPP to help women business owners get a leg up on selling to the world’s largest customer: the U.S. government.

Additional Information can be found below:

Give Me 5 129: How to Write Successful Proposals (Part 2)

Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Time: 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

Where: Virtual

Business owners who are interested in participating can register here.