Free Webinar – Leveraging Women-Owned Small Business Certifications to Win Contracts

Women business owners are working harder for government contracting opportunities. According to a recent survey from American Express OPEN, they invested $86,643 seeking federal contracts in 2010, up 23% from their 2009 investments of $70,512. Currently, just over one-third (37%) of active women contractors who have self-certified as a woman-owned small business (WOSB) report that the designation has been useful to them, with 17% saying that it’s been very or extremely useful.

Given recent efforts to enhance the WOSB Procurement Program and make it easier for women-owned businesses to win federal contracts, the WOSB certification will certainly become more beneficial. To help women-owned businesses maximize the year-old federal contracting program and receive their fair share of federal contracting dollars, American Express OPEN and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) are offering a free web tutorial on Wednesday, April 4. This educational webinar is part of Give Me 5, a national program created by American Express OPEN and WIPP to help women business owners get their full 5% share of federal contracts. 

In this one-hour webinar, Give Me 5 instructor Gloria Larkin, President of TargetGov, explains the unique requirements of the WOSB Procurement Program. The session will take a look at what happens after women entrepreneurs self-certify their business and walk them through the four required steps in order to compete for a WOSB set aside contract.

Business owners who are interested in joining the webinar can register at http://www.giveme5.com/events.

Additional information can be found below:

Give Me 5 131: Using your WOSB Certification to Win Contracts

Date: Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Time:  3 PM ET/ 12 PM PT

Where: Virtual

Related articles

• Opening Doors for Women-Owned Businesses (openforum.com)
• The $27 Billion Opportunity for Women Business Owners (openforum.com)

Recommended Resources for Women in Businesses

I am not being paid or endorsed to talk about some of my favorite resources for women in business. I thought this could be helpful to those who are interested in getting started or knowing more about the world of business. My list is always growing as I come across new and wonderful resources.

Here are my some of my favorite resources in no particular order:

1. Real You Incorporated by Kaira Rouda on how to discover your personal and business brand.
2. The Facebook Era by Clara Shih on how to use Facebook and other social networks as a business tool.
3. Inc. Magazine is "the daily resource for entrepreneurs."
4. Pink Magazine is a women for women by women, covering topics on business, education, career, and more.
5. Entrepreneur Magazine is another great resource.
6. Connecting Women Radio talks about issues concerning women, including business.
7. Connecting Women is a blog full of resources to help women connect to people, resources and ideas.
8. Women Business Owners is a national organization to help women in business.
9. Understanding Marketing is a site for "Small Business Marketing Ideas" from a marketing perspective.
10. Smart Women Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Achieving Financial Security and Funding Your Dreams by David Bach.

Share your favorite resources for business.