4/12/2024








Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program Logo




Find State of WI Contract Opportunities





eSupplier [ [link removed] ]

Contracts for goods and services [ [link removed] ]




DFD [ [link removed] ]

Contracts for architecture, engineering, and construction [ [link removed] ]




DOT [ [link removed] ]

Contracts for building and maintaining state highways [ [link removed] ]






IN THIS ISSUE

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Business Tips

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Small Business Academy

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Taxes

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New Businesses

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UPCOMING EVENTS

April 15: Digital Marketing Training [ [link removed] ]

April 18: HER Network [ [link removed] ]

April 18: WI Black Chamber of Commerce 3rd Thursday Networking? [ [link removed] ]

April 23: WI Latino Chamber of Commerce Cash Flow [ [link removed] ]

April 30: Madison Black Chamber of Commerce Roundtable - Black Business Hub

May 7: She Stands Tall MKE? [ [link removed] ]




*3 tips for small business success in 2024 from Verizon Business *

In 2024, small businesses are facing significant uncertainty regarding inflation, interest rates, the stock market, economic growth, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) alongside the future of remote work. The focus for small business owners and decision-makers in 2024 is on reducing financial stress, integrating AI, and embracing remote work. The Verizon Business Fourth Annual State of Small Business Survey highlights key strategies and concerns:


* Reducing financial stress: Small businesses are taking steps to mitigate the impact of inflation by raising prices, reducing spending on non-essential items, utilizing free resources, stocking additional products, and investing in employee retention. Maintaining a close eye on financials and leveraging resources like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready can help build resilience.
* Keeping pace with AI: While AI presents opportunities for revenue generation and efficiency improvement, many small businesses are concerned about its integration. However, there is interest in using AI for social media/marketing, order processing, data analysis, inventory management, and customer service. Businesses are motivated by the potential for revenue generation, operational efficiency, and time-saving benefits.
* Embracing the future of work: Remote and hybrid work arrangements are becoming increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent. Small businesses are facing challenges in hiring and retaining employees, with only a minority having implemented new systems or technologies to support remote work. Investing in communication tools, cloud-based solutions, and remote work infrastructure can help businesses overcome these challenges and foster collaboration among employees regardless of their location.

By addressing these key areas, small businesses can navigate the uncertainties of 2024 more effectively and position themselves for success in an ever-evolving landscape.

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*LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?S SMALL BUSINESS ACADEMYS 2024*

April 30 ? May 3

*Get the Small Business Academy advantage*

The Small Business Academy features workshops on what?s important to you and your small businesses, including financing options, legal concerns, regulatory issues, information technology, small business certifications, and identifying markets and sales opportunities, as well as practical advice from business owners who have successfully made it through the initial stages of starting and growing their companies.

?The Small Business Academy website [ [link removed] ]????????

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website
*Website Accessibility*

Making your website accessible is crucial for any business wanting to reach the most people. However, it can be difficult to know if your website is truly accessible. To get started, check if color contrast is at least 4.5 for text, provide alternative text with images whenever possible, add captions or a transcript to videos, and make your URLs descriptive. For more information about specific requirements, please see WCAG guidelines [ [link removed] ].?



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Newly Certified Businesses

We are excited to welcome the following newly certified businesses to the Supplier Diversity Program!

Advanced Engineering Consultants-ME - MBE Advertising Boelter & Lincoln Milwaukee, Inc - WBE Allegiance Medical Group (Allegiance Medical Inc) - DVB/WBE ALS FINANCIAL & REALTY SERVICES - MBE Betterway Healthcare Consulting - MBE/WBE Brown Logistics Inc - MBE Canndigenous - MBE Chose Transport, LLC - WBE Davis Clinical Consulting - WBE Essie Trucking, LLC - MBE Greenwood Park Gallery and Framing, Inc. - MBE Harbomy LLC - MBE Heritage Hydro Governor Service, Inc. - WBE Horizon Management Services, Inc. - WBE Jacman LLC - WBE M.C. Kroening, Incorporated - WBE M2Z, LLC - MBE Martin Perry Consulting and Training - MBE/WBE North American Export Council Corp - MBE/ WBE Out & About Transportation LLC - WBE Park Loyalty Inc - MBE Performance Insulation of Wisconsin LLC -WBE RE MEDIA HOLDINGS LLC - MBE Southport Trucking Services LLC - WBE Specific Logic LLC - MBE Star Media Group, LLC - MBE The Civic Operations Group - MBE/ WBE The Official Cleaners LLC - MBE Top-Notch General Cleaning Services, LLC - MBE/WBE VP Diamond Shine LLC - MBE Wood + Violet By Design, LLC - WBE

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*When are business taxes due in 2024 (for the 2023 tax year)?*

By staying proactive and informed, businesses can navigate these changes effectively and continue to thrive in 2024. As always, consulting with a tax professional can provide tailored advice and insights specific to your business needs. Click here to see more from BlockAdvisors: [link removed]








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*BID | WIN | PERFORM*




Here are current bidding opportunities with WI: eSupplier [ [link removed] ], DFD [ [link removed] ] and DOT [ [link removed] ]




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