TO A SELECT FEW:

WILFONG'S THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
JUNE 24, 2008

ISSUE STATEMENT NO. 3797: THE WILFONG HOUR #2 -WHAT WE GOT........

We got a sparkling response of where we are and where we want to go. And an indication that we are the ones we've been waiting for. We've looked a lot of places for the answers and we found them. WE are the ones to answer our problems. WE are the ones to dig ourselves out of this hole we're stuck in. WE are the ones who can, and need, to hold people accountable for delivering on what they promised.

There were several succinct points that were discussed yesterday. But, one resonated above all the rest. "MAXIMUM PRACTICABLE UTILIZATION" is something that we must hone in on. That, "maximum practicable utilization" is this nebulous "goal" that everyone keeps searching for. Not many call it that, not many seem to know. But, after yesterday, and after we write a few things on it, many more will know.

We got several comments already to the call. As a matter of fact, we got several helpful emails during the call, giving us information that callers and myself brought up. That was extremely helpful, getting info like that, in real time. We were able to go into our "Archives" and pull out responses immediately. This led to other comments and questions.

We'd like to use an email we got that lays out pretty will the essence of what we discussed yesterday:

"Hi Hank!

Just wanted to thank you & let you know that I truly enjoyed your 'Wilfong Hour' today! I have to admit that I had to take a phone call on our other office line for ~ 15 mins so I missed some of the show.

I appreciate how 'real' you are!! I love it!!! Truth be told regardless!!

I was hoping one of the future discussions could be on how to get in with the bigger primes (Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Boeing, etc)-or get to know how they think in terms of utilizing small business. Although they attend various conferences, workshops, etc... and they advertise that they are looking to do business with small businesses (woman-owned, minority owned, disadvantaged, etc) when speaking with them, a lot of the time the
response is 'We already have all the small businesses we need' or 'We don't need any more small businesses' or 'We have in-house people for the work' (or something to that effect). Well damn, then why are they at all these small business conferences trying to solicit small business????

If, in fact, they aren't truly looking for any small businesses to do business with, then why, why, why are they wasting their time (& ours)? And, why then, are there advertisements on the website for those types of services?? They obviously are in need if they are advertising for particular services!

For example, I see advertisements for MANY services on various job boards & websites (including services we provide) for these companies; ok, well, can't they get a small business onboard to supply those services??? Their answer is 'no'. Even though I have brought up the fact that we, a small, woman-owned, minority business can provide the service needed (even on a small scale- so we have can prove ourselves). I do
understand that they want someone they know, trust, etc....but how can we gain trust or familiarize ourselves with them if we aren't allowed the opportunity?

Ok, let me get off my soapbox :-)
I just hope to get answers or insight on how and what they think about small business; I would like to better understand their thinking and their process when it comes to small business opportunities. This way, maybe I can approach differently or change my strategies for getting in with the big players!

Thanks again! Looking forward to next week's Wilfong Hour'!

OUR RESPONSE:
Thank YOU, XXXXXXX for being a part of the Hour.

The points you raise are valid, as to the "Bigs" and their failure to exercise "Maximum Practicable Utilization" of SDBs. So, they have SDBs already; so they can do it "in house"; so, it's a part of their "core business", all of these are addressed by Maximum Practicable Utilization.

You may have missed that part of the call. But, we talked about that. And, we'll talk about it again. I'll be writing about it in an Issuance or two.

We'll invite folk from the "Bigs" to be on one of our Hours.

See you next week-The Wilfong Hour #3....

EVERY MONDAY | 12 NOON CST - 1PM EST ~ Dial-in Number: (218) 339-2626 (The Participant Access Code is: 408191#).

The struggle continues, until we succeed-and we shall-YES WE CAN!!!!!

Henry T. Wilfong Jr., MBA, CPA
President, NASDB
Current or Former Positions:
Three-time Appointee of Governor and President Ronald Reagan
Pasadena, CA City Councilman
Member, Bush-Cheney Transition Team-SBA Advisory Group
Member, Department of Energy, Small Business Advisory Committee
Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business/Capital Ownership Development, SBA
Member, National Council on Policy Review-Black Capitalism
Member, Presidential Task Force on International Private Enterprise
Member, California Council on Criminal Justice
Member, NASA Advisory Council
Chair, NASA Minority Business Resource Advisory Committee
Co-Chair, Unity Network and Black Republicans for Obama/(BRO)

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